Louisa Hendraki

Chapter Twelve: Secrets

Nora slipped out of the hall where the feast was taking place, slightly tipsy. She was feeling sleepy and yawned tiredly. "Nora?"

She turned knowing it was Louisa.

"Hi", she said unsure of what to say. When did she become awkward around Louisa? She wondered. Louisa walked up to her with a smile. "You seem tired, my lady."She noticed.

"...And a little drunk perhaps, don't you think?" Nora added clumsily. "Then perhaps I should let you go to bed." Louisa said trying to hide her disappointment. She had really wanted to talk to Leonora tonight. The tension between them was unbearable.

Leonora tried to walk away but missed a step and staggered slightly, holding the wall beside her for support. She had had too much wine.

Louisa came to her side and supported her. "I'll help you to your room." Then she held Nora and they walked carefully to Nora's room. Nora wanted to protest but kept quiet instead without knowing why.

On reaching Nora's bed, Louisa helped her lie down and turned to leave but Nora held her hand, half asleep. Louisa turned to her. "Nora..."

"I love you Louisa. Don't hate me please..." then she slept off mid sentence.

Louisa gazed in shock.

Nora loved her? Was she serious or was it her tipsy state?

For some reason, Louisa wished that Nora meant it. She pecked the sleeping girl's forehead and exited the room.

Reaching her room, she couldn't find Zara and sent Sharon, one of her ladies to look for her.

Louisa didn't need anyone to tell her anymore. Tristan was right. She was in love...

In love with Nora.

****

"My lady?" Zara said as she entered the room to meet an absentminded Louisa. Louisa jerked and turned to her. "Zara..." Then she walked up to her and engulfed her in a hug. Zara stiffened a bit.

Something felt off...

"What happened", she asked concerned and Louisa sighed letting go of her. "Nothing. I just... nothing really. Where have you been? I didn't see you and Tristan after the dance."

Zara panicked, "Nowhere. Absolutely nowhere... and I don't know where Tristan was either... and of course we weren't together and..." then she stopped realizing she had said too much. Louisa looked at her with a confused frown.

Something was off about Zara today...

Meanwhile, Zara turned and looked at Sharon who was sitting by the fire with other ladies, knitting a shawl. Sharon gave her a knowing look and she looked away hurriedly.

Oh God!

She would rather shave her hair than let Louisa know about the "almost-kiss" with Tristan. She just hoped Sharon won't talk about it to anyone. She didn't even know why she was really embarrassed. Tristan was very good looking.

"Stop thinking about him, Zara." she chided herself and help Louisa loosen her hairdo. Louisa watched her through the mirror as she combed her hair. "Are you okay, Zara. You seem a bit off..." she asked concerned and Zara managed a smile. "I'm fine really. Actually, I feel you're not well or is something the matter?" she asked.

Louisa faked a smile too and said, "My father is here. It's never well with me when he's around, is it?" then they both laughed and returned to their uncomfortable silence.

Louisa sent her ladies to retire for the night while Zara remained and helped her get ready for bed. Then Louisa said suddenly.

"Tristan said I'll be responsible for Achan's death somehow"

Zara blinked once and replied, "As a joke?"

Louisa shook her head, "As a prophecy actually." Zara sat beside her on the bed. "How?" Louisa shrugged.

"I don't know and honestly, I don't care. As far as I don't get to kill him myself then it doesn't really bother me. Besides, he said it was a result of my... love life." Zara covered her mouth in surprise. "You don't care? You should care, Louisa. He's your father afterall..."

Louisa scoffed, "Some father! You shouldn't be worried about that Zara. You should be worried about me being the cause."

"Are you in love with Nikolai, Louisa?" Zara asked suddenly, startling Louisa. Louisa swallowed hard before saying. "What if it's not Nikolai?" Zara frowned, lowered her voice and asked, "What do you mean, 'what if it's not Nikolai'?"

Louisa's eyes darted around and she said, "Nothing. I just had a silly thought. Goodnight." she said dismissively and slipped under the covers. Zara looked at her for a while and went off to her room.

On the way, she saw Tristan and Roman with King Achan. She hid behind a tall pot plant and waited for them to pass before running to her room. How could she be so silly to want to kiss Tristan? Now she couldn't even face him.

Her own friend!