"How heartless"

I pulled Queen into my arms and placed him in my lap, and looked down at his magnificent golden plumage.

Ofcourse I'd want to have Queen and it would be interesting to always have him by my side.He wouldn't even have time to appear as a prince.

No,I shouldn't,that would ruin the entire plot.

If I remember correctly,my Empress wrote a lie to keep the mystery between them.I should keep it that way even if we both know each other's identity.

I took Queen to my desk. I set him down, took out a piece of paper, and wrote what my empress used.

Hint.Im a man

This move is useless but Its better than giving myself away earlier than I'm supposed to.

*

*

*

I was finally done with my work when one of the servants came inside and gave me an unexpected report.

"Pardon me,your majesty.But Prince Heinley is here to see you"

I stood up from my chair and approached Heinley, he turned his head and greeted me.

"Ah,My Queen"

He took my hand and lifted it to his lips,giving it a kiss.

He came to see me right after my work just to hang out me.How adorable.If only my empress picked up the hints earlier then things would have progressed with them sooner.

"I hope I wasn't interrupting,my queen"

"It's alright.Why did you wish to see me?"

"To request a tour of the palace"

"A tour?"

"Yes,the palace is so grandiose,I'm afraid I might lose my way"

My empress initially offered a lady-in-waiting for the job but this is my chance to interact with my bird prince so I'll take the initiative on this one.

"Would you like me to give you a tour of the palace then?"

Prince Heinley was surprised with my offer but smiled right away.

"Yes,I was hoping that you might show me around,my queen"

"It would be my pleasure."

Prince Heinley beamed smiling at me

"This way"

*

*

*

“Have you been to Silver Garden? It’s a garden near the southern palace. ”

"Yes.Ofcourse I've already explored all of the south palace"

I've been making casual talk with Prince Heinley to make the atmosphere around us warm.

Prince Heinley is really bright and always smiling.He's the total opposite of my Empress.He practically balances her.

"Hmm...Then-"

But before I finished speaking, a familiar person ran towards us from the garden bushes.

"Your majesty!"

I didn't bother turning around cause I didn't want to look or even acknowledge her so I kept walking away

"Are you out for a stroll?I'm taking a walk too!"

I kept my back to her and walked away ignoring her

She turned to Heinley and smiled brightly at him.

"Oh hello!I'm Rashta!"

"Hello.Im Heinley"

"Wow!You're like a prince out of a fairytale!"

"Im Prince Heinley from the Western Kingdom"

"Wow!It's my first time seeing a real prince!Oh!Then can I show you around the palace?"

"Thank you,but it's quite all right,Lady Rashta.Her majesty has already been a very good guide "

"Oh!Then the three of us can-"

"Apologies,Lady Rashta...but three is a crowd"

Heinley left her and caught up to me

"Sorry for staying behind.Let's resume our tour,My Queen"

I nodded and went ahead on my way

I glanced towards Prince Heinley's direction and I saw him with a stony expression.

Prince Heinley stared at me while I thought. I avoided his gaze for fear of being too obvious, when he asked me an unexpected question.

"My Queen"

"Yes?"

"Am I not handsome?Hmm,How strange.Most people would have taken an interest in me at this point.Why is my Queen so aloof?Is my face swollen or puffy?I dressed up more than usual today,too "

I couldn't help but chuckle

I know he's joking but I might as well have fun with him and go along with the joke.

"Prince Heinley,I can assure you,I think you're very handsome.Its just been so long since I've interacted with a handsome man that I don't know what to do around one"

"Oh my,Is that so?My Queen must be really sheltered if you haven't had handsome men around you"

"That is true.Im always in the palace so I don't have time to interact with handsome men"

We stared at each other and we both bursted out laughing.

Luckily,there wasn't anyone around so my empress's image is safe.

We calmed ourselves down and smiled.

"I didn't expect My Queen to be so humourous.You really got me there"

"Well,it's easy when you have experience"

"Oh?Then is it true you haven't been around handsome men?"

"You could say that"

"You don't think the Emperor is handsome then?"

"He's...good-looking."

"Looks like you're not fond of the Emperor,My Queen"

"Prince Heinley,be careful with your words.You wouldn't want anyone to let the emperor know about this,do you?"

Prince Heinley looks around then gazed at me.

"Well there's no one around so I don't see any problem"

"You can never be sure.There are eyes everywhere,Prince Heinley."

We were silent for a moment until he brought up that subject

"Was that her?The mistress the emperor is committing adultery with?"

"No,she's just a child that got lost in the palace"I said rolling my eyes with a tone of sarcasm

"Oh,is that so?Why won't she just go back home then?Does she not want to go back to where she came from?"

"How would I know?I barely know her"

Prince Heinley chuckled with my attitude and I smiled

Finally,someone that can keep up with me and understand my mood

After the mood has calmed down Heinley spoke again

"What a strange man the emperor of the Eastern Empire is.How could he go stray

with someone like you by his side?"

"Maybe he just had a sudden change of preference and prefers women who has the personality of a child"

"My Queen,you are always referring to that woman as a child.Do you see her as a child?"

"Since she acts like a child,I might as well acknowledge her as one"

Heinley hummed and suddenly changed the topic.

"Your majesty.Would you invite me to the special banquet during the new years ceremony?"

"Did you not already receive the invitation?"

"I did...but I would rather come as your guest instead of his majesty's"

"I appreciate the thought,but the invitations have already been sent"

"In that case,perhaps I should cross out his majesty's name and write your name instead"

We chuckled and then he offered up his arm again.

"Shall we?"

*

*

*

After our stroll together, I returned to the western palace.Countess Eliza helped me change my clothes and when I finished dressing,I saw Queen sitting on the sill.That was normal, but today his back was towards us.

"Queen!"

I approached Queen,but he still kept his back firmly towards me. He cocked his head when I approached, but didn’t turn around. I spoke to him in a soft voice and patted him.

"Have you turned your back because you're male?How adorable.Are you being shy?"

I tied the letter to Queens leg and patted him.

"Please safely deliver today's message as well.I hope I can meet your master at the banquet"