Louisa Hendraki

Chapter Eleven: Old Ties 3

Louisa stalked through the party trying to spot her friends in the crowd. There were many people and it was difficult to see. She was just about to give up when she saw Tristan by the drinks counter, in a Tete a Tete discussion with the servant girl.

She approached him. "Lord Tristan?"

He turned sharply before his lips formed a smirk, "Queen Louisa, who was once little" She laughed and led him aside. "You're alone! What about Roman?"she asked and Tristan shrugged.

"Somewhere with the queen..."

"...Nadia? Why?"

Tristan raised a brow. "She's the queen. She gets to talk to her subjects whenever she wants"

"Well that doesn't include you both! She's a terrible person. Why can't you both see that!"

"I think you're getting a bit feisty, Louisa"

"If you don't like it, tell me and I'll stop."

Tristan smiled and touched her shoulder, "To your health, your majesty" They both raised their glasses of wine. "And to yours too, My Lord" she said.

Roman approached them and smiled, "Queen Louisa of Nendes" he bowed and she bowed too. "General? Welcome to Nendes"

"I see you're happy. Tristan scared the s**t out of me with his dreams..." Roman said and Louisa interrupted, "About that Tristan, what do you mean by I should not have affairs and it will lead to impending doom..."

Tristan sighed. "It's difficult to explain because..."

"...he doesn't understand it himself." Roman completed and Tristan ignored him.

"I just know that you're in love and somehow it will lead to the death of the king" Tristan said and the three of them went silent for a while before Louisa asked, "Death of the who?"

"Achan, your father"

Louisa laughed, "And?"

Tristan and Roman looked at each other confused.

"And your father will die", Roman said again. Louisa was amused. "Is that all?"

Tristan frowned, "What do you mean by 'is that all'?"

Louisa looked serious, "I'm failing to see the 'doom' here."

Tristan's frown deepened, "Your father will die because of your love life and you're not bothered?"

Louisa shrugged. "Why should I bother? It's just like those stories we're always told. 'There was once a bad man and he died and the end.' Everyone lives happily ever after."

Tristan shook his head and Roman clasped his face in his palm. Louisa would never learn.

"...Besides, I don't even know how to prevent it from happening. It's not going to be my fault that I fell in love..."

A little boy ran up to her, "Your majesty!". There was silence everywhere.

It was Conrad!

Louisa smiled happily as she scooped the child in her arms. "Thank you for the breakfast that morning, your majesty. I never got to thank you properly."

Louisa smiled at him. He was a good child. If only his mother behaved better...

The music had continued playing. "You're ever so welcome to have a meal with me again."

Then she turned to Roman and Tristan. "He is Conrad. Nikolai's son and well... mine too. His mother still lives though...just as father's w***e does."

She put the boy down and watched him skip away to his father. Tristan looked around, "Where is Zara by the way?"

Louisa bit her lip. She had completely forgotten about Zara. "She should be here somewhere. Perhaps dancing. She makes me want to stay. Always positive."

Just as she finished speaking, Zara emerged towards them. "General, Lord Tristan?" she said smiling. "Lady Zara. How wonderful to meet you. We were just talking about you" Tristan replied.

She raised a brow, "Really? I hope it's good things."she replied jokingly and they laughed. Tristan looked at her and said, "You look beautiful, Zara. I see Nendes is a good place for you."

Zara giggled. "Thank you. It's all Louisa's doing, you know." Louisa smiled and put an arm around her. "Why is Roman quiet?"

Roman looked deep in thought and didn't seem to hear them. Louisa nudged him and he jerked back to reality. "What?" he asked confused and Zara laughed. "He's thinking about the love of his life." Tristan joked.

"Who?" Zara asked, confused.

"Nadia" Tristan said and Roman glared at him accusingly. Louisa and Zara laughed. It was surprising that Louisa found it funny. She never laughed if Nadia's name was mentioned anywhere.

****

Zara watched Louisa and Roman as they twirled gracefully on the dance floor. Then her gaze shifted to Nadia who was sitting not too far away.

Why was she glaring intently at Louisa... or was it Roman she was looking at?

"Not dancing, Zara?" Tristan said as he appeared beside her and handed her a glass of wine. She smiled and took the glass. "I think I've had enough of dancing for tonight."

"Then come on. Let's talk outside." Tristan suggested, stretching his hand towards her. She took it and they went outside. The cold breeze hit her face and she shivered.

They walked over to a balcony overlooking a body of water. "I always wish I could fly. It's a sign of freedom. I envy birds." Zara said.

"Well why don't you fly?" Tristan asked.

"You know I can't, Sorcerer. Perhaps you could teach me."

Tristan looked at her for a long time. "You can fly if you believe in yourself." Zara chuckled amused. "Well said, like a wise man".

There was silence for some seconds before Tristan said. "You know we could actually fly over this water. We just have to look ahead..."

"...Yeah and avoid falling into that stump. Incase it doesn't work." Zara added with mock seriousness.

Tristan stood on the edge of the balcony that stopped them from falling and stretched his hand towards Zara. She took it and climbed on too. He held her hand. "On three", he said and she nodded smiling.

"One... two... three..." he said and they both jumped back down to the balcony laughing. "I knew you were not going to jump" Zara chuckled.

"I actually believed you would", Tristan replied.

They locked eyes for a while before Tristan brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. "I've missed you." he said and she placed her arms around his neck in reply.

He drew closer to her and cupped her cheek, their lips coming closer when...

"Zara!"

They both turned, still holding each other.

It was Sharon, one of Louisa's ladies.

"The queen has been looking for you." Sharon said and left. Zara looked at Tristan and released him. She had almost kissed him. She felt almost embarrassed.

"I have to go now. Good night." Then she left before he could even reply.