Chapter 199: Lying Low
{Third Person}
The atmosphere inside Amara’s residence remained noticeably quieter than usual after the incident from the previous night.
Mrs. Woods had ordered the servants to continue packing for the move to the city, but everyone moved about more carefully than before.
Even Sonia found herself glancing toward the windows every now and then, as though half-expecting another danger to appear.
Amara, on the other hand, had not completely recovered from the shock.
Although she had managed to sleep for a few hours before dawn, her dreams had been restless. Every now and then, Nora’s distorted face flashed through her mind, causing her to wake abruptly before forcing herself back to sleep again.
After freshening up that morning, she had chosen to remain in the sitting room with Ginger curled comfortably in her lap while Mrs. Woods directed the servants around the residence.
It was during that quiet moment that Jasper arrived.
Mrs. Woods immediately walked over to receive him. "Sir Jasper."
Jasper inclined his head politely before looking past her. "His Highness wishes to see Lady Amara."
Mrs. Woods smiled faintly. "I shall inform her at once." Then, she turned and walked into the sitting room. "My Lady."
Amara looked up.
"His Highness is here."
Amara simply stared at her, her lashes fluttering a few times. "He is here?" There was unmistakable surprise in her voice.
Mrs. Woods nodded with a smile. "He is waiting outside."
Amara was indeed surprised because Alexander rarely came to her residence himself. Usually, if he wanted to see her, he simply sent Jasper to summon her.
The realization left her momentarily puzzled.
She quickly placed Ginger into Sonia’s waiting arms before smoothing the front of her dress.
"I will go to him."
Mrs. Woods stepped aside with a smile as Amara walked toward the entrance.
The moment she stepped outside, she found Alexander standing quietly beneath the shade of the veranda. Jasper stood several steps behind him, his usual composed expression giving nothing away.
Amara lowered herself into a respectful greeting. "Your Highness."
Alexander looked at her for a brief moment before giving a small nod. "You slept well?"
Amara was slightly surprised by the question. "Yes," she managed a reply.
Alexander studied her face quietly. The fear that had been so obvious the previous night had faded somewhat, though traces of it still lingered around her eyes.
Satisfied that she looked calmer, he shifted his attention to the matter that had brought him here. "We leave tomorrow."
Amara nodded gently. "I know."
Alexander continued without unnecessary preamble.
"We will leave after breakfast. "The journey will be long. You should spend today resting."
Amara nodded again. "I understand."
A brief silence settled between them before Alexander spoke once more. "We will have dinner together tonight and breakfast together before leaving."
For some reason, hearing those simple arrangements brought an unexpected warmth to Amara’s heart.
She smiled softly. "I will be there."
Alexander gave a faint nod. Neither of them spoke for several seconds. Then Amara remembered something that had been weighing on her mind since the previous day.
"Mrs. Woods informed me that you said she will be coming with us."
Aleander looked at her. "Yes," he confirmed.
The single-word answer immediately brightened her expression.
She had tried very hard not to dwell on it after Mrs. Woods explained that she would most likely remain behind, but deep inside, the thought had saddened her.
Now, hearing the confirmation directly from him filled her with genuine relief.
"I’m very happy to hear that."
Alexander noticed the sincerity in her smile but did not comment on it. Instead, he simply said, "She has been taking care of you well."
Amara nodded earnestly. "She has."
Alexander looked toward the residence behind her before returning his gaze to her. "Continue resting today."
"I will."
After a short pause, she added sincerely, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Alexander gave a slight inclination of his head before turning around. Without another word, he walked away with Jasper following quietly behind him.
---
The afternoon passed peacefully.
Not long after lunch, another familiar visitor arrived. This time, it was Princess Elowen.
The moment she entered the residence, she hurried straight toward Amara without bothering to hide the concern on her face.
"I came as soon as I finished my morning run."
Before Amara could even greet her properly, she had already reached her and begun examining her from head to toe.
She looked at her face, then her hands, then the sleeves of her dress. Finally, she let out a relieved sigh. "So you really weren’t injured."
Amara smiled reassuringly. "I’m perfectly fine."
Elowen shook her head. "I was so worried." She took Amara’s hands into hers. "When I heard what happened, I couldn’t believe it."
Her expression gradually darkened. "I honestly don’t know what gave a mere servant like Nora the courage to entertain such ridiculous thoughts."
Amara remained silent. She still did not understand why Nora had suddenly turned against her.
Elowen noticed the confusion lingering on her face and gently squeezed her hand. "Don’t think about her anymore." Her voice softened. "She can never bother you again."
Amara gave a small nod. She appreciated the attempt to comfort her.
The atmosphere became lighter after that as Elowen motioned for one of her attendants to step forward.
The attendant presented several neatly wrapped boxes.
Elowen smiled. "I brought these for you."
Amara looked surprised. "For me?"
"Of course." Elowen laughed. "They are parting gifts."
Amara accepted them with both hands. "You didn’t have to do this."
"I wanted to." Elowen’s smile remained bright. "I probably won’t visit you and my brother for a few days after you move."
Then, she shrugged playfully. "I will let both of you settle into your new home first."
Amara smiled. "Thank you."
After chatting for a while longer, another thought suddenly crossed Elowen’s mind. "Oh!" She leaned forward excitedly. "I almost forgot."
"What is it?"Amara looked at her curiously.
She grinned. "Since tonight is your last night in the palace, why don’t I throw you a little farewell gathering?"
Amara’s brows furrowed lightly.
"It won’t be anything formal," Elowen continued enthusiastically. "I will invite the other women in the palace, and we will spend the evening talking before you leave tomorrow."
Amara understood immediately who she meant.
Julia.
Yara.
The other women who had married into the royal family.
She lowered her eyes for a moment before looking back at Elowen. "I’m grateful that you thought of me." Her voice was gentle. "But... I’d rather not."
Elowen’s smile faded slightly, but Amara continued calmly. "I don’t really have that kind of relationship with them."
She paused briefly before adding, "And after everything that has happened recently, I think it would be better if I kept to myself until tomorrow."
Elowen studied her quietly before slowly nodding. "I understand." There was no disappointment in her voice. Only understanding. "You’re being careful."
Amara smiled faintly. "I think it’s for the best."
Elowen reached over and gently patted her hand. "I would probably do the same." She smiled warmly again. "Then there won’t be any party."
Amara smiled in return. "Thank you for understanding."
Elowen stood after spending a little more time chatting with her. As she prepared to leave, she hugged Amara gently before stepping back with a bright smile.
"I will visit once you’ve settled into your new home."
Amara nodded. "I will be waiting."
Satisfied with that promise, Elowen finally took her leave.