Between 2 Hearts – Episode 3

       The canteen was bustling with activity, the air thick with the smell of food and chatter. Students couldn’t help but steal glances at Alexander and Diva, who sat in their private section, surrounded by a select few students.

Just then, Naomi walked into the canteen, her eyes scanning the room for an empty seat. One of her coursemates waved her over, and she smiled, making her way towards them.

But as she walked, her feet slipped on a patch of water spilled on the floor. She let out a startled scream as she fell, her meal scattering all over her body. The canteen fell silent, with all eyes on her.

A few students snickered, while others simply stared. Naomi’s face flushed with embarrassment as she struggled to get up.

As she began to pick up her scattered food, she noticed someone assisting her.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice gentle.

Naomi’s eyes met Alexander’s, and they both looked surprised. The rest of the students were equally shocked to see Alexander helping her.

“Naomi” He called, his voice filled with surprise.

 “Alex?”

“Woah, you school here?” he asked, Naomi nodded, still looking stunned. “Since when?” He asked, his questions tumbling out one after another. “How come I’ve never seen you here?”

But before Naomi could respond, Diva’s voice cut through the air.

“Alex!” she yelled, her tone stern.

 “Um, do you mind joining us at the table?” he asked politely.

  Naomi’s eyes widened as she took in the sight of the palace guards and maids surrounding the private table. She wondered what they were doing here, and why they seemed to be waiting for Alexander.

One of the guards approached them, bowing low.

 “Your Highness.” Naomi’s eyes darted to Alexander, surprised by the guard’s formal address. “Please return to the table, your sister is waiting,” the guard said.

Naomi’s eyes locked onto Alexander’s, “Y…You’re a prince?”.

Alexander nodded. “Yes, and that’s my sister Diva over there. Mind joining us?” He smiled.

Naomi hesitated, feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze upon her. Diva’s face was particularly frosty, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.

“Er, maybe some other time,” she said nervously, backing away from the table.

Alexander’s face fell, but he nodded politely. “Okay, maybe some other time.”

Naomi quickly made her way over to her coursemate, who had been waiting for her. As she sat down.

Alexander sighed, his eyes never leaving Naomi’s face. He returned to his seat, she could feel Alexander’s eyes on her, and she stole a glance in his direction.

★★★★★

   Later that day, Alexander made his way to the gate, accompanied by one of his trusted personal guards. The guard stood watch, observing the surrounding area, as Alexander and Naomi talked through the gate.

“Why didn’t you mention you were a prince?” Naomi asked.

“I tried to tell you, but we always seem to get interrupted…..Does this mean you’ll stop talking to me?” He asked, a tinge of sadness in his voice.

Naomi’s smile faltered for a moment before she replied, “Of course not. We aren’t friends, we just happen to bump into each other sometimes.”

“Can we be friends, then? It’s boring playing with my sister alone.”

Naomi hesitated. “I don’t know, Alex. My father told me it’s strictly forbidden for the prince to be seen around here.”

 “It doesn’t matter. We can still see each other like this.”

 “Won’t that get you into trouble?”

 “No, I’m always careful. So, is that a yes?”

Naomi nodded, a small smile on her face. Alexander’s face lit up with a wide grin.

“So, how come I never knew we attend the same school?”.She asked.

  “Maybe that’s because we are not in the same building”.

   “Oh, what class are you?”.

    “Class, C”.He replied.

     “Oh, I am in class A, no wonder I don’t know you”.She said.

“I’m surprised you didn’t know me,” Alexander said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Everyone in that school knows us.”

 “I’m not that social. Sometimes I hear students screaming and hanging around the windows and doors, wondering what they’re looking at.”

 “I suppose you already know that.” He smiled knowingly 

Naomi nodded, and they shared a laugh.

“So, what’s it like being in Class A?” Alexander asked, his curiosity piqued.

 “It’s okay, I guess. We have a lot of work, but it’s manageable.”

 “I can imagine. Class C is pretty relaxed, to be honest. We don’t get as much work as you guys do.”

 “Really? I would have thought it would be the other way around.”

 “Nope. I think it’s because we’re not exactly… academically inclined.”Naomi laughed.

 “I see. So, what’s your favorite subject?”

Alexander thought for a moment. “I guess it would be history. How about you?”

 “I like Art. I find it really interesting.”She smiled.

 “Yeah, I can see why. I’ve always liked drawing, but I’m not really into Art.”

 “Maybe I can convert you into an art lover.”

 “Maybe you can.”He grinned.

As the sun began to set, they reluctantly said their goodbyes, waving at each other before parting ways. They had spent almost two hours talking, and both had enjoyed each other’s company immensely.

  

   Later that evening, the royal family gathered around the dining table, enjoying their meal together. Alexander’s face was beaming with a smile as he ate, and his mother, Queen Lala, couldn’t help but notice.

“It seems you’re enjoying the food so much,” Queen Lala said.

 “Yes, Mom, it’s delicious.”Alexander nodded enthusiastically.

 “That’s because we employed a new cook who cooks exceptionally well.”Queen Lala smiled.

Alexander and his sister, exchanged surprised glances. They hadn’t known about the new cook.

Just then, an elegant woman with a kind face stepped forward and bowed low. 

  “kids, I present to you our new cook and your nanny,” King Luke announced.

Alexander and Diva smiled warmly at the woman, who smiled back at them.

“What’s your name?” Alexander asked politely.

“My name is Ruth, Your Highness,” she replied, her voice gentle. “You may call me Ruth.”

 “Welcome, Madam Ruth. But I prefer to call you Nanny instead.” He said, smiling.

 “That’s perfectly fine by me, Your Highness.”

Queen Lala nodded, a hint of approval in her voice. “Alright, you may go now, Ruth.”

Ruth bowed low and retreated from the dining room, leaving the royal family to continue their meal in peace.

   

  ~~~~~~~~~

   Mrs. Ruth entered her room, a warm smile spreading across her face as she saw her four-year-old daughter, Mia, busily dressing up her bed with colorful clothes.

“Mom, you’re back!” Mia exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “How was it? Did you see the prince and princess? How do they look?”

Mrs. Ruth chuckled, shaking her head affectionately. “Slow down, Mia, one question at a time,” she said, laughing. “Yes, I saw the prince and princess, and they seem nice.”

“Really?” she asked, her voice full of wonder.

 “Yes.”Mrs. Ruth nodded.

“Can I meet them too?” she asked, her eyes shining with hope.

“No, sweetie, you’re not allowed to get close to them.They’re royalty.”

Her face fell, and she pulled a sad face. “I had a dream of living in the palace one day and making friends with the prince and princess,” she said, her voice trembling. “And now it won’t happen.”

Mrs. Ruth knelt down beside Mia, hugging her tight. 

  “Don’t be sad, sweetie. You can make new friends here too.”

 “How? We’ve been here for three days, and all I do is stay indoors all day.”She looked up at her mother, her eyes welling up with tears.

 “Just be patient, okay? When I receive my first salary here, I’ll send you back to school.”

“Really? I’ll go back to school?”

 “Yes, I’ll make sure of that.”

Mia’s eyes sparkled with joy, and she hugged her mother tight. “Thank you, Mummy!”

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