Surviving His Royal Highnass, Prince Ashton

Chapter Thirty: Elena

Her overdone laughter caused my ears to ring. I watched as the serving staff flinched at the sound before resuming their activities. Her golden blond curls piled on top of her head with a piece of twine, apparently handcrafted by the natives in the rural, unmarked area her family found home in. Her eyes were hard to ignore, which seemed to glow with energy. Although I had lost interest long ago, she seemed to be recounting the time she hunted her first game. Perhaps it was her eccentrics that I could not find agreeable. I mustered a smile in her direction, although my eyes were trained on Ash's amused expressions. I told myself I wouldn't be one of those wives, the kind who turns green at a sight such as the one in front of me. After all, I'm secure. We're secure.

Yet that pang hit deep every time they shared a laugh.

I tried my best to digest the jealousy with the food placed before us.

Adele, who flanked my right side, nudged me under the table. I turned to face her as she leaned in to whisper.

"You're awfully quiet."

I shrugged, "Well, someone here is holding the entire conversation by herself, so I suppose there's no need for another voice here."

She let out a muffled laugh, "Envy doesn't suit you."

I shot her a look, prompting her to purse her lips.

I had just noticed the silence that fell upon the table. She made eye contact with me.

"So Evelyn, how have you been faring? Who would have thought that you would be Queen one day!" She gushed.

I gave her a polite nod, "I've been well! The adjustment period wasn't easy in all honesty—"

She clicked her tongue, " Of course not! You've had to go through a lot! I mean, first and foremost, you had to get betrothed to this specimen," she playfully patted Ash's back, "And with all the trouble he used to get into when we—Oh, Ash, I almost forgot! Mother packed me this root juice that works wonders for healing, so I hope you'll find it useful!"

As she went off on her tirade again, I clenched my spoon and swirled it around in the soup bowl. Regardless of whether she was close to the Crown or not, it is unacceptable to interrupt the Queen. I wasn't going to stoop as low as to correct her in front of everyone, who didn't seem to mind. It didn't bother me too much anyway. Referring to Ash as a "specimen", however, rubbed me the wrong way. I braved through lunch. Relief filled my senses as Aunt Claire declared that she was going to retire for the day so she could take her afternoon nap. I hadn't realized how much she aged over the years. However, her leave meant that I would no longer feel obligated to host our guest. Adele let me off the hook as I dismissed myself under the bluff of having to proof a few accounts.

"But Evelyn!" Elena called, "I still have so many more stories to tell about living on the rural front! Do join us."

I smiled, "I would love to, but there will be evening festivities for that. Our friends will be joining us for dinner as well, so please do reserve some to share then! But for now, I must be productive."

She snorted, "You're still the same as ever."

I raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"You were always the overachiever. She was at a completely different level than us, was she not, Ash?"

I had to suppress my exasperation. She was just as much of an overachiever as I was; we were each other's main competition in class. Ash, however, certainly was not on the same level. I didn't understand her need to connect herself with him.