The morning light spilled gently into the palace's grand planning room, glinting off the gold-trimmed walls and reflecting softly on the polished wooden table. Nara entered, her bag slung over her shoulder, taking in the spaciousness that still managed to feel inviting rather than overwhelming.
The Queen was already there, reviewing sketches of table layouts and floral arrangements. She looked up and smiled warmly as Nara approached.
"Good morning, Ms. Nara," the Queen said, her voice calm but lively. "I hope you slept well?"
Nara nodded, slightly startled by how genuinely welcoming the Queen seemed.
"Very well, thank you, Your Majesty."
"You may call me Liora," the Queen said softly, waving off the formality. "We'll be working closely for the next few days, and I prefer we speak freely."
Nara blinked, surprised, but found herself smiling. "Alright Liora."
The morning passed with sketches, fabric samples, and countless discussions about themes, table settings, and floral arrangements. Nara found herself in a rhythm with the Queen that felt almost effortless. Their tastes aligned in subtle and uncanny ways. Choices about gold accents, blush-colored flowers, and the soft, ambient lighting for the ballroom all resonated naturally between them.
"You have an eye for details," the Queen said, leaning over a sketch of the centerpiece arrangements. "Tell me, how did you acquire such precision?"
Nara chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Honestly, it comes from doing it over and over. My business partner.... she's like a mother to me, taught me to pay attention to every small thing. She was a lecturer when I was in college. I was just a student then, and Zuri, my best friend, we… we met around the same time."
Liora raised an eyebrow, curiosity twinkling. "You speak fondly of them. They seems important to you."
"They are," Nara admitted, a warmth spreading in her chest. "We went to the same school, though Zuri dropped out to pursue… other things. She's like a sister."
The Queen nodded thoughtfully, then smiled. "And you? Tell me about yourself. Your origins."
Nara hesitated for a moment, then felt a strange ease in the Queen's gaze. "I grew up in an orphanage. I didn't have a family like most people do. Hellen...my business partner, she became that family to me. She guided me, taught me, and supported me… like a mother."
Liora's expression softened. "It seems you've built a family of your own in your own way. That is admirable."
Nara was surprised at how easy it was to speak. Words she rarely shared with anyone flowed naturally here, without judgment or expectation.
"It's strange… I didn't think I'd be able to say any of this to anyone, let alone a queen. But with you, it feels… simple and comfortable."
"That is how it should be," the Queen replied, her eyes warm yet sharp. "Trust, openness, and ease are essential in collaboration. And besides…" She paused, leaning closer with a playful smile. "You have a remarkable mind for planning. I'm just glad to know who you are behind the talent."
As the day progressed, Nara found herself laughing more freely than she had in years. Liora's questions were personal, but never intrusive, and Nara discovered that she actually wanted to answer them. She spoke of her early challenges, her ambitions, and her small victories along the way.
By mid-afternoon, the two had finalized a preliminary layout for the ball. Yet, more than the work itself, Nara walked away from the session with a rare sense of being understood. The Queen's presence had a grounding effect, and Nara felt a quiet confidence bloom within her.
Later, when she took a break by one of the palace's long windows overlooking the gardens, she thought of Keigh, imagining how he would smile if he knew how naturally she'd connected with the Queen. And for the first time, she allowed herself to feel that maybe, just maybe, she could navigate these worlds, the palace, her career, and her life with Keigh without losing herself.
---
The palace corridors were silent that evening, lit softly by antique sconces that cast warm, golden shadows on the marble floors. Inside her room, Nara had settled into the rhythm of her new surroundings. The day's planning had been intense but exhilarating, and now she allowed herself a moment of quiet.
She set her laptop on the dresser and tapped it awake, video calling Keigh. The screen flickered, and his familiar calm face appeared, his eyes soft but alert.
"Long day?" he asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"You could say that," Nara laughed softly, leaning back in the chair. "But it's… different. Relaxing, in a way. I didn't expect the Queen to be… so easygoing. She's remarkable and she actually listens!"
Keigh's smile widened, amusement clear in his eyes. "I'm glad you're enjoying it. You've earned a little break."
They spent the next several minutes chatting, sharing small details about the day. Nara spoke openly about her conversation with the Queen, the natural flow of planning together, the unexpected ease she felt opening up. Keigh listened quietly, occasionally teasing her about how chatty she was being, which made her laugh more than once.
"You really do talk a lot when you're comfortable," he said with mock sternness.
"I'm just excited!" she protested, laughing. "And it's nice to have someone actually interested in what I have to say!"
Keigh leaned closer to the camera, voice soft. "I'm always interested."
The screen went dark with a promise to call again in the morning. Nara leaned back, taking a deep breath, feeling the gentle warmth of their connection even across the distance.
Later, after a bath, Nara wrapped herself in a towel and moved to the dresser, trying to dry her hair. The quiet rustle of movement behind her made her start, and she turned to see the Queen standing there, holding a soft towel.
"I thought I'd help," Liora said gently, her tone careful, almost hesitant.
Nara blinked, a blush rising to her cheeks. "Oh… thank you. I… I've never had anyone do this before."
Liora stepped closer, carefully combing through Nara's damp hair with deliberate patience. "And I…" The Queen's voice faltered slightly. "I've never had the chance to do this for my own daughter. I missed years… I..."
"You don't have to explain, I've seen the news." Nara said softly, her voice steady, comforting. "It feels nice. I… I didn't know it could feel like this."
The Queen's eyes glimmered with a mix of longing and regret. "I hope… I hope she doesn't hate me for finding her late. For missing so much."
Nara reached out, gently placing her hand over Liora's. "No. She won't hate you. I… She'll probably be glad you're here now. That's what matters, she'll see that even after all this time you never gave up on finding her."
For a few quiet minutes, they shared a rare, intimate moment, one of simple closeness, of lost time briefly regained. Nara felt comforted, and Liora seemed lighter, as though a weight she had carried for years had been eased, even if only slightly.
Finally, they separated. Nara, still unaware of the truth the DNA results had revealed earlier that evening, felt a strange, unshakable connection to the Queen.
Liora left with a soft promise to check in in the morning, leaving Nara alone with her thoughts, a mix of comfort, curiosity, and a lingering warmth she couldn't yet define.