Avila was excited to get to see the maze, especially after speaking with the queen. She wondered what could be in the center. However, they didn’t make a straight line for their destination, as she wanted to take her time and enjoy the sunny day. It was always nice after the rain, even if it was cold. The air just seemed fresher to her. She didn’t take too long, though, since someone was supposed to be meeting her. When she noticed a person walking from the other side of the square, she headed in the direction of the maze to meet them.
Before she got to the meeting spot, she was surprised to find the person she had seen was not the kitchen staff, but Nathan. It took her a moment to reel in her shock and greet him properly. “Lord de Legris, good morning! Pardon me if I seem a little shocked, but I have to say, you are the last person I expected to see this morning.”
“Ah, you wound me. Are we back to lord and lady? I had hoped you might have enjoyed my company enough to be comfortable calling me by my name. Either way, it is a great pleasure to see you this morning as well, Lady Durant.” His slight jab was utterly nullified by his sparkling smile.
“My apologies Nathan, I didn’t mean anything by it, really. I was just surprised to see you. This is the first time I have seen you in the gardens, or really anyone for that matter.”
“No need to apologize. I am not surprised you haven’t seen anyone. These gardens are pretty secluded, even as far as residents go, but I enjoy a walk on the weekends when I have time. I moved back to the castle just over a week ago, so I haven’t been out here in a while.”
“Ah, that makes sense. It seems this is becoming a bit of a getaway location for me. In fact, I was just about to tackle the hedge maze. Have you been through it before?”
Avila didn’t think it could have been possible, but Nathan’s smile grew even larger. “Yes, I have, but it has been years. From what I understand, Queen Lorne has been busy making improvements everywhere, the maze included. I would love to see what she has done with it.”
“In that case, would you like to join me? Only if you aren’t busy with something else, of course. I wouldn’t want to impose on your day.” Avila started to feel like she had been too bold, but she found it was easy to be open with Nathan.
“Are you sure it wouldn’t be an imposition for you? You looked like you were walking to meet someone when you were surprised by my presence.”
His reminder made Avila start and look around. A young woman she had never met before was patiently waiting several feet away with a package.
“Oh, excuse me, Nathan, let me take care of this.” He watched her with amusement as she walked to the girl. As she approached, the girl bowed.
“Lady Durant, the meals you requested. You should have everything you need for a picnic, but please let us know if anything is unsatisfactory.” She handed the package to Avila with another bow, showing her the handles and how to carry it easily across her shoulders while leaving her hands free.
After the girl left, Avila turned back to Nathan. “I apologize for that, but that is who I was meeting. I thought I would make a day of it and asked for a picnic. The offer still stands if you are interested.”
“In that case, it would be my pleasure. Would you like to take the lead?” Nathan gestured toward the maze and stepped aside for Avila to go first. If he noticed Jacob at all, he didn’t mention it, and Avila noted he did not have a security detail of his own.
Avila only paused for a moment at the wrought iron gates before stepping through into the green passage. It wasn’t long before they had gone far enough for the walls around to cut what little wind had been blowing down to nothing.
The walkways were not narrow, but they were tall. It didn’t take long for Avila to start feeling completely isolated from the rest of the world. It wasn’t a bad feeling. Instead, it was calming. It reminded her a little of her walks in the woods, when she would go to let nature calm her frazzled nerves.
The maze didn’t have the wild feel to it, but the quiet was appreciated. It wasn’t that there wasn’t any conversation. In fact, Nathan was a wonderful conversationalist. The more she got to know him, the more she liked him. He had a way about him that was excited but not loud; it was like he sensed the calmness from the environment and kept his tone low.
Avila didn’t count the turns like she should have; she was thoroughly enjoying the walk and not paying attention. After more than an hour, she started to wonder if they were going in circles.
Nathan must have picked up on her nervousness, because he placed his hand on her arm. “I am sure we are getting close to the center. If I remember correctly, this maze is pretty large and complex. I am sure it won’t be long.” He gave her another smile to make her feel better.
Avila appreciated his effort, and knowing she wasn’t alone made her feel better. Not to mention that Jacob had a com unit, so there was no way they could really get lost. Trying to keep that in mind, she decided to relax and enjoy the walk again. However, she did start paying closer attention to where they were going and made sure they didn’t take the same route twice.
Thankfully, Nathan had been right. After just a few more turns, they saw an opening ahead of them. Avila was excited to see what waited at the center. When they got to the gap in the hedges, she was not disappointed.
A large crescent-shaped pond went from the opening to halfway across the clearing, and a wide footbridge arched from the gap in the hedges across the water to a covered deck that extended over the water for several yards on each side of the path.
The path continued up a slight rise to a gazebo that had arches built into each of the seven sides. The side facing the trail was open, but the others had a half wall and a type of evergreen vine Avila had never seen covering each of the arches. It gave the gazebo the same feel as the hedge maze: quiet and calm.
An open field surrounded the gazebo. It looked well tended, and Avila could envision it being filled with colorful blooms in springtime. Still, it seemed right that this area was left closer to its natural state and didn’t have winter flowers.
Avila did notice a low ring of evergreen hedges around the field. There were no blooms, but there were many bright red berries. The bright color among the dark greens and greys of winter was beautiful. Avila knew she would have to visit during spring as well. This was the kind of place that would be beautiful all year.
When they got to the gazebo, Avila looked around. It was a spacious area with covered benches under every arch but the entrance. It was a lovely place to eat lunch. Plus, her sore muscles could use a break.
At the thought of lunch, Avila realized she was starving. She hadn’t thought about breakfast, and it had taken them longer to get to the center than she had anticipated. She sat on one of the benches and pulled the pack around to see what they had.
She was pleased to see the pack had several small bottles filled with various colored liquids. Avila opened one to find it had juice. She grinned as she continued to pull other items out of the pack. There were several wrapped sandwiches—enough to feed their unexpected guest, even. There was also an insulated jar that held a fragrant soup that was still warm when Avila opened it.
She was more than pleased with the variety. She had to insist that Jacob join them, and he finally relented. He didn’t sit with them, but he did consent to eat what he was offered.
Avila was in excellent spirits. Nathan was so easy to talk to, and he had so many insights into animal rights and ecology that it was truly interesting to speak with him.
They had finished their meal some time ago, and it was already late afternoon by the time Avila decided they better head back just in case it took them as long to get out. Fortunately, they both seemed to have a better idea of the way going back than they did coming in. Or at least, they were paying more attention, because they were out in a relatively short amount of time.
Avila was laughing with Nathan about something he had sa
id as they exited the maze when she was brought up short by the sight of Galdren waiting a few feet away from the maze’s entrance with Randy and Baxter. She realized a little guiltily that Galdren had not been in the front of her mind all day long. It was the first time in a long time. Following hard on the heels of that thought, she chided herself for thinking it mattered.
She did worry that she had strayed somewhere she should not have, though. She hadn’t thought it would be a problem since Jacob was with her all day, but she couldn’t shake the feeling. It probably had something to do with the stormy look on Galdren’s face.
By the time they reached him, he was wearing a smile, but Avila could tell it was forced. If Nathan noticed, however, he didn’t say anything about it as he greeted his cousin, “Ah, good afternoon, Your Highness. I didn’t really get the chance to talk to you last night, so I’m glad to see you today!”
“Nathan, I’m glad to see you are doing well. When did you get back to the capital?”
“Just over a week ago. I was thrilled when I found out I made it just in time for Lady Durant’s ascension. That was the best coincidence I’ve had in years!” Avila noticed Galdren’s jaw clench, but his voice betrayed nothing.
“Given your family’s assistance in her endeavors in the past, I am sure even your father will be disappointed to have missed the occasion.”
“I would like to say he might rethink his policy of self-isolation if I told him, but I would probably be lying. It’s unfortunate, as she is as charming and beautiful as she is intelligent.” Avila had been staying out of the conversation, but at Nathan’s remarks, she turned to him with a red face.
“Wait, wait, let’s not, please.” She had a hard time getting a coherent response out, but Nathan understood well enough. He chuckled a little at her and gave her a pat on the shoulder.
“Don’t let it get to you.” She dropped her gaze and let it slide. Nathan turned back to Galdren. “So, was there something you needed from me?”
“No, actually, I had been looking for the Lady Durant.”
“Well, in that case, I will bid you both farewell. First, allow me to say I had a wonderful time today, my lady. I hope we have the chance for many opportunities like that in the future.”
Avila was no longer sure of how she should react. She could feel the weight of Galdren’s stare even though she wasn’t looking at him. She only deliberated for a moment before she decided that it didn’t matter what Galdren thought. He had already made it clear what his boundaries were with her, and she didn’t see why it would be a problem for her to cultivate new friendships. Especially since that was the purported reason for her recent move.
Once she made up her mind, she gave Nathan a small bow back. “As did I, Lord de Legris. I look forward to our next meeting.” She gave him a sincere smile as he walked away.
When she turned back to Galdren, he just motioned for her to follow him. She tried not to pay attention to his abrupt attitude since he was obviously trying to be polite. Still, it grated on her nerves. She didn’t know what his problem was, but he didn’t need to take it out on her.
Once they were back in her room, she walked ahead of him to the sitting area. After she was seated, she finally looked at him. “So, you said you were looking for me?” She knew her attitude was brusque, but Galdren’s actions toward her had brought back images of the previous weekend. She just barely managed to hold in a shudder at the memory.
She noticed the shock on his face at her curtness, but he quickly had it under control again. His eyes returned to their stormy look, but it was a tempered storm, a fact Avila was grateful for. At least this time, he didn’t look blinded by his anger.
“Yes, I wanted to speak with you about the upcoming changes in our daily schedules. I do believe I mentioned that we will be joining the rest of the household for dinners starting tomorrow?”
His words caused Avila to cringe a little. She had conveniently forgotten about that. She wasn’t sure if she was ready, but it did help that she already knew the queen and Galdren. The fact that she usually got along well with both of them eased the knot of nerves in her stomach a little. It was just a matter of not making a fool of herself. “Yes, I had almost forgotten. Are there any particular rules or other things I should know, beyond common sense etiquette?”
“Your table manners are impeccable, so that won’t be an issue. Mainly, you should remember that you don’t sit until both the king and queen are seated, don’t eat before either of them, and don’t try to start a conversation with either until they have started talking to you.” Galdren’s gaze had finally calmed now that they were talking. Avila’s worry about what had caused his mood was still in the back of her mind, but she pushed it aside for the moment. She had more important things to worry about.
“Well, I’m glad to hear I won’t embarrass myself, and you, just by my ignorance. Is that it, or is there more I should be prepared for?” She honestly wasn’t too worried about her manners. Her biggest concern was making sure she didn’t act too familiar with Galdren. In the privacy of her rooms, it wasn’t a big deal, but she didn’t want to add fuel to any scandal by calling him by name. Not to mention it would probably be frowned on in general.
“The only other thing you will need to know is that while dining with the family is not a formal occasion, it isn’t casual either. You will need to put some effort into presenting a certain kind of front. I know this will probably be the hardest part for you, but you’ll get used to it quick enough.”
Avila knew he hadn’t meant anything personal by it, but it still stung. She tried to convince her heart he was talking about not acting familiarly with him, but it refused to believe anything except the fact that he thought she wasn’t good enough without “putting in effort.” “I will make sure to present myself well and will keep the company in mind during all conversations. You don’t need to worry that I will embarrass you.”
That was the second time in the last several minutes that her tone with him was harsh. She watched his jaw clench and wondered for a moment if he was going to call her out for it. She wasn’t sure what she would say if he did. Thankfully, it wasn’t an issue as he continued like nothing was wrong, “I have no doubt that you will be splendid. You already have the majority of the people that will be there enchanted with you, and your brilliant mind will make up for the rest. I wasn’t trying to scare you; it was just supposed to be a reminder.”
Avila blushed; she knew he was exaggerating, but it did help to know that she had already formally met most of the royal family. As she thought that, she had to contain a giggle. If anyone had told her a year ago that she would be friends with most of the royal family, she would have asked if they had lost their mind. She couldn’t help but wonder who else would be there besides Galdren and his parents. “I appreciate your reassurance. Who is usually at dinner?”
“It is normally just the family.” He paused and looked unsure about whether to continue. “That includes any extended family that might be in residence. Also, there could be visiting dignitaries, but that is a rare occurrence. With Aril being the farthest out of the planets in the Alliance, we usually only get visitors if there is business to be done.”
Avila wasn’t looking forward to possibly facing royalty from another planet. She would hardly call her interactions with the royalty from this planet normal. However, she was delighted to find that Nathan would probably be there as well. The thought had her smiling again. “Well, I can’t say that I am thrilled with the idea of trying to interact with foreign dignitaries, but I think I can handle the rest.”
Galdren gave her a sincere smile finally. “I’m sure you will be fine. I will be there as well, so don’t worry too much.” He stood at that point. “I still have a few things to do this afternoon, so I will see you tonight. As for tomorrow, I will make sure to come get you. It isn’t far, but we will need to pass through the commons, and I don’t want you to g
o alone.”
Avila gave him a nod and a bright smile. “I will see you later, then.” She was in a much better mood than she had been when he first found her. It helped that she could look forward to her introduction to the “family” meals instead of dreading them like she had been.
Once Galdren left, Avila wondered if she should go back out and resume her walk, but when she looked outside, she saw the sky had become slightly overcast. That combined with her still-sore muscles helped her decide that the rest of the afternoon would be better spent reading. When she curled up in one of the chairs, it didn’t take her long to get lost in the pages.
28. Family Dinner
Monday morning found Avila still slightly sore from her weekend, but it had toned down enough that she could relish the feel. She decided that she would have to ask Galdren to help her find some way to exercise more thoroughly. She couldn’t keep going like she had been. She hated the idea of not being able to take a regular walk in the woods if she got the chance just because she was so out of shape.
Despite moving a little slower, she was up and around before the professor came in. She was in a bright mood. The thought of dinner the coming night was now something she was looking forward to. Her bubbly attitude carried her through the rest of the day. Professor Gilbert even commented on her continued drive, as she was through his curriculum more than an hour before her scheduled time.
When the professor left, Avila found that she still had several hours before dinner. She was on her way out the door for an afternoon walk, but stopped at the thought that she didn’t know exactly when dinner would be for sure. Galdren had left that detail out. If it was at the regular hour, she could be back with time to spare, but not knowing had her turning around to pick up her book instead.
She paused before curling up with it. She decided that getting changed first might be a good idea too, in case she didn’t have time later. It didn’t take her long to find something she felt would be appropriate. Once she was satisfied that she wouldn’t embarrass herself or Galdren, she moved to get back into her book.
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