The next day, Shenla was in the service room early. The head handmaiden says she is called upon to aid the kentavaria so she gives endorsements and further instructions to all of them. She left Nevatu, the most senior of the girls in charge. Her instruction for Nuviette and Chiriu is to change not only the bed sheets but the drapes as well. Once Shenla left, the girls went to work.

As they were making the bed, Nuviette sprinkled a little of Fliskan Lilac and Recan Scarlet Flowers on the sheets.

'What are you doing?" Chiriu asks.

"I'm trying to cheer up our queen so this will help her relax more." Nuviette answers.

"We only do as we are told. Deviating from our orders has dire consequences." Chiriu reminds almost reprimanding.

"I'll take my chances. I mean well you know." Nuviette says.

"I know but they don't always see it that way," Chiriu replies. "Some would think you're trying too hard."

Suddenly, the door opened and Elzilaura hurriedly enters and lightly throws herself into the bed. The two servants immediately curtsied and left quickly.

Before they could leave, Elzilaura uttered. "Hmmm, Lilac and Recan Scarlet or Tulips? Who placed them here?"

Nuviette approached and curtseyed again. "I did, your majesty. I'm sorry. I thought it would help you. The Lilac blossoms are for relaxing and healing effect while the Recan Scarlet flowers are meant to enhance the aroma." She noticed the queen had the crystal cross as a pendant on a simple chain. Initially, it looked dull when the queen went into the bedchambers. Now, it seemed to sparkle.

"They are perfect. Indeed, they are my favorites for their calming effect. Thank you."

"Glad to be of service, my queen." She curtsied again.

Elzilaura laughs. "You know, you don't need to curtsey all the time. It's going to be difficult for you to do that. It's a one-time thing." The Queen giggles at her servant.

"I am sorry your majesty. I am new here and I will try to study more about royal protocol and etiquette next time."

"What is your name? Elzilaura found the girl interesting.

"My name is Nuviette, your majesty." She mentions and as she saw her companion, she also introduces her partner. "And this is Chiriu, your majesty."

"Yes, I am quite familiar with her. I've seen you arrange my quarters every now and then. Good job, Chiriu."

"Thank you, your majesty," Chiriu says.

"Well, I need some rest. You may take your leave." Elzilaura commands them to go. Both ladies curtseyed before scurrying out. In her peripheral vision, Nuviette noticed that the queen seemed to fall asleep just after lying down.

In the palace, everyone knows the queen's business so the next morning, The queen was cheerful when she woke up. Since the miscarriage, she requested to be alone. Her family members were not allowed in her chambers including her husband. Now, she requested to have breakfast with him in her sitting room.

That day, Shenla had a word with her. The senior staff praised her for her innovativeness but also reminded her to consult her senior before deviating from their work. She might have pleased the queen now but what if her gestures backfired? She could have risked annoying her majesty and that would have had grave consequences.

Now, she followed exactly the orders she was given. She and Chiriu won't be encountering the queen as she left that morning for an activity in the Southern Regions. Most likely, she and her entourage will be back by sundown.

The next morning, she and Chiriu arrived in the room early to make the bed. As they were tidying up the room, the doors slammed open. The royal couple popped into the chambers with the prince pushing his wife towards the bed. The queen was walking backward as they were kissing. She gasped for air when he unintentionally slammed her on the canopy bed's pole breaking their kiss. Zyric catches his breath.

"I'm sorry." He apologizes but his wife just laughs. "It's okay." She looks at him and caresses his face. He was about to kiss her again when they heard a thump. They both realize they weren't alone.

One of the servants hit the center table while leaving the room.

"Apologies, your majesties," Nuviette says as she bows her head and curtsies.

"No worries, go on ahead," Elzilaura says. Zyric noticed someone familiar.

"Wait, I remember you. You're from Miriotim. You're Nuvien." Zyric says.

"It's Nuviette, Sire, but yes, I am from Miriotim."

"Oh my, that's so far away!" Elzilaura was astonished.

"Yes, it took me 16 hours to get here," Nuviette affirms.

"What? From the information I got, it should be around 3 to 4 hours by speed-craft." Elzilaura says.

"Yeah, traveling to Craiine is roughly around 4 to 5 hours considering you're leaving the main planet. It shouldn't take that long to reach the capital."

"Miriotim is not as modern as most towns, your majesties. I had to travel by speed train to Melfesa and interchange to Artelia where the nearest speed-craft terminals are. As I checked the rates, the ticket is quite costly for the speed-craft so I chose to continue traveling by speed train."

"I see. I'm sorry it was an insensitive remark." Elzilaura claims.

"No worries, your majesty," Nuviette reassures her mistress.

"I'm sorry too," Zyric adds. "I will look into this transportation problem of yours. My staff and I will add this to our projects. I'm thinking we can add more ports to far-flung areas or make transportation more affordable."

"Oh, you are most kind, Sir." Nuviette almost became emotional.

"Don't thank me yet. It's still an idea. Plus, I need to secure the approval of someone." Zyric squeezes Elzilaura's arms. The Queen looks at her husband teasingly slapping his grip.

"I will approve if you send the documents immediately for signing."

"Do you need documents? Can it not be a verbal agreement? I promise I will be good." Zyric leans closer to her almost touching her face. His arms wrapped around her.

"Hey, that is conflict of interest." She pinches his arms. Both of them laughed. Their attention went back to the young servant.

"I hope you don't mind me asking. How come your parents can't afford to pay for the transportation?" Elzilaura asks.

"I am an orphan, your majesty. I never knew my father. He died before I was born. I lost my mother when I was twelve so I ended up in an orphanage in Miriotim. During the Nybian invasion, a few of us escaped and were brought to an underground facility that used to be a maximum-security prison.

We were placed in cells that allowed us to survive but most of us developed psychological problems. That is why we were all sent to a rehabilitation program during the Fliskan restoration. I was discharged from the program early because of my speedy recovery except for my amnesia. I returned to the orphan and abandoned program where my teachers sent me a recommendation letter to the kentavaria."

"I am sorry to hear that my dear," Elzilaura utters.

"No worries, my queen. The past is behind us and I am ready to move forward and go to work for you." She smiles which made the royal couple laugh. Her quirkiness was so endearing.

"How do you find palace life?" Zyric changes the subject. "I hope your tasks are not as challenging."

"It's better than I had ever imagined. I have a very cozy room and I have new friends. I have Chiriu, my work partner here and everything here is so splendid which makes my tasks seem like a wonderful adventure." She responds with all glee. The royal couple laughs at her remarks. They were both amused and quite taken with her positivity.

"Glad to hear that." Zyric replies. "But for now, you may go on ahead. I think you have other chores to do and we are rather busy." He moves to her back and wraps his arm around his wife's waist while kissing her temples. Elzilaura cups his cheek with one hand and slides down the other to his thigh.

The girls curtsied and hurriedly left the room. Nuviette felt awkward but it seems Chiriu was nonchalant about what had happened. After getting back into the service room, they fix the hover trolley and headed out for the laundry room. On the way out, Nuviette noticed a servant boy running towards the door.

"Restes is one of the prince's valets. He and his alternates will respond to the orders of his highness."

Chiriu notices her companion staring blankly in the distance. "Hey?"

Nuviette then recalled her experience inside the bedchambers.

"Is the prince drunk or what? We are still there and they were acting as if we don't exist!" Nuviette asks while Chiriu checks on the linens on the hover trolley.

"No, I don't think so. Shenla always says royalty is used to the lack of privacy. The royal couple also acts comfortably around people they trust. They treat us like family."

"Wow, how admirable!" Nuviette claims

"Well, I hope you will still say that when they get angry. They could throw some fit." Chiriu says.

"All of us are unpleasant when we are angry so I will just try to understand them." Nuviette answers.

"You are one very cheerful girl despite what you've been through. You are really growing on me. I think it's the same with their majesties." Chiriu states.

"Thank you. I do hope they like me because I really like them." Her innocence was very endearing.

"I think they like you very much. Just be careful that this palace is filled with gossipers. I hope you are ready to face them. They will say many things about you."

"So, I have been told but I will try to keep my cool."

"Well, I hope you do so." Chiriu smiles. "I do think you will succeed."

"Thanks, Chiriu." Nuviette sighs. "Did you notice how sweet they are to each other? It's so romantic."

"Yeah, they sure are lucky to have each other."

"I hope one day, I would find someone like that who will sweep me off my feet and kiss me the way Prince Zyric kisses Queen Elzilaura." Nuviette embraces herself. The passers-by stared at the servant with bewildered looks.

Chiriu just laughs and pulls her friend away. "Come on before they think you're insane."