Chapter 22: Familiar yet an unpleasant vibe
Meanwhile Alisha is busy making notes for her previous lesson as Neil reads the newspaper .
"So what kind of person is Erwin ? Zen has never spoke to me about him before I think I must know since they appear to be so close " She says shutting her book and keeping the pencil inside it .
"Well they are close and he is the only friend His Majesty seems to get along well with. Lord Erwin is the king of Edolas . It's a small kingdom found by Sir Erwin himself . "
"Oh yes I have read about him in books . He must really be very talented then "
"Indeed he is My lady . " He straightens his glasses
"If he is Zen's best friend then why did he leave Isla then ? Was he from some other place ?" Alisha enquired with curiosity in her sparkling Emerald blue eyes and many other questions swirling inside her brain . Her query was followed by a moment of silence . Neil was lost in thought for a moment as if he didn't knew how to answer her . Erwin was more like a brother to Zen but his presence would remind him of her , as they both had spent cherished memorable time with her . Neil was afraid if Zen would suffer from another panic attack .
"Neil ! Neil ! " Alisha waves her hand before his eyes standing in front of him . He snaps and looks confused .
"What's wrong with you ? What were you thinking ? "
"Oh .. I apologise My lady ! I was ... just thinking about someone . "
"Someone ? Who is that ?"
"Umm. .. noone special . Well I think I must leave please finish your work ma'am"
"Wait you can't just leave I want to know who that person is ? Honestly I find it hard to believe that you even think of someone except for Zen ...hahaha " She bursts into a laughter but covers her mouth with her palm as Neil gives her a blank expression .
"I'll tell you once you finish the assignment I have given you to complete . Well then please excuse me " He bows slightly and leaves the room holding a file to his left .
"Assignment ? Like I would do that ! Neil knows the best way to make me stop bothering him. Once I become the queen I'll make sure to change that attitude of yours ha... anyways I think I'll go out in the gardens " She says and heads towards the garden . The maids greet her on her way . She sits on the bench to watch the waters thinking deeply of what Neil would be hiding from her but her thoughts were interrupted.
"Hey Princess !" Erwin calls her from the other end .
"Erwin ! Oh Hi ..." She smiles confusingly wondering what he was doing in the gardens .
"Mind if I sit here ?"
"No problem at all . " Erwin sits to her right on another bench .
"Thanks ! Woah what's this ? It wasn't there last time I came here ." He exclaims looking at the River pool not that big in size .
"Oh this was built recently . One day I sneaked out to watch the river and Zen found out from then on he warned me not to leave the palace for such things . He is a complete weirdo what's wrong in playing around river I like watching the waters but he doesn't seem to enjoy such things and he made me an artificial one here so that I don't pester him to go out . Huh... " She sighs her long eyelashes bowing down .
"Sounds rough to me but also exactly how Zen is . It can't be helped it's just the way he is . He could be stubborn at times but he sure cares I'm sure you know it by now "
"Hmmm... Yeah may be . "
"So do you spend here most of your time admiring the nature ? "
"Kinda yes as Zen is busy all the time and same goes for Neil . Me amd Ashia would play games for sometime but it seems he also works for Zen mostly . Reesha and the others share their stories with me and that's how my days pass here . Anyways you dress pretty simple for a king ?"
"Well I just want to avoid attention that's all haha ..."
"I see. Zen's attire is so elegant I mean he dresses up so much "
"He has to . Its the same for any king. "
"I guess so .. Neil refused to tell me about you but I would love to know about you !"
"Ah is that so .. well there is nothing special about me . I know Zen from when we were kids and it was later that I became king of Edolas and left Isla . "
" So does that mean you aren't from here?"
"You can say that . My history is long you would probably get bored ummm ... but .. I'll try to make it short . I belonged to a small village nearby Isla which is now called Edolas . It was never a part of Isla and it didn't have a ruler as well. So I took up the opportunity and worked on to improve my homeland . I came here 7 years ago to find work and met Zen as my work was related to the palace ... so..days passed and we got to know each other better and before we kew we were more than best friends to each other . Well ... that's my story " He said rubbing the back of his head .
" Wow ! So sweet . You are very warm hearted person . I'm so glad meeting you"
"Oh you think so ? Thanks !!"
I don't know why but I feel he and I share something common . A familiar yet an unpleasant vibe . Something that wants me accept he isn't a stranger though I have never met him before .
Just then they are interrupted when Zen approaches them along with Neil . The sky changed it's hue and the sun began to set . The maids came with tea . They all sat on the white tea table .
"So what were you both busy talking in my absence ?" Zen questioned taking a sip of the tea
"Just working on how to steal her from you " He winked .
"Wow ! Did that work ?"
"It's under progress ..." Zen laughed at his statement. Erwin had good sense of humour.
"Well wish you good luck then ." Alisha smiled . She was happy to see Zen smile and laugh . He enjoyed Erwin's company . Her heart was at ease . They chatted for sometime and headed for dinner . The Dinner was extravagant to celebrate Erwin's arrival . Zen reveals that he has decided on the date for their engagement . He wanted it to be soon before Erwin leaves since he didn't plan on staying long .
"Oh so it's finally done ! Phew .." Alisha exclaims and lifts her glass of water to drink
"Woah you seem awfully insensitive to the engagement topic Miss."
"What do you expect ? I ask him every single day you know you won't understand how it is to stay with a man who is a complete stranger "
"Stranger ? The way you treat me I doubt that's the case . I'm going to be your husband Ofcourse "
"Oh yes I wonder when I'll be able to call you that " She rolls her eyes .
"My my ! I'm stunned how close you two have become "
"Not really ! "They both say together glancing at each other . Erwin let's out a chuckle . With Alisha and Zen meals are always noisy even in the presence of a guest .
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