Hidden Gem

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

“It was a beautiful sunny day at the Diamond Kingdom. The crystals were shining, the birds were—”

“Get to the point,” I demanded.

Nate raised his brow at me and folded his arms. “Impatient now, are we?”

Though Lucille had said we had a long day ahead, it went in a blink of an eye. And before I knew it, it was already dusk. I had finished everything I was supposed to do and ran back to my room to take this as a chance to speak to Nate.

I rolled my eyes at Nate. “Sorry. Please continue.”

I removed my shoes and rolled down my socks as I watched him speak. “Well, I think you should know the reason why we’ve hidden ourselves.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Kingdom. There’s a reason why we’ve hidden ourselves you know.”

“Okay, go on.”

“Well, our Kingdom was a prosperous one,” Nate started. “Our Kingdom was just as visible as the rest of the Kingdoms. Though what made us different from all the other Kingdoms was our wealth. We were very wealthy.”

“So it still wasn’t named the Hidden Gem?”

“Nope. This was long way back. Back when our King wasn’t even born yet.”

“Continue.”

“And so our wealth was what made us quite different from the rest. This got the attention of some of the kingdoms. Some of them were all right with it. And some were not.”

I looked at him expectantly. It’s normal to have that. When there are people who are all right with you, there are always people who would dislike you.

“Though there was a certain Kingdom who had actually taken measures to pull us down. They kept saying things like equality and what-not. If you ask me, they’re really hypocrites,” Nate shuddered. “Can you guess which Kingdom had taken action?”

I shook my head but still stared at him, waiting for his answer.

“The Ruby Kingdom,” he grinned in a mischievous way. I wasn’t shocked at all. Somehow, I expected it to be them. “They took action. They sent some of their men to steal some of our treasures. This got the King furious with their behavior.”

“Ah,” Nate said. “I forgot to mention. Almost half of our environment is made out of crystals. Isn’t that cool?” he grinned. “Like, the leaves of the trees would be glinting green whenever the sun rose. It’s a pretty sight. More of the reason you should come.”

I scowled at him. “Please continue with your story.”

“Ah sorry. So yeah, they went into our Kingdom and stole some crystals. They were really getting our riches. But luckily, they didn’t get anything inside the castle.  Though I still have to say that it was really rude of them to just steal of what we own. After all, one of the reasons for our wealth was also because of our environment. Are you catching up?”

“Y-yeah,” I nodded my head.

“So the King was pretty furious with what they’ve done. Saying how selfish and greedy the Ruby Kingdom are. The King was upset and had doubled the guards, the security, everything. Though this King’s character paid off. I’m telling you, he was no greedy King. He was a kind and caring man. He wanted justice as well. And..this may sound like one of those kiddy story books but..

“Earlier on, he had taken care of this small dragon. He had nurtured it, fed it, and watched over it. It was wounded, you see. And so after the Ruby Kingdom had infiltrated our Kingdom, this dragon saw the distress of the King. The dragon wanted to pay back—“

“You have no idea what kind of thoughts have been clouding my mind! That seriously sounds like you got it from a children’s story!”

Nate scowled at me and rolled his eyes. “I knew you were going to say that. But whatever. Swallow it. This is part of history.”

“Are you sure you didn’t get this from a children’s book?”

“Absolutely,” he assured. “Anyway, if I did, I don’t think I’d be telling you anything. No matter how corny or childish our history sounds, I’ve learned to accept it. You should too.”

I made a face at him but gestured him to continue the story.

“This dragon really loved our King. So he did what he could and called the other dragons to help out.”

“And that’s where you found out they had these weird invisible powers, right?”

Nate grinned at me. “Obviously. But, that’s the thing about the King. He was not normal.”

“Holy crud don’t tell me he’s—”

“He could actually speak to the dragons,” he cut me off.

“So..a dragon whisperer? But, cant you do the same thing? Speaking to dragons and all..”

“No. I cant,” he replied shorty.

My mouth fell open at his words. What?! Is he serious? But how come that dragon was able to speak to me? How come I could hear it speak? Oh no..

“It’s rare actually,” Nate started. “Rare to see people who could talk to them. But I have heard of Elaine being able to speak to them. Only a rumor though. I didn’t get to confirm it,” he frowned.

“Who’s Elaine?”

“Your mom,” he answered.

My eyes widened at this. “You knew my mom?!”

“She was my aunt.”

“Was?”

“Erm..She’s deceased. Sorry.”

I pursed my lips at him. I should’ve seen this one coming. I’m over it anyway. I’ve never seen her or my dad. I’ve lived in the orphanage all my life. So I never really harbored feelings. It was useless to me.

“But don’t worry! I’m here!” he grinned, getting uncomfortable by the awkward silence.

I smiled at him. “Whatever. So is that it? The History, I mean.”

He opened his mouth to speak but there was a knock on the door. Nate panicked a bit and grabbed his invisible robe from his bag and wrapped it around himself, making him completely invisible. I heard a faint roar and laughed through my nose.

“..Come in,” I said.

The door opened and my eyes landed on Anna who had a drowsy expression on. “Ah, Erin. Sorry to disturb so late but..Prince Darren’s calling for you.”

I felt my heart beat race at the mentioning of his name. Prince Darren? Why? How come? What did he want so late? I felt my cheeks burn but brushed the thoughts away. Stupid!  “Sure, I’ll be there.”

I stood up from the bed and walked to the door. Though I heard a faint snicker from somewhere. Anna smiled at me. “Thanks a lot for watching over Prince Dylan last time. Really appreciate that.”

“No problem.”

She closed the door behind me and went the other way back to her room. I passed by her and strode to the staircase. Prince Darren’s room was further away from Prince Dylan’s room. I arrived and knocked twice on the brown, oak doors.

“Enter,” the loud voice yelled.

“..You called?” I told him in a polite voice. My heart sank a bit at the sight I was seeing. Prince Lucas was sitting right across from Prince Darren. It was as if they were speaking about something secret. Prince Lucas looked at me with disgust and muttered something under his breath. “No manners.”

I felt my face grow hot from his comment. I bowed in front of them and pursed my lips. The only reason why I’m not throwing the tables is only because Nate said I should be careful around the people of the Ruby Kingdom. If he was an outsider, he’d be dead by now.

Someone coughed in the silence. “Ah, right. Erin, please prepare my bath.”

I looked up to see Prince Darren smiling in a comforting way. I couldn’t help but suppress my groan. Why didn’t he ask Anna to do it? But since Prince Lucas was here, I couldn’t complain. I nodded my head and obeyed. I went off to the left door which was the bathroom.

“Lucas, I think you should head to your room now. You’re leaving tomorrow morning, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Yes I am. Goodnight then,” replied Prince Lucas.

“Oh and please still do your best on your studies. Wouldn’t want you to be tutored by me,” Prince Darren grinned.

Should I close the bathroom door? I left the bathroom door a little ajar. I strode to the bathtub which was in a circular shape. The bathroom was perfectly clean, glinted with gold in some of the corners. I heard a click from the door signaling that Prince Lucas had finally left. Good riddance he’s leaving tomorrow. I really wouldn’t want to ever cross paths with him anymore.

I flinched as I heard a voice behind me. “Erin.”

I looked behind me to see Prince Darren, leaning on the door.

“You really should’ve asked Anna to do it,” I mentioned, still frustrated with how Prince Lucas had treated me.

He grinned at me. “Now that wouldn’t be fun now, would it?”

I pursed my lips at him, feeling my face grow a bit hot.

“Sorry about Lucas. He’s a bit bad-tempered.”

I rolled my eyes as I turned the knob of the bathtub. “You don’t say?” I retorted with sarcasm. Water started to flow out as my ears perked at the sound of water running. I went over to one of the cabinets under the sink.

“You do know I could order the guards to put you in jail for your mean remarks?”

I gulped as he said this. He’s right. I really am in no place to be saying this at all.

“Sorry,” I muttered.

“Anyway. I don’t blame you though. I guess that really is your character, huh?” he grinned at me.

I stayed quiet as the sound of running water still played in the background. I bent down to grab the  bottle of liquid soap that could make bubbles in the bathtub. I still felt my face hot from what he was spouting. What’s he saying all of a sudden? What’s he trying to get out of this? Is he trying to make me feel guilty?  

“But,” Prince Darren started. “I like that about you. Its funny seeing a maid treat a prince as if they were in equal level. I feel comfortable whenever I’m around you. You never treat me with such high respect. Insolent maid you are.” He said all this with a distant expression.

I swallowed hard as he was saying all of this. I’m so stupid! Treating the prince as if we were in the same level! I should apologize! Now! Now! I hate myself! Me and my stupid tongue!

“I—”

“But that’s what made me like you,” he smirked with a mischievous look on his face. I stood up from my crouching position and hid my red face from him. So sly. Suddenly saying words like this when I’m not prepared? I felt my face grow even hotter as his footsteps were now behind me. He took a few steps towards me as I made my way to the bathtub. The water was now at its brim so I turned the knob off.

“Erin,” he whispered, enough for only myself to hear.

I kept my face towards the bathtub, avoiding eye contact with him. If he sees my face, he’s definitely going to tease me! I felt his hands trap me as he held the bathtub, holding me in place. Though my back was still facing him.
(A/N: Erm. Can you imagine what I’m trying to say? I’m so bad at descriptions > <)

“Erin,” he called again with a frustrated tone.

“Stay away!” I kicked him behind me and felt that I kicked his knee.

“You’re so stubborn. I wont leave until you look at me,” he bargained. Ignoring his command, I opened the bottle of soap to fill the bathtub in. Bubbles started to form as I mixed it in a bit with the water.

“Who’s stubborn? I think its you who’s stubborn here,” I said through gritted teeth, still facing the bathtub. My face was flustered with what he was saying. There’s no way I’m letting him win.

I felt his head rest on my shoulders. I widened my eyes at the sudden move he’s made. “C’mon. What are you trying to hide?” he smirked, completely ignoring my remark. I stayed quiet. What is he planning? I flinched as he blew air to my ear. I couldn’t help but turn back to face him. My eyes landed on his smirking face, which looked triumphant at this very moment.

“You’re playing dirty!” I argued, still feeling my face hot from what he just did. I touched the ear he just blew air into which was burning with embarrassment. I looked at him with as much fierce as I can muster.

“Your face is so red,” he said with a satisfied expression. “Hey, have you fallen for me?” he smirked with a joking tone. Just when I thought my face couldn’t go even redder, my face still burned even more.

I pulled his hair away. “OW! Hey!”

He stumbled to the left of me and had finally got out of my path. “No way! You idiot!” I yelled as I ran to the door. This was my chance.

“Hey wait!”

“The bath’s done. I’m leaving,” I yelled back at him. I was finally out of the room and ran down the staircase. Idiot, idiot, idiot! Narcissistic idiot!

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Author’s note: Oh lol. Sorry if this chapter was crappy. Sure hope you understood what I was trying to write. I have such a hard time describing things > < Was it too fast? Did it sound like I was rushing? > < I’m so sorry. School is coming soo soooon Dx I don’t want to go!! Haha. Ah well. Hope you guys will look forward to the next chapter :D

Erm..vote for this? :D