Chapter 7 My Boyfriend

• The next day, Leo invited me to go for a walk together. I no longer had any form of entertainment other than going out and looking for a job. So it didn't feel bad to hang out with a friend. I dressed up more than usual. I knew he liked me and I didn't want to let him down with my tired appearance the last few days. Not that I was interested in him, but the fact that I was sure he was interested in me made me a little more conceited than usual.
• He picked me up in the afternoon with his car. My mother liked my relationship with Léo, after all, he was from a family of much more renown than ours. In fact, I think she wanted me to get involved with any man who could provide better financial conditions for our family. I don't know if this was the dream of every mother in the Kingdom of Noriah, but my mother's was. And yes, girls my age were often used as a bargaining chip between families, serving only financial interests. Luckily my family would never force me to marry a man if I didn't want to. Regardless of the situation we were living in.
• When I got in the car I kissed him on the cheek. Leo was well dressed and perfumed. But it was nothing new, because he was always like that. He was a presentable man, over 1.90 meters well distributed. He had light eyes and straight blond hair. I didn't consider him a handsome man, but he wasn't ugly either. He wasn't the kind of man I'd be involved with or even interested in if it weren't for the fact that he was always on top of me, making himself noticed all the time.
• - Kat, thank you for accepting my invitation. I missed you.
• - Thank you for inviting me, Leo.
• Soon we were in a quiet square. He bought two ice creams and we sat on the ground on the lawn, watching the movement and sway of the flowering trees heralding spring.
• - Kat, I would like to talk seriously with you.
• I finished my ice cream and lay on the ground, looking at the blue sky with clouds moving quickly in the wind. I didn't want to have that conversation. I was in so much trouble...
• - Kat, did you hear me? - he asked.
• - Yea...
• - I thought you hadn't heard.
• - I heard. You can say. - I said without really interested in the conversation. I didn't even look at him.
• When I realized, Leo turned to me and gave me a kiss on the mouth. The light breeze caressed me and somehow I enjoyed kissing him.
• - I... I want you to accept being my girlfriend. - He spoke once more, and that was not the first time he asked me.
• - I accept. I said without thinking too much.
• Whether I wanted to or not... I was never sure. But being alone for so long, with so much trouble made me feel a little sorry for him…and myself. If it didn't work out we would break up and that's ok. We would just be friends again.
• He almost didn't believe what he heard. I saw a wide smile break out of Leo's mouth. I thought he would ask why I accepted, but he didn't. He simply hugged me and stayed like me, looking at the sky, afraid that any words would spoil that moment.
• Then we took a walk around the park, holding hands, we exchanged a few kisses and when it was dawn, he dropped me back at home.
• When I entered the house, my mother and Leon were sitting at the table, talking. As soon as I arrived, they called me anxiously.
• I wanted to tell my mother that Leo and I were dating, to cheer her up a bit. But she had such a huge smile that I think she didn't even need the news.
• - What there was? I asked.
• - Look. – she said showing the open letter on the table.
• I didn't need to open it, as she had already opened the letter addressed to me. There was Noriah Sul's coat of arms, so I knew it was mail from the castle. It was written:
• “Miss Lee
• Selected for step 1 for the position of queen's lady-in-waiting.
• We are waiting for you on Monday, at the castle of Noriah south, with documentation proving your identity.
• Wear suitable clothing. Forbidden use of makeup or nail polish, as well as hair dye.
• Yours sincerely
• I looked at my mother and Leon in bewilderment:
• - I... Am I in the first stage? This is impossible.
• My mom hugged me and Leon did the same. I doubted he knew what was really going on. I didn't know if I was happy. I applied for the position with the certainty that I would not be chosen. I knew it wouldn't be easy to get to the end of all the steps, but what if I did? How to work alongside the queen if I hated her?
• - Why can't I use makeup, nail polish or hair dye? – I asked confused as I reread the brief letter.
• - I don't know. said my mother. “But I think you'll find out on Monday. – she said smiling.
• I went to my father's room. He was already lying down, in the same depressing way. It didn't even look like the same person who got into the real car.
• - Father... You must already know that I was selected for the first part of the queen's lady-in-waiting process.
• "Yes…" he said. “Your mother screamed so much I think the whole neighborhood heard her.
• We laugh:
• - She is happy. - I observed.
• - Yes... Every now and then, very rarely, that happens.
• I hugged him. I knew what he was trying to say.
• - Dad...
• - Speak, my Kat.
• - What did you do in the castle?
• - I said I had an ace up my sleeve.
• - So... The fact that I was called has to do with you going to the castle?
• - Yes... That's why the process was so fast.
• - So you mean I'm going to be the queen's lady-in-waiting?
• - No... It just means they put you in the pre-selected ones. Now you need to do your part. Nobody knows who you are...
• - But... Who do you know inside the castle that did this for us?
• - Well, it's a long story, Kat.
• - Don't you think it's time I found out about this? I will be inside the castle, because you put me there. I need to know what's going on.
• - I... I know... King Alfred. - my father said in a low voice.
• - Like this? – I asked feeling my heart beating faster. Did my father know the king?
• - I worked for him... Many years ago.
• - But... Did you talk to him yourself?
• - Yea.
• - Dad... Then why didn't you ask for money instead of a job vacancy for me? Whatever the reason he helps you... Which I know there must be an explanation...
• - Why... He already gave me money once. - Adolfo said embarrassed.
• - Has King Alfred ever given you money? But why? What do you know about him or the monarchy that made him receive money from the Chevaliers?
• - We were once... Friends.
• - Like this? Are you a friend of King Alfred?
• - Kat, dear, as I said... It's been many years.
• - Dad... Tell me the truth.
• - The truth is that Alfred managed to get you inside the castle. The rest depends on your intelligence, which I know you have in abundance.
• - If I spoke my last name, would the king know that I am his daughter?
• - Perhaps...
• - Is there anything else you can tell me?
• - At the time no. - He said closing his eyes and feigning sleep.
• I left there and went to my room completely confused. I always knew there were secrets within the Lee family, but that they were somehow intertwined with the royal family never crossed my mind. But I needed to find out what it was and who among the Lees knew.