Waiting

Night came and the two couples went into Palasir which was a new restaurant established underground or in the Kalin ancient museums. Its inhabitants were the Kalinians who were mistreated by Queen Ralmida. Now, the Kalinians reside in Naruya on planet Akara and are ruled over by the Duke of Inva, keeper of the Ruby Ring.

Palasir was the ancient residence of the Kalinian councilmen which was turned into a museum. Now, a part of it was made into a restaurant featuring Kalinian cuisine. Every merchandise from the museum, as well as the restaurant's earnings, are part of a fund-raising campaign initially for helping expatriated Kalinians. Now, it has been extended to all displaced Fliskans since the Nybian Invasion.

The entrance foyer had a lot of candles on candelabra shaped into trees resembling that of the Duke of Inva's home in Naruya. The antechamber leading to the main hall was brightly lit. Portions of the wall and the middle fountain emitted fiery red water which resembled lava.

The wall decorations are old photos of the Kalinians from the past. They depicted their life in the caves and also their migration to Naruya. Portraits of Queen Alana and the first Duke of Inva had the most beautiful framing. The most recent of these photos was the Duke Ovded and Queen Elzilaura together taken during the latter's coronation ball.

Once they were seated, the couples started to converse. As a group, they enjoyed the dinner and the sights. After their meal, they explored the museum separately. Restes and Merema explored the lower sections while Olver and Nuviette stayed on the second level to check out the museum's small rooms, where there are holographic lecturers.

Olver was a quiet type of guy. Though she appreciated quiet guys, Nuviette felt he was too silent. She tried to open a conversation but he gave her short answers until Nuviette gave just up and asked him to watch the short film in the film hall at the end of the section areas.

Nuviette thought Olver suits the Museum's ambiance. He was just like a museum wall. He is presentable and smart but is just too bland and awfully too shy. She missed Met's natural charm and wondered what it was like to be with him in a place like this. She then curbed her own daydream thinking it wasn't right for her to think of him while she was with someone else. It felt like blasphemy.

Soon, they regrouped and returned to the palace. Upon reaching the servant's quarters, the group bid each other good night until they split into couples again. Restes escorted Merema to her room while Olver accompanied Nuviette to her door. To their surprise, Chiriu was waiting at the door.

"The Queen is looking for you. She says it's urgent!" Chiriu grabbed Nuviette's forearm and pulled her away.

"Oh," Nuviette was surprised that it was all she could say to Chiriu. She then looked at Olver and waved at him as a way of saying goodbye.

When they reached the palace halls, Chiriu lightened her grip and Nuviette began to speak.

"Thank you for saving me. I really owe you Chiriu." Nuviette said.

"You can thank the Queen as well. She ordered me to bring you to her once you've arrived from your date."

"Why?" Nuviette wondered.

"I don't know but she seemed giggly about it." Chiriu's looked puzzled.

The two girls entered the queen's chambers via the service door. Queen Elzilaura was at the small table where the handmaidens would leave the items she requested. She had just taken a glass of Diamond wine when the two girls entered the room.

"How was your date?" The queen asked and looked curious.

"It went well, your majesty." Nuviette hesitated to respond but replied slowly. She wondered why the royal couple was so curious about her love life.

"That's good." Elzilaura replied but then laughed audibly.

"Oh, I'm sorry dears, it's just that my husband was waiting for you Nuviette. She wants to see you upon your return but he fell asleep." The queen laughed but then continued.

"It was so funny. He looked like a father waiting for his daughter but fell asleep. Oh, you should have seen him." Elzilaura continued to giggle as she walked towards the bed and both girls saw the prince with his face as the only visible part of his body. The rest of him was covered in a thick blanket.

Elzilaura recalled in her mind how her husband walked in the bed chamber back and forth which irritated her. To distract him, she disrobed and asked him to come to the bed. Immediately, he obeyed and undressed as well before joining her. When they were resting, he tried to stay awake but the sapphire ale got to him and fell asleep.

"I told him not to drink too much Sapphire Ale. It's too strong." Elzilaura says as she caressed her husband's hair.

Nuviette looked at the prince consort sleeping soundly. He looked so peaceful and like a storybook prince waiting to be awakened by a princess. She suddenly gave out a soft laugh while thinking of this reverse tale. Yet, she was also delighted that the former Prince of Craiine cared for her just like a father would care for a daughter. Her laugh caught the Elzilaura and Chiriu off guard. Both stared at her.

"It's so sweet of him. I appreciate his concern and yours, your majesty." Nuviette bowed her head to the queen.

"Think nothing of it. I'm thankful that I am seeing a preview of him as a father and it makes me worry less. I think he will be a good father to our children." Elzilaura's tone was serious but then shifts back to a playful tone. "I will just have to sneak my daughters out if he will be this strict when they go out on dates." The queen and the attendants all laugh audibly.

"Well, I won't keep the two of you any longer. You're not on duty yet you still responded to my call. Thank you for giving in to my prank." Elzilaura says as she softly chuckles.

"No worries, your majesty. We are always at your service." Chiriu says.

"Think nothing of it, your majesty. You are all like my family and it has been a long time since I had one." Nuviette's eyes gleamed with gratitude. Elzilaura felt such warmth that she hugged the little servant.

"You may leave now, young girls. Good night." Elzilaura says.

The two curtsied and bid their mistress good night as well.

As they entered the service room, Chiriu turned to Nuviette.

"I think the queen is drunk," Chiriu says.

"Me too. I think the wine got to her or was she drinking the Sapphire Ale too?" Nuviette replies.

"She hates that but maybe she took a sip," Chiriu says.

Before Nuviette could reply, Anlise saw them both.

"Oh, it's nice to see you two girls." The senior handmaiden said.

"We missed you, Anlise." Nuviette says.

"I agree but I am also sad that you're retiring soon," Chiriu mentioned.

"I am sad too but I know that I am leaving my job in good hands with all of you girls on the night shift." Anlise smiles. "So go on now and I'll see you soon."

"See you soon, Anlise." Chiriu says.

"Can't wait for my next night shift." Nuviette replies.

Once they returned to the servant's quarters, the two girls went their separate ways. On her way to her room, she saw Methleon near the staircase. It seems he was waiting for somebody.

"Hi Mett!" Nuviette says. "I'm so glad to see you."

"Likewise," Methleon replies. "In fact, I was waiting for you."