Queen of Ice

Julia and her wife arrived at the commoners' public dinners. Their arrival was warmly welcomed by their citizens. “Why are you bringing me to this place?” Julia glancing at her. They decide to sit on the barstool, then sighed.

“Let’s just say... I wanted to boost our reputation as a humble couple, second... this visit will have a great impact on the sector of our local businesses, tourism, and... our relationship.” Cecilia looked at her with her cold eyes and pride.

She nodded her head slightly and sighed. “Y-your...” Julia nodding her head. “What can I get for you.” The waitress’ hand tremble as she wanted to write their order.

“I want your pie, Mrs. Louis. I heard... your pie delicious.” Cecilia inspected the menu and looked at her wife.

“Can you... tell me what milkshake is?” She asked.

Julia nodding her head. She’s gesturing to the guard to wait outside. Even though he hesitated, he nodded, then walked outside. “One vanilla, strawberry, two chocolate milkshake, and two fries and burger... I want your classic apple pie and... hashbrown, please.”

Mrs. Louis nodded her head, then poured the coffee and went to the kitchen to make their order. “What’s your first impression of this atmosphere?” She doesn’t respond. Her eyes stared into a black liquid inside her mug.

Cecilia takes a sip and her eyes widen. “Wow...” She took a sip again and sighed. A small smile on her face as the smoke from the coffee fills her lungs. Her smile was contagious, and she sighed in relief.

Julia rolled her sleeves, then grabbed Cecilia’s hand tight. She doesn’t respond or brush it off, keeps sipping her coffee until it’s empty. “This coffee was delicious... it’s a bit bitter, but... I can’t feel the acidity of the coffee.”

Julia who hears that, nodding her head. “It’s just... 1 out of 6 items you should try.” Cecilia nodded her head slightly. No conversation between them. Cecilia looked at the old jukebox.

Julia followed her, then she looked inside. “How this thing work!?” Her voice was cold and soft. The man in front of her trembling and cold sweat comes all over her face.

“Um...” Julia tapped his shoulder. Sense of familiarity with her, made he realized, he already met her before.

Julia sighed and showed the tattoo. The man covered his mouth and widened his eyes. “Julie, you’re not kidding about what you said, didn’t you?!” Cecilia furrowed her brow; she still observed their interactions.

“Oh... right.” Julia took a deep breath. “He’s... my manager in convenience store. Mr. Adam Brooks. He often called by, Brookie.” Cecilia looks at him with her cold stare.

“This machine called Jukebox... it’s not like our gramophone. It’s full of rock, blues, country, and all genres, but not classical as ours.” Julia tapped the button as she kept searching for the song she meant.

Julia played Van Moon, and she started to dance followed by the visitors who liked the song. Their happy laughter and joy filled the dinner. Without her notice, Cecilia giggled, then smiled at her.

Julia noticing her sudden change, decide to approach her “do you enjoy it?” Cecilia nodding her head leaning on her chest. “Sometimes you don’t need to follow the rules to get happiness.”

Julia wrapped her hands around her waist, and they swayed gently until the song finished. All the people clapped their hands and cheered. Julia took a deep breath and sighed.

Their eyes met. Julia brushed Cecilia’s hair with her fingers. “You look beautiful in that crop top, seriously.” Their hearts were beating in sync. Julia took a deep breath and put another coin inside the machine.

She found Blink 182’s song and played it. They kept swaying as Julia stroked her hair gently. “So... this the commoners live?”

Julia chuckled and shook her head. “They worked at 8 AM until 5 PM. They do not like us, they’re the real fighter.” She looks into her eyes; they stop swaying and stealing moments. The journalists outside without wasting any time, capture their moment on their camera.

Their eyes closed and savoring the moment as the world stopped back to them. Julia pulled herself, they opened their eyes slowly, then stared into each other. “Do you think...”

The bell was ringing, and the music stopped. The guards whispered to Julia. Julia widened her eyes and furrowed her brow. She growled. Cecilia only rubbed her back, without saying a word or asking.

Julia looked at her. “The president from another country come to visit us, and we should change our clothes.” Cecilia nodding her head. They walked to their table. “Mrs. Louis... can I eat them on the way to the airport? Duty calls...”

Julia chugged her coffee until it was empty. “Let me...” Julia put the apple pie and hashbrown inside her mouth. Cecilia burst into laughter as she looked at her face. Julia slurped her chocolate milkshake, then devoured her burger and fries.

“Slow down, Julia...” Cecilia took a deep breath and sighed. Mrs. Louis put all the food there, inside the food container and three tumblers' glasses and handed it to their guard. Julia paid for the meal, then they got inside their carriage.

No one dared to speak until they arrived at their estate. Julia got out first and rushed to the kitchen. She drinks a lot of water, then she’s glancing at Cecilia. “Do you want stay or...”

“I joined you. We should go together.” Julia nodding her head.

“I’m going to my friend’s apartment first, and I will clean myself there... we meet at the airport, okay?” Cecilia does not complain or protest. She nodded her head and let Julia leave her.

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Julia arrived together with Cecilia, who’s just got out of her carriage. Julia in her duty uniform, pulled her closer. “Journalists...” She nodded her head, then they walked towards the arrival gate.

Julia yawned, and she felt her ribs hurt. Cecilia glancing and sighed. “How many times I told you...”

“Alright. You win this time.” Julia said, pissed. The President arrived with his wife. Julia and Cecilia welcomed him.

“So... This is The Brave from The South-West, huh?” Julia chuckled and brushed it off. They walked to the carriage together as Cecilia and The President’s wife followed them behind.