Paulina was a bit distracted as she kept wondering what was wrong with Williams. It was obvious he wasn't his usual self since usually, he would chat with her as she drew him or ask her questions, but he seemed a bit distant. He had only greeted her when they met and sat down, leaving her to do whatever she pleased.
Did she perhaps do something to upset him? Was it something she said? But they had been cool the previous day before she left. Or was he upset because she had left with Alvin abruptly when Prince Harold sent for her?
She wanted to ask him what was wrong with him, but at the same time, she didn't know how to do so. The last thing she wanted was for him to get upset by the question. So instead, she tried to focus on what she was doing.
After trying unsuccessfully for some time to focus on the painting, she put down her painting brush nervously and rubbed her hands together, thinking of the best way to break the silence.
She cleared her throat, "Uhm... are you... o-kay, My lord?" She asked hesitantly before looking up at his face with concern.
He stared at her for a moment, both surprised and impressed that she had finally gotten over her fear of him to talk to him first, "I thought you were never going to ask."
Confused, she looked down and picked the brush back. "I'm... sorry, my lord. I... shouldn't have asked."
"It's alright. I'm okay. I'm just a little tired." He answered dismissively, making her frown a little.
It seemed like he was withdrawing from her and was only here so that she could complete the portrait painting. Although she should feel relieved that he was finally treating her as he should, it made her feel sad, like she was losing a friend. She had to accept it anyway. This was the way it had to be. She was a servant, and he was of royal blood. How could they ever be friends? What had she been thinking?
Williams watched her quietly, and he could tell that she didn't like his silence. He found it funny that when he talked to her, she felt uncomfortable, and when he didn't, she still felt uncomfortable.
But what could he do? He needed to keep some sort of distance between them even while he continued to meet with her. At least in the meantime, he wanted the Queen and Ivan to think that he was still trying to get close to her and win her trust when in truth, all he wanted was to put some distance between him and the girl so that she wouldn't be willing to divulge anything to him so easily.
He focused his gaze on her when she cleared her throat to get his attention, "If... you are tired out... we can continue some other time." She offered without meeting his gaze.
"We can continue now. I am fine."
Paulina pursed her lips, nodding. She was about to continue when he spoke, giving her hope that just maybe, he was truly just tired and not avoiding her.
"Tell me something."
"What?" She asked curiously, miraculously not stammering this time.
"Anything. Tell me about your kingdom. Do you prefer it here or over there?" Williams asked curiously, wanting to know whether it was as exciting as princess Amber always painted it.
"Uhm... I... prefer to stay wherever my mistress is."
Paulina shook her head.
"Tell me, can you give your life in her place?"
Without thinking twice, Paulina bobbed her head, surprising him.
She, on the other hand, was wondering why he was suddenly asking her all of these questions, but she didn't ask him. At least this was better than the silence earlier. As long as he was talking, everything was fine.
"Why would you do that? Give your life for her?"
"I... owe my life to my mistress. Her mother saved me from being sold as a slave. And treated me like her daughter. It is only normal for me to give my life for her daughter now that she is no longer in this world to protect her," Paulina answered without thinking.
Williams looked at her, surprised. First, because it was the longest sentence Paulina had ever spoken to him without stuttering, and secondly, because she said something unexpected.
"She is dead?" Williams asked, confused.
Seeing the confusion on his face, Paulina realized her slip and began to panic, remembering what Harold had told her.
As far as everyone in this palace was aware, Princess Amber was the first daughter of the king and queen. She grew up loved and sheltered in the palace, and she was everyone's favorite princess.
"No. I mean... Uhm... I... I."
"She isn't the daughter of the king and queen?" Williams asked her.
"I didn't say that. I mean... since we are no longer in the palace and she is no longer with her family. I.... have to look over her here." She said in fear, hoping she hadn't gotten them into trouble.
Williams knew what she was saying right now did not make sense. The longest sentence see had made without stuttering couldn't have possibly been a lie or a mistake. She had said Princess Amber's mother was no longer in this world. That only meant she was dead. And it also meant that some kind of lie had been told about Princess Amber's family lineage.
"You can trust me. Tell me the truth." He assured her, but Paulina was not stupid enough to divulge such important information, especially to a member of the royal family, no matter how nice he was to her.
So what did she do? She stood up, ready to fly out of the room. She didn't even try to pack up. The only place she could run to at this point was to find her mistress to let her know she had slipped up and apologize and also wait until Prince Harold heard about this and sent her to the land of the dead because she knew that she was doomed.
Williams caught her arm before she could run past him, and he held her back, "You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. I can pretend I didn't hear what you said," Williams assured her, but Paulina was already too anxious to listen to him.
She fell to her knees, "Forgive me, my lord. Please, I don't want to..."
"Paulina, listen to me!" Williams called in a stern voice, wanting her to snap out of whatever daze she was in.
"My lord?" Paulina asked as she looked up at him fearfully.
"I said you don't have to worry. Please return to your position, and let's continue the painting. We can pretend that we never had that conversation," he promised.
"It is an order," he added when she didn't budge.
Although Paulina didn't believe him, she couldn't disobey him, so she returned to sit on the floor and wriggled her hands together nervously. What could she say or do now?
Williams, on the other hand, just looked down at her. Why did he ask her to trust him and tell him such important information? Did he even trust himself? Was he sure that he wouldn't betray her if either the Queen or his father insisted on him telling them something he had learned about her? He could ask her questions and get to know her without asking questions that had to do with topics like this. Topics he knew that the Queen and Ivan would be interested in.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you about your mistress," Williams said apologetically, and Paulina's head came up immediately as she looked at him.
"You didn't do anything wrong, my Lord. You... shouldn't apologize," she said with a slight frown before looking down again.
"Yes, I was wrong. My question made you feel uncomfortable. I don't like to make my friends feel uncomfortable," Williams explained.
Friend? He was calling her his friend? Paulina wondered as she looked up at him, "Your friend?"
"Yes. You are my friend, or are you not?" Williams asked, and Paulina's lips twitched slightly as she looked down at her hands.
The last time she remembered having a friend was when she was younger, and her parents were still alive. She never had a male friend either. This was all very new to her, but she liked to know that he considered her his friend.
"I am your friend," Paulina said with a timid smile, and this time it was Williams who smiled.
"So, since you agree that we are friends, can you stop calling me your Lord now? I don't think friends call each other that," Williams said, and Paulina looked at her with wide eyes.
"If anyone hears me..."
"No one will hear you. When we are alone, call me Williams. You can call me your Lord when we are in the presence of others," Williams offered.
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