04: Another Step

I was about to open the door to see who is knocking, I do have a hunch on who's possibly be knocking, my Mother, the Queen Katrina.

Zai stood at the side of the door and opened it and there stood my mother, as I've expected.

"Avery, I'm so delighted that things are going well between you and Ezra now." She said

"Likewise, Mother, would you like to come in?" I replied and she went in

"Who are you with? I'm sure I heard you chuckling earlier." She asked

"I'm with my personal guard, Mother." I replied

"Oh, that must be why I heard a guy's voice. I thought you were hiding a secret lover from me." She said which made me chuckle

"Excuse me, your highnesses. I would take my leave." Zai said so I used my inner voice and said, 'Nice. Now you're leaving me with my Mother huh, Zairo. Are you kidding me?'

"Bye, Pam I'll knock to your hidden door tomorrow." He said that as he walks away, I returned my attention to Mother after Zairo left

"Well, Avery, I think it's time for you to look for a perfect husband for you. You should start looking for them. We'll invite different kingdoms." She told me which gave me an idea

"Even at Arcadia?" I asked hopefully.

I could use this as another step for our plan.

"Well, it has a possibility, Avery, because I heard that the former king has a son who's almost just a year older than you and he was crowned King weeks ago. Why did you ask?" she replied and I smiled

I didn't know the news of Zairo's coronation reached us, but it is quite likely given that they are the kingdom closest to us, which is why they are rivals. I think it was because of the rivalry in claiming the nearby villages and territories.

"Mother, I want us to finally live in peace without any war." I answered

"You really are your father's daughter; he also loves to be in with peace with them. Well then, I'll discuss it with the elders tomorrow to have a ball that invites every kingdom even Arcadia in four days" after mother left I used my inner voice and said, "Zairo, go back to Arcadia now!" I told him excitedly

"Did the queen found out?" he asked but in the tone he was worried

"That you're from Arcadia? No. However, she learned that Arcadia's former king has a son who is only a year older than me." I replied

"Why do I have to return except from the reason that my off is tomorrow?" he asked

'Because there will be a ball in three days. I asked her if we could also invite your kingdom.' I replied

"I'll tell my father about it. Patrice, you're improving." He said and I smiled even though he can't see it

'Thanks.' I said

"By the way, Pam, what is the ball for?" He asked

'Okay, heads up, I'm doing this for our plan for peace but the thing is, the ball is to look for potential husbands for me.' I answered

"I see. Would you like me to participate?" he replied

'Yes, because, honestly, I like to disagree with it very much if it wasn't for our plan of peace.' I said truthfully

"Oh, I thought you like me." He teased which made me shake my head

'In your dreams, Nathan Zairo.' I retorted

"Pam, I think it's time for you to sleep." He suddenly said

'Why? Are you sleepy already?' I asked him

"It's already 8:00, you know, you don't know what might happen tomorrow. I won't be there to come to the rescue if you need me so you should be prepared." He said and I got his point

'Right, thanks. Good night, Zairo.' I told him

"Night to you too, Patrice." He replied

Then I turned my inner voice off again and drifted to sleep.

The next morning, Zairo woke me up saying, "Good morning, Patrice. I'll be back in two days." Using inner voice

I entered the Dining Hall; Ezra greeted me, "Good morning, Avery."

"Good morning, Lady Ezra." I greeted her back emphasizing her title

"Why is Knight Therese your near guard today, where's Zairo?" she asked when she saw Knight Therese

I stopped my brow from rising when I heard her call Zairo by his first name.

"It's Knight Zairo's day off today." I answered emphasizing the word 'Knight'

We just stopped chatting when mother entered

"Good thing you're awake now, Avery, you too, Trinity." Mother said

"Why, Aunt?" Ezra asked

"Avery hasn't told you yet? In three days different kingdoms are coming here." Mother answered

What's the relevance of telling Ezra about it? I honestly don't see the purpose why Ezra is here, she doesn't have any business in the Palace.

"And for what reason are they coming here for?" Ezra asked obviously confused

"There will be a ball and that is where Avery is going to choose her husband then those chosen will have to court her. Don't worry, Avery, I have sent emails to all of them. They will come three days from now." Mother answered

"I didn't know it's that soon." I said

"The sooner we've filtered the candidates, the better." She replied

"Okay." I answered then started eating

After eating, Mother excuse herself saying she has matters to attend to while Ezra came along with her. I excused myself that I'll be going to my room.

'Good morning, Zairo.' I greeted Zairo after sitting on the couch in my room

"Have you eaten?" he asked

'I have. By the way, what are you doing right now?' I replied

"I'm currently pretending to nap here because I don't want my younger brother to ask me too much questions." He answered

'Zai, what is the national language in Arcadia?' I asked him curious

"Russkiy. I'm going to teach you because I don't want you to be left out when my family is talking in Russkiy." He answered

'Okay, sure." I replied

"Hello means zdravstvuyte!" he said and I got confused

Zdrav- What? I think I just bit my tongue trying to pronounce it properly.

"How is that pronounced?" I asked

"Zi-dravs-vyut." He replied and I switched into the vocal mode

"Zdravstvuyte." I said

"You really are a fast learner." He said

"Thanks." I replied after I reverted to inner voice mode

"Hey means Privet. It's an informal greeting." He said

"Pri-vet?" I asked and pressed the vocal

"Yeah try saying it fast." he replied

"Privet." I said

"Good job." He praised

"Thanks, Zai." I replied reverting back to inner voice

"Avery, are you in there?" I hear Mother's voice outside

'Zai, I got to go now. Bye.' I closed my inner voice before he can answer.

"Yes, Mother." I answered as I open the door

"Avery, where is Knight Zairo, isn't he your near guard?" she asked

"Yes, he is, Mother, but it's his day off today." I answered

"Oh. Now I understand why Knight Knight Therese is your near guard today." She said

"Why? Do you need anything from him, Mother?" I asked

"I just want to ask him where he studied his fighting skills because his general said that he beaten all his comrades who are a lot higher than him." She said and I can't help but smile

Typical Zairo, he really doesn't like the idea of being beaten up, after all, he is a king.

"I heard he studied it himself from watching the knights." I told Mother

"You know him that much, Avery?" Mother asked

"Not quite, Mother. I only saw him train one time when I was wandering." I answered and I noticed that Mother's expression changed

"Actually, you know what, Avery, if he becomes a higher official in our army or in our society, I might recommend him than prince and royalties and if you fall in love with him, I wouldn't go against it because I feel that you're safer if you're with him." Mother said and I looked at her in surprise

Mother didn't just subtly tell me she likes Zairo for me, right?

"Wait a minute, Mother, are you recommending him to me?" I asked her

"If that's how you see it, Avery, then I am." She answered with a smile and I looked at her unbelievingly

"Mother!" I gasped

"Avery, you're already 17 you are already at the right age." She said and tapped my shoulder

I'm only 17, not eighteen.

"But I still have no plan to have any romantic relationship, Mother." I said

"I understand your choice, my child. By the way, Avery, would you like to come with Trinity?" she asked

"Heading to where, Mother?" I asked

"She's going to Arcadia. I figured out that it's better if a member of a noble family would be the one to personally invite them." Mother answered

"Of course, Mother." I replied