Betrothed To The Prince

The next morning.

Nora got up very early. She was prepared to go back to work. She swiftly took her bath, wore her clothes and brushed her hair packing it into a neat ponytail. She wrapped a pale cloth around her head and set out for the day.

She could not lie, she was extremely excited to get back to doing what she loved to do. She had to admit that taking a few days of rest allowed her to feel energized and ready to work even harder than before.

She wanted to forget and focus on what was important. She wanted to avoid Mero at all costs and if possible she also wanted to avoid the hot gossip of what transpired between them as well. The last thing she wanted was to be reminded of how upset she had been.

Nora set out early and made her way to the kitchen, it was busy as always and yet once she entered everyone became silent, they all turned to look at her. At first she became uncomfortable but then she realised that there was no need to give them all a reason to gossip.

"Good morrow everyone." she said as if snapping them all out of their various dazes.

"Good morrow." they replied going back to their various duties.

Nora took that as a sign that they realized it was not a good time for them to ask their numerous questions. It did not matter if they asked them anyway, she would not answer them at all.

"Has the queen been served breakfast?" she asked the cook.

"No, not yet." the cook replied.

"I would like to be the one to serve her breakfast, may I?" asked Nora.

"Of course you may, you are her majesty's personal maid after all. I am sure that she will be delighted to see you ever since you know... you have been indisposed." said the cook.

"I heard of what happened to you Nora, and I am really sorry." said the cook.

"And what exactly did you hear about me?" asked Nora.

"Umm... you know... the news has spread all over the camp, it is an awful shame we never expected Sir Mero to be capable of..." said the cook her voice trailing off as soon as she saw the cold look on Nora's face.

"I would appreciate it if matters that do not pertain to the kitchen are not spoken inside the kitchen." said Nora coldly.

"Of course..." replied the cook.

"Please dish her majesty's breakfast so I can serve it." said Nora.

"Yes, yes." replied the cook understanding clearly that Nora was not going to tolerate any gossip being spoken around her.

"Good." replied Nora as she walked out of the kitchen.

...

Wura had already woken up. A replacement maid had prepared her a bath and she had taken care of her hair herself.

She was about to leave her tent when she received the best surprise she did not expect to see.

"Good morrow my queen." said Nora as she walked in with a bright smile.

"Nora!!" called Wura in excitement as she waited for Nora to place the tray down before engulfing her in a tight, warm hug.

"Nora, what are you doing here? You did not tell me that you decided to come back to work." said Wura as she broke their hug.

"I wanted to surprise you my queen." replied Nora.

"And surprised I am, come, come sit down, tell me, how are you feeling now?" asked Wura as she sat down Nora on her bed.

"Well, If I am being honest my queen, I feel really good, better than before." said Nora.

"Oh you do not know how happy I feel to hear you say that Nora, I have been so worried about you." replied Wura.

"And I have been worried about you too my queen. I missed you as well." said Nora as she hugged Wura.

"I brought your breakfast." said Nora as she stood up and served Nora.

"I have been unable to eat well when I was worried about you, but today because you are here I feel my appetite returning." said Wura as she began to eat and Nora giggled.

"You look like you have something important to tell me, what is it?" asked Wura, she was quick to notice how tense Nora became.

"You are correct my queen, I truly do have something important to ask of you." said Nora.

"Tell me what it is Nora."

"I know that I said I feel better my queen and I really do. However, my queen for the sake of my sanity and happiness, I would prefer it if it were possible for me to avoid Mero." said Nora.

"What I am saying is please my queen, I want to avoid Mero at all costs, I do not want to see him, I do not want to hear from him. If he asks you of me, do not tell him anything. I beg you my queen, would you please do this one thing for me?" asked Nora.

"*Sigh* Nora, you do know that what you are asking me to do is a very difficult task right?" asked Wura.

"I know my queen." replied Nora.

"Mero still wants to speak with you and explain his side of things, also to apologize. I know all that well which is why I doubt that it will be possible for you to completely ignore Mero. You see him everyday and he you." said Wura.

"I know that my queen, but I am determined to avoid him at all costs and when I decided that, there is no way that I will not follow through." said Nora as Wura sighed.

"All I ask my queen is that if he asks of me from you, please refrain from telling him anything, I do not want to speak to him, or at least for now..." said Nora.

"If it is too difficult for you to do my queen then I understand..." said Nora sombre, her head bowed.

"No Nora... no... it is not too difficult for me... you barely ask me to do things for you, and that is why I will do this for you." said Wura, she knew that she owed Nora this much, even more. After all, she was part of the reason she had her heart broken.

"You do not have to worry Nora. I will refrain from speaking to Mero about you, even if he asks, I will not tell him anything at all, you have my word." said Wura sincerely as Nora looked at her and smiled.

"Thank you my queen." said Nora with a smile as Wura nodded.

"Well I guess that means you will be unable to spend the entire day with me like I had hoped." Wura frowned sadly. She had missed Nora so much that she did not want to let her out of her sight today.

Unfortunately that would be impossible since she would undoubtably see Mero today just like other days.

"I apologize my queen, but I know that this is for the best." said Nora.

"It is better for me to avoid him instead of making a scene." said Nora sadly.

"I know Nora, and I trust and respect your decisions, it is just that I also know that you cannot avoid him forever."

"Sooner or later, you are going to have to face him and discuss this thoroughly." said Wura.

"He did not even have the decency to tell me who this other woman is... I gave him a chance, but he just vaguely replied. That for me shows that there is nothing else to discuss." said Nora coldly as Wura found herself tongue-tied, unable to speak considering she was the guilty party here.

The reason Mero did not mention her name was for the sake of the peace. She just felt really bad after hearing what Nora indirectly really thought of her, she lost her appetite.

"That is true... but the Mero I know... would never have done anything to deliberately hurt you..." said Wura as she set her unfinished breakfast on the table and got up.

"Please, just consider that." she said patting Nora on the shoulder.

"I say this out of my love and concern for you. Dwelling with this anger and bitterness towards him will not do you any good. If anything it will only cause you to remain in your pain instead of moving on and I do not want that for you Nora."

"I know my queen, and thank you for caring for me so much. I really appreciate your friendship." said Nora as she smiled and gave Wura another hug.

"And I you... I apologize for anything I have done to ruin it." said Wura with an extremely guilty sigh.

"What do you mean my queen? You have never done anything of that sort." laughed Nora paying no attention to the underlying meaning in her words.