Queen consort

Princess Evageline was in the garden staring at the flowers but a very specific one caught her eyes. She wasn't familiar with the names of different flowers so she didn't which it was but that didn't stop her from leaning forward to smell it. 

"Daffodil" 

She startles at the voice and whips around to find the gardener watching her, she rakes her brain for his name "Marcus?" 

He bows which confirms she got it right "Your Highness"

She watches him then she registers what he said "Daffodil?"

He steps closer until he's next to her with a good distance between them and he gestures to the flower she was staring at "These are daffodils. A spring flower that symbolizes hope"

She hums "That's good to know."

"It also symbolizes unrequited love"

"I see" She gives him a sideways glance, noting the bits of dirt on his face which meant he must have been working "I hope I'm not keeping you from your work"

He shakes his head "Of course not, Princess. I was just grabbing some roses for Prince Clover"

He immediately snaps his mouth shut like he knows he has said too much and she raises an eyebrow "Oh, please don't stop talking on my account. I am aware that my fiancé has been ordering red roses to be delivered but obviously not to me."

He clears his throat "Well I don't know who they are for, I just do my job of getting them for him"

Her eyes narrow and she steps closer to him which makes him uneasy "You dare stand here and lie to the face of your future Queen?"

His eyes widen as he sputters "N-no! I didn't me-"

"Who is it for?" she cuts him off, her voice firm making no room for argument

His cheeks heat and his eyes dart around to make sure no one is aund before his shoulders slump and he says "They are for Mia."

"Mia the maid?"

He grimace "The Prince would not appreciate you referring to her as such"

"I could care less what the Prince would not appreciate" she tilts her head slightly as she regards him "What is the relations between the Prince and the maid?"

"Oh, I don't-" he starts but cut himself off when she raises an eyebrow, challenging him to lie to her "Well they are close if that's what you're asking"

"It's not. I'm aware Prince Clover beds her but it's more than that if he's giving her roses every single day"

He cringes as she states it so bluntly and if Evageline wasn't in such a bad mood of late then she would have found the look on his face funny. Marcus looks around once again before saying "They grew up together"

A frown makes it's way to her face "A maid and a prince grew up together?"

"Correct" he nods "Mia's mother worked for the Clarke's for years and which meant Mia was always roaming around while she worked and next thing everyone knew is they were friends. Thick as thieves according to my father"

She doesn't know what exactly to say to that so she doesn't say anything at all, she has hollow feeling in her stomach that she does not quite understand. Marcus glances at her before letting out a small sigh "Princess, if I may…..I think it would be best if you do not interfer with their relationship."

"And why is that?" she asks softly without even meaning to

His eyes soften at the dejected look on her face "Everyone tries their best to ignore the fact that she's his…companion but there is no denying that she has always been his rock."

She gets his unspoken words. There's no competing with that and the Prince made it clear his heart belonged to another but she didn't think for once it would be the maid. Evageline has been doing her utmost best at avoiding everyone, including her own parents because she knows all hell will break loose if her father finds out she hasn't accomplished 'Plan Clover'

Dinner is awkward. The only sound is the utensils hitting the plates, Evageline has not once looked up at anyone and it seems everyone is too afraid to ask what the issue is. Even though Clover knows exactly what the issue is. At least he thinks he does. He can't help but feel that there's something else bothering her besides what happened between them that night in his bedchamber. Queen Charlotte nudges her elbow against King Henry's side to say something and he breaks the tense silence by clearing his throat before saying "The Duke of Grigos has been quiet of late"

Everyone turns to him, surprised that he's discussing business at the dinner table. It's no secret that the Clarkes and Evans family tolerates each other for the upcoming marriage between Evageline and Clover but they don't trust each other enough to discuss business in front of the other. 

King Henry continues "There are rumours going around that he hasn't been seen and the people are rather worried."

Clover puts his utensils down "I take it you want to pay him a visit?"

King Henry stares at his son before saying "I want you to pay him a visit"

Clover's eyebrows shot up and everyone turned to look at him, well besides Evageline who sipped her wine. It would not be the first time his parents send him to take care of thing, he is the future king afterall.

Henry then said "Princess Evageline will join you" which makes her chokes on her wine and she coughs loudly muttering an apology.

"I beg your pardon?" Queen Amber asks staring wide eyed at Henry while King Lucien has that calculating look in his eye that Evageline recognize.

King Henry puts his hand on top of Queen Charlotte's that shows their support and agreement on the decision "My son is the future King of Harmpton, he should handle situations without us having to cradle him. Same for Princess Evageline. She is to be his Queen and they should learn how to work together if they are going to rule a kingdom together."

"I couldn't agree more" King Lucien says and Evageline resists the urge to roll her eyes. Her father is way too broke to be adding his opinion, she steals a glance at Clover to find his eyes already on her. He feels a small shiver run down his spine as her blue eyes hold his green ones. She raises an eyebrow and he raises one right back, their way of discussing if they are going to do this or not. The funny thing is they don't even realize they are having a conversation without using words but everyone else does. Their eyes darting between the two as their eyes hold before Clover says "We'll do it."

Mia is in Clover's bedchamber helping him pack his luggage and she has a frown on her face when she says "I just don't understand why the two of you need to go."

"It's merely my father's way of seeing if Evageline and I will be able to work as a team. Like a test."

Her frown deepens as she stops packing and turns to him "You called her Evageline." she says matter-of-factly

"That is her name?" Clover says in confusion

"I am aware but you always either referred to her as 'Princess Evageline' or just 'Princess'. Always with her title not just her name."

He pauses before glancing her way "Is that an issue?"

"I guess not" she mumbles 

He gently rubs his thumb over her frown to smother it out "What's on your mind, Mimi?"

A small smile makes it's way to her face at the familiar nickname before letting out a sigh "I do not know why everyone is acting as if you and her are going to rule the kingdom together. You'll be king which mean you'll rule the kingdom and she'll just be by your side."

He raises an eyebrow "She'll be the Queen"

"Queen consort."

His trying not to get frustrated with her because he knows she doesn't understand how royalty works so he tries explaining "She is still to be the Queen, Mia. And as the future Queen she also needs to know what is happening in the kingdom and offer up solutions for the problem."

She lets out a huff and crosses her arms over her chest "I don't like the thought that the two of you are going to be in Grigos, the kingdom known solely for bringing lovers together."

He snorts a laugh before cupping her cheek "Evageline and I are not lovers. The only love in my life is you" he presses a kiss to her lips "This is solely business, Mia"

And she believes him. How could she not? He has never once lied to her.

Meanwhile in Evageline's room her brother Edward tells her "This could be good, the two of you away from everyone else here at the castle. Use it to your advantage."

She gives him a glare "You are starting to sound like father"

He matches her glare "Can you blame me? Your wedding is around the corner and nothing has happened between you and the Prince."

"It's not like I haven't tried" she snaps

He regards her for a moment "What really happened that night, Eva? I feel like there's something you're not telling me."

She scoffs "I already told you, I showed up to his bechamber and he wasn't there."

His eyes narrow "You have been acting very strange ever since then. More closed off. More cold. The plan was for you to lower your guard in front him"

The thing about lowering your guard is so scary. The reason she had her guard so high is because it felt safe and now they just expect her to step out of that safety like it's simple. She's beyond mortified to talk about Clover's rejection to her brother. 

She swallows before looking away and letting out another scoff "I genuinely don't get father's obsession with Harmpton"

 He shrugs "Harmpton is the biggest kingdom. Richest too. And now that Dunstead is slowly falling apart, he's trying to put it back together."

She rakes a hand through her hair and sighs "I get that but trying to take the throne from the Clarke's? Trying to rule over Harmpton? That's a bit too much, Edward. Even for father." 

"Seems alright to me" he says which makes her glance his way again "Come on, Eva we'll be the most powerful family if we ruled both Harmpton and Dunstead. Absolutely no one would be able tp reach us."

In the past those words would have worked on her but now she has met the Clarke's and know they won't give up their kingdom without a fight.