My adored queen

16

"Bert!" My ringing voice broke the silence of the evening garden. Grabbing the abundant hem of my black, night-like dress, I rushed to the unexpected guest, deftly maneuvering past the guards. The young man also couldn't help but recognize my voice, so he opened his arms with a smile, ready to catch me. As if there hadn't been five years of our separation.

"Bert, is that you? I can't believe my eyes!" I exclaimed joyfully before allowing him to capture me in the circle of strong arms and embrace me to his strong body.

"I arrived as soon as I learned of the king's death. I'm sorry, little one," as always, the young man was woven from tact. Although time had passed and instead of a twenty-year-old youth, a twenty-five-year-old young man stood before me, he was still the same person I had known and loved for a long time. And how could he not be loved?! Count Gilbert Dillian, the youngest son of the respected Duke Julian and some distant relative of my father, Duchess Sheila, the first handsome man of Lantonia, owner of bottomless blue eyes, like the sky in clear weather, and golden hair, and above all, the possessor of a sincere disposition and a kind heart. One who is always ready to help. The best friend, the best warrior with an impeccable reputation. I found it hard to imagine what Bert could be imperfect in and who he had a bad relationship with. He was always friends and got along with absolutely everyone around, from the king to the servants. He was envied – yes. But he never stooped to revenge, to mockery... In general, I was proud to be his close friend during the time he studied at the capital's academy and lived either at court or in our estate. In those days, it was said that we would become an exemplary couple, but there was only friendship between us. Sincere and real. And then, having won all possible awards for excellent studies and excellent service, he returned to his native duchy, became the head of one of the largest counties, and no longer visited us, although he regularly wrote me letters. And here he is... Just as handsome and compassionate!

"Thank you for coming," I smiled into his caftan, unable to stop hugging him (the man, although the caftan too. The man in the caftan in other words).

"Annie, you've grown so much!" I was released as suddenly as I was caught, after being kissed on the ear. He probably meant to kiss my cheek, but Bert missed the target a bit. Putting me on the ground, he easily grabbed my hands, forcing me to spin in front of him. I gladly performed the maneuver, knowing for sure that I had changed beyond recognition in the last five years. From a clumsy, snub-nosed, freckled girl, I turned into a real standard lady, even my figure appeared, grace.

"Oh, Annie, you're a beauty!" he declared with a smile, immediately pulling me closer to him, and whispered conspiratorially: "You were named crown princess, what does that mean?"

"Oh, it's a long story," I literally groaned, frowning. Count Arron, who I had completely forgotten about, came into view, very interested in the events. I'm a wayward queen. I give myself a three minus on a five-point scale.

"And I have time," Gilbert immediately retorted.

"Then be patient. I'll order the best chambers near mine to be prepared for you, and while the servants are busy, I'll tell you everything. Let's go... Daniel, you can be free too..." I glanced over the shoulder of one light-haired count at the other and suddenly...

"Daniel? Daniel Arron?" Bert, grabbing my phrase, turned to the head of the kingdom's security in surprise. Both of their faces stretched into smiles simultaneously. Now it was my turn to be shocked.

"Gilbert Dillian!" he exclaimed in response.

"Danny!" Bert chirped joyfully.

"Bertie, my friend," echoed the head of security. The men rushed to greet each other with hugs and happily talked about how long they hadn't seen each other, and I watched in shock, barely understanding what was really happening, and most importantly – when, how, and under what circumstances these two completely different young men could become best friends, which they were now happily talking about. So harmoniously and sweetly that I felt a little superfluous. In the slightest degree. But I immediately reminded myself that this is almost my kingdom, my palace, my friend, and Daniel so brazenly interrupted my conversation (okay, Bert switched too quickly, but Daniel is still to blame, well, because I said so), before being extremely brazen!

He almost kissed me! No one has ever tried to kiss me like that, without reason, in a lonely night garden, just because he thought of it!

A blush treacherously flooded my cheeks, as if demonstrating that the very idea of such a rest after a long and hard day was not so bad. Probably, that's why all people who hold responsible and "nervous" (that is, those that require the suicide of nerve cells) positions must be married. Just after hard work, you want to relax, cuddle with someone, feel someone's support, warmth, tenderness... And, of course, Daniel's position is stressful. But for some reason, this doesn't justify the count's insolence in my eyes. And the blush on my cheeks testified to my outrage, that's how I decided! And if I'm outraged, then I have the right to interrupt this sweet conversation between two old friends, send the insolent head of security somewhere, and stay with Bertie (sounds like a railing) to continue what we didn't finish. That is, the conversation. Or we can continue what we stopped with Dan. Well, that's how it goes...

"I'm very happy about this grand meeting," I interrupted, cutting off Arron's speech, and for reliability, took Dillian by the arm. "Bert, tomorrow, when everyone sees you, I allow you to run away, because everyone will want to exchange at least a few words with you. We missed you very much."

"But I wrote to you periodically, and you didn't say in your letters that you became a real beauty. So who is to blame for the other?" covering my hand with his, the count said gently. Mmm, he's so cute, isn't he? Unlike some!

"I tried to hint at you," I smiled, looking down at the ground. But not for long. "And if you knew, would you have come sooner?"

"Of course, if you were waiting," the very tolerance, courtesy, and charm. Bert was always a master of compliments and, unlike some, never upset girls, having only serious intentions towards them or none at all. At least he wasn't involved in any scandals, and I only knew about one girl he accompanied last year at social events in his father's palace. "Starry Shine," a popular magazine in which every article is about a rout and every picture is of a celebrity. And they are not limited to the royal dynasty, they attend various receptions throughout Lantonia. From its pages, I learned that the lady is now happily and profitably (!) married.

"You haven't changed at all," I said, laughing. The thing is that similar behavior from anyone else would be suspicion of dancing "on their hind legs" in front of the future queen, but Bert was always like that. "Let's go to the palace, you're tired from the road and I had a difficult day too."

"But you promised to tell me how you became crown princess, don't think I forgot," the man stated categorically. I had to obey and call Vitelia from my chambers, whose duties still included preparing guest rooms. Her chambermaids should be able to handle the task in about an hour, which is enough for me to complain to my friend or boast...