50!

BRIANNA

“Are you sure about this, Trish?” I asked her because none of this is beginning to make sense to me. One, why will the palace be deserted and two who asked for a flyover and why.

“Yes, I'm sure. Most of the buildings are empty including the King’s throne room,” she said as she headed to the door. “Aren’t you coming?” she asked. “We need to let Liam know.”

“Is there a reason I wasn’t told about the flyover?” I asked her.

“Not particularly. It’s just routine, anytime you are heading to the Palace a flyover is requested for safety precautions,” she explained.

“Well, i didn’t know that,” i said nervously, “but now i do.” She looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

“Is there a reason you are not running towards Liam with news of this right now?” she asked and my face fell.

“You are right i should tell him right now,” i walked towards her but she stood in my way.

“Colonel Lane would have done that by now, so that means we have a lot of time to talk before Liam walks into the room,” she said and I sighed.

“It’s probably nothing,” I said to her, trying to walk past her but she didn’t burge.

“Tell me,” her gaze turned quizzical, searching my face for answers.

“Something happened between us this morning,” she leaned in, intrigued. “Like I said earlier, it’s probably nothing,” I quickly walked past her before she could stop me.

“If something is bothering you, Brianna and you can’t talk to me about it,”she said as I walked to the door, “then I know it’s something relating to Liam. then you should talk to him about it. You can’t have anything weighing you down right now.” I didn't turn around as she spoke. I opened up the door to see Liam exactly where I saw him earlier but right now, there are a lot of people in uniform surrounding him.

He looked up and our eyes met for a while, then he took it away. I sighed and walked away. Trish is right, i can’t have anything distract or weigh me down

“Your grace,” I heard Ethan’s voice and stopped walking.

“Hello, Ethan,” I greeted and he bowed slightly. Ethan has been the most caring ever since I got here. Unlike Mason, who takes every chance to belittle me and my kind.
“Is everything okay between you and his Highness?” he asked and I tilted my head.

“What makes you ask that?” I inquired.

He rubbed the back of his neck, “Oh come on, Ethan, you are not the nervous type,” I folded my hands and a hint of a smile displayed on his lips.

“You are right, your grace. What I meant was he sent me to you instead of using the opportunity to see you,” he said and I let out a little laugh.

“What makes you think that’s what he wants?” I asked him.

“I’m a spy, your grace. I have to know what everyone's thinking all the time to protect his Highness,” he replied.

“Okay,” I folded my hands, “what am I thinking of right now?” His eyes narrowed as he looked at every inch of my face.

“You don’t like being called ‘your grace’, everytime. You are not yet used to it,” he said and I swallowed hard.

“What did his highness want from me?” I asked him and he raised his eyebrows.

“Just for you to get ready, you are to put on something comfortable. I believe your mother has one,” he said and walked away. I inhaled deeply with my hands behind my back.

“One more thing, your grace,” Ethan said, standing in front of me again. I shifted uncomfortably.

“I’m sorry but eventually, you have to get used to that,” he said and I nodded. “What i wanted to say was whatever is hanging on between the both of you, it shouldn’t weigh you down because it certainty not weighing him down,” he said, looking at Liam and i did the same.

Our eyes locked for a second but he took his eyes away, “Funny, Trisha just told me exactly the same thing,” I said, looking at him.

“I believe that’s part of our job,” he said, bowed and walked away. I walked into my chambers to see some of the servants.

“What’s going on here?” I asked and Agatha came out from my closet.

“Your grace?” her tone came out like a question.

“Yes, Agatha, what’s going on here? She took a deep breath, ready to explain.

“We are preparing for your journey to the palace,” she said.

“Yeah, I can see that but why are there so many servants here?” I walked towards her.

She sighed and approached me, “Because most of the clothes you will need are in the storage, they belong to your mother.” she touched my arms. “I didn’t want you to go through the grief twice by sorting them out and also wearing them.” she said. There was a knock on the door and a messenger was brought in.

“How much time do we have?” Agatha asked.

“Thirty minutes, ma’am,” the messenger said.

“We don’t have a lot of time, my lady. We need to get you dressed,” she said as we walked into the closet. “We have been able to retrofit them to your size and standard,” she chattered. I walked towards the one that was laying on the table, my guest is that’s what i’m supposed to wear right now.

“You can do this, your grace. Your Mother will be so proud right now,” she said. I nodded as I trailed the clothing with my fingers. It was a black pants and a long sleeve shirt with the colors of our pack.

“What’s that?” I asked, noticing some ranking ribbons being placed neatly in a box.

“Does, are yours, your grace. As the heir to the dukedom of Greenwich,” Agatha said and I nodded. “Bring her in!” she yelled and I turned around.

“Your grace, let me introduce you to Tara, my daughter,” I nodded my head towards the young lady, who looks just like Agatha. “She will accompany you as your head mistress,” she said and my face fell.

“Replacing you?” I asked and she nodded.

“I have to be here, in case anything happens. There are still some things Tara doesn’t know but she knows exactly what to do right now,” she said and Tara walked towards me.

“That begins with me helping you in your new wear, your grace,” she said and I nodded.

“Take the box out,” Agatha orders. I looked at the box and was relieved. It might be a big one but at least it’s one.

Agatha stood by the door helping while Tara helped me dress. Suddenly she bowed down, “Your Highness,” she said and my heart skipped a beat. Tara bowed as Liam walked into the closet. He looked dressed up as well.
“All done, your grace,” Tara said.

“Thank you Tara, leave us,” I said and she nodded. The silence in the room was deafening as we both stared at each other.

“We need to talk,” we both said at the same time.