The door clicked open. Ilaria peeked her head out and was greeted by an older woman standing in front of her door. Brunette hair tied into a low bun; she has soft features though her skin had shown a hint of fine wrinkles. Brown eyes the colour of dark chocolate. Thin lips curving in a sweet yet courteous smile.
It was not long before a sense of familiarity piqued in her head. Ilaria immediately recognised her. Kathryn Isolda, the handmaiden who had served the Noctharis palace for fifty years. After six months of observing her new home, Ilaria was very much familiar with every servant who worked in the palace.
Aside from Melyn and the maids who frequented her chamber, Kathryn stood out the most. Not because she was peculiar or the sort, but because she was the former handmaiden of the late Queen. That would make her the only woman who was close to her husband.
And as the murmuring claimed — one of the people he trusted the most.
Ilaria was in ecstasy when she saw her. "It's you!"
Eyes blinking in surprise, Kathryn's forehead crinkled in wonder as she took in the sudden radiance of the pair of violet orbs shimmering as it penetrated through her stunned one. "Yes?"
"I mean—" Ilaria cleared her throat, adjusting the tone of her voice. She slowly batted her eyelashes while leaning her head against the top of her hand that was clasping the edge of the door, like a teenage girl who just got awestruck by her crush. She went on softly, "—He did?"
An endearing sight, truly, but one that warrants bewilderment all the same. Even then, as if Kathryn could see the jolly emotions wreaking havoc in her adrenaline from the princess' eyes, her features warmed up as she responded politely, "Yes, the prince will be waiting in his chamber. And please do take your time too, he is in no rush."
Ilaria's face lit up at the response. How could such a simple statement have an immense effect on her? She has a tough time crafting the agenda to approach him in her head, yet he simply takes it away by requesting her presence. What a coincidence. How fortunate! It was like he could feel her stress and decided to become a prince charming and save the day.
"Okay, I'll be there in a minute~" She grinned, her clasp tightened on the door as if she would melt into a puddle soon. She felt her heart flutter, and it took all strength in her body to prevent herself from embracing the maid then and there. The fact that she was the one who informed her about her husband's request made it ten times better.
Kathryn was light-hearted upon the sight. The princess' lovely smile was worth every minute she took to walk around the vast palace just to convey the message. She must have missed her husband so much to act so childishly that she could not help but remark, "Your Highness seemed pleased."
"Of course, I am, thank you for telling me," Ilaria beamed. "I was just thinking of visiting him, and you came here just in time."
"Most welcome, I was only doing my duty," Kathryn acknowledged humbly as she observed the hair that was tangling all over the princess' face. Instinctively, she kindly proposed, "Would you like me to help you?"
"Ah, yes, that would do me good," Ilaria straightened herself, nodding sheepishly upon noticing how disoriented she was at the moment. She opened the door to let the maid in, practically twirling herself across the floor as she bounded towards the dressing table.
Ilaria plopped herself on the chair and let Kathryn do her work. As she sat in lively silence, a thousand thoughts flew into her head the moment she stared at herself in the mirror. She ought to look stunning and composed which would serve as an adequate image for their reunion.
She had met him at the solarium, yes, but she was bound to have to see him again in a more decent circumstance, and she would not let this opportunity slip. After all, the first step to earning someone's affection is to ascertain a good impression, is it not?
Ilaria shot a beaming look towards Kathryn from the reflection in the mirror. One hand was pressing against her chest as if that action would allow her heart to beat properly again. The front of her feet were tapping the floor in a fast rhythm, and her body was desperate to wriggle out of the chair to jump in exuberance.
But no matter how anxious she was, the smile on her face did not falter. Kathryn hummed, "Were you asleep when I called you?"
"No, no, I was just resting. You could say...I was waiting for your message," Ilaria hummed gaily, teasing, "What are you? Hm? My saviour? My guardian angel?"
"Is that so? Do you really think of me that way now, princess?" Kathryn chuckled as she combed the hair on either side of the princess' head to pin them in the middle.
"You saved me from a headache. I was thinking so hard about how to approach him later in the day, but thank the Saint you're here to tell me he's looking for me instead~"
"Are you excited to see His Highness?"
"I am more than excited!"
"Scared?" Kathryn teased.
"Far from that," she grinned.
"Impatient and thrilled, I see."
"Could you blame me? The last time I saw him was six months ago," she pouted as a tender blush plastered across her face, her voice went quiet when the corner of her lips curled up into a shy grin, "I missed him."
"So you are," Kathryn hummed, smiling softly as if Ilaria's action had touched the softest and deepest part of her heart. Kathryn brushed her hair away from her face, pinning it back on her head whilst letting a few strands of the silver tresses cascade the line of her face.
From under long white strands of hair, shone eyes that reflected a joy brought by a message she had been longing to hear. Her smile was warm with a hint of shyness while they continue to talk. She needed the conversation; needed the distraction.
If not, the fantasy in her head might get the best of her now that she was going to see her husband again. Ilaria took one last glance at her reflection before turning to Kathryn once she was done touching her up. Her eyes sparkled and her cheeks were painted with a warm colour of pink.
She could feel her pulse throbbing in excitement as her heart pounded rapidly against her chest. The feeling was too overwhelming. "How do I look?" She asked expectantly, looking livelier than she has ever been.
"Lovely," Kathryn smiled in awe, "as you always were, princess."
"Do you think he'll find me pretty too?"
Kathryn frowned, as if she just heard something unlikely. "I doubt he wouldn't."
That brought a smile to her face. "Well, then—" Ilaria paused, to think, she could feel the sudden bead of sweat forming on her palms. "—Is it obvious that I am nervous?"
Kathryn took her time to scrutinize her features, and it would be a lie if she said no. Softly, she took the princess' hands in hers, taking note of how she immediately gripped her fingers tightly. There was an earnest gaiety beneath her twinkling eyes, like she was seeing something adorable. "I must say I can see right through you, Your Highness."
Just as she thought.
Ilaria felt the heat rushed to her ears upon the honesty. She could feel the nerve raging in her head as it ran rampant and down to tingle her skin. Her voice shook with excitement as she tried to tone it down, "Oh my, I think my pulse will explode!"
The maid chuckled gleefully. Oh, to be young and in love. The princess was literally jumping on her feet. "There was nothing to be nervous about, I'm sure the prince missed you just as much as you missed him."
"Really? Do you think so?" Ilaria clamped her lips tightly, hopefully, trying not to smile as her brows furrowed touchingly. She knew it was an empty consolation, but she took it anyway.
"Anyone would thought so," Kathryn nodded reassuringly. "Besides, I'm pretty sure His Highness has been thinking about you to seek your presence upon his arrival. You should ease up, princess, or else you'll lose your composure."
"I really hope you're right..."
Kathryn held her hands tighter. "Who wouldn't be excited to see their wife again?" She asked warmly, "I get that His Highness might not seem as friendly, but trust me, he cares for you a lot more than you think."
For a moment, it made her feel light in the head, but reality was quick to snap her out of it. Oh, if only she knew...Still, Ilaria smiled before nodding along. "I trust you," she clasped her hands and heaved a heavy breath.
The truth is, things might not turn out to be in her favour, but she was determined to hope for an optimistic outcome. After all, it was only the beginning of her attempt. She grinned at Kathryn, who was still looking at her fondly, saying, "Thank you for helping me."
Hurriedly, Kathryn escorted her out of the room and watched the princess walk down the hallway with the royal guards. Her heels pattered on the floor, her hair swayed side by side, her shoulder was tense yet she was quick to hold herself together. She even looked back, smiled and waved ecstatically before resuming her walk.
At that moment, Kathryn watched as the princess finally disappeared. The scene was heartwarming. It felt as if she was watching her daughter setting off for an exciting journey for the first time. The princess has always been a friendly young lady ever since she could remember.
What a precious beau. How innocent and optimistic could she be? With a sigh, her thoughts whirled to the crown prince when she turned on her back. They are so different. That was the first thing that came to her mind. Did those two get along just fine? She wondered.
The prince never mentioned anything precise about the princess except just now when he asked to see her. Not that she wanted to meddle with their business, but Kathryn earnestly hoped that they would get along.
As she walks in silence, a distant memory creeps into her mind, pulling her back to the past like it happened just yesterday instead of ten years ago. In a swift moment, a wave of sadness settled in her gut before a bittersweet smile graced her lips.
"Your Majesty..." Kathryn muttered under her breath as she recalled the loving smile of the late Queen in her head. She looked up, above the high ceiling then outside the window, as if she could catch a glimpse of the Queen's face in the midst of the clouds.
The thought alone was enough to bring tears to the corner of her eyes. Knowing how the Queen, out of anyone, would be elated to see how much her son has grown up. And to have such a cheerful wife by his side, she will be relieved, if not the happiest. It was harrowing in itself that she was gone too soon.
The dreadful apprehension and build-up sense of responsibility in her heart will not subside. Not when she was still concerned over the well-being of the prince she had taken care of as her own since he was still so young. Even so, after seeing the princess today, it put her mind at ease.
And it was so relieving that she dared whisper a little prayer, "There's nothing to worry about now."