diplomatic relations - chapter 2
"Morning, Mama.” Simon sat down at the table, pulling his breakfast plate towards him.
“Morning, Simon,” she replied, smiling. She looked him over and nodded in satisfaction as Sara slid into her own seat. “See? I knew having you stay over was a good idea, mijo, you look so much more well rested.”
Simon smiled tightly as he shoved some eggs into his mouth. He’d barely slept, up most of the night worrying about the fact that Wille hadn’t replied to his last message (and about why he even cared). And besides that, he never slept well in the palace anymore, the big stark room felt less and less like home every time he was there.
He had, however, requested makeup for the dark circles under his eyes before he came to breakfast. Foresight. Sara snickered, raising her eyebrows at Simon.
“Yeah, Simon, you should really prioritize your rest more.”
Simon made a face at her. “Like you get all your beauty sleep every night.” He turned back to his mama. “It’s fine.”
She hummed like she was considering his denial before pressing the issue. “If they need to…refresh the mattresses or something, I can have a chat with the headmistress.”
Sara choked on her eggs and Simon rolled his eyes. “It’s fine, Mama. Everything is good, I’ve just been under a little bit of...”
“Pressure?” Sara smiled at him deviously, the double meaning obviously intentional.
Simon was going to have to murder his sister, except he absolutely didn’t want the responsibility of her position. One more point to Sara, then. “Stress.”
The Queen looked between the two of them before sighing, an indulgent smile on her face. “Okay, mis amores, I just worry about you two all alone at that school, that’s all.”
“We’re hardly alone,” Sara pointed out. “Lots of prominent people send their children to Hillerska.”
“Actually, that reminds me.” Their mama took a long drink of her coffee. “Apparently, the US diplomat has a son who will also be attending Hillerska. He’d just have started, so you probably missed him, but,” she beamed at both of them in turn, “it would be nice if you looked out for him a bit. Showed him the ropes.”
Simon’s stomach had turned entirely to lead, his food sitting heavily. She knew, somehow, she had to know, and it was all going to snowball out of control and…
Simon forced a smile, swallowing down the panic. His mama was just being kind, trying to look out for a diplomat’s kid because it was good diplomacy, with no idea that he and Simon had already met. It wasn’t even a problem at all, because it was never going to happen again.
...
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