The Crown's Entrapment

Chapter 710 Her Former Identity

At Castle Cordon

In accordance to the upcoming Global Summit, most of the delegation that was supposed to come with the King and Queen were preparing themselves to look their part in representing their kingdom. Of course, that meant gown-fitting for the women that would take part, which meant that Jayra had to make herself available for the various seamstresses that would try and give her a killer design.

And while having a bit of her time taken away from her research was a pain, the fact that she got to spend more time with her friends more than made up for it.

"She's smiling more often these days," Jayra whispered to Xenia as they observed Bella casually interacting with Lena. They were all getting fitted in the same room, the latter two having their own conversation while the former waited by the sidelines. "I mean there's more soul in her, unlike the past few weeks where she's just… moving along with the tide."

"I agree," Xenia sagely nodded, her eyes trained at their mutual friend. "It's kind of hard looking at her just walking around aimlessly. Just… I can only imagine what she feels like those days..."

Jayra couldn't agree more. Just thinking about what she'd do if Bartos ever disappeared on her almost made her shudder from the fear of it. And that was just him suddenly going away without so much as a word. What more for Bella that saw Osman literally fall to his death right in front of her? She was there when it all happened, and the feeling of helplessness and guilt that would come from that experience just…

She really understood where Bella was coming from. It wasn't ideal, but at least they didn't fail their friend even more by not being there for her.

"Anyway, is there anything you'd like changed with your gown?" Xenia suddenly asked her, a curious look on her face as she changed the topic. "It looks great, right?"

"It's a bit too fantastical from a commoner's perspective, but I think I'm fine with this," Jayra chuckled. "I could only hope that I won't outdo you by the time we reach the summit."

"As if," her friend scoffed. "You might not have seen it yet, but I've got a bit of a surprise in store for you all."

Jayra jokingly rolled her eyes at her queenly friend. She didn't doubt those words one bit. After all, Xenia was Queen, and it was only natural for her to upstage everyone that was tagging along with her.

"I'm sure you will," Jayra smiled at her friend. "Just make sure that you leave some room for the rest of us to show off."

"As if you even like showing off," Xenia cheekily replied. "I'm sure you'll just stand quietly by the side taking in every single word said throughout the summit."

"That's part of my job, you know," she chuckled. "What else am I supposed to do there other than listen in and provide some thoughts whenever I'm needed?"

"I don't know, look pretty beside me?" Xenia smirked.

Jayra sarcastically scoffed, "And make you look even more beautiful by comparison? I know my place, Your Highness."

The two of them shared a laugh at their own jokes, both of them enjoying each other's presence as they waited for Bella and Lena to get fitted. Letting out a sigh, Jayra couldn't help but notice how the two of them seemed to be getting along, and despite her best wishes, she couldn't help but feel apprehensive of their forming friendship.

"Have something in mind?" Xenia asked upon noticing her passive stare.

"Bella and Lena… They're getting along rather well," Jayra absently stated. "I feel like they just met yesterday, and already they're sharing a lot with each other."

"I noticed. I'm glad they found each other though," Xenia nodded in approval. "They need all the support they can get, and this just allows them to have more friends to have by their side."

Jayra wanted to smile at Xenia's words, but again, she couldn't help but sigh as she watched Lena laugh at something Bella just said. She knew she should be happy, but for the life of her, she just couldn't…

"They're getting too close, in my opinion," Jayra blankly stated.

Predictably, Xenia gave her a suspicious smile as she asked. "Oh? How so?"

Letting out another sigh, Jayra explained, "Did you know that Bella almost inadvertently revealed the Fairy Queen's existence to her? Lena got curious about why she always heard of the Fairy Queen around her, and Bella offered to show her a painting she made of her back when…"

"Back when she was still a Guardian?"

"Quite," Jayra nodded at Xenia's words. "I did my best to explain why she shouldn't do that, of course, and thankfully, she didn't go through with it. I still feel bad though… Bella just wanted to be nice, and Lena was as innocent as a young girl. It almost feels like I'm being too controlling."

Beside her, Xenia let out a breath as she put a hand on her shoulder, "Jayra, you just did what you think is best. I for one think you made the right choice."

Jayra smiled. "Really?"

Her queenly friend hummed, "It wouldn't do Lena any good to be shown her past like that. Not this early, at least. Maybe when enough time has passed, I can ask the other Guardians again if we can tell her the truth. But right now… Now while she's still adjusting to her new life… It would only be cruel of us to saddle her with even more burdens like her former identity."

Shaking her head, Jayra gave her friend a grateful smile. "Thanks, Xenia."

"It's the least I can do," Xenia chuckled. "You're one of my closest friends, maybe even more than that. If I can't help you, what more for the rest of my people?"

Jayra let off another smile as they sat side by side on their chairs. It would seem that some things never changed, even if their stations were so high up now that being more formal was more than justified for them.

They were still friends, and that was all that mattered.