Seduce the hero's mother (GL)

Chapter 114: Chapter 11. Peanut Cakes

The grand banquet ended with me barely able to get out of bed the next morning. I hadn't had such an active night in a long time, where I didn't get back to my room until one o'clock in the morning.

I slept longer than usual on that basis. Though I hadn't been very punctual before…

Melinda's futile attempts to wake me had been going on for some time. In the end, it was twelve o'clock in the afternoon.

— I'm getting up… I'm getting up…» I mumbled indistinctly.

— Madam, that's the sixth time in a row you've said that.

Melinda sighed as I scattered my body parts as usual-not looking like a noble lady now.

— Mistress, at least cover yourself… You can't do that.

I only heard her with one ear, though, so I didn't notice the request. The maid should be used to the fact that no one could control me in my sleep. Not even myself.

At that moment there was a knock at the door of the chambers, and Melinda stepped away briefly: to see who it was.

She returned excited one minute later, and approached me in my ear:

— Madam… Ahem… Lady Fernandez is here to see you. Shall I let her in or send her away?

For the first time I heard something clearly and opened my eyes.

— Fernandez…? Rachel's new secretary? — I mumbled.

— Yes.

I was very surprised. Why would she come in so early? And especially to see me… It was kind of interesting.

— Tell her I can see her in a few minutes,» I murmured sleepily, finally able to get my body out of bed.

Melinda nodded and ran out into the hallway for a few seconds to deliver my message. Then she came back again to help me get ready.

After hastily washing my face and changing into different clothes, I finally looked decent. Melinda announced loudly that she could now come in.

The girl from last night's ball appeared on the threshold, her face adorned with a modest smile. Pretty, and one might even say beautiful. She made a pleasant first impression.

— Your Highness, I salute you!

The lady walked to the back of the room and the doors closed behind her.

— You are Camilla, aren't you? — I smiled softly,» The youngest daughter of Viscount Fernandez.

She nodded.

— That's right, Your Highness.

I let her sit where she was comfortable, and soon we were sitting opposite each other in chairs at the coffee table.

Melinda poured us some tea, and there was a cozy atmosphere in the room.

Holding the cup in my hands, I inquired:

— How was your first day at work? Not too hard?

The girl shook her head.

— It's all good. So far, I have easy errands. Organizing the daily routine, sorting documents, and stuff like that…

I smiled prettily, but mentally thought about how Rachel was really being true to herself. To burden her secretary with that kind of thing on her first day… That was pretty harsh. Especially considering that usually newbies started out with something completely trivial. Like cleaning the office or making coffee.

Camille didn't seem to be complaining about anything, though. She really seems to be enjoying herself.

— Well… If you like it, then I'm glad to hear it.

Camilla nodded vigorously.

— Uh-huh. Thank you for standing up for me yesterday, Your Highness. I couldn't have done it without you!

I was embarrassed.

— You're welcome… I didn't do anything special,» I said, not at all pretentious.

We talked for a while before I decided to move on to the main topic.

— Why did you come to see me today?

She mouthed off confidently:

— As Her Majesty's private secretary, I consider it my duty to welcome you officially in the first place.

— Ah, so that's how it is…» I realized.

— And I have a little present for you.

— Hmm?

At that moment, I think, for the first time, I noticed the box she had been holding in her hands the whole time. Camille put it on the table and opened it in front of me-it was a handful of pretty pastries.

— Is that…?

The girl smiled helpfully.

— I have heard a rumor that Your Highness is fond of sweets. So I decided to bake pecan cakes for you personally.

I was pleasantly surprised at your attentiveness.

— Did you really bake them yourself? — I couldn't believe it at first.

— Of course,» she nodded, «I'm a good cook.»

— Well…

I felt a little uncomfortable, because unlike her, I did not have this skill.

Meanwhile, the cakes did look delicious. Chocolate-colored and with large chunks of almonds and walnuts. Just like…

I chuckled involuntarily, betraying old memories.

I remember when I'd first tried to get Rachel's attention, I'd wanted to feed her pecan cakes. She didn't appreciate the gesture, though, and she knocked me out of my chair…

Even now I could feel that pain in my coccyx.

When I think back on it a couple of years later, it made me laugh. What children we were back then.

Who knew that in the future our relationship would be like this…

Camilla noticed the smile on my face and looked at me with a puzzled expression.

— Your Highness, is something wrong?

I shook my head.

— Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about something…

— It sounds like something good,» she guessed.

— Hehe.

Camilla looked at me carefully.

— Your Highness, could you also give me something today in return?

— Hmm? And what would you like? — I inquired.

— I… I would be happy to receive instruction from Your Highness,» the girl asked modestly.

— What?

I was astonished.

Instruction…? From me?! It was more like a joke! Honestly, I was the last person in this world who could give a wise speech to someone…

— But why do you want it from me…? — I couldn't help asking.

— It is… You are more experienced than I am, and besides, you will soon be queen. Your words will be very useful to me.

At the word «more experienced,» I was taken aback. We were, in fact, one year apart… But never mind.

When they look at you with such shining eyes, it would be impolite to refuse, right?

— Hmm… Actually, there is one thing I can tell you…» she stretched out uncertainly.

The noblewoman rejoiced.

— Mm… I think while you're young, you should think more about your actions. After all, they can lead to very unexpected consequences…

Camille listened carefully, and at one point looked at me strangely.

— Are you speaking from your own experience? — she suddenly asked.

I was surprised and slowly agreed:

— You could say that…

— Hmm.

Camilla thought for a moment, then nodded happily.

— Thank you very much, Your Highness! I will definitely take note of your words.

— Huh… Good.

I exhaled in relief while the girl continued to smile.

Our brief conversation ended with Camille needing to get back to work. She made an elegant curtsey before leaving.

— See you soon, Your Highness.

— Of course.

I also promised her that I would be sure to try the cakes.

When I was almost alone in my chamber, I was able to relax and lean back in my chair. Melinda, who had been standing by the door the whole time, approached me unnoticed, and did not interfere in any way with our conversation.

The maid hesitated when she was beside me.

— Madam…» she hesitated awkwardly, «if you don't mind, I would advise you to be more careful in the palace.

— Hmm? What do you mean? — I opened my eyes.

— Lady Fernandez… Though she said she came to greet you, her behavior strikes me as suspicious.

I sighed.

— I know what you mean.

The maid was greatly surprised.

— You do?

— Of course,» I smiled faintly, «this place I've come to… I know that the Imperial palace is no paradise.

At all times, the dwelling places of monarchs have been the center of conspiracies and gossip. The palace of Azeroth was no exception. In fact, it also remained one of the reasons why I kept somewhat aloof from the others. I didn't want to get into any trouble.

I always had to stay alert in this place. And Melinda was surprised that I'd been aware of that the whole time.

Besides, I'd learned from bitter experience not to buy into a pretty face alone. It took me some time to get to know the man.

— Madam, would you like me to follow her, then? — Melinda suggested.

— You don't have to.

I sighed, and looked at the pecan cakes in front of me. Maybe I really should try them.

— For now, I'm not going to do anything, and I just want to observe.