Ten

“How are you,” Princess Ava asked Arya when she delivered tea to her studio. She had finally got to chance to enter the glorious studio.

“I’m okay,” Arya said, pouring tea into a cup.

“What do you think of my paintings,” Ava asked.

The room was spectacular. The paintings were amateur-ish but very lovely. It was clear to see that they painted in different stages, she was getting better as time went on.

Arya studied the paintings. “They look really good.” 

“Thanks but I think you’re saying that to please me. Most of them do so.”

“No, I really mean it.” Arya looked at the beginner ones. “Did you start with those?” she pointed at them.

“Yes,” Ava smiled, as if remembering a beautiful memory. “They’re so bad, aren’t they? Mom said I shouldn’t hung them but I won’t listen to her. I like to look at them, my first babies. They remind me of how far I’ve come and to no repeat the mistakes I have made. She won’t allow to hang any of my paintings downstairs until I’ve become perfect in her standards.”

“I can imagine,” Arya walked around and touched one of them. Orianna was the kind of parent who wanted to have perfect kids. If they didn’t turn up perfect, she’d try to make them appear perfect by all means. “When did you start painting?” 

“Three years ago. As a child, my mom tried to force me to hobbies I did not like. Soccer, music etcetera. I never felt content. Now. I’ve loved painting and even I was bad at it, I decided to do it. Even with my bad painting, I feel happy.’ 

“I can relate. My dad was a painter. When he died, my mother forced me to study painting with hope that I’d become like him. I sucked, sorry, couldn’t get it right until she gave up. I love knitting, though. I haven’t done any of that for a long time now.”

 “Why?” The princess seemed concerned.

“I have no time, too stressed out moving and everything.” It was time to change the topic. “Your tea is getting cold, princess.”

“Alright but a real conversation is better than any tea in the world.”

“I’ll go now.”

“What was your name again?”

“Arya. I’ll go now.”

“Okay, see you later.”

Having a conversation with the princess as if they were long lost sisters. Who knows, maybe if her evil mother hadn’t killed her father, they would have been great friends. Now, that was never going to happen. Even if some kind of friendship was formed, it would be founded on lies. Friendships with that kind of foundation will always fall apart.

As she descended the exquisite stairs, she remembered her childhood, when her father was still alive. She was such a happy child, with the perfect family, until that day when Orianna took it all. Everything had changed but she’d give everything to be that happy and stress-free again.

Some maids were cleaning and maybe she imagined it but their tones lowered when they saw her and judging by the glances sent her way, she assumed they were talking about her. She nearly went over to confront them but then changed her mind. She went out and walked towards the fence. When she was sure no one could hear her, she called Kalen.

Four rings later, he hadn’t picked up and she started panicking. Her hands getting clammy and heart beating fats. Kalen always picked at the speed of lightning when she called him. Could he have gone missing just like Patrick? 

“Hello,” she heard the familiar voice and heaved a sigh of relief. She could finally breathe. “You nearly gave me a panic attack. I thought something was wrong.”

“I was busy, trying to make supper.”

“Okay, fine.”

“How are you?”

“I’m okay. What is it now?”

“What if I just called to say hello? Why do you have to think I want something?”

“I’ve known you almost all my life, Arya.”

“Okay, you got me this time.”

“What is it?”

“How much new information do you have on the royals?”

She had not been able to get any new information so far but figured that if Kalen had any, it would be very helpful. It would give her leads which she could use to fish for more. It had turned out that the information they had collected before she met the king was not very useful. Most of it was outdated and therefore, they needed more. 

“Apart from the fact that all they are murderers and liars?” He inquired. 

“Yes, but I don’t think the princess is like the others.”

“Why do you think so? You don’t even know her.”

“I talked to her today.”

“How come?”

“I had taken tea to her studio. We talked about painting.”

“Okay, what about painting?” 

“A lot of things. Remember when my mom used to force me to learn painting after my dad died.”

“I hope you did not mention anything about your father being a painter.”

“Why?” Arya said and immediately her hand flew up to her mouth. He was right. She should not have done that. The more information the royals had, the more dangerous they were to her and Kalen.

“If Orianna hears that, she’ll definitely investigate you. You think you’re in control but you’re spiraling out of control with the mistakes you keep piling up.”

“Okay, I hadn’t thought that through.”

“That’s’ why-“

“Someone is knocking on the door.”

“Don’t open it until you hear the voice.” 

“They’re not speaking.” 

“Pretend that you’re sleep.” 

“They must have heard me talking to you. What if it is important?” 

“It can’t be more important than your life. Whatever you do, don’t-“ 

Boring. Arya hang up and went to the door, ignoring Kalen’s warning.

It was Pittas, the security guard.

“Hi pittas.”

“Hi, I need you to come with me.”

“What for?” 

“Someone wants to speak to you.”

“Who is it?” 

“You’ll find out when you get there,” Arya wondered if it was a safe or she was heading to her death. “Can I pass by Mercy’s room so she can help charge my phone? I don’t have a charger.”

She wanted someone to see her with Pittas, just in case something happened.

“No, you can’t. We’re going straight to the Eastern Wing garden.”

It should have been a warning but she wasn’t paying enough attention.

“Well, okay.” she followed Pittas through the corridor and down the stairs. 

She breathed in the chilly air as they went into the garden. 

“Why are we here?”

Pittas did not reply. 

There was a figure in the dark. As they got closer, she recognized the king of Niveria. What did he want from her? Had he, by some means found out about the skeletons in her closet? Surely, Pittas wouldn’t live with himself after getting her killed.