67 Chapter 67. Cold and indifferen

Shirley stared at Aeinshia with wide eyes and Aeinshia felt even more guilty for raising her voice on her. But, she can't afford to let Shirley convince her to go with her. She knew. Shirley was oddly very persistent and insistent, when she felt that was right. 

Aeinshia always let her have her way, because she believed her and trusted her. Shirley only wanted her safety, never her harm. 

"But, princess. I always accompany you. You know, how much fun we have on our trip. Why..." Shirley was speaking with a desperate tone, but was cut off again by Aeinshia. 

"No, Shirley. This time you are not coming with me on my journey." Her tone was stern and full of authority. Shirley was getting irritated. Her face was getting red, with the already pent up frustrations and anger as of late. And Aeinshia keeps on adding more to her plate. 

She won't back down from this.

She already ending up not getting any useful information from Aeinshia's side. Now she has to work more and should find information about the Duke. After all, there should be no mishaps and the ambush should be perfect to not to encounter troubles. And after working hard, these three days are her way to relieve her stress and spend some time alone with her along with her thoughts. These are the only three days, when she doesn't have to worry about planning, acting, plotting and to live a life of getting suspected if she let's her guard down and instead just to enjoy with her true self with the nature. 

It's not that they are afraid of causing troubles. In fact, challenges and troubles are such exciting things for their troop to enjoy in the mean time of their missions. But the timing isn't perfect yet. It's not time for them to show their faces yet. If not all the years worth of planning will be ruined, which they can't afford to. 

"No, princess. I can't let this happen." Shirley blurted out in the heat of the moment but, immediately regretted it when a glare was sent her way. She racked her brain for a immediate an excuse and an apology, but her words seem to be cut off by the intense stare on her. 

"Maid Shirley. What am I hearing? Are you declining my orders?" Aeinshia questioned her with a raised brow. 

Now, Shirley was definitely doomed. Aeinshia has always threatened with words like these. But, they never were serious words but just bluff. They were both of teasing and playfulness. Shirley always knew, they were just a joke but, she acted all panicky and teared to make the princess guilty and gain more of her sympathy and care. 

But, the words that were used right now, were far from the jovial threats and playful teasing. They were serious. It seemed like she would throw her into manors prison forever, if she dared not comply her orders right now. 

Everything was new. And she didn't like the feel of it. This meant trouble. A worst trouble. She thought, this was temporary. But, this seem to go beyond everything. It even crossed her line of patience. 

Aeinshia's personality change shows the failure of their plans. And, they couldn't afford this at this time. When they were going to take a big step. 

"I-I'm sorry, m-my p-princess. I didnt mean it like that. I always take care of you. How are you going to take care without m---" Yet, again, Shirley was interuppted. 

"I'm not going alone" Aeinshia said, ignoring the ready eyes of Shirley and the shake in her voice with the stuttering. She has to be strong and stand on her decisions. And, she will. Even, if it means to hurt the ones she cared for.

It doesn't matter it was herself who is hurting her loved one's. Because, according to her losing the life of her loved ones in front of her eyes is way more better than simply hurting them with mere words. She knew, those mere words cut wounds sharper and deeper compared to physical wounds and the pain is also big. But she believed it was for their goodness sake and didn't want to indulge in this topic anymore. 

Shirley frowned at this. Not alone. With whom she is going to go? Is she going with the royals? But, she always goes alone? What in the name of hell is going on? 

"Alone?" She questioned out, unconsciously. Aeinshia now frowned, with an annoyed expression forming on her face. Shirley panicked, she couldn't predict her expressions and her moods anymore. 

"Yes, I'm not going alone. And that's enough information, you need to know." She said, sternly and him tog annoyance in her voice. Aeinshia was getting irritated with the nosy behavior of Shirley. 

Yes, she cared about Shirley. She was doing this for her safety. But, that does not mean, she has the right to question her every word. Its okay to pry, when she feeling low or worried or sad. But, being nosy in every matter is unnecessary and annoying. 

Shirley was speechless. Just what the hell happened right now. Aeinshia indirectly dismissed her. She didn't know what to do in this situation. 

Till now, she was the one who was controlling Aeinshia. Her emotions, the way she feels, everything. Behind the close doors, she manipulated her emotions and the way she thinks. But, with this one statement, her hard work of many many years, went down the drain. 

A tear drop slid down Shirley's pale colored cheeks. Adding a rosy color to both of her cheeks, from the hesitation and aggression building inside her.

Yes, that was correct. Those tears are from the pent up anger and rage inside her body and not because of Aeinshia's behavior. She did anticipate such changes already. It's just things changed more faster than she expected they would. Well, but it did hurt her little heart. 

Aeinshia's guilt was stabbing her right into her heart. When she see the tears were now flowing down freely down Shirley's cheeks, it was like a knife was churning and pumping out all the blood inside her chest. She felt awful. Very awful. 

Yet, she kept her expression neutral and measured. She has to be tough. Its for Shirley's own protection. She can be the bad person, if it was meant to save someone innocent person's life. 

Shirley was hurt and angry now. She touched her cheeks to wipe off the tears, which she was using to make the princess guilty and feel awful but, was failing badly. 

Shirley now, clearly understood. When her tears were not doing their magic, then no matter what she tries, she would never get the sympathy of Aeinshia and make her agree with her. 

Right now, it would be better if she gets out of here. She didnt want to annoy her more. After all, she is her head maid and she has a lot of chances to convince her. 

I'll make sure, you agree with me, you ungrateful bratty princess. Shirley never backs off. You better watch your back. Cause from now, I won't be that lenient towards you. I'll make sure, you experience a living hell. 

Shirley completely wiped off her tears, while voicing her thoughts inside her head so, that they firmly settle down in her heart. She then, lifted her slightly red eyes to only, meet with the side profile of the cold, indifferent princess. It was the first time Shirley felt that distant vibe from Aeinshia. 

Shirley's jaw locked and her teeth grinded against each other, unconsciously, while gazing the arrogant and changed princess in front her. She controlled her emotions and expression and slowly, stood up.  

"I apologize for offending you, Your Highness, Princess Aeinshia. I hope you will accept my sincere apologies. I'm really shameful and regretful on stepping par my limits with you. I deeply apologize." 

Shirley bowed down, while conveying her words. She let out the last words, through her gritted teeth. 

I'll get you for this, my princess. 

Aeinshia didn't reply. She was just mixing her own business, while mentally breaking down. 

"How can I behave like that with Shirley? I know I'm doing this for her own safety but, is there any justification, as to why I should be and am acting this rude and insensitive towards her? She was always grateful and loyal to me. And I'm repaying her this way? I should be ashamed of myself, not her." 

Aeinshia continued to blame herself. Even though, she doesn't want Shirley to come with her, it doesnt mean she had to be this tough. She could always tell her nicely or try to let her know, what really is happening. 

Of course, she didn't mean to tell her the truth. But, she could tell that she was going with Evan and Felix and that would be enough to shut her up. 

Then again, she knew, Shirley took this journey as a vacation for herself. She always looks forward to this journey with her. And, one thing was for sure, Shirley would definitely try to persuade her. 

Inside the store room of a restaurant:

"I wish to meet black shallow of death, " The guard politely asked. He is the guard who evasdropped the royals conversation, who came to leak the information to his leader.