I begun to observe the beauty of the flowers. They are so fragile, delicate, filled with sweet scent. The tip of my fingers touched the roses. The petals feels so soft and velvety. My whole attention was focused on them. Those perishable flowers needs someone to protect them from the severity of the cruel world. That's why god blessed them with the thrones as their knight in shining armour. I had to be careful.
" So pretty." I mumbled softly, fixing my gaze at those roses.
" Yes, just like you." Timothy hushed near my earlobe. This made me shiver, almost gave me goosebumps. I got so startled that I lost my balance. My foot got twisted, making me fall on the ground. Oh no! I'm gonna hit my head. But Timothy grabbed my body in the mean time.
" You okay?" With a worried expression he asked. His eyes were filled with concern. The rays of sun making him stand out as if he's in the spot light.
" ..... yeah. Thanks." I said while tucking the loose hair into my ear. He lets me go as I try to free myself from his large hands. Technically it's all his fault. He can't just speak into my ear. That is so creepy. Ugh!
Anyway I tried to avoid him by looking at the opposite direction. My face probably looks reddish. The blood rushed to my head from the sudden shock which caused this thing. It's not like I'm blushing or anything. I went towards the garden to observe the beautiful flowers. That was my escape plan. But Timothy continues to follow me.
His eyes were fixated on me. It keeps on burning my back although I didn't turn around my face. Soon I forgot about his presence. My attention was captivated by the lovely flowers.
" Your smile is so gentle and calm today. It's different than usual." He said to me out of the blue. Finally I had to turn my head to look at him.
" Are you implying that my smile is mostly fake?" Okay, I was irritated by him. So, I decided to talk back and be more witty to him rather than thanking him for those stupid useless comments.
" That's not what I meant. Each time I see you closely without your attention, I can feel an unknown presence. As if you're a stranger to me. Then I wonder if it's all my fault that made you change this much." His eyes were dusky. The smile on face is gone. Oh god! Is he freaking serious?
What if he found out that I'm not Lucinda?
Calm down Lizzy! It's not like he found out everything. Let's just continue being Lucinda. I need to show him some affection that's it. Or I can just take him to the bed and do my magic. He's a stupid man. His foolishness will be my biggest advantage.
" Please don't say such thing, Timothy. You know how much I love you. We had stayed separated for quite some time. Maybe that's why I feel so strange to you. It was not easy to survive in the palace. Those hardships made me stronger. Although I don't blame you for all those things. It's my fate that betrayed me." Come on dude. You better believe this shit or I'm done for. No need to act all high and mighty when I'm literally out of ideas.
Timothy's body moved and his large sturdy hands embraced me tightly.
Woah there! What the hell?
" I'm sorry Lucinda. I'm really really sorry for everything. It must have been hard for you." He literally starts to weep after burying his face on my chest.
What the fuck bro!
" Hey.... it's fine. It's fine, Timothy." I had to play the role of sugar mama. Great! My hand was soothing his back, roaming around his silky hair to provide him some comfort. I stayed silent and continued to snuggle that big boy in my embrace.
Our little walk to garden ended. We retuned back to the palace. Timothy is giving me mixed feelings. It's getting hard to control my own emotions. After all I'm not a heartless person.
I was kinda feeling down as things were taking more time. But sometimes I feel like my life in here will be short. Maybe it's just a hunch or I don't know.
Eleanor is still staying at the cold palace. She's living a decent life there. I mean she's getting food and daily necessities without being beaten up in the prison. That's not a punishment. In the mean time she's plotting up her next move. I have to think of an way before she comes back to the main palace.
Today my friend Kathryn came to visit me with her lovely daughter Rosalinda. We are at my garden enjoying the tea. The kids are playing by themselves.
" Lady Silvia's family is almost on the verge of being bankrupt. They will soon be on roads." Taking a sip of the tea, Kathryn sneered maliciously.
" Oh my! Now isn't that an excellent news." I joined her denigrating conversation with pleasure. Ah! Isn't this great? Served those bitches right.
" Also I heard that marquis is going to get married soon. In fact he's also going to marry his mistress as well."
" He even had a mistress?" I asked with widen eyes.
" You can't blame him. After all his wife is none other than lady Isabell. I bet lady Isabell used her twisted brain to get married with marquis. He was never happy with her." She was trying hard to to control her snicker.
" Yet she acted all high and mighty." We both rolled out in laughter. It feels so refreshing to talk with her.
" Indeed. I'm glad they got what they deserved." The pastry in my mouth almost fell out as I was having trouble to stop my laughter. Honestly me and Kathryn had a great time together, talking about our enemies being repaid by the karma.
" Is things going good with your husband?" Enough with the shameless bitches. I should try to sort out Kathryn's relationship with her husband. She's deserves a lot better, a happy marriage with full of love. So, I'll be her Cupid.
" Still the same." She replied with a deep sigh.
" Come on girl! Don't be like that. Try to win his heart. You're so pretty. All you need is to make him happy with your body." Pulling up my lips into a smirk, I suggested her. Men are simple. You just need to make them feel special then BAM! He will be in the palm of your hand.
" Geez! Again with that. I told you I'm fine." Kathryn tried to change the topic. She's avoiding eye contact with me.
" Sweetie don't lie. I can see it in your eyes. They long for affection." Pressing my lip inward, I told her. I was serious.
" Hah! What can I say? I'm afraid I can't get his attention. Rosalinda was born because he needed a child. We never really had a heart to heart conversation since the day we got married. Anyway let's forgot about that." Those gloomy eyes can't be hidden. She stares at her tea cup thinking about her life, worrying about the future, keeping her tears on hold. This is no time for crying or showing the weakness in front of your friend. Is that what you're thinking Kathryn?
But there's nothing to worry. I'm your friend so talk to me. Share your pain with me.
" Aw no! I want to help you." I said pouting at her. She looks glum. My intention was not to make her feel upset. But she needs to open up.
" Okay fine. You can do that later. But Lucy, may I ask you something?" Kathryn asked me narrowing her eyes. Her tone sounds hesitant.
" Of course." I said.
" I have been noticing it from the beginning. Why aren't there other maids attending you?" Huh? Well I have Anna so I don't need others. Is that strange ?
" It's okay. I have Anna. She's trustworthy so, I don't need anybody." I tried to assure her without not knowing about the true meaning of her words.
" That's not the point. Call Anna, I'll clear it up." Anna was keeping a watch on the kids.
" Anna." I called out her name and she came to us, leaving the kids in the garden.
" Your highness?" She stood in front of us with a vacant look.
" Lady Kathryn wants to speak with you." I had a feeling that I did or said something that Lucinda was not supposed to do. Let's hope that Anna can sort it out.
" Anna, why aren't other maid attending Lucy?" Raising her eyebrows up, Kathryn asked with a serious face.
" Other than me, all the maids have been following lady Eleanor. That's how it's been all these years." Anna replied meekly. I already know that. It's not new to me. But where's the problem? I'm utterly confused. Isn't it better to keep one loyal person under your wing?
" What about the head maid?" Kathryn asked with curiosity.
" She's the main culprit who's working under lady Eleanor and controlling the maids of the palace." With clenched jaw Anna stated. Her eyes had the fire of hatred.
" That's unacceptable! You can't do all the work by yourself. The queen needs more than one maid. It's like disrespecting the queen. Look at the audacity of the head maid!" Kathryn snaps out frantically after hearing those words. Her face looks rigid, filled with contempt. It was evident that something fishy was going on.
~ to be continued
So sorry guy for going in hiatus! I'm back now.