Queen's Adviser

Chapter 53

*Zelene's P.O.V*

"So her... she is in trainers?" I can't help but interrupt them and ask, earning a look from both of them like they just remembered I was standing here this whole time.

"Yes." Is all Lady Euphemia says, before they both go back to pretending like I'm not right here.

"Why is she in trainers?" I ask instead, causing Lady Euphemia to look back at me with an annoyed look.

"I just answered that question, Zelene. It's for extra protection when she goes riding later. So I don't have to listen to her complaining all night about how much her bottom hurts from being on a horse all evening. At least not as much complaining... I'm sure she will still complain even with the extra protection." Lady Euphemia tells me and continues to stare at me, waiting for my potential next question. This surprised me as I half expected her to just turn away again after answering me.

"And that's not the only reason now?" I ask next, with a bit of hesitancy, as Lady Euphemia can be quite scary when her full attention is on you.

"No... and yes. The reality is that she is still only wearing them for extra protection while riding like I said. It's not like she exactly needs them for their intended purpose all of a sudden. The only real additional reason is how she enjoys wearing them and how we or I didn't expect that." Lady Euphemia tells me.

"And the pacifier?" I ask, causing Lady Euphemia to look over at her daughter and smirk slightly.

"It was a gift from the store clerk. She likes using it and I do have to say, is quite cute using it like she is so neither of us had the heart to remove it. Plus, she's not exactly harming anyone or anything by using it so it would just be mean to do that to her. Any other pressing questions or can you wait until you leave for them to be answered?" Lady Euphemia asks and before I can answer, someone else comes and joins us, causing me to once again be forgotten about.

"I think I have everything you re... Oh, good morning! Wait, it's afternoon now, isn't it? Good afternoon! Is everyone together or just happen to be having a conversation? Should I come back in a bit? I was just coming out to inform you that I think I found everything you wanted and have it set up in the back for your approval whenever you are ready. There isn't a rush and... oh, is she asleep? Sorry, I'll be more quiet. If you need anything else, just let me know and I will see what I can do. I'll just be floating around the shop here and there until then." The lady says quite frantically in one long breath before she tries to back away just as quickly as she arrives.

"Actually, there is something you can do for us. Can you find anything you have with mommy or mama on it? And I mean absolutely anything. We will take all of it... all that is in her size, that is." Lady Euphemia says, stunning me and the lady! Since when has Lady Euphemia ever been this loose with her money!?

"Ah... um... yes! Yes! Of course! Are you sure though? You are already potentially spending a lot and this might double or even triple the cost. I have a lot of things aimed at motherly figures so the total might come as a bit of a shock, if it isn't already. We never actually talked about the cost, now that I think about it..." The lady says, giving me a slight idea of where this nervousness comes from. She doesn't know how rich the people she is talking to are afterall.

"Don't worry about the cost and just collect everything. If it's really that much, we will work something out. I doubt you can find enough to go over what we are currently carrying though, but I would be very interested in seeing you try." Lady Euphemia says, earning an eye roll from Duchess Grey, a shocked and nervous expression from the lady as it seems she finally is starting to understand who she is dealing with, and a bit of an annoyed expression from me, as I realize I will be responsible for handling everything after this shopping spree. That is until I remember I'm not her aid anymore so it isn't actually my responsibility afterall!

"Are you sure? It's just a lot of work and if you change your mind after, I then have to do all the work again to put it all back. I'm not trying to sound ungrateful or be dismissive of your request, I just want to make sure you understand the cost of it all." The lady says, seeming to try very hard to change the Lady's mind and yet not change it at the same time.

"I'm sure. I understand and it will be fine. We will pay and are good for it. Anything mommy or mama, and try to keep them in different piles, if you can, as they will be going to different residences." Lady Euphemia informs her, seeming to confuse her further so Lady Euphemia answers her unasked question.

"Mommy..." Lady Euphemia says, pointing to herself...

"Mama..." Lady Euphemia continues, pointing at Duchess Grey still holding her Majesty.

"Oh... I thought both were for you. Some people just use both titles. So you two don't live together then?" The lady asks, making all of us share a look.

"No. One of us would most likely be killed by the other if we tried that. Just friends... well me and the one called mama, and she is... a lot of different things but I'm not really sure if we count as friends since she is technically paid to be here. Maybe?" Lady Euphemia says, pointing to me with a bit of a questioning look on her face.

"So no daddy? Or dada for you, I guess?" The lady asks, drawing the attention thankfully away from me once again!

"No... not currently, at least. Her real father is dead. It was many years ago and neither of us are truly past it, I think. I remarried but she... refuses to acknowledge him as anything but a stranger I spend time away from her with. As for the other, other father figure, or dada, as you put it, he is more of an uncle, if anything. He is usually out traveling so doesn't have as close of a relationship with my daughter like she does. So no, no daddy or dada. Just the motherly ones..." Lady Euphemia says with a bit of sadness in her voice.

"Oh... I'm so sorry for your loss! I will make sure to collect all the mommy and mama stuff right away then and keep them separated. Is there a particular one you wanted first or just collect them all at once?" She asks with a lot of sympathy.

"Mama first, if you can. They both need to leave soon so I would prefer she be done first. You can do the mommy ones after she pays and leaves..." Lady Euphemia says in a tone that clearly is masking her pain.

I think Grey notices it too because she actually gives the still sleeping Majesty back to Lady Euphemia before gesturing to the shopkeeper to lead the way and disappearing down some aisle, leaving just the three of us to stand there quite awkwardly!