“Ah, Miss Gallow!” the queen waved her over from her seat. “How do you like your room?” she asked as Ailith was handed a cup of tea. “Is it comfortable?”

The king was nowhere in sight.

AIlith mustered up a big a smile as she could. “It is very comfortable and suited to my taste. Thank you, your highness.”

The queen giggled. “Not a problem. It is really our pleasure to have you over.” As if remembering something pleasurable, the queen’s face lit up. “Oh dear, in my hurry to get you to your room, I forgot to introduce you to my son, Quinton.”

Quinton smiled at Ailith from beside his mother. “It’s alright, mother.” he said. “I took it upon myself to get acquainted with Miss Gallow here while she was unpacking.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful then. I’m glad to hear that your etiquette lessons weren’t a complete waste after all.” she laughed at her own joke and Quinton shifted in his seat, embarrassed.

Ailith giggled along with the queen. “Yes. He seemed like quite the gentleman to say the least.”

“Yes, yes. He can be quite the ‘Mr. Manners’ at times. Sometimes even more than my husband.” the queen sighed. “It gets pretty tiring having to deal with the two of them every day.”

Ailith laughed. She didn’t know about the rest of the family, but the queen was to her liking.

Quinton cleared his throat and his cheeks burned red. “Mother, please do keep in mind that I’m still present in the room.”

“Of course sweetie. Anyways,” the queen said, shifting the topic elsewhere. “ our annual ball is coming up soon and it’d be absolutely wonderful if you could attend as well, Miss Gallow.”

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She was still hesitant about attending any events with many people but she couldn’t avoid it forever… “May I ask when the date is, your highness?” she asked. 

“Well, for now, the date is set for the 21st of January but it might change depending on the weather.” The queen leaned in closer, as if to tell her a secret and whispered. “And due to some disturbances from one of our sectors. Henry mentioned something about a rebel group-”

Ailith furrowed her brows. Disturbances? She hadn’t heard of any coming to Orbournth. And a rebel group at that. It could come in useful later. “Could you please explain what you mean by that, your highness?”

But before the queen could say another word, she was cut off by Quinton. “Mother, did you not hear father repeatedly mention that it was classified information?”

“Oh, dear. I must’ve forgotten.” she said, covering her mouth. “But by now, it’s pretty evident. There’s no hiding it from the people as the situation has gotten out of hand. Miss Ailith was bound to find out anyways…”

“My deepest apologies, Miss Gallow. Could I request that you turn a blind eye as to what you heard here today?” Quinton asked.

“Of course. If his highness wishes it to be kept a secret then I shall respect his choices.” Even as she said this though, Ailith would have to dig for more info on this matter later. She couldn’t just ‘let it go’. This new info could affect the whole plan.  

“Thank you.” he said, even as he eyed her dubiously. 

She would have to be extra careful around him. Unlike his parents, he didn’t strike her as the easygoing type.

“My, would you look at the time.” the queen said after glancing at her watch. “I’m terribly sorry for leaving you here Miss Gallow, but I promised some ladies that I would have brunch with them. Do you mind?”

“Not at all! Go ahead, your highness.” Ailith said, standing so the queen could step through.

“Thank you, what a pleasant lady you are. We shall converse more at lunch then.”

“That sounds great.”

The queen left, leaving her alone with Quinton.

“Shall I escort you to your room?” he asked, standing up as well. Quinton held out a hand.

Ailith huffed a laugh under her breath. ‘Mr. Manners.’ She couldn’t see him in the same light again after that remark. “How polite of you, your highness.” Ailith put her hand in his. “That would be wonderful, thank you.”