Despite its relatively small size, the White Cat café was a popular hangout spot for the locals. Not only because of its delicious cakes, but also because of its strategic location that allowed visitors to see the white beach and the vast blue ocean. This place was usually packed to the brim, but since it was 10:00 a.m. on a weekday, the café was quite empty.
Once they entered, Lydia immediately fell in love with its cozy atmosphere. The predominantly white interior, the gentle jazz music playing in the background, the potted plants at the corners of the room, the faint sounds of laughter and murmurs. She absolutely loved it.
She looked around for a bit and found empty seats near the back of the café. A perfect spot to have a private conversation while enjoying the picturesque view. Lydia waltzed through the tables, the chairs, and the people to eventually arrive at her preferred seats. Elara followed her closely behind.
A cheesecake for Lydia, a tiramisu cake for Elara, and two cups of espresso.
While Lydia was busy gushing over the magnificent views and taking countless pictures with her phone, Elara looked at her surroundings. There were some minor differences here and there, but for the most part, it was still the same café that she knew and loved. However, she couldn't shake the eerie feeling that she felt the moment she set foot in this place. She felt like she was being watched. But she didn't want to make Lydia worried over nothing, so she brushed it aside.
Lydia leaned over to show Elara the pictures that she just taken. "Elara, look! The views are fantastic, aren't they? These are easily some of the best pictures that I've ever taken in my life."
"...Yes, these are amazing photos," said Elara.
Lydia paused for a bit. She tilted her head to the right and looked straight into Elara's eyes. "You have something on your mind, don't you?" said Lydia as she sat back down in her chair. "Spill it! What's up?"
Elara grabbed her left shoulder and avoided Lydia's gaze. "No, it's nothing. It's just a stupid feeling. Don't worry about it."
Lydia took a sip of her hot espresso. "Nah, you can't lie to me. I can read you like a book. You are worrying about something." She took a spoonful of cheesecake and ate it.
"No, I just--"
"Holy shit! This is good. Elara, you should try this cheesecake," Lydia squealed in excitement. "Oh my God, this is the best cheesecake I've ever eaten in my life." She ate another spoonful and then closed her eyes, savoring the heavenly sensation in her mouth. Once the blissful moment passed, she looked back at Elara and said, "No, it's not 'nothing.' If you have something that bothers you, just say it. We can decide whether or not it's stupid later. So, a penny for your thoughts, young lady."
Elara let out a big sigh. "Alright then, listen, ever since we entered this café, I feel like I'm being watched. See? I told you it's stu-"
"Oh, you feel it too? I thought it was just me."
Elara was dumbfounded. "What? Really? You also feel like we are currently being watched right now?"
"Yeah," said Lydia as she gulped down another spoonful of cheesecake.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I thought it was nothing. Not something worth talking about."
"What are you talking about? Somebody here was probably watching our every movement. Are you okay with that?"
Lydia took another sip of her espresso. "Listen, Elara. I'm a princess. Since the moment I was born until the day I die, people have always been, and always will be, looking at me. Some stare at me with admiration, some are filled with disdain." Lydia put the spoon back into the half-empty plate and leaned back in her chair. "They watch everything I do, everything I say, and everything else in between. So I'm pretty much used to strangers' gaze. Not that I like it, though. I mean, that's why I prefer to spend time alone in my room."
Elara couldn't find a word to reply to that surprising statement. She could only look at the young lady in front of her with a mix of pity and admiration. "But, don't you think it could be dangerous?"
Lydia let out a tired smile. "Of course. That's why we can't leave the Palace without an army of security personnel."
"So what do we do now? Do we stay here or shall we move on?"
"Let's stay here for a while, Elara." Lydia turned her gaze toward the view of the blue ocean. "This is my first time here, and I want to enjoy it for as long as possible." She turned her attention back toward the cheesecake. "Besides, I don't think they realize that it's really me, you know? Maybe they just think that they see somebody who looks like the princess," said Lydia as she ate another big spoonful of cheesecake. She then picked up her spoon and pointed it toward Elara's dessert. "If you don't want that tiramisu, I'll gladly take it from you."
Elara chuckled. "No, you dessert hunter. It's been quite some time since I last ate this tiramisu, so get your hungry paws away from it."
SNAP! SNAP!
The sound of a camera, followed by giggles and murmurs.
Elara immediately looked at Lydia. The princess froze. Her smile vanished. She didn't want to ruin their fun moment, but she knew she had to say it. "Come on, Lydia, finish your cake and drink your coffee. They could post that picture to social media, and it'll be bad for us. We don't want people to know where we are, right?"
"... yeah. You're right." Lydia took one final spoonful and drank the rest of her espresso.
At the same time, Elara gulped down a huge chunk of her tiramisu cake and chewed it as fast as she could.
Seeing such an absurd scene unfolding in front of her eyes, Lydia couldn't help but laugh out loud. "What are you doing? Slow down, girl. I don't want you to choke on the tiramisu. Take your time, jeez."
With a mouth full of cake, Elara said, "We need to hurry. You go to the car first. I'll follow you after I finish this damned cake and pay the bill."
Lydia still couldn't contain her laughter. "Alright, alright. Jeez, you're a mess." The princess got up from her seat, took her bag, and walked toward the door.