Chapter 11: My Best
'The queen wasn't joking when she said she was going to help me.'
She has already summoned tutors and teachers for history, politics, etiquette, and dance. Gene has spent the past four days juggling classes all day, while trying not to shoot herself in the head. She hasn't worked this hard since she was in college, a very long time ago.
Except for Queen Ylva, she hasn't seen any of the royals since that infamous dinner. Not even Brandt. He hasn't checked on her, which angers her every time she thinks about it.
'He was so eager to bring me here, then, he just abandoned me.'
"Straighten you back, Lady Holmen," Mrs. Gustavson reminds her for the thousandth time.
Her voice is so high pitched that it is the number one motivation for Gene to do her utmost best. She does not want to hear it.
"Yes, Mrs. Gustavson."
Gene feels so bad for the boy who was brought to be her dance partner. She is sure he lost a few toes since he started dancing with her four days ago.
"Alright, that is enough for today." The piano player stops.
'Oh, thank you baby Jesus.'
Gene slowly walks toward her bedroom, each step she takes reminds her of the blisters that cover her feet. She stops to lean on the wall for a moment, she takes a deep breath, and then resumes walking.
Suddenly, the prince appears from around the corner. Gene feels her heart skip a beat as she approaches him. If it wasn't for the blisters, she would have walked much faster.
Until this very moment, she hasn't realized that she has actually missed him. Her heart is dancing with joy at the sight of him.
'Weird. I only spent a few days with him, yet I already have these feelings for him. Could it be that, for some incomprehensible reason, these were Siv's feelings?'
The prince is busy talking with his assistant, Lord Benson. His dark hair is falling on his face, covering his hazel eyes. So he doesn't see Gene until she is a few feet away from him.
"Good afternoon, Your Highness," she greets with excitement. They haven't seen each other in days, she wonders what he is going to say.
His eyes meet hers for the briefest moment, then he looks back to the documents his assistant is holding.
"Lady Holmen," he utters before continuing on his way.
Gene stands there for a moment, shocked. She just stares at his back as he walks away. She did not expect THAT reaction. She clenches her jaw.
'What the hell is wrong with this jerk?' She continues back to her room, boiling with anger.
"Welcome back, my lady," Veda welcomes her. "I have hot water with salt ready to soak your feet."
Gene sighs. Veda is the sweetest and most thoughtful person she has ever met. She wraps her arms around her.
"Thank you, Veda, you are the best."
The maid fidgets in her arms and blushes. "You give me too much credit, my lady." Gene laughs and pats her shoulder.
When she puts her feet in the water, every blister stings. She hisses a few times before the pain is replaced with a healing sensation.
Gene doesn't understand why the prince acted that way earlier. Is it because of dinner the other night? Could it be because she didn't try to see him these past few days? Not that she could have, with all the classes she had to attend.
She sighs.
'Maybe he was just busy and absorbed in his work.'
A knock on the door brings her back from her thoughts. When Veda opens, the queen waltzes in with a smile.
"Your Majesty." Gene tries to stand, but with her feet in the basin, she loses her footing and falls right back into her chair.
"Oh dear, please stay seated, Lady Siv."
"My apologies, Your Majesty."
"No need. I am the one who just came unannounced." Ylva looks at Gene's feet. "How are you feeling? Has Mrs. Guvtafson been working you too much?" she asks as she takes a seat opposite of her.
"Does four hours a day qualify as too much?" Gene chuckle.
"Now I feel bad." The queen frowns. "I just wanted you and Brandt to dance at my ball. If It is too much, I can speak with her."
"That is not necessary, Your Majesty. I don't mind working hard if it means getting better."
Ylva gives Gene a satisfied nod. "I am actually here to invite you to dinner tonight. The King has some diplomats from a different country and there will be a dinner to welcome them." She leans in closer. "This could be your chance to impress His Majesty."
A wave of nervousness washes over Gene. "I don't think I am ready." She imitates Ylva's whispering.
"Don't be silly, of course you are." The queen stands and squeezes her shoulder before leaving.
'But I am not.'
When the time comes, Gene pushes through her anxiety and her painful feet to make her way to the ballroom as instructed. When she enters, she is surprised by the number of guests. There are at least forty people in the room.
"Lady Holmen," Lord Benson greets her with a bow.
"Lord Benson, how are you?"
"I am well, thank you for asking." He offers Gene his arm and they start walking toward the middle of the room. "I will take you to your escort for tonight."
'My escort? He can just say the prince.' She smiles.
She knew that Lord Benson was so strict with everything he does, so she thought it was just his way of speaking. But when they stop in front of one of the guests, she finally understands what he meant. Her heart sinks.
"Lady Holmen, please allow me to introduce you to Lord Holger Beck, the Minister of Political Affairs in the neighboring country of Vanta."
"My Lord, this is Lady Siv Holmen, daughter of the Duke of Lohja."
'That's it? Did he forget to mention that I am the Prince's fiancée? Or—'
"It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Lady Holmen." The man kisses her hand.
"Likewise, Lord Beck." Gene tries her best not to let her smile falter.
'What is going on here?'
Before she can even wrap her head around the situation, one of the guards announces in a loud voice.
"His Majesty, King Ronald. Her Majesty, Queen Ylva. His Highness, Crown Prince Brandt. And Her Royal Highness, Princess Hella of Vanta."
Gene's eyes widen at the sight of Brandt escorting the princess. She blames it on Siv's weak heart, but she feels her heart ready to burst from pain. She has never felt hurt like this, maybe the only other time was when she found out about her ex-boyfriend being married.
'I guess he was just being an ass to me earlier.' All of the excuses Gene tried to find for him become invalid in a second.
'So much for doing my best to impress the king.'
*********
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CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
MeriemR
MeriemR I think tonight's dinner is going to be the first of many challenges in Siv's quest.
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