Isha

Prince High Horse: The Queen likes shrimps. It's a possibility that she will be offering you snacks made from or with shrimp during the evening meeting.

A strangled groan leaves my throat. I despise eating shrimps. The taste just doesn't suit me, but it is not like I can just tell Queen Veronica on her face, "Hey Your Majesty, I hate shrimps, unlike you." Oh no no, that would be equal to committing a national crime. Especially in this scenario where the present Queen of Syncitia has personally extended an invitation to me to attend her exclusive evening tea. The email that I was sent from Nirvana stated that the Queen organizes these small social gatherings with a few chosen ladies, once in a while. I am not rich, popular, or even come from an aristocratic family. Of course, she cannot call me to have a meeting as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, considering the fact she is aware of our fake relationship.

Then why. Why. Just why.

I slide back to the messaging app when the ping sound alerts my phone of another incoming message. Probably from Calix.

Prince High Horse: I am aware of your distaste towards shrimps. Do not worry, the Queen won't mind. In fact, I just had a little chat about your likes and dislikes and she willingly instructed the Royal Head Chef to prepare other snacks besides shrimp snacks. I know you miss home. So I slipped in a little word about preparing some Indian snacks, preferably Bengali snacks for you :)

A smile crosses my lips. Gosh, the more I get to know him, the more he keeps showing newer, nicer sides I never knew the cold, sophisticated prince had. But, I can't help but feel bad at the prospect that separately snacks will be made to suit my taste, when I am neither someone close to the royal family, nor a noble lady.

Prince High Horse: Before your mind runs off to somewhere, no, we do not mind preparing these for you. The Queen doesn't mind, so do not worry. In fact, Mother is very excited to meet you, although I am unsure as to why she called you, but don't fret about it. I will see you in the evening after you are done with the little rendezvous with Queen Veronica and some other ladies.

P.S. Do not let their judgemental remarks get to you. Stay strong. I believe in you.

"Is he a psychic now?" I snort at my own words, reading his texts over and over again. It's as if Calix has known me for years, and not just a few months.

It is funny how once we started off as "business acquaintances" and are now close friends. Friends.

Do friends kiss the way we kissed two weeks back on the balcony, as snowfall covered the world outside and my family slept soundly inside my apartment? Do friends worry to the point that they will leave an important meeting in the middle just to be with them? Do friends get jealous when they see the other person with another close someone? Do friends find enough comfort in one another's embrace like we do?

I guess not. And I know the answer to my unending questions now. Well I think I do.

I have feelings for Prince Calix. Nothing less, but perhaps something more.

A bead of sweat trickles down my face, me wiping it off sneakily while forcing a polite smile on my lips. Of course, I try not to be offended with the way four other noble ladies, present in the garden, blatantly ignore my presence. As per my understanding, these ladies, who belong from different aristocratic families and are all dressed in lavishing attire, must be in their late thirties to mid-fifties. Even their painted nails seem luxuriant. And here I am sitting in between them. At this point, my attire is probably screaming, cheap. I glance here and there, pretending to admire the snow covered garden as the setting sun creates an orange and red canvas in the sky, and we wait for the arrival of the Queen. From what I have picked up, this part of the huge garden is Queen Veronica's personal garden, which seems to have been taken great care of. She also, as a matter of fact, has a love for hosting small evening gatherings, especially when the sun is setting. Apart from us five, a few personal maids are here as well.

I place a hand over my tummy at the rumbling sound it makes. Not my problem that the sweet and savoury delicacies placed on the table are practically speaking to me, 'Isha, please eat us.'

"Miss, Isha Sen is your name, I am assuming?"

Is this finally it? Am I finally getting an opportunity to be included in their conversation and not sit like a robot throughout the evening?

"Ah yes," I reply soon enough to the brunette lady, who appears to be close to my mother's age, give or take a few years. Her eyes swiftly sweep over me, an uncomfortable sensation bubbling in me at that. It is almost as if with one single eye-contact and she can judge my entire existence.

"And I am assuming you do not belong from a family of much wealth?"

Calm down, Isha. Calm down. She is old. She is just an old lady, whose opinions on your life are simply irrelevant.

I put on my best polite smile, as deliberately wide as it can be, although I am pretty sure I am going to drown myself in alcohol later while brooding over my current actions.

"Depends on the type of wealth you are referring to, Madam. Wealth comes in many forms. Aristocratic. Royal. Business-people-type rich. Or the majority life that many leads, which is financially suitable and without any nosiness?"

Take that old woman. I always win in arguments whether they are rational or irrational and this is coming from me, the one who forever won debate competitions at school and university as the best speaker. Although, I may have sounded rude. Intentionally.

The woman's lips twitch a bit while the other ladies inaudibly gasp, staring at me as if I am someone appalling with no manners.

Well yeah. When it comes to arguments, I have no manners. A flaw and a thing to flaunt, at the same time.

The old woman, Duchess Leonora subtly smiles, in an attempt to maintain etiquette codes and not burst out in anger. "You are certainly not someone I expected for you to be."

"Haha, not many do," I laugh, popping a blue macaron in my mouth. Gosh, it is so utterly, foodgasm-worthy, delicious. I did not even touch the Bengali snacks made for me, at the sight of the macarons that have me salivating. Can't pass on the opportunity try it for the first time ever, can I now?

"How rude," another lady, who was sitting on my right side, whispers not-so-inaudibly to her friends.

Duchess Leonora stares at me, her emerald eyes fierce and unmoving like a venomous snake. Her voice drops cold, and I am aware that I certainly do not feel chillier only due to the December temperature.

"Please ladies," Duchess Leonora softly chuckles, "Don't be rude to our new, amateur guest. Since she is in a relationship with His Royal Highness, Prince Calix, I am pretty sure she receives personal etiquette lessons from her partner. Or perhaps not? Prince Calix does have a tight schedule—"

"This is my tea party, Leonora. Not a place for you to exert dominance on my future daughter-in-law."

A red flush appears on Duchess Leonora's face out of embarrassment and humiliation as we all stand up immediately at the Queen's entrance. She motions everyone to take a seat with a cold gaze which for some reason softens when it falls on me. Only me.

Queen Veronica takes a seat right beside me, and I swear I might as well be smelling sweaty. I am nervous. Too nervous to function properly.

"I apologize for keeping you all waiting, ladies. Prince Calix and I were having a bit of talk about someone. He seemed certainly excited. So much so, that his bodyguard had to use slight physical force to take him away. Meetings called."

I gulp when Queen Veronica winks at me. She can't possibly be referring to that someone to be me now, can she? Calix is a sophisticated prince. He will never forget his meetings just to meet me.

But if that someone isn't me, I can't help but think, who are they? Are they someone special to Calix? Perhaps a childhood friend. No, perhaps more. Precisely more. It should be more. Could it be, that they are a she? Someone he fancies.

More than me.

No, what am I thinking. I was never more. I have had one-sided crushes before. This is just a fleeting crush that I will soon get over.

In the blink of an eye.

"Miss Sen?"

I flinch at the calm, warm voice of Queen Veronica. Clearing my throat and forcing up a smile on my lips, I say, "I-I am sorry, Your Majesty. I was just lost in thoughts."

"No worries dear, the lovely ladies here and I were merely talking how delightful we are to have your presence with us this evening."

"It's really alright—"

Before I could finish speaking, with a light undertone of spite, we hear Duchess Leonora mumbling, while she sips tea. "Quite a rude presence."

An eerie silence takes over the little place as the other ladies nod in silent agreement. I assumed Queen Veronica to perhaps side with them, however, she doesn't. Quite boldly she replies with a, "Duchess Leonora, I expected more manners from you because at this table, you and the other ladies are the ones being rude. Not Miss Sen. I deeply apologize for pointing the truth out."

She did not seem the least bit sorry.

"Your Majesty, but before you arrived, she—"

"Duchess Leonora, you and I both know what I am implying here. Right?"

Woah, Queen Veronica is such a badass. Perhaps I should include a character similar to her persona in my book.

Duchess Leonora, who is no longer able to keep her calm (and of course, due to not being able to speak against the Queen) stands up hurriedly with her diamond embedded purse. "Thank you for the lovely, memorable invitation. Although, I am not quite sure if it was a mockery to us, being invited alongside her, just because she has supposedly managed to seduce Prince Calix. Have a good evening, Your Majesty." The woman strides away, followed by the other ladies as well.

I sit there in awkward silence, wondering if I should speak first or that might be too rude. Surprising me, Queen Veronica bursts out laughing. My baffled expression seems to have only resulted in the increase of her laughter.

"Oh dear lord, I am sorry," she chokes on her snorts, wiping some tears off her eyes, "Duchess Leonora is an exceptionally intelligent and poised woman. It was so great to see her finally lose her calm."

"Oh. Is that so?" Not knowing what to reply with, I smile sheepishly.

"My God yes!" She chuckles, "I am really sorry dear, for her behaviour. You know how people in high society can be sometimes. But I was absolutely proud how you stood up to her. Not many have the courage to do so."

I blush in embarrassment. "I just got driven by emotions. I didn't mean to."

"Do not worry, Miss Sen. She deserved that. Well, Duchess Leonora has been trying for a while to set up her youngest daughter with Calix but he strictly never showed an interest in her. Now that I think, he never really showed interest deeply towards any woman. Except for you."

"Oh." I feel the blood rushing to my face, so badly. "But, you know that we are in a false relationship right, Your Majesty?"

"False can turn true, any moment." She smiles, wriggling her eyebrows.

A laugh slips past my lips which soon turns sour. "Perhaps not in our situation. Calix is...way out of my league."

"You think so. But, I have been observing him, Miss Sen. He has been brighter these days. Happier. More cheerful. And absolutely not always drowning himself with work." Queen Veronica takes my palm into hers. "Call it a mother's intuition, but from what I see, my son is in love with you. And he is too far gone now."

My heartbeat thunders in my chest but no. It can never be possible. Calix and in love with me? Please. I would have rather believed if cows suddenly began barking and dogs mooing. But I do not voice my thoughts, and simply smile. Subtly.

"Promise me Miss Sen," her voice takes a turn, as if she is afraid of something or perhaps worried for Calix, "Promise me you will stay beside him, no matter what. I know you were surprised at the sudden invitation but I wanted to greet and talk to you personally. I wanted to see the girl who has lightened up Calix's world.

Stay with him. He doesn't need politics or the crown. All he needs, is you."