Chapter 25

Can You Keep A Secret?

Triple H had answered her feelings back...
Even at night, Lorena still couldn't believe this. That morning in Stephanie's private garden was like a surreal dream, she could still feel the king's gentle touch on her cheek. She had never been touched like this by a man before, not in her entire life. Lorena never had a love interest in the past, perhaps it was because there were more important things to do than falling love; helping her parents on the farm, struggling for survival when they had hit rock bottom and trying her best to survive on the streets when she had lost everything. There had never been time for Lorena to fall in love. Her whole life had been centered around survival, ever since she was born. There were times where her parents didn't have enough money to feed their newborn baby, which would result in forcing them to listen to their baby daughter's loud cries for days. Lorena could imagine they were feeling completely helpless on those times, feeling guilty for putting a baby on the world who they were barely able to feed. Even in her new life in the castle, Lorena had to survive to avoid punishment from the queen.

Triple H was the first man she ever felt true love for.

But this love was dangerous.

If Stephanie would find out what was going on between them, she might face an even worse punishment than death. That's why it was without a doubt important to keep this a secret. However, there was only one person in this entire castle Lorena could entrust her secret to; Alexa. She had been nice to her from the very beginning, she was the only one who hadn't done anything cruel to her on the first day she started her new life as a servant girl. She had stood up for her when Charlotte and Sasha bullied her. She was the only friend she had here, until she befriended Triple H. Alexa wouldn't betray her, she could trust her. That's why she was planning to entrust her secret to her.

Lorena needed to come up with a plan. Spending time with Triple H would be nearly impossible if Stephanie was around, both she and the king knew that. If they wanted to spend time together, they had to distract the queen in some way, so they would be safe... even if it lasted for a little while. Lorena didn't care if she could be with Triple H for a short time, she would savor every second while she was with him. Every touch, every kiss from the king would make her the happiest woman in the world.

But how was she going to this if she didn't have a plan?

Maybe Alexa could help her with it...

'Lorena? Are you coming?'

The servant girl was brushing her hair in front of the dressing table, preparing herself to serve dinner to the royal couple along with Alexa and Charlotte. Lorena planned to act as normal as possible, she would serve the food and she wouldn't do anything else besides that; as long as Stephanie was with Triple H, she wouldn't show how she really felt about the queen's husband, even if he was there. Alexa's voice made her look up. Her friend was waiting for her in the doorway.

'Oh, yes...' Lorena nodded. For a moment, she doubted whether she should tell Alexa about her feelings for the king. But Alexa wouldn't betray her, she was sure of that. She decided to confess it to her, to her only.

'Alexa?'

'Yes?'

'Can I... Can I tell you something?'

'Well, of course! What is it?'

'It's... it's kind of personal. Could you please close the door?'

Alexa frowned in curiosity. What was going on here? Was there something wrong with her? If somebody was going to tell you something and ask you to close the door for that, then it had to be something serious. But whatever it was... she would be there for her. Because after all, Lorena was her friend; and you don't let your friends down.

Looking behind her, Alexa checked if there was nobody else in hallway. Thankfully, nobody was there. She closed the door behind her and sat down on the edge of the bed. Lorena got up and sat down next to her.

'First you've got to promise me something, Alexa...' The servant girl's friend has never heard her speaking in such a serious voice before. Something had to be going on here. 'Can you keep this a secret? You are my best friend, I only entrust you with this, you can't tell this to anybody else.'

Alexa nodded. 'I promise that. What is it?'

'Well, you see...' Lorena took a deep breath and breathed out. No turning back now. Because if she would do that now, it would only make her friend worried. 'I guess you have noticed that me and the king have grown closer, right?'

'I suppose so, yes.'

'Over the past days... we have grown closer. A lot closer.'

'What do you mean by that?' Of course Alexa knew about Lorena and Triple H's friendship. Ever since she had been helping him with recovering from the poisoning that had nearly taken his life, they had become closer than any king and servant girl should be. She had never seen him being so close with a servant girl, he wasn't even that close with her, nor Charlotte, nor Sasha, when she was still alive. This could only trigger Stephanie's jealousy, and if that happened, her punishments would be even crueler. One night she heard Lorena and Triple H sharing a good laugh, sealing their friendship. Triple H had never laughed with a servant girl before...

'Over the time... dear God, Alexa, how can I explain this to you? I couldn't help it, but... one day, while he was training in the courtyard, I... I fell in love with him.'

'You what...?' Alexa's eyes slightly widened. Lorena? Falling in love with Triple H?

'I know, it sounds so strange, but... I love him, Alexa. He is the first man I ever felt true love for. I love everything about him, he has made me so happy. Last night, I couldn't fall asleep, so I went for a little stroll in the castle. Triple H was still awake, I visited him in his bedroom and after we talked for a while, I... I kissed him.'

'What?!' Alexa covered her mouth with her hands, muffling the exclamation. 'Lorena... Are you... Have you... have you lost your mind?! If Stephanie finds out what you've done, she'll kill you! Remember what happened to Sasha?!'

'Alexa, calm down please.' Lorena had expected a reaction like this. 'At first I thought I had ruined our friendship because of that impulsive kiss. But this morning, while I was looking for withered flowers in the queen's garden, Triple H approached and he... told me he had feeling for me as well.'

The 'fairy' was absolutely gobsmacked by this confession. She had no idea her friend was keeping such an astounding secret, she hadn't thought of that in a million years. My God... she had no idea what to say about this.

'Lorena... my goodness... I...' she stammered. 'I... I didn't know about that... You and Triple H... Oh my goodness...'

'Please don't tell this to Stephanie!' Lorena pleaded. 'You are the only person I can entrust with this secret!'

'No, don't worry, Lorena.' Alexa shook her head. 'I won't tell this to anyone, I swear. You can trust me.' As astounding and surprising as the secret was, Alexa would still have Lorena's back. She wouldn't let her down, she had entrusted this secret to her and her only, and trust was the most valuable thing between friends. No, she wouldn't tell this to anybody, especially not Charlotte. After all insulting and harmful things she had said and done to her, she could never trust her again. No, she wouldn't hear about this.

'Thank you.' Lorena gave Alexa a small smile. She knew she could trust her. 'But listen, I need your help with something. I need something to... distract Stephanie in some kind of way. I want to see Triple H more often, which is impossible when she's around. What can I do, Alexa? Do you have any ideas?'

The servant girl's friend let out a soft hum and started thinking. What could make Stephanie forget about her husband, whom she was so possessive about? For a couple of seconds, she thought about it... and then she came up with the perfect idea. An idea that would definitely work!

'Do you remember when Stephanie was drinking so much last night?'

'Yes, I do...' Stephanie couldn't stop drinking wine, she only wanted more and more, until she passed out drunk at the table.

Hold on...

Just now, Lorena understood what Alexa meant with that question. But of course! Why didn't she think about that earlier?

'You mean... we could make her pass out again?'

'That's right. The queen has always been like this. There are a couple of nights where she keeps on drinking, and at the end, she will always end up falling asleep at the table. What if we keep on offering her chalices of wine until she falls asleep? There is no way she can't say 'no' to that. Perhaps like this, you will be able to be together with Triple H. And maybe, if you're lucky, you could also spend the morning with him, until Stephanie wakes up. How does that sound to you?'

That had to be the best idea Lorena had ever heard. And she was right, perhaps she could still have time with him in the morning, since Stephanie went to her bedroom this morning to recover from her hangover. It was all a matter of good timing; if she was careful enough, nothing would go wrong. This was perfect! She couldn't wait to put the plan into motion.

'Thank you, Alexa.' Lorena smiled from ear to ear. 'Thank you so much.'