Sophie avoided Axel. In the morning, she would wake up early and help Flora make breakfast. She'd take a walk afterwards, and then she would ask Flora to go to the capital to buy something, only to prevent seeing Axel. The only time they saw each other was during breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Axel, on the other hand, was getting fed up. He had tried with Sophie several times, but she would always end the conversation. She didn’t want to talk to him and it was giving him hell.
What could he possibly offer her to make her talk to him again? Flowers? Chocolates from the Capital? New dresses? Jewelries?
They had been living together, but the only thing he knew she likes was flowers. He can’t ask Sophie himself, so the moment Sophie and Flora went back to the Palace after going outside the castle, he asked Flora instead, since they were always together.
“I need a specific answer, Flora.” Axel rested his head on the back of his chair. He summoned Flora on his office. “What would Sophie like as a present?”
Present? Flora’s brows met. The Alpha’s giving her grace a present? Is it her birthday?
Flora tried to think about a thing or two. The Alpha was busy at work, so he wasn’t always at the Palace. He was probably too shy to ask her because they still hadn’t made up…
Wait. Is this present The Alpha’s talking about is for pleasing My Lady?
“These days, My Lady always talked about make up. Those are materials used for beauty enhancing, Alpha.” Flora remembered. “But if you would give her that, she might misunderstand it.”
“Misunderstand?”
Flora nodded. “My Lady might think you’ve given her make up because she does not look attractive enough for you.”
“Nonsense! She’s the most beautiful for me!”
“Yes, Alpha.”
The Alpha touched his forehead. “What else?”
“She likes flowers, Alpha.”
“I already know about that, Flora. Think of another one. I can’t keep sending the same gifts everytime.”
Flora fell silent for a moment. She was still thinking. Her Grace wasn’t really a materialistic person. The only thing she remembered she liked were flowers and make up, she couldn’t recall anything else beside that.
“She liked the dress you gave her.” Flora said when she remembered. “She wore it on her coronation.”
Did she? Axel breathed hard. He couldn’t even remember. The only thing he did was she looked beautiful that day. Nothing else.
“Okay. Dress, it is. Anything else?”
“How about you take her out on the Capital, Alpha?” Flora suggested. “Sophie mentioned the other day that something has been bothering her. Perhaps, taking her out would do. You know, even if she avoids you, she can’t say no to you.”
Indeed. Because whenever he asked her to join him eat together, she couldn’t decline.
Axel nodded his head, before he sat straight. “Alright, Flora. Thank you. You’re dismissed.”
Flora smiled at the Alpha, before she turned around to leave. Now that she had given him the idea, the only thing that’s left to do was plan it. And that’s exactly what Axel did after Flora left the room.
Sophie, at the same time, when Flora suddenly vanished from her sight, was on the kitchen. She was supposed to also help Flora cook something for dinner. But whilst she was washing her hands, she disappeared.
She’ll probably be here soon.
Sophie started crushing the garlic, before she proceeded with the onions.
They were going to make Axel’s favorite. She was the one who came up with the menu. She noticed Axel wasn’t eating much lately, so she wanted to serve him his favorites. Just this afternoon, she asked Flora to go with her at the Capital to buy ingredients and meat.
Sophie peeled the carrots and potatoes afterwards, and sliced it. She didn’t know how to cook it, but Flora did, so she would just help her instead. Sophie sliced all of the necessary ingredients, including the pineapple, and put it all beside the stove so Flora wouldn’t need to move while making it.
“My Lady, I apologized.”
Finally, Sophie heard Flora’s voice. She turned to her back to see him. She was still wearing the same clothes. Nothing seemed to change about her. Sophie’s brows formed a line.
“Where did you go?”
“I was summoned by the Alpha, My Lady.”
Summoned by the Alpha? Why?
“Did you know why?”
“It was nothing, My Lady.” Flora smiled to her and walked. “You’ve already finished with your part.”
“Yes.” Sophie answered.
She was curious. Did they talk? What did they talk about? He does not usually call her. So, why would he need her now?
Flora started putting the pot on the stove. Sophie was just behind her, looking at what she was doing. She knew her grace wanted to ask, and she would love to tell her that the Alpha cared so much about her, but she’d rather not spoil the Alpha’s plan.
Flora distracted Sophie by telling her how to cook Alpha’s favorite dishes. She even allowed her to mixed and taste it. She also taught her how to measure the condiments. Sophie, for a while, forgotten about it.
They both finished at seven-twenty. Flora served the plate and cutleries, whilst Sophie went to her room to take a bath. She did not know the Alpha was there, so when she opened the door, she didn’t expect him.
Sophie took a deep breathe, before she walked towards her closet.
“Until when are you going to avoid me, Sophie?” The Alpha asked.
“I’m not avoiding you.”
“Then, let me come with you at the Capital tomorrow.”
Sophie halted. A bait?
“I’m staying the house tomorrow. The other day, maybe. Why?”
“Flora told me you need to buy something.”
Indeed, she told Flora that the stock of her favorite make up will come tomorrow, so she’d come again.
But is that what they talked about? What for?
“I can get it the other day.”
“I doubt that. That thing you wanted so much has a high demand. Tomorrow is your only chance.”
What, Flora told him even that?
“Fine.” Sophie stood up. “You can come with me, Alpha.”