Purple

*ADELIA**

As soon as those words came out of my mouth, the woman looked up from her food like a deer caught in headlights. She dropped her fork and looked from me, to the King to Prince Arnold. She looked afraid.

I looked at the King and Arnold and wondered why she looked at them like that. The king too had stopped eating, and so had Arnold. The king's jaw was clenched, and the fork he was holding would have probably lost its life, if it had any, from how tight he was holding it.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly changed and everywhere was quiet. The thick silence was broken by Arnold clearing his throat.

"It's nothing, my love. The Queen isn't really feeling well." Arnold said, looking at the Queen.

I looked back at the woman. She had her head bowed again. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

"Speak." The King said.

The woman slowly lifted her head, looked at me. Her eyes were filled with tears.

"I'm s-sorry, M-My Princess. I d-don't feel very well today, th-that's all. I'm s-sorry if my silence offended you." She said looking from my to her plate.

"The Queen is awfully shy. She barely talks to anyone. Coupled with her feeling under the weather." The King explained.

"Oooh. Get well soon, My Queen."

I continued with my food and so did everyone else. I opened my mouth to ask the Queen a few more questions, but Adrian cleared his throat, a little too loudly.

I turned to him to find out what was wrong. He shook his head. I opened my mouth to speak again, and he shook his head even more fervently, this time. So, I kept mute.

Soon enough, lunch was over with the King talking about how wonderful it would be when Arnold and I got married and Arnold, constantly holding my hand every opportunity he gets and giving a smile too bright, it looked forced. I was asked to follow a maid to show me to my room. She would be my personal maid for the time being.

I entered the room, and lay on the bed. It was really soft. My eyes immediately shut on their own accord, as I was really tired. I thought back to lunch and everything that happened at the table. That woman seemed out of place.

"Something's wrong" I thought out loud.

"No shit." I heard Adrian say.

My eyes opened immediately and I was so scared.

"How did you get in here?" I asked him with my eyes wide open and my hand on my chest, trying to slow my heart beat if I could.

He pointed at the door and I felt so dumb.

"I know your you used the door. I mean when did you get in here. I didn't hear the door open."

"I followed you in. You really a should pay attention to your surroundings. What if it was a bad person?"

"Sorry, I'm not usually this absent-minded. It's just, everything that happened at that table is too fishy for me to ignore."

"I know. The more reason I stopped you from speaking any more. So you won't start something we're not ready for. We have a mission, remember?"

"That's exactly why I wanted to ask more questions. It seemed as if, when the Queen spoke, it angered the King. Notice how, when I spoke to her, she looked startled. No Queen is that startled or afraid to be spoken to. Also, notice how the King gave her permission, or should I say commanded her to speak...it's all very suspicious."

When I finished talking, I looked at Adrian, who just stared back at me.

"What?"

"You noticed all these things? You act very..... oblivious to a lot of things. I didn't realize you notice alot." Adrian stated

"I act dumb, so people can slip up. That's why I wanted to provoke the King, by asking "the Queen" , more questions." I finished with a smile.

A knock on my door, interrupted our conversation. Adrian went to the door to open it. It was my maid.

"Enter."

She entered with a bow, holding a tray with a cup of tea on it.

"Your Majesty, The Queen sends her apology for not having welcomed you properly, due to her health. She sends this tray of Glacia's special royal tea, to you. It is best enjoyed very hot, so she pleaded you drink it soon."

I gestured to a small table away from me. She placed it on the table and curtsied. I expected her to turn around and leave but she just stood there.

"Anything else?" I asked

"You're supposed to drink the tea now, Your Majesty. I'd like to take the cup back."

I was about to reach for the tea, but Adrian spoke.

"My Princess, be careful, so you don't over fill your self. Remember, you just had lunch." He said to me. He looked at me very intently, so I knew something was up. I agreed.

He turned to the maid.

"The Princess has had too much for the afternoon. Return to collect the cup. She'll drink it when she can."

The maid looked at him and looked back to me. She was reluctant to leave. She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it. She bowed her head and I excused her.

As soon as she was out the door, I opened my mouth to ask Adrian what was wrong and he placed his finger on his lips. I didn't say anything.

Then looking at me, he said,

"My Princess, you should lay down, since your stomach doesn't feel too good. I heard it helps to settle the stomach."

"What are you...." I begun to ask

This time, he shook his head. I followed his lead, knowing he was up to something. His eyes always spoke for him. I lay on the bed and then he continued,

"I'll leave you to your nap, My Princess."

He bowed....something he never did, and then walked towards the door. I heard a sound outside the door, as if someone was running away. Adrian turned to me and smiled. I still didn't understand what was going on.

He actually left my room, and sure enough, I fell asleep soon after. I guess I was actually really filled from lunch, and really tired from the journey.