Neither princess felt compelled to speak just yet. Their gazes remained straight ahead, but small smiles graced their lips. Rebecca was sure her heart would leap from her chest, so intensely did it pound against her ribs. But Freen's loose yet steadfast hold kept her grounded, preventing her from unraveling in the excitement and warmth that enveloped her.

As they walked, Rebecca found herself stealing glances at Freen, her heart skipping a beat each time their eyes met. The affection in Freen's gaze, the playful curve of her lips – it all felt like a dream come true.

But upon nearing the palace doors, a hint of nervousness began to creep in. Rebecca couldn't help but glance around, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any prying eyes. She had always been a private person, guarded about her emotions and personal thoughts, and despite her growing feelings for Freen, she wasn't yet ready to share those feelings with others quiet yet.

With the palace doors fast approaching, Rebecca reluctantly released her hold on Freen's pinky. The sight of the guards stationed nearby was the final cue that made Rebecca let go of their linked pinkies.

A twinge of disappointment settled in her chest, undeniable and poignant, and she looked into Freen's eyes with sadness and apology. Without uttering a word, she tried to convey how scared she was of being open about her growing feelings, how sorry she was for not being able to openly express the affection in her heart.

Freen met Rebecca's gaze with understanding. She recognized the mix of emotions in Rebecca's eyes, the happiness, the nervousness, the regret, and the apology. In that unspoken exchange,  Freen felt sorry for the princess who felt as if she had to hide herself. But Freen understood. She knew that Rebecca was a private person, and the complexities of their roles as omegas in the royal hierarchy only made it harder for Rebecca to openly express her feelings. The fact that their emotions were still fresh and undefined added another layer of uncertainty.

When Rebecca reluctantly let go of her pinky, Freen's fingers lingered for a moment, brushing gently against Rebecca's hand before she, too, released her hold. There was no sadness in her gaze, only an acceptance of the situation. Freen respected Rebecca's need for privacy, and she didn't want to rush or pressure her into anything.

----------------------

The guards, recognizing the princesses, nodded respectfully, and the doors swung open. The moment they stepped inside, Rebecca felt the weight of royal expectations settling back upon her shoulders. The air within the palace was noticeably cooler, and the distant murmur of courtiers echoed through the marble halls.

When they approached closer to the dining hall, they were welcomed by the hustle and bustle of servants preparing for the midday meal. The sounds of clinking silverware and hushed conversations filled the air. Upon entering the dining hall, Rebecca couldn't help but glance around, yet again. She noticed some of the other heirs already seated at various tables, enjoying their lunches and engaged in conversations. She offered a polite nod in their direction, acknowledging their presence before turning back to Freen.

Both decided on a table in a relatively quiet corner, away from the more crowded areas. They settled into their seats, exchanging small, private smiles. But as they sat there, a hushed quietness enveloped them. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence per se, but Rebecca felt compelled to say something. She wanted to tell Freen how sorry she was for letting go of their hands, even though she knew Freen understood her. Rebecca wanted to convey that she wasn't embarrassed by her or of her growing feelings; it was simply that she wasn't ready to openly share them yet. Just as she was about to break the silence, a palace maid approached their table.

"Good afternoon, Your Highnesses," the maid greeted with a courteous nod. "May I take your lunch orders?"

Rebecca's words caught in her throat, and she exchanged a brief, apologetic glance with Freen. Freen, with her usual grace, offered a warm smile and nodded in response.

"Afternoon," Freen replied kindly. "Yes, of course, we'd like to place our lunch orders, thank you." She then turned to Rebecca, subtly encouraging her to proceed.

They both quickly scanned the menu and placed their selections. Once the maid had taken their orders and departed, leaving them alone once more, Rebecca couldn't help but return to the thought that had been lingering on her lips before the interruption.

After a few moments, she cleared her throat softly, capturing Freen's attention. "Freen," she began in a soft, earnest tone, "I wanted to say that I'm truly sorry about earlier. It's not that I'm embarrassed about...us, but I..." She hesitated, searching for the right words. "I want you to know that I'm not quite ready to share everything openly yet. I know you understand but .... I also wanted to tell you in words how much I appreciate your understanding."

Freen met her gaze, her own eyes soft and reassuring. "Rebecca, there's no need to apologize," she replied gently. "I understand, but thank you for letting me know."

She then reached across the table and gently covered Rebecca's hand. "Our feelings are still so fresh, so new. Also, we have our roles to fulfill, and the palace can be unforgiving. So I understand why you weren't ready... But I don't want you to think that I'm agreeing so readily because I don't have any feelings for you. I really do cherish the moments we have had together so far, and I enjoy your company much more so than you think."

Rebecca felt a warmth spreading through her at Freen's words. She could see the sincerity in Freen's eyes and feel the comfort of Freen's hand covering her own. As their hands lingered on each other, a soft, contented smile graced Rebecca's lips.

Their moment was interrupted by the return of the palace maid, gracefully balancing trays of dishes. Rebecca and Freen quickly withdrew their hands, their smiles lingering, but their expressions returned to polite composure.

"Your lunch, Your Highnesses," the maid announced as she placed the plates before them. "Enjoy your meal."

"Thank you," Freen replied with a gracious nod, and Rebecca echoed her gratitude.

As the palace maid left them to enjoy their meal, Rebecca and Freen began to savor the delicious dishes before them. Rebecca, feeling more at ease now, decided to pick up their conversation where they had left off before the interruption.

With a subtle, cautious curiosity in her eyes, Rebecca looked at Freen. "Freen," she began, her voice soft and gentle, "if you don't mind me asking... you mentioned that you've been in two relationships before. I hope it's not too personal, but I'm curious... What were they like?" She hesitated, choosing her words carefully to convey that she was genuinely interested, without any jealousy or pressure for Freen to share more than she was comfortable with.

Freen looked thoughtful for a moment, her gaze focused on the table as she considered Rebecca's question. It was clear that she was choosing her words carefully, wanting to share just enough without revealing too much.

"Well, my first relationship wasn't all that serious," Freen began, her voice warm and filled with nostalgia. "I met her during my time at the academy. She was a student like me, a Beta, and a wonderful artist. We used to spend hours together. At the academy, I wasn't very artistic. I was actually more into sports at that time. While I competed in events, she was always there, standing on the sidelines, cheering me on."

Rebecca's eyes widened with surprise. "You played sports at the academy?" she asked, intrigued. "What kind of competitions did you participate in?"

Freen chuckled softly, her eyes holding a playful glint as she remembered her past. "Yes," she replied, "I was really active at that time. I competed in archery and equestrian competitions. My partner at that time would often come to watch, and she'd bring her sketchbook. While I was busy competing, she'd sit on the sidelines, capturing the moments in her art."

With a playful twinkle in her eyes, she added, "Of course, just because I competed doesn't necessarily mean I was any good. But I did have a knack for archery, I must admit." She paused for a moment, a fond smile tugging at her lips. "I won a few medals in archery competitions, and my partner would often tease me about being the 'royal archer,' even though I didn't take it that seriously."

Rebecca's eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "The 'royal archer,' huh?" She chuckled, her tone light and teasing. "Well, Freen, you're full of surprises, aren't you? So, did you have a favorite competition or a memorable moment from your archery days?"

Freen chuckled softly, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Ah, well, you see, my dear Rebecca, appearances can be deceiving," she replied with a wink. "Hmmm, a favorite competition.....Oh! One of my favorites was actually the annual relay race we hold at my kingdom. I had an incredible team that year and we were down to the wire in a neck-and-neck race, but we managed to pull ahead and claim victory. It was exhilarating, and I'll never forget the rush of crossing that finish line first."

Rebecca couldn't help but admire Freen even more. She felt as if Freen was good at everything no matter what it was. "Wow, that sounds amazing," she said, her voice filled with genuine awe. "I can't even begin to imagine myself participating in something like that. I've never been much of an athlete, to be honest."

Their conversation had taken an easy, comfortable rhythm, and Rebecca decided to steer the conversation back into Freen's past relationships. "So, what happened after your first relationship, if you don't mind sharing?" She asked gently. "You said you've been in two relationships."

Freen's smile grew more tender. "My second relationship was different... more serious," she confessed. "We met through mutual friends, and he was an Alpha, quite different from my first partner. He was more confident but fiercely protective. We instantly connected from the very beginning."

As she spoke, Freen continued to eat her meal, seemingly lost in the memories of her past. "We spent a lot of time together, attending social events, going on long walks through the palace gardens, and even stargazing." She smiled softly at the memory. "He had a way of making ordinary moments feel magical. I remember one evening when we were walking in the palace gardens, and it had just started to rain. He took my hand and led me to a hidden gazebo tucked away in the garden. It was covered in ivy and roses, and the sound of raindrops falling on its roof was like a soothing melody. We sat there in silence, just listening to the rain and feeling the cool breeze on our skin."

Rebecca was captivated by Freen's words but couldn't help but ask, "What about the rain? Weren't you worried about getting wet?"

"I was actually about to suggest we find shelter when he led me to the gazebo. It was very thoughtful of him. It felt like time had stopped when we were listening to the rain, and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect moment."

Rebecca listened intently, a soft smile on her face as she envisioned the scene. "He sounds like a wonderful person," she remarked.

Freen's gaze turned contemplative for a moment. "He was," she said, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "We had our differences, of course, but who doesn't?"

"I can tell he meant a lot to you," Rebecca said softly, her gaze dropping to her food before she looked back at Freen. A subtle insecurity crept inside her but she kept it hidden from Freen. "He sounds confident, protective, and attentive."

Freen's gaze turned more somber as she continued. "Hmmm yes, he was and much more," Freen said, not realizing what Rebecca was feeling inside. "But as time passed, our differences started to become more apparent. He had his duties as an Alpha, and I had mine as an Omega heir. The pressures and expectations from our families... they weighed on us. We tried to make it work, but it became increasingly difficult."

She paused for a moment, her eyes distant as she recalled those challenging times. "In the end, I felt like I was the only one trying in our relationship, and it was exhausting. Eventually, he... he gave up. I don't blame him. It was a lot to ask, to go against family who wouldn't believe in us. It was a painful decision, but in the end, we both understood it was for the best. And while it was hard at that time, I'm grateful for the time we had together and what I gained from that relationship."

Rebecca's heart ached for Freen as she listened to her recount her relationship with her ex. She couldn't help but wonder if Freen missed having someone like her ex-partner—someone confident and protective, someone so unlike herself. Yet, she kept those thoughts hidden, not wanting to burden Freen with her insecurities. Instead, she offered a sympathetic smile.

"That must have been incredibly hard," Rebecca said softly, her voice filled with empathy. "I'm sorry you had to go through that ....to have to let go of someone that you cared for..... But I'm also grateful, in a way, that it led you to where you are now. To me." She offered Freen a warm, reassuring smile.

Freen met Rebecca's gaze, her eyes reflecting gratitude for the understanding she found in her. "You're right," she replied, a small but genuine smile forming on her lips. "I believe that everything happens for a reason. If it hadn't been for those challenges, I might never have met you, Rebecca."

As they continued to enjoy their meal, the atmosphere shifted back to their playful banter they had while at the garden.

With the last bite of dessert, Freen offered Rebecca a gentle smile. "Thank you for listening, Rebecca," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of their shared moments. "I'm looking forward to getting to know you better."

Rebecca returned her smile, feeling her heart race with anticipation. "I am too, Freen," she replied.