The Elusive Prince

Chapter 32: Visit Back Home

Merideth

After that little moment in the kitchen, Cassian went back to ignoring my presence but that didn't faze me however because I was pretty sure I had nothing to worry anything about that matter. Even though we only knew each other for a short period of time, I knew for a fact that when he told me he would talk to me later, he would. I don't know why is that but I just feel some sort of connection and natural trust when it comes to him that I wasn't even thinking that he would go back to his words. There was something inside me that was certain about Cassian and I don't know if that was good or bad. Nonetheless, that little awkward conversation from the kitchen earlier did help ease my mind off of things so now I was visibly more relaxed than earlier. I don't know who noticed though that there was a difference.

Currently, we were brainstorming on how Kairo and Ava would get their punishment. They were both pouting at the moment while picking on the cake Helena made. When Helena saw that they were playing with the cake and not actually eating it, she whacked them playfully and told them to eat properly. I think I heard Kairo mumble about not having the stomach to swallow anything too sweet at the moment because he was still suffering from the bitter taste of betrayal and loss on his tongue. Laughing a little at that, I made those beside me question what was so funny. I just dodged it and told them Kairo was just being funny as usual.

Since they couldn't come up with an appropriate punishment yet to the losers, we decided to have another game. We drew lots again to spice it up a bit and everyone was cackling when Kairo and Ava both ended in the same team. I was laughing too because we were in the same team and I am sure they were going to lose. Cassian was in our team too, along with Shiloh, who was sitting beside him, looking a little lost. We later found out that it was their first time playing and that caused a round of teasing for Ava and Kairo's part since even a beginner could beat them.

This round went by quite fast for me since I finished first and was now tasked to shuffle the cards. That was until Kairo and Ava were the only one's left and since they were considered the losers and was absolutely the worst when it comes to playing this game, all of us went a little overboard with the cheers. It got too chaotic that Sir Hexford had to come down to silence us because we were being so loud. We decided to ignore that and roped him into watching Kairo and Ava struggle. He looked amused at the game and decided to stay until the end of the great showdown. In the end, Kairo won and Ava was fake crying at the side, having lost twice in a row now. Luna just pat her at the back comfortingly, since she was the loser on the other team.

After that game, Sir Hexford told us to sleep already since we already went past the curfew when he came down. We whined but he just glared at us and told us to go to sleep or else he's putting us on house arrest before excusing himself and heading to his room.

We groaned but couldn't really do anything about it lest we get detention if he comes back down and catches us still awake. Amity as always, told us to settle down now and grouped us by gender since we still had that rule to follow. We were allowed to have a sleepover but under the condition that the girls slept far away from the boys. Last night was an exception because we probably fell asleep at random times so there was no time to arrange the division.

So now all the girls were settled on the other side of the living room, the one close to the east hall while the boys were on the staircase's side. Amity checked for strays and when she confirmed that everybody was settled in, finally turned off the lights. A few seconds after she turned off the lights, Sir Hexford came into the living room with his own pillow and blanket and set it up on the couch in the middle. He told us it was to keep an eye on us and then he settled into sleep.

Naturally, like any sleepover, we didn't fall asleep immediately and decided to talk in hushed whispers but the fatigue of having been playing both music and cards settled in and so we were asleep before we knew it. The last thing on my mind however before I drifted off was what Cassian told me. He told me he would talk to me but it seems as if he forgot. Well whatever, I guess we could talk tomorrow, if he was still up for it.

Morning came by the soft voice of Hailey waking me up amidst the littered bodies surrounding me. I blearily opened my eyes, only to see the dark. I groaned and decided to roll away from Hailey but was blocked by Ava's body sprawled beside me. She doesn't stay still in her sleep and it was no wonder that she had half her body on my side of the sleeping bag already.

Hailey upon noticing me trying to run away, stopped me from going any further, not like I could move anymore not with the blockage in both my sides. Hailey seemingly knowing my anguish just chuckled before hauling me up into a sitting position while I tried my very best not to whine. Almost all of us in class were light sleepers and would most likely wake up in the slightest disturbance. It was not by choice but we were trained to do so in order to prevent...stuff from happening.

Grumbling some more and realizing that I had no choice but to get up anyways, I did.

Upon entering the kitchen, where Shiloh was surprisingly at, preparing coffee, I sat down and decided to ignore his presence in favor of grumbling to Hailey about waking me up.

"Haileyyy!! Why did you have to wake me so early on a Saturday!!! I was supposed to be able to sleep in today." I whined. Hailey just looked amused before sliding me a cup of hot cocoa.

"Your Highness you know all too well that you should be waking up early, no matter the circumstances and I was just doing what was instructed of me. Besides, you need to prepare for later."

"What's for later?" I asked while sipping the hot cocoa. We were not allowed to eat breakfast outside of the food from the mess hall so I can only savor the hot cocoa for now. Shiloh, who was silently stirring two cups of coffee, excused himself and stepped out of the kitchen, giving me and Hailey privacy. That or he was instructed by Cassian not to engage with us. I still need to hunt him for that talk by the way.

"You're supposed to have lunch at the Palace today." she said as she sat down on the seat across from me the same moment Amity stumbled into the room with a yawn. She went straight for the coffee machine that we were allowed to have.

"What? I didn't know of this."

"I know. I only just knew earlier too. Aparrantly, since well...the time you...had that nightmare...His Majesty the King and Queen visited but couldn't stay until you woke up. They were very concerned about your well-being but had to leave as soon as they dropped by because they were still fixing stuff over the investigation. Apparently, they had a lead so they had to rush back to the Palace to discuss with the Council."

"Wait they visited?"

"Yeah, although as I have said, they had to leave just as quick too. Though their schedule seemed to allow you guys to meet for lunch today."

Nodding at that, I went back to sipping my hot cocoa as Hailey stood up to help Amity with the coffee machine as more and more of our classmates bounded into the kitchen.

From out short conversation, I can tell that Hailey was still apprehensive with the mention of my nightmare. She seems fine on the outside but when it comes to it, I still think she was blaming herself and she was trying to distract herself by working herself into doing the most menial tasks, like making coffee for the others, so she doesn't have time to think about it. Well it seems that we had chosen a similar approach when it comes to avoiding problems that eat you on the inside and that's exactly why I need to talk to her. Dang I need to talk to a lot of people huh?

As soon as all the others woke up and got dressed into casual outfits and not our uniforms because it was Saturday and that means our free day, Sir Hexford went along with us to the Mess Hall. At the moment, there were no discussions of what we wanted to do for today, unlike how we usually do. I just know that they were all a little traumatized of the thought of going outside. That day definitely made an impact on us and will forever be imprinted in our minds. 

Couldn't blame them though, that kind of stuff doesn't leave you, no matter how long it happened and even more so for us who experienced it just a week ago.

While having breakfast and them deciding what to do for the day, I got a phone call from my parents telling me to hurry up to the Palace. I finished my breakfast faster than usual and was then off to the parking lot where the car, well cars, was at to escort me to the palace. I didn't talk to anyone going here and only told my friends that I would be off before going.

Currently I was with Hailey on the car and I decided to rest my eyes a bit, seeing as it was still early in the morning. I don't understand why I need to go this early when we're meeting for lunch but I guess being away from the others for a while would benefit everyone. We might've tried to cheer ourselves up but I just know that seeing me around today would not be great for them so it was better for me to go away for today. And I guess I would be able to collect my own thoughts too without worrying about someone like Cassian trying to figure me out. Speaking of Cassian, we still didn't talk and I guess it was for the best to move it whenever he feels comfortable enough to talk about it.

Sighing, I sunk further down into the leather seat of the car that I was currently in. Hailey snuck a quick concerned glance at me before going back to scrolling through her own phone, probably talking to the others. I for one do not wish to talk to anyone at the moment so I didn't go through my phone.

The whole ride was spent in silence as I decided to doze off for a while. Before I knew it, Hailey was shaking me by the shoulders as the sight of the huge gates of the palace came into view. Letting out a smile as we enter the gates and be greeted with the maids lining on the door. I smiled back at them before I hear a series of continuous footsteps, indicating someone was running and I braced myself for the impact that was surely Frida running towards me. Laughing a little at her greeting, I gave her one firm hug before setting her down the same time her aide came into view, panting, clearly chasing after her.

"Your Highness, I told you not to run." Lira said concerned but not before bowing down to me and checking Frida who wiggled out of her hands and hugged me again while looking up at me with her puppy dog eyes. Chuckling, I picked her up and sat her on my hip before pinching her cheeks.

"I missed you Mori! Do you know how much I cried when Mommy told me you passed out? If Miss Gretchen didn't tell me that we had an activity I would've raced into your school." she babbled enthusiastically but with worry too, telling me about her reaction to the news of me passing out due to my nightmare. Feeling Hailey looking at me with concern and Lira looking scandalized by how much Frida was talking at the moment, I decided to let out an amused laugh to show them that I was unaffected by the sudden reminder.

"Really now? Do you want to tell Big Sis about it then?" at that, Frida's eyes sparkled and by the way she was nodding her head back and forth vigorously, it looked like it would fall off. I managed to wave Hailey and Lira off before proceeding to the garden where Frida embarked on her mission of telling me all about her worries and well school activities.

Immersing myself to her ramble, I didn't notice the time passing and before we knew it, we were already being called into the table. I picked Frida up before heading to the dining room where my parents were already at. I set Frida down on the ground before I felt my mother's hand snake itself around me in a hug. Not thinking twice, I wrapped my hands around her too before I felt Father and Frida join the hug. We stayed like that for a few moments before Mother finally let go while wiping her eyes from the tears that must've spilled out during the hug.

"We were so worried Merideth, especially when Eamon's call came in in the middle of the night telling us about your nasty nightmare. Mommy wanted to stay longer with you in the infirmary but unfortunately or fortunately there was a breakthrough with the terrorist case so we had to rush back to the Council." she explained before Father led her into the seat and me and Frida sat down too. Hunter couldn't join us today however since his exams is around the corner and time spent traveling should be spent studying instead. And well we were talking constantly anyway so I don't really need his presence here to feel comforted.

"Don't worry about that Mom, I'm okay now. You guys visiting even during your busy schedule is more than enough, even though I didn't get to see you."

"What nonesense, of course we would visit you. I still wish we could've stayed longer." she sighed.

"Well, the case was more important right? And besides, if I was awake, I would've wanted you to go anyway." I comforted before the servers came in with our lunch which was a mix of my favorite meals including Chicken Adobo.

"Ahh I knew you would say that Merideth that's why I convinced your mother that we should go back immediately." Father finally spoke while letting the server put down his steak on the plate.

"Speaking of the case, what was the breakthrough? Did one of them finally c***k and talked?" I asked while helping Frida reach over the beef stew on the middle.

"Oh yes, someone finally cracked but they didn't give much details but it was still valuable. Currently Trost's best investigators are on it. I can't disclose the details however seeing as it's confidential but just know that we just need more time to solve this." Father said seriously before biting through the piece of steak on his fork. I nodded before going back to eating and letting Mother pile food on my plate.

Well, I knew from the start that I wouldn't be able to know about the full details but just knowing that they had a breakthrough is enough. Although I'm a little worried that said details was connected to Cloud but Father didn't seem to look at me differently, thank the heavens, because I don't know what I would tell them if they knew about me hiding Cloud's existence for some reason. I'm sure I'm violating some law but it looks like I couldn't care less. For now I'll see how this pans out before disclosing Clouds's identity and connection with all this.

Lunch was definitely a fun and calm experience for me, with Frida talking endlessly, Mother piling my plate with food and fussing over me, and Father telling me that if I need anything, they were just one call away. I just gave them a big smile which hopefully put their hearts at ease a little. I know they were still a little tense with the situation but I know that even by giving them a small smile is more than enough assurance for them.

Currently, I was playing with Frida on the garden while Mother and Father went back to their offices. They clearly had work to do but they made time to have lunch with us because they were concerned and I couldn't help but feel happy at that thought. Sir Hexford was right, there are a lot of people worried about me and so instead of the negative mindset that since a lot of people are worried about me, the more I will hide my troubles, I'm going to do the opposite and open up more. These past few days made me realize that not telling anyone about my troubles makes them worry even more and they worried more than enough.

I let out a sigh before leaning further into the bark of the oak tree in the middle of the garden while Frida hides from Lira. I looked at my little sister enjoying herself for the entirety of the afternoon while joining some games too and enjoyed my free day.

The afternoon sun was already setting down and it was finally time for me to go back to school. Frida was whining about me going and I just pat her head for assurance while she sniffled in my embrace. Mother and Father also managed to get out of their office to bid me goodbye, with them reminding me to call whenever I was troubled. I assured them one last time before hugging them and setting off back to school.

Telling Hailey that I would be resting my eyes for a bit, she let me do so before going back to looking at the scenery.