Changes

It did not take that long before the servants finished preparing the table and served three dishes, just like what I wished earlier, on the table and arranged a plate with all kinds of cutleries along with a chalice of tangerine juice.

Dame Therese pulled a chair for me and I sat on the chair, I am greeted by silence once again after the servants left. I do not know why, but it seems that ever since I came back to the palace, there's this sudden gap in my chest. I feel hollow every time my eyes would land at the empty chairs and tables in the Dining Hall.

"Dames, may you eat with me?" I am not certain where that came from

"I beg your pardon, your majesty?" Dame Therese is obviously startled at my sudden request

I stood up from the chair and turned around to look at Dame Maia and Dame Therese.

"We would not dare do such thing, your majesty, it's inappropriate for knights such as us to dine with her majesty." Dame Maia said and I looked at Dame Therese who nodded before lowering her head from my gaze again

"Then, if I make it an order, would you dare turn me down?" I asked and turned my head to look at both of them whose heads are lowered and avoids eye contact with me

"Of course not, your majesty, her majesty's word is the law." She replied quickly

When I looked at Dame Maia my expression changed when I noticed something different about her, I notice even the slightest change in them as they have been around me since they were assigned to me and since the day they've escaped with me.

"In that case, if I say that I order you both to eat with me, will you decline?" I asked again

"We will not dare do such insolence such as disobeying her majesty's orders, your majesty." I heard Dame Therese answered and I nodded but my mind has drifted to something else

"Dame Therese," I called Dame Therese's attention

"Yes, your majesty?" I turned to her and she walked closer

"Do you notice anything different about Dame Maia?" I asked and looked at Dame Maia

"I beg your pardon, your majesty?" I turned my head to look at Dame Therese and I saw that she's blinking in confusion

"Do you notice anything out of the ordinary?" I asked her and she looked at Dame Maia

"Dame Maia is…" she said while looking at Dame Maia

"Is there a problem, your majesty?" anxiety is evident in Dame Maia's face as she asked me

"I noticed that you are rather pale, Dame Maia." I pointed it out

"Dame Maia, are you… are you in need of rest?" Dame Therese asked her perplexedly

"I… I am alright, your majesty, please do not worry." She replied and I sighed

"However, I am not at ease," I said and looked at her humorlessly

"Unless you and Dame Therese would eat with me," I added

"Then, I will be at ease." I said with finality

She raised her head and contradiction is evident in her face however, she lowered her head once again and in a low voice, "As you wish, your majesty," she replied and I smiled.

I looked at the bell on the side of the table and held it, I rang it a couple of times and within a few minutes, servants came back while lining up.

"Prepare a plate for the Dames," I said and I saw how their eyes widened in surprise

"Y-Yes, your majesty," they stammered with their reply

It did not take that long before plates and cutleries were laid out in front of the Dames, I asked one of the servants to pour tangerine juice on their chalices as well. Some servants remained and lined up on the side of the wall.

"Let's eat," I looked at them and they nodded their heads

They went to seat on both of my side, and eating breakfast with the both of them alleviates that hollow feeling I was feeling earlier. I enjoyed my breakfast and had quite a good appetite compared to my appetite these past few days I saw that Dame Therese and Dame Maia enjoyed breakfast as well. It sends a warm feeling in my heart when I saw that they have relaxed from their tense state under the prying eyes of the servants a while after we started eating, that's better as they would enjoy the meal better when they are laidback.

"Her majesty," I saw how Dame Maia and Dame Therese tensed after hearing the knight's voice and the door opening

"Stay seated," I said and they looked conflicted but did not dare defy my command

"What is it?" I asked the knight who had entered and he knelt on knee before standing up

"Baron Tariq is here to see you," he said followed by Baron Tariq's appearance

"Oh, I apologize for barging during your meal time, your majesty." He apologized and bowed

"It's alright, have a seat and join us for breakfast, Baron." I replied

"Thank you for your assistance," he turned to the knight who then left after bowing

"Maids, prepare a table for the Baron Tariq," I turned to the maids lined up on the wall

The servants are quite skilled, working and heeding our orders in a quite quick pace one after another without mistake. They laid out a plate and cutleries along a chalice of tangerine juice in front of Baron Tariq who is seated next to Dame Maia.

"This is definitely a good breakfast environment, your majesty." Baron Tariq commented after he started eating

"I have the same idea, baron." I agreed in delight

We continued eating, the Dames remained quiet and focused on their meals, from time to time my vision would turn to Dame Maia's direction. There is this weird familiar feeling in her presence that I just cannot pinpoint and name, it is not threatening at any way though.

"Our journey had been peaceful, your majesty." Baron Tariq replied when I inquired about their journey from the military base in the reclaimed territory back here

"I see, that's relieving to hear then. How about the young prince's condition, is there any improvement?" I asked and took a sip from my tangerine juice

"He is still unconscious but from time to time, he is mumbling words in his sleep, he is probably slowly regaining consciousness." He said and I nodded

"If it is not affronting, may I ask about her majesty and the king of Arcadia's current relationship?" he asked and I shook my head

"We haven't talked again, our last conversation was before he left." I said

We continued eating, as I am the Queen, I noticed that even though Dame Maia and Dame Therese had finished their meal, they remained seated, same with the Baron Tariq, as it is considered a sign of insolence to stand when the monarch has not yet finished his meal.

I stood up after I finished my breakfast and only then did they stand up from their seats, we went out of the dining hall, Baron Tariq and I walking ahead while Dame Maia and Dame Therese trailed from behind.

"Was he accompanied by any physician?" I asked Baron Tariq when the topic shifted back to the young prince's condition

"Yes, along with the other physicians sent by both Arcadia and Holland to assist those of Astrae, the physician who had treated him back in the military base came along as well." He answered and I nodded in relief

"Where is he now?" I asked when I recalled that I forgot to ask his location

"Her majesty's knights had said that you've instructed that he is to be brought to the White Palace." He answered and I stopped on my tracks and faced my Dames

"I did?" I asked and looked at them

"Yes, your majesty, along with your instruction of checking the vicinity and security of the White Palace, you've instructed me to inform the servants residing in the White Palace and the knights to have the young prince be given the largest room in the White Palace." Dame Maia answered and I smiled before nodding

"I must've forgotten about it already," I shook my head

We went to the White Palace, its interior and exterior have not changed even a bit but I've noticed the raise in the relative number of servant and knights posted in every corner.

"Your majesty," the head servant of the White Palace bowed

"Is he already inside?" I asked

"Yes, your majesty." He answered and opened the door for us

We entered the room and we were greeted by a gold and white interior design of the room.

"The young prince's room is lavish and is fitted for a prince such as him." Baron Tariq said

I walked to the young prince's direction and sat on the bad where he is peacefully sleeping.

"Your majesty, I shall excuse myself to check on the manpower of the White Palace to tend appropriately to the young prince's condition." Dame Therese said and I nodded

"Your majesty, I will be heading back now." Baron Tariq excused himself

"Dame Therese, accompany the Baron back to his carriage on your way out." I told Dame Therese and she knelt down and bowed her head before replying, "Yes, your majesty."

I saw that Dame Maia had positioned herself by the doorway of the young prince's room and had opened the door for Dame Therese and Baron Tariq, she lowered her head a bit when Baron Tariq passed by as a sign of respect for the Baron.

"Hmm…" I looked at the young prince when I heard him grunt

"I hope you'll wake up soon, Malika," I said in a soft voice

"I want to celebrate our victory with you," I added and ran my hand through his hair

"We're close to reaching our dream of peace between our kingdoms." I smiled but I felt a cold liquid running down my cheek so I looked um

"Do you remember what Zairo promised you before?" I asked and when I looked at him again, crystal like fragments fell and there weren't any tears coming from my eyes anymore as they've started to become those crystal-like fragments

"He said he'd do anything to fulfill that promise, right?" I asked as whirlwind of emotions came crashing down inside my chest

"We'll celebrate your birthdays together." I said and bent down to kiss his forehead

When I sat down, I noticed the crystal-like fragments on his cheek and the side of his eyes