Bab 25: Sisterly (1)

Helena wished she could say the same, but she was a competitive person and wouldn't be able to hold back being jealous or angry if Tobias was spending a lot of time with other women. Even Hazel was the woman he was spending time with instead of her.

She already saw the prince as hers so she was protective and didn't want to see him with anyone else. She was trying to work on not lashing out at Hazel because of her jealousy. Hazel didn't deserve it and anyone watching would call her childish.

"This is supposed to be fun for the two of us in the palace. We've always talked about what it would be like to stay here and how we would love a chance to explore, but now we are here, I don't find it exciting. Sometimes I think that mother should have only picked one of us," said Helena.

"I don't think you would have loved that decision. You wouldn't be here-"

"Why not?" Helena asked louder than she intended to be. "Why wouldn't I be here?"

"I am older than you and not married. I am near the prince's age and it would have been me entering the selection alone had he returned when he was meant to. We only need to remember that this is a contest and when it is all over, we will want to be in each other's lives so don't let your jealousy make you do or say something you will regret. Deal?" Hazel asked, extending her hand for Helena to shake on it.

Helena shook Hazel's hand, agreeing to it because she knew from that moment on she would shine so brightly that there would be nothing to get upset with Hazel for. "As my sister, don't you want to share what was said between you and the prince-"

"No, Helena. What is said with the prince is private and I don't trust that you won't share it with the new friends you are making. I won't be nosey when your time with him comes so leave me be. Go away," Hazel said, motioning her hand to shoo Helena away.

"I am not a bug for you to do that to me. I would happily tell you what I speak of with the prince," said Helena.

"Unfortunately, I know that you will," Hazel muttered, already annoyed by Helena being like a bee in her ear. She was already tired of hearing about Helena dancing with the prince.

Hazel liked seeing Helena happy, but she wished Tobias had picked another young woman so her ears wouldn't feel like they were about to bleed. She was certain she heard Helena talking in her sleep about the dance when they shared a bed last night.

"We are so different. If I were you, I would be rubbing the fact I was alone with the prince in everyone's faces. Let it be known that the Wallace family is not to be dismissed since we are doing so well. When you left, you were the topic of conversations," said Helena.

She had still been jealous then but when her sister became the topic of conversation and others were trying to guess why she was picked, her mood changed to speak up and boast about her sister. It helped clear anyone feeling like she had been jealous of Hazel. Helena particularly loved getting to shut Jasmine up.

Hazel already knew that her name would have become a sweet treat in everyone's mouth. Perhaps it was even being said wherever the queen had wandered off to.

Hazel had a few thoughts about the queen that she was going to keep to herself. It was only the first time up close to the queen so she could be overthinking and misreading the woman. It was also understandable that the queen would come off a little harsh sometimes because there was an important meeting to be made.

Hazel hoped that the queen wouldn't try to put Helena against her because Helena was mesmerised by the queen and would almost do anything to please her.

"This is my bedroom," Hazel said, stopping in front of her door. "If you don't mind, I want a moment alone to gather my thoughts and prepare for when we will see the queen again."

"You are starting to worry me with how you are acting. If something happened when you were alone with the prince, you can share it with me," Helena said, stepping forward to hold Hazel's hands. "I am here for you."

"That- One of the queen's maids is coming," Hazel said, looking down the hallway.

The maid was walking quickly as if she had no time to waste.

"Lady Helena," the maid addressed Helena. "The queen requests your presence. You are to leave right now for a private seating with the queen and her ladies."

Helena slowly turned to Hazel in disbelief that she was getting an invite from the queen herself. She couldn't believe it and thought her ears were playing tricks on her so she heard the wrong thing.

"You should leave now to not have the queen waiting," Hazel said, excited for Helena. She wanted to close the little gap from Helena's mouth falling open from the shock of the invite, but then thought doing so would bring attention to it.

Hearing Hazel say this, Helena now knew that what she heard was right.

The maid wished Helena would respond faster so they could see the queen. It was bad enough that she had to rush all over to find the young woman because she wasn't in the garden with the others and now her response was slow.

"Lead the way," Helena answered, her hands going to her hair to check if it was perfect. She wished she had a little more time to change into another dress. "I will see you later, Hazel."

Right now, having time alone with the prince seemed like nothing when she was getting to sit with the queen. Helena crossed her fingers hoping there wouldn't be anyone else from the selection present so she could finally have some attention back on her.

The prince might have lost a little interest in her, but with the queen liking her, Tobias would certainly notice her again.

"Goodbye," Hazel said, waving goodbye to Helena.

She was curious why the queen was suddenly calling on Helena. Was it a new part of the selection? Hazel had not heard about anyone getting private meetings with the queen so early on.

Whatever the reason the queen wanted to see Helena, Hazel hoped that it would go well so she wouldn't have to bear with Helena crying later. This time she wouldn't be able to pass Helena off to their mother and as funny as it was to see Helena's crying face, Hazel wasn't in the mood for it now.

Hazel watched Helena get a good distance away from her door and then enter her bedroom. She had much to think about from her time with Tobias which was surprisingly pleasant. There were a few jokes she didn't like and he was flirting with her sometimes, but it wasn't time wasted.

There were moments when she felt affected by the things he said.

"This is confusing," Hazel muttered.