RAIA WAS catching her breath when she reached her end of the trail running. She can feel her legs trembling but it can't beat the satisfaction that's eating her. She stared at the horizon and smiled when the sky started to shed its color.

"Six." Raia said to herself. She took a couple of time to rest. And when she felt her breathing stable and her body relaxed, she kicked her shoes off. And then she took off her large shirt leaving her sports bra and short shorts on. She plunge herself into the water and another wave of satisfaction washed through her.

Raia's love for the sea is visible with her every stroke. She is swimming as if she's making love with the sea. And when she had enough of her swimming, she let herself float on the surface.

"Friend of the sea. It suits me." She said to herself with a smile.

The sea is her safe haven. Funny because it's like the sea always washes her doubts and insecurities away. And when she's in trouble understanding herself, the sea is always making her feel good. Easing her troubles. And when she's happy, she also tells the sea. That's how powerful the sea is for her. It became her closest friend, next to Daniel.

And after half an hour of plunging in the sea, she decided to head back to the household. And when she entered at the backdoor, some of the household helpers are already up. She quickly helped in preparing breakfast.

"Aren't you going to change first? Your shirt is wet." Julie, their senior helper, her nanny asked her.

"Later, Nana. I'll help you here first." She smiled, making the latter smile softly at her. She was used to calling her Nana since the latter raised her together with the Queen.

"Then, can you make fried rice? I'll be doing the eggs and bacon."

"Sure. That's all?"

"Then set the table after."

Raia smiled at her Nana. She took a stride and kissed her Nana's cheek. "Good morning, Nana."

Julie caressed her cheek softly and give her a gentle smile. "Good morning, Raia."

And the she went to do what she's told. Raia's every move is calculated and is graceful. As if the kitchen is her dwelling. And right after she finished, she set the table. Right in time when the princes of the household walked in.

"Good morning, Raia." They all greeted her simultaneously.

"Good morning. Have a seat please, we'll have breakfast in no time." Raia smiled at them as she continue to set the table.

A minute later, the King and Queen entered, followed by the princess.

Raia sauntered towards the three and greeted them with a smile.

"Good morning." She bowed her head before them.

"Good morning, Raia." Yvonne greeted her and went to hug her. Raia run her back up and down.

"You're wet." Yvonne commented.

"Yeah."

"Go change. And we'll have breakfast." Yvonne's gentle but commanding voice.

Raia smiled at her but do so. She excused herself and hurriedly went to her room. Upon entering, she shed her clothes in the process and when she reached the bathroom, she's already naked.

Raia took a quick shower. She didn't even bother drying her hair properly when she's done and put on some clothes. She threw her towel on the bed and went out of the room and went back on the dining area.

"And there she is, come now." The Queen motioned her to settle down. Not minding if she's seated between Treyson and Adrione. "You're going to the restaurant, Raia?"

"Yes, Queen. After breakfast." She answered in between putting food on her plate.

"Can you not spend your Saturday here?" The Queen said more of a statement than a question.

"That is a good idea but-"

"I will be at Raia today. Don't worry about it." Yvonne butted in. "Heed Mom's request. I'm sure she wants you here."

"Yeah. Listen to Yvonne. We barely see you here." Quade joined the conversation. "And if it's lazy day, your in your room or in Treyson's room. Drowning yourself on books."

Raia noticed Treyson stilled beside her. That make her frown, but didn't show it longer on her face.

"Is that bad, señorito?" Raia asked feeling a bit puzzled.

"Not that its is bad but, maybe we just want to feel your presence here?" Quade said in chewing his food. "You're like a ghost, you know."

"Nope. She's not. She's worst than that of a ghost. You can feel the ghost if it's there." North butted in. "But her, you can't even know she's here if not for Treyson's room being left open."

They all agreed to what North said making her pout.

"Stop sulking and stay here for today, yes?"

"But tomorrow is Sunday and I won't be at Raia again." Raia said audibly.

"It's okay, dear." The Queen smiled at her.

"Yeah, that's okay. And your Queen misses you." The King teased. "So stay here, okay?"

"Si, señor." Raia let out a small smile and continue with her food.

The breakfast carried on with a little talk from time to time. And when they all finished, Raia attempted to help with the cleaning but the Queen snatched her away immediately from the kitchen.

"We'll go to the garden," the Queen said and pulled her towards the door. And she didn't let ho of her hand till they reached the gazebo and motioned her to take a seat.

"And what are we supposed to do here, Queen?" She asked roaming her eyes around the garden. The Queen chuckled, making her head snapped towards her.

"I know that you hate being idle but, relax will you? Take a breath." The Queen has this knowing smile. "I know you can manage your time well and all, but I want you to have a day off from everything and be here at home. And not in the confinement of yours or Treyson's room."

"I'm sorry, Queen. I just really love the world the books has to offer that I forgot being in the real world at times." Raia said apologetically.

"I understand, hija. But I want you to be here at home from now on, okay."

Raia smiled and surrendering to the Queen's will, Raia let herself relax. And she roamed her eyes again. Her eyes playing butterfly, jumping from one flower to another. The garden has a lot to offer. From different flowering plants to different palm trees that gives the gazebo a cool ambiance.

Seeing Raia relaxed a bit brings joy to Oceania. Raia has always been a good daughter to her, being obedient and all. And what scares her is that, Raia's life revolves around them too much. It's like she can never be the same again if she was to moved out of the household.

Oceania can tell if Raia is happy or having trouble, but that would be one of the rare things to happen just by looking at her. Either Raia is not having trouble at all, or she can be that good on hiding it. And at the moment, as Oceania observes the young lady in front of her, she can't tell what's going on in her head.

But Oceania isn't closing doors that one day, Raia will lay herself bare and open her door fully on them. Even if it's just within the Quintanas.

"Is it wrong if I have a filthy mouth, Queen?" Raia innocently asked out of nowhere, not even bothering to look at the Queen.

"Filthy in what way, hija?" Oceania stared at her puzzled.

"Filthy in a way that I'm saying rude things and profanities?" Raia said and meet the Queen's gaze. "Treyson said I have a filthy mouth."

And when the Queen realized what she's saying, she chuckled silently.

"Raia, my dear, I have heard you curse a lot. And it's not you if you don't do that. But, I did tell you to tone it down, didn't I?" The Queen's tone is gentle but reprimanding all at once.

Raia felt a pang of shame and she averted her gaze and look everywhere. "Yeah." Raia answered audibly.

"That's good enough to hear. And besides, I know that you do still curse a lot but you just don't let me hear it." The Queen chuckled as if amused at the knowledge. "It's okay. For as long as I can't hear it."

"Even if I'm cursing to your sons it's okay?" A smile shadowed her lips.

"Raia, my sons are no saints. And I know them well. Even how filthy their mouth is. So feel free and curse at them."

Raia laughed at the Queen. She finds her considerate but to a certain extent. And she wouldn't want to know what will happen to her if she crossed that.

"One more. Is it wrong if I'm calling you Queen and not Mom?"

Oceania froze at what she asked. She watched Raia's face as emotions crept out of her, making her pale. Her eyes lost its sparks and lips thinned. Oceania knows what's happening. And she don't want to fall the young lady into the deeper abyss of thinking.

Raia didn't know when the Queen seat beside her. All she knew is she was holding her hand when she came back from her about-to black out state.

"You can call me any names you want, hija." Oceania said lovingly and tenderly. Making Raia look at her. And the color on her face came back in a matter of seconds. "Whatever it is that makes you comfortable. All I'm asking is a little respect from you, dear. And that's enough for me."

Not knowing what to say, Raia withdraw her hands away from the Queen and went to hug her, taking the latter by surprise. The warmth of the Queen is comforting her in so many ways. And she's always thankful that these people for being her family. For accepting her without questions and hesitations. And more than that, she was thankful that they happened to see her that day.

"Thank you, Queen."

Oceania smiled and returned her embrace. "What's there to be thankful about?"

"Everything." And she withdrew from the hug. "If not for you, I'm not here now. I'm proba-"

"One way or another, our paths will meet. And I do believe that it has happened for a reason." The Queen cut her off. "Now, stop thinking about that."

"Yes, Queen." Raia smiled, feeling a bit guilty.