Awkward

Inside the transporter, it was awfully quiet. Elzilaura was uneasy as Lady Maerin's words echoed in her head.

You fought for your love. I am fighting for mine. For a moment, she also recalls the assembly that morning in Desdan after Zyric proposed the night before. She announced her engagement and defended her decision in front of their allies, especially Queen Monandra.

Zyric had to open a conversation to distract everyone's attention.

"By the way, Met, are you going home to Craiine?" The Prince Consort asks.

"I think next week, my prince." Methleon answers.

"Oh, okay. I'm seeing my brother tomorrow so you're welcome to join me. You can swap schedules with the others if you like." Zyric explains.

"I have some other things to do here on the main planet but thank you for the offer, my prince. You are most kind." Methleon replies.

"Like what?" Zyric asks.

"Prince of Craiine! Give the boy some privacy. He doesn't have to divulge everything to you just because you are his lord." Elzilaura raises her voice.

"I'm just curious. Besides, I've known Mettie for a long time. He knows everything about me and I know most things about him." Zyric says.

"It's fine, Your Majesty. My prince is right. My family and I have been in their service for so long that we know each other's secrets." Methleon replies. He then shifts back to the Prince Consort.

"' I'm looking for a gift. My sister-in-law's day is coming up soon." Methleon shares the information.

"Why don't you ask for Nuviette's help?" Zyric suggests.

"I already did, Sire," Methleon says. The royal couple was shocked by his confession.

"Awww, that's nice. It starts from there." Elzilaura laughs and the rest of them follow her.

"Yeah, that's how we started. I often ask for Ella's help especially when we were younger. That's great, Met. I never thought you had it in you." Zyric slaps the valet's arm. The companions laugh once again.

It was awkward for Nuviette to serve without Chiriu who has been her constant companion and partner for every shift since she started working at the palace. It became more awkward when someone came in.

"Well, Franda. It's been a while. You'll be serving with Nuviette tonight." Anlise says. The servant then turns to Nuviette.

"Nuviette, this is Franda. She will be your tonight. She will be tentatively joining us until Chiriu returns."

"Good eve, Franda," Chiriu says plainly.

"You're so formal. We're not royalty so stop being so uptight." Franda annoyingly mentions.

Nuviette tries to remain calm.

"Yeah, but we are still in the workplace and courtesy is still expected of us." Nuviette reply makes Franda raise an eyebrow. Commander Gerin chuckles in the background.

"Nuviette has a point there," Anlise says. "So let's begin our work. Franda, watch the monitor while Nuviette and I go behind the kitchen counter and check on the supplies.

"Yes, Ma'am," Franda answers in a sarcastic tone.

While the two servants were busy checking on the items, the screen flashed diamond wine. Immediately, Franda took wine glasses as she passed between the Anlise and Nuviette. She got the bottle which the other two servants just pulled in from the storage box.

"What is the rule of serving food and beverages, Franda?" Anlise asks.

"Oh, first in, first out. My bad, Anlise." Franda answers.

"Yes, and that bottle was just placed in. There is an older bottle which should be served first." Anlise reminds and points to the stocks that need to be consumed first.

She then places the items on the hover tray and goes in. Nuviette felt even more awkward because she was accustomed to bringing the items the queen requested into the bed chambers. Now, she was replaced by Franda. Yet, she tries to understand that Franda must have missed serving the queen. Besides, she must also learn new tasks.

Franda soon enters and after setting aside the hover tray, she goes to Methleon's side.

"I missed you, Met." She says as she tries to caress his arm. Methleon jumps in surprise and places some distance between them. Commander Gerin laughs in the background again after seeing Methleon pop out of place.

Nuviette saw the whole thing in her peripheral vision. She felt a little jealous and irritated with Franda's behavior but Met's gestures made her laugh softly as well.

"Hey, cut that out." Methleon commands as he looks at her sternly. 

"Why? Don't you miss me?" Franda asks.

"No," Methleon says coldly and tries to widen the distance between them. 

"So harsh! I thought we were friends." Franda tries to get closer but Methleon is quick to step away preventing Franda from reaching him.

"No, we are colleagues. Let's just be courteous to one another just as Nuviette said earlier." Methleon clarifies and then moves further away.

"Okay," Franda says with her hands up in the air. She seemed dismayed with Methleon.

When Nuviette and Anlise were done, the former stayed near the monitors. Anlise stayed near the counters trying to help Methleon with his restocking tasks.

Nuviette was waiting for an order when she heard Franda laughing. She then sees her wayward colleague peaking at the service doors. She instantly rushes to where Franda stands.

"What are you doing?" Nuviette whispers.

"I'm bored so I thought I might peak and I'm enjoying the show." Franda laughs. Her attention was still within the room.

"You're supposed to respect their privacy. Now, get away from there." Nuviette tries to keep her voice down. She also begins to pull Franda inside the service room. Franda tries to resist and they begin a tug of war until Franda pulls Nuviette in. They both fall on the floor and roll into the bedchambers.

When they tried to recover, both ladies were shocked to see the royal couple in a most awkward position. Not for long, somebody grabs them and pulls them in.

Methleon heard noise from the service door and saw the two handmaids fall. He and Commander Gerin rushed to grab them but took a split-second pause when they noticed the royal couple who were oblivious to everyone else. There was some distance from the bed pole to the service door. Instantaneously, they snap back to their senses and grab the two girls by the waist. They swiftly carry the girls back into the service room.

Anlise quickly closes the door.

"What happened?" Anlise asks worriedly.

"Nuviette pulled me in so we fell into the room," Franda says.

"It's because you were violating their Majesty's privacy. You were peeping through the door!" Nuviette couldn't hold back her anger any longer.

"You had a chance to redeem yourself and this is what you do?" Anlise was irate as well.

"No, that's not true. Nuviette pushed me!" Franda claims.

"I'm pulling you in but your tug on me was so forceful we fell into the room together. I just hope their majesties were not interrupted by us." Nuviette remarks.

"I don't think so. They're too busy being nasty." Franda laughs maliciously.

"Maybe for you. What they were doing is sacred for us Craiinians. It's called the goddess position and only the most intimate of lovers do that." Methleon informs.

"Yeah, my former colleague back in the military academy is from Craiine and told us about it when he was drunk. It's a sacred ritual for them." Commander Gerin mentions.

"I've had enough, Franda. You are dismissed." Anlise commands.

"But, my shift hasn't ended yet," Franda answers back.

"I have the authority to dismiss you for misdemeanor. Will take this incident to the kentavaria or the head housekeeper soon. For now, you are relieved of your duties until further notice." Anlise orders.

Franda did not say a word. She just nods arrogantly and smirks at them before leaving.

"That one is such a rotten egg." Commander Gerin retorts after Franda left.

"Too rotten," Methleon says.

"Yeah, she got no class." Commander Gerin mentions.

"Suddenly, I'm curious about the goddess position." Nuviette blushes with her confession. Commander Gerin laughs audibly while Methleon looks away trying to curb his smile as he lightly blushed. The valet returns his attention to her and explains.

"Well, it's from a folklore about a girl who is the daughter of a deity and a mortal woman. She wants to be a goddess so her father instructs her to find a mystical fruit tree that would make her immortal. As she embarks on a journey, she meets a traveler who helps her find the tree. When they reach the destination, she realizes she is in love with her mortal companion and can no longer eat the fruit. So, she holds onto the branches while the man adores her body and worships every inch of her. As they fell on the ground after they had made love, she realizes her love for him has made her a goddess, especially in his eyes.

That's why it's sacred and we consider it a holy ritual rather than a physical connection." Methleon explains. 

"And probably why their majesties are so into it." Commander Gerin snorts.

"As much as I appreciate learning about your culture, Methleon, I am expecting your discretion regarding whatever you saw in the royal chambers. Please refrain from discussing anything about it in the future. Is that clear?" Anlise dictates.

"Yes, Ma'am." Her companions replied in unison.