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Gabriel saw my liveliness in Mei’s presence and proposed to invite her to the castle for a while. Mei and I couldn’t contain my excitement at the idea. After losing Kira, I was grateful to have a friend like Mei stay close to me.
We flew back together. During the plane ride, I enjoyed watching Mei playing with Athena while Gabriel cheered them on. Even with the amount of sacrifice we had to pay, maybe there was a chance at happiness. No one said we had to have it all as long as we were together as a family.
When Mei entered the castle, she mirrored my reaction to the T––breathtaking awe. I showed her in the downstairs ballroom, offices, kitchen, and guest bedrooms. Just by visiting every room, we felt we got our workout for the day. Afterward, we went to the second floor and showed her the little museum Gabriel had made for me. Or whatever was left of it. Unfortunately, Mr. Iglesias’s men destroyed the glass statue. But Gabriel looked forward to ordering a new one from her parents. After witnessing all of it, Mei’s face radiated with excitement. Given how picky she was, such a reaction already surpassed my expectations.
Though nothing could prepare me for the moment she saw Troy. “Who’s that man over there?” Mei asked as we entered Gabriel’s study.
Troy was conversing with Gabriel and didn’t pay attention to us at first.
“Milady and her friend are here,” said Gabriel, interrupting their discussion. “Troy, this is Milady’s charming and particular friend, Mei. When we first met, she put me through an inquisition just by attempting to marry her friend.” Gabriel smiled.
“Nice to meet you, Mei,” said Troy and kissed her hand. “It is an honor to meet such a loyal friend of Milady.”
Upon hearing those words, Mei melted like chocolate in hundred degrees weather. It reminded me of the time Gabriel did the same thing. I didn’t want to admit it, but this chivalrous thing worked wonders.
“My name is Troy. I am His Majesty’s second-in-command.”
“Nice to meet you, Troy,” Mei said exuberantly.
“What is next on your agenda today?” Gabriel asked me, ignoring whatever was happening between the two.
“I was planning to take Mei on a town tour and go to a coffee shop,” I said.
“The same one you visited last time?” Gabriel asked.
“You know about that one too?” I asked. “Did you follow me the moment I got out of the airport?”
“I had a few of my people in the airport as well,” Gabriel said and beamed a smile.
“Good thing you don’t work for the government. Otherwise, I wouldn’t stand a chance.” I glanced at Mei, who had a silent conversation of her own with Troy. “Mei, are you ready? We better get going.”
“I was thinking since Troy has lived here for so long, it would be nice if he became our tour guide. You never know what Troy can help us discover in places we might not even expect,” Mei said.
“As much as I would enjoy an afternoon with you lovely ladies, there is much work to do,” said Troy gallantly.
“That won’t be a problem, Troy,” said Gabriel. “Your valiant actions have earned you at least an afternoon off. You may go. Enjoy yourselves.”
I caught only a glimpse of terror on Troy’s face before he returned to his professional demeanor. “Are you sure you are not in need of my assistance, Sire?” Troy asked.
“I’m sure. I have some business matters to tend to. Otherwise, I would’ve joined as well. But you go have fun. You need to unwind sometimes, my man,” said Gabriel earnestly, though I suspected there was some teasing involved.
“Very well, Sire,” said Troy as he slowly accepted his fate.
Chapter 14
Mei exited the castle in her cutest attire and the most oversized sunglasses she owned. She behaved like a spoiled princess who also loved to flirt with her subjects. “Troy, I am happy you could join us,” she said, knowing full well it wasn’t Troy’s decision.
“I considered it a privilege, Miss Mei,” said Troy.
“Oh, please, Troy, call me Mei. We’re on neutral grounds now.”
“What does that even mean?” I asked, confused.
“It means we're in public, Petra,” she said as if I needed a lesson in royal etiquette while she ogled at Troy.
“I’m not sure it means what you think it means,” I said.
“Whatever. I’m just making conversation,” Mei said and giggled. The woman has lost it over a man. No, MEI has lost it over a man. The pickiest person I’ve ever known. The one who challenged her parents with a hunger strike because the dumplings were not to her taste. After the third day, her parents capitulated and tried tens of recipes till they found the right one. She still preferred the same recipe to this day. Mei was the one who liked her coffee a certain way and at the right temperature, slept on a certain type of pillow (the one for pregnant ladies), wrote in notebooks of a specific size and quality, and lavished herself in a twelve-step skincare night routine (she wouldn’t survive a day under Mama Nica’s steel fist.) The Mei I knew was the one who said she would never fall in love. And also, the Mei I knew just did a 180 right in front of me.
