CHAPTER 4
Dinner is served

A knock on the door woke Charissa up from her unintentional nap. With too much in her chest, it's really easy for her to fall asleep out of exhaustion and with anxiety welling easily in her; she slept a lot to cope with it.

Apparently, that is not advisable around the palace.

"Give me a minute!"

Gasping, she sat up from her bed and got dressed in an emerald green off-shoulder hi-lo dress that stopped by her calves which might not be her best type but it seem appropriate to wear for a dinner with an official of a different kingdom. She brushed her hair and pulled it up in a ponytail and fixed her brows and lips to be presentable. At least she rarely had zits but her freckles were sometimes distracting. She didn't care about those for now and opened the door as she slipped on a pair of wedges.

A butler was waiting by the door for her with something in his arms. A box the size of a candy bar with a red ribbon tied around the gift. "Lady Elina wishes to give you this for you to wear at dinner."

She took the box gingerly and opened it in front of the butler with a hesitant smile. "You know, not many give me gifts before I came here. Not in boxes this small anyway."

The butler chuckled. "What gifts were often given to you, your majesty?" He asked.

"Books and sweets. Gift cards to my favourite coffee shop and warm sweaters. I liked those cheesy things...Simple yet they hold more meaning than jewellery." She stated. "Not that I hate jewellery of course! Please don't tell the ambassadress of that." Rissa hoped and laid her eyes on her gift.

It was a necklace with a pendant of some sort of pink crystal shaped and polished like a tear drop. She tried not to stare but she knew the stone well. "Oh wow. Rose Quartz."

She read many references for her stories and papers to know that this piece meant wishing love and beauty. Wiccans use these crystals for spells of love, beauty, or attraction. No matter what she read, this is her favourite crystal among all.

Of course, no one knew that but herself so why pick this among others? Rissa didn't know. Maybe the ambassadress knew some things she didn't. "Give the ambassadress my thanks. She's too generous." Rissa smiled and wore the necklace.

The butler smiled, "It suits you, milady."

"Thank you." Rissa turned pink from the generous compliment. "That aside, is dinner ready?"

"Yes, your majesty. The chef prepared a local dish for the ambassadress and made your favourite dessert." She was informed of this which brightened her up

Rissa stepped out from her room and allowed the butler to lead her to the dining hall in silence, her hand by the new necklace she has. It was making her intimidated again that the ambassadress gave her a gift. If her mom and the king were here, would they be presented gifts too? Maybe so because it's customary to pay respects to the royal family upon a visit.

Clear your head and focus at the task in hand, she chided on to herself as they entered the dining hall.

By the table, the Lady Elina and Sir Alexander stood next to each other, waiting for her to sit. As she recalled, she can take the head chair by the table if it happens that the King, Queen, or the crown prince were not present in the palace. That's exactly what she did. She took the chair that the head of the state should be taking but since they weren't there, she took it since it seems proper. At least that rule makes sense.

"Please, sit." She invited, trying to keep firm her ground around their guests. They joined her by her right side of the table and sat only after she did which was a funny rule she read in the books.

She noticed that they were dressed differently from earlier. Lady Elina now wore a dress of blue and red, her hair fixed accordingly up to a ponytail, Sir alexander was dressed in a proper suit to match. Rissa felt like she was the one under dressed but she kept calm about it and tried not to over think or else she'll break down like she did in the corridor earlier.

The royal chef came in and served them the first course which was pumpkin soup and garlic sticks. Rissa had a smaller portion than the two of her guests as she had advised the chef the first time she had dinner in the palace.

"Lady Charissa, do you like the gift I've given you?" Lady Elina asked as she ate through her appetizers slowly.

Rissa looked up from her meal, wiping her lips with a napkin. "Yes, I do. It's beautiful."

Lady Elina seem to be pleased upon hearing it. "Your kingdom is abundant with precious gems, stones and crystals as such. I thought it be appropriate to give a princess to be."

Bite by bite, Rissa was finishing her food slowly, a small smile upon her lips. "Perhaps for the next gift, give something not from around here? It'll be quite a delight to see what you think of." She challenged.

This seem to pique the ambassadress' interest. Rissa was glad to see her grab her attention like that. It's not like she wants the gifts. She just wants to know how creative the lady can be.

"Perhaps we can talk about why you really are here, milady? I know there's more to this visit that you let on." Charissa raised on, hoping to know what work might she end up doing.

The raven haired lady turned to her with a smile that shows that she really does have something else to do aside than observe her.

"Our princess is looking for a candidate to be wed of. She wishes for us to seek possible and suitable candidates for her." She answered. "Forgive us if we seem secretive of our motive."

Charissa stopped eating upon hearing that but she didn't seem to be mad of it. In fact, she's confused a little more. "Ah, you might want to discuss this with my brother upon his return." Charissa said in her well-mannered, composed self.

The ambassadress said nothing else but her escort seem to know something else. Sir Alexander wanted to add something but saw the ambassadress raise a finger to stop him right there. Rissa didn't know what that was about but she didn't ask further about it. Instead, she fixed her gaze on to Lady Elina who had a burning on her, a smile mischievous than any other person she has met. Rissa shivered upon the sight but she averted her gaze, continuing her meal.

"Your highness might I ask, when do you plan to have your coronation?" Lady Elina inquired.

Charissa is a born commoner-turned-royal which does automatically make her the princess and an heir to the crown next to Callyx but the crown simply recognizes her as a Lady of the court as of this moment. Until she is crowned formally as a princess, her role is less than her step-brother's but she still have responsibilities to the crown.

The coronation must take place thirty days after the royal wedding and before three hundred sixty days after. Failure to have the coronation will make Charissa a Lady of the court only.

Of course Charissa knows of this but she was still reeling in the reality of her situation.

A month ago, the first time she arrived here was too much for her to take. She spent a lot of research time, wrote papers, read reports, articles and everything she can grab her hands on just to attend her first tea with the King and Callyx together with her mother. It was her weapon, smarts, against the current and tides that was drowning her. But that wasn't enough as the nobility still eyed her like she was a roach.

Last month, she still had time with her best friend, Will. The person she always went to for talking, ideas and things she can't tell her mother. Will is her best friend who cared for her a lot but now, she had to ask permission from the officers present at court if she can go out and most of the time, they'd say no.

If she gets to be crowned too soon as a princess, what other freedom does she have? Everything will be about royal duties, politics, and everything else she doesn't know. She'll be diving at the deep end with no failsafe if everything goes wrong.

Being royal meant leaving your old life behind and starting a new and Charissa wasn't ready to give the simplicity up.

"Perhaps in the upcoming days, I'll give you a date. For now, I wish to adjust smoothly here in the palace." She answered firmly, stopping from eating completely.

"I see. I wish to see your coronation if so. I can tell you'll look good in a crown." The lady complimented. Rissa wasn't ready for that one, a blush spreading across her cheeks. Lady Elina chuckled upon noticing.

"Please, Lady Elina...Let's talk about something other than myself. Didn't you mention that you're looking for my brother?" She inquired. "Will the princess come soon to see him?"

Lady Elina shrugged. "She didn't say. Until I give her my report in a day, she won't really make a move."

Rissa shifted in her seat. "I see." Tea came in with the deserts which meant more time talking and Rissa was starting lose her confidence. After all, her brother should be the one handling this situation not her. She had to study for finals and bring in papers due for school. She may be stuck in the transitioning from commoner to royal but she's college and she will not forsake her school for her personal life.

"Milady, I still have college going on so if you need my assistance around matters of need, you can find me in the library." She informed just for their sake because she's not the social type. "My bother arrives tomorrow noon."

Lady Elina's brows knitted. "Are you retiring early, milady? It's quite early."

Rissa chuckled. "Oh no, I don't really sleep until late evening. I need to work on a few more things for school."

The ambassadress looked at her odd. "Why do you like working late on those? Aren't you supposed to be working on it by day?" She asked.

"No, I like the peace of the night more than day. There's a certain charm to it." Rissa started eating her shortcake, taking long sips from her tea.

Lady Elina seems to be finding her odd but oddity is what keeps her sane. Being weird is what keeps her sane.

"Do you wish to do something else this evening, milady? Perhaps I can stay with you to entertain for a little more." She suggested, smiling a little on their direction. Now that she heard herself say it, she was scolding herself for her mistake. Inviting the ambassadress to do something more after dinner might be too much or she might get the wrong idea. What has she done?

"There is one that you can do with me. A small tour? Or show me the way to the library?" She answered with a small smile, eyes almost pleading. Charissa took a moment to read her face, looking for a decision in her head.

She nodded with a playful smile, laughing at the thought she might regret this later. "Alright, maybe a little tour won't harm anyone."

"Fantastic!" Lady Eline seem to be enthusiastic about the tour but Rissa felt the other way, she felt worried that it might go wrong or it might not be good in general.

Before she could overthink further, she focused on her cake, and tea, thinking of a conversation topic with the Lady Elina because Sir Alexander seems to be listening type than the talking type. She both asked of what they think about Cedhia and what they want to see if they have a chance to get out of the palace. Rissa suggested some spots that they might want to try but after desert, she toned down the talking for now.

"Would you like to have that tour now?" She asked, standing from her seat. Both their guests stood up as well after their food was finished and dusted themselves off from whatever was left on their clothing.

"Actually, I'll be retiring early, milady." Sir Alexander interjected and left with a small bow and nothing else, his footsteps fading from the hallway. Both ladies were then left on their own, a heavy air hung in the room.

Lady Elina turned to Rissa which made her nervous, especially with that look on her face that looked like she wanted to do something with mischief now that they were alone.

Rissa led the lady out of the dining hall quickly and brought her to the garden which was well lit with lamps and fairy lights on the bushes, some other flowers glowing from the moon light, the pavilion lit and available for use as well.

"It's beautiful here." Was what Lady Elina could only say as she followed the red head who slumped and kept quiet, like she was avoiding a conversation at all.

"Yes, yes it is, isn't it?" She quietly said, taking a seat in the pavilion. "Uhm...This is the garden I like most. I mean the palace has a lot but this one is the quietest of all." She looked around, looking for something to be fascinated of.

"You come here often?" Lady Elina asked, sitting next to her as she looked around.

Charissa shrugged. "This is the closest thing I can get to a park. The royal adviser doesn't let me out for my personal walks so I stay here instead."

The raven haired lady turned to her with eyes that look sad. Rissa shook her head to ignore the look that she knows well. "Please, don't look at me like that. It's fine."

"No, it isn't. You're going to be a princess, why not go out like Prince Callyx does?" She asked. "Don't you miss what's outside the walls of the palace?"

Rissa sighed. "Yes I, yes I do. Perhaps one of these days." She mentioned, standing up to stop this topic. "Well, come. Let me show you the library so you can rest early."

Lady Elina watched her from behind as she walked the long way around to the other door of the garden, noticing subtle things about her; The way she walked slow, how her hands were together in front gripping each hand tightly, how quiet she is, and how distant her eyes seem to be, like she was in someplace else than here.

"You look like a walking book."

Rissa turned around before she could have a step inside. "What?"

Lady Elina's eyes widened, a hand on her lips. She herself was surprised to have said such a thing. "No, nothing."

It's the most fascinating thing anyone said about her yet in her whole life. Rissa wants to know more as to why is this. "Why do you think I'm a walking book? And what type?"

Lady Elina was taken aback by the red head that seem to be amused by her words. Rissa insisted knowing as to what she meant.

"I mean you seem enigmatic enough to be one. You're a hard person to get and you don't seem to want anyone finding out who you are." She replied. Rissa's lips curled to a fascinated smile. "And It's hard to figure you out when it's this early in the story."

"Enigmatic...is right." The red head walked back indoors and led Lady Elina up to several flights of stairs, maids and butlers in hallways greeting them with a bow or a curtsy.

They reached the doors of the palace library finally but the windows showed the clear sky and the hallway was dim, making the night sight visible to Charissa. She pushed open the door and saw how much moonlight was flooding the room. The lights were off and not a soul was inside but it was open for her and it was alive at night.

She can actually feel the magic of words in the room but what made her very much fascinated was the sight of the stars from the windows. It was a sight that took her breath away.

"Milady?" Elina called for her but she didn't stop watching. "No one seems to be here."

"No, the stars are." She replied, taking a seat at a nearby chair, looking up at the galaxy stretched out for them. Even if the city was alive, the sky was out to put on a display for them, clear and visible.

Lady Elina joined her across the table and looked out to the sight that Charissa was looking out. It was a beautiful sight.

But the sight of Charissa looking at the open sky from a window was sad. Like a bird tossed in a cage wanting to break free but it was a pretty sight. She's a pretty sight.

"You're a writer, aren't you, Lady Charissa?" She was asked and replied with a mere nod, eyes never leaving the sight outside. "Then why are you with me here?"

Charissa looked at her again like she was a paradox that needs to be answered. "You wanted a tour, didn't you? These are the places I see and feel things. Being a writer doesn't just mean that I sit and write. I need something to write about."

"No, I mean...Why did you say yes to showing me around?" Lady Elina asked once more, Rissa's brows furrowed in confusion.

"I don't want to seem rude in the eyes of an Atria ambassadress. It's just manners. I won't be here with you if I had a choice that won't harm me." She answered, turning back to the sight outside like she didn't care about anything else.

Charissa was feeling sad, alone but it felt good to feel them slowly, not all at once. She felt peaceful yet bothered.

"How about we go out tomorrow to town? Show me around the good spots you told us?" Lady Elina asked her. "Show it through a citizen's eyes."

"I'm not a good your guide but if I can go out of the palace tomorrow, why not." She replied with a little smile. "Maybe you can meet a friend of mine."

Lady Elina seem to like that idea from the smile on her lips that Rissa can see at the corner of her eyes.

"It would be my honor to be shown around by a princess..~ " The ambassadress told her, standing from her seat. "I'll be taking my leave for now."

Charissa turned to her company who was fixing up to leave. "Nine in the morning, Lady Elina. I hope you'd make good company."

The raven haired ambassadress laughed, her voice echoing through the huge hall full of books. "I hope I don't disappoint. Good night, Lady Charissa."

Lady Elina walked onto Rissa's side just to kiss the top of her hand once more, making the young girl flustered. "Good night, Lady Elina."

Once bows and salutations have been exchanged, Charissa was lift alone in the library, smiling to herself as she had a silent conversation with the stars and moon.

That wasn't such a bad evening, was it~?