Things That Should Be Kept Secret

The Queen sat on her throne long after everyone else was gone, her head for the first time bowed as she watched her feet. Maybe she had managed to evade being tied to Adrian for the rest of her life, but that just meant she would have to give the chance to win the contest to the person she felt was most promising to her.

"Your highness."

She turned to the maid who stood behind her, bowed. "Where is my handmaiden?"

"He has gone to the kitchen. Should I get him for you?"

"No. I will go to him myself."

The maid raised a brow, but said nothing. Questioning the queen was out of the question and she bowed.

The Queen stood, a little sober and less hyped by the thrill of her own announcement. But a queen never takes back her word as she adjusted the heavily endowed crown on her head and started to walk to the kitchen.

"Don't announce it," She said as she got to the kitchen. The door was however, opened and she stood in front of the slight opening, her eyes searching till she found her handmaiden, Hector.

He was sitting on the bunked bed, a maid she didn't recognize was sitting next to him. He was talking to her freely, his hands all over, his smile wide. His brown eyes thinned and sparkled as he talked and the queen sighed before she could catch herself.

Soon enough, she saw herself, dressed in the maid's clothes, talking to Hector. She watched as the person she yearned to be right now wrapped her arms around Hector's waist, then leaned on his shoulder. She saw his expression. He seemed like he had the world to himself right then as he touched her cheek playfully.

The queen couldn't take her eyes off the scene, and didn't realize when another maid caught sight of her.

"Your highness!" The other maid said rather loudly, bowing immediately.

The Queen sighed as Hector and the maid next to him let go of each other and stood, walking to the door.

"Your highness," He said and bowed. "I didn't know you were here. Is there something you want me to do for you?"

Hector was trembling inside, wondering if she had seen him with Lana. It caused a stir in his stomach, the way she was looking at him, like she could reach out and slap him. But not the kind of slap that would hurt him, much like when Lana would punch his chest if he made her wait too much. Something like that.

She smiled wistfully, her eyes falling away from his. "No. Carry on."

Her voice held nothing of what she felt, or of all her secret desires, but as she walked away, she must have left it in her wake. Hector didn't feel it was fine to let her be, considering he was her handmaiden, and he excused himself and followed to her room.

She entered her room and went to her bed, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Your highness, I am here."

"You don't need to be," She said calmly. "I will call for you when I need you."

"Okay, your highness. But, I will wait here." He had no idea while he opted to do that, even though he knew he would rather be spending time with Lana than standing outside the Queen's door, waiting for when she would need him.

The Queen removed the heavy crown of her head, and removed the jewelry she had been wearing. She felt a lot lighter, since she was now closer to that maid in the kitchen than she was to the queen who had stood outside the kitchen, a mess of vortices and unspoken yearnings.

She walked to the door, feeling it in her hands. Hector was right outside it, and she could ask for him whenever she wanted. He would do whatever she wanted, but what was more attractive than willingness?

"Hector."

"Yes, your highness."

"You're going hunting with me in some time. Get ready."

"Yes, your highness."

She left the door, and went to her wardrobe. It was his job, but she didn't think she wanted to see him right now. The images still stayed at the back of her eye, and she was going to make new ones to change it all.

By the time she was ready, her guards and maids were waiting, with Hector, still wearing the same thing, standing amongst them. She turned to the head guard.

"Dress him up appropriately. He is the only one I am going with."

The head guard bowed and walked away with Hector and the rest of the guards who would go back to their usual positons.

Two dressed horses were outside the palace door, and the queen was carried in her carriage up to where they were.

She had exempted Hector from that particilar activity, and he walked beside the carriage. They stopped once they got to the horses and she came down, then gracefully waited for the human stool she would climb on to get on her horse.

Hector watched a strong, bulky servant kneel, giving his back for the queen to step on. He looked at her, astonished at how inhumane royalty could be. But when he looked at her, she was looking at him already, her eyes thin as if she was gauging him. Wait, was that his job too?

"Get up. I will climb on my own."

Her eyes were still fixed on Hector, and she could see the visible relief on his face. But she knew she would struggle with the horse. The palace horses were tall and well built, and she put her hand on the belt and tried to push herself forward, so she could put her foot on the pedestal.

"Let me help you," Hector said, then putting his hands on each side of her waist, he lifted her up enough to get her foot on the pedestal. He didn't let her go till she was fully on the horse, before he turned away.

All the maids and guards present had their she's fixed on him. Not only had he spoken informally, he had also touched the queen without consent or permission.

He looked back at her, ready to apologize, but the soft breeze slightly lifted her veil, and he saw her lips curved up in a smile.