Ellie was in a royal carriage while the soldiers were behind her and some were going forward with their horses. They had reached the central area where the commoners stayed. Everyone lowered their heads as they saw the royal carriage approaching. The princess's carriage was different from the queen' so they could guess it was the princess. Many tilted their heads to peek at this princess who was lucky enough to be adopted by the king.
"She's really lucky. She must be a kind lady for King Lucid to adopt her."
"Yes you're right!"
"But I want to see her face."
"Her face is covered. Can't you see?"
"She must be a damsel!"
"I want to get married to her."
"Stop dreaming! Commoners don't get married to Royals!"
As the silent whispers were turning into loud chatters, Ellie's mind were filled with ways of helping Amir. She did hear some things but didn't mind it at all, but her ears caught something. 'She must be a kind lady for King Lucid to adopt her.'
'Kind lady huh?!! I'm not. All I've caused is trouble. I wished they never knew me! I'm a horrible person! A horrible person!' She screamed in her head. Her eyes were already pooling up in tears but she needed to control herself. She couldn't break down in front of these people!
They were getting closer to the former Arora's mansion. It was not a difficult task as the soldiers knew the residence of all the nobles in the kingdom. For some reason, Ellie's heartbeat increased it's pace as they got closer. Why is she feeling this way? She only feels anxious when something is about to happen, whether good or bad. Is it something good?! Should I be worr -
She couldn't complete the sentence in her mind because the carriage abruptly stopped. They were here! The place she used to call home. Is this why she was feeling anxious? No? It's more than that.
Her maid stepped out of the carriage and placed a stool for her to step on. She carefully stepped on that stool and got down. Her heartbeat increased and she could almost hear the sound of it beating so fast. Is this fear?? 'No, I shouldn't feel scared. They can no longer hurt me!'
With renewed determination, she breathed in and out as she walked closer to the huge gates. Few guards were standing guard outside and a bitter smile flashed across her face. Though, her face was covered with a veil no one could see it. It wasn't a norm to have her face covered but she just felt like doing so today.
The soldiers assigned to escort her stood behind her. They were anticipating for what she would do next so they remained calm.
She stood before those huge gates and instructed for one of the soldiers to come closer. It was Cyrus, he understood what she meant and he nodded.
"The princess of Davish would like to take something from this residence." Cyrus said and the guards immediately nodded, they wouldn't dare defy the princess's orders! They opened the gate and Ellie hesitantly stepped in. She removed the veil off of her face and everyone present could now see who she was. To the ones who knew her they gasped and to the ones who didn't recognize her, they only admired her beauty.
Soon enough, the people living in that residence stepped out and Ellie clenched her fists tightly. It could be evident in their eyes that they were shocked and didn't expect to see her this way. They recalled how they treated this same princess and the shocked expression was replaced with terror. Was she here to get her revenge? gods we're in deep trouble!!
"Greetings your highness!" They bowed respectfully and Ellie had a smirk painted on her lips. If she didn't know who these people were, she would have sworn that they really changed. They were only pretending to like her now but after she's gone they'll begin to curse her. Well, it didn't matter anyway because she no longer considered them family. They were strangers to her now, just like every other commoner, so, what they say wouldn't affect her.
Her eyes caught sight of someone. It was her grandmother. She was the only one who she could still call family. She fought countless times for her, she would always stand by her side whenever she's being partially treated. How could she not love this woman??!
"Grandma!" She spoke as she embraced her in a tight hug, ignoring the other people who bowed to her. They don't deserve a bit of her attention. This woman was the only one who had protected her, she had taught her many things at such a young age and that was why she knew if someone was pretending or not. She could easily see through someone through their countenance.
"My dear granddaughter. Are you...alright?" She said with light pants. Ellie could understand she was getting old but she didn't look well to her. Were they also neglecting her? This old woman too?!!
"I'm fine grandma but you don't look alright." Ellie said with concern in her eyes. It was evident that this woman was not okay and yet she doesn't look like she gets proper rest. Now this is what made Ellie angry that she actually wanted to do what her father had said. Throw them in the dungeons! If at all her speculations were right and they weren't treating her grandma well, then she wouldn't hesitate to feed them to the wolves. When it comes to her Grandma, everything comes second.
"I'm okay my dear. It's nothing serious."
"No! You don't look okay. Did they do something to you?!" She asked, she was getting angry that her grandma was denying the fact that she was not okay. Giving her further ado that they indeed did something to her.
"I'm okay, nothing's wrong. I'm getting older and my time is almost getting close." She said and Ellie just nodded. There was no use arguing with her anymore. She's not going to leave her with this monsters anyway.
She turned towards the people she despised the most and then spoke. "I'd like to visit my mom's garden. I hope it's not a problem?" She sarcastically asked. She knew they would never object to what she says or does but it does feel good to see these mighty people trembling by her sight.
"It's not a problem your highness. You can go there anytime you wa -"
"There's no other time. Today's the last day I'll step foot here." She said coldly and walked towards the garden. They followed her alongside her soldiers. She couldn't help but reminisce herself in the past. She remembered coming to this place when she was a kid. This was her favourite place to be at. She would always have her morning tea with her mother and sometimes with her father. She remembered playing in the cold rain while her mother was looking everywhere for her.
"Helena! Where are you now?" She heard her mother say and hid herself between the swings, she stopped herself from giggling out loud.
"I can't let mother find me or she'll forcefully get me back inside." She whispered as she got drenched in the cold rain. Not knowing, her mother had already seen her tiny figure and a smile curved on her face.
"Helena! If you don't come out now, mother would be upset and she won't talk to you." Her mother stated and little Ellie silently gasped. She didn't want her mother to get angry at her so she gulped and got away from hiding. Her mother was all smiles as she saw her little girl drenched in rain.
"I'm sorry mother!" Little Ellie apologized and her mother engaged her in a tight hug. Both, getting drenched in the rain.
"No need to apologize."
"Really?" Little Ellie said and her mother nodded.
"Then I can play in the rain just for today." She said and her mother nodded in approval saying the words, 'just for today.'
Ellie could remember herself and her mother playing in that rain and the aftermath later resulted into a fever. Her mother would get worried while her father would playfully nag at her, telling her not to step out when it's raining. Well, little Ellie being her, wouldn't listen even after experiencing many fevers, her parents would only sigh and shake their heads. Their daughter sure was stubborn.
Thinking about these memories from the past made a smile curve on her her face. She remembered always playing in the cold rain and later result into a high fever. Maybe that's why she had no resistance over rain these days. After both her parents left her, she never liked to get drenched in rain. It always reminded her of the past and that feeling of being alone took over.
Cyrus noticed that the princess didn't look alright and asked. "Your highness. Are you okay?" He asked pulling Ellie from her train of thoughts.
"I-I'm fine." She said, assuring him.
"We've reached the garden. I'll inform my men to start the search." He informed and Ellie nodded.
A chair was placed for her to sit but she politely declined it. She couldn't sit and watch when Amir was in danger. Also, when they were arriving this place which was a few hours ride as at was far from the palace. Only she knew how many times she had wished to teleport and just get here already, and now that she's here she couldn't sit. She was already feeling anxious on her own, sitting would only add to her anxiety. She patiently waited for them to conduct the search as she wouldn't be allowed to do it even if she wanted to. She paced back and forth, praying silently that the plant would be found.
While she was lost in her own thoughts, she didn't notice that someone was approaching her, and most of her guards were searching for the plant and didn't pay her much attention as they were sure she'd be alright.
"You look worried my dear. What is it you're looking for?? I might help you." The voice said and Ellie momentarily freezed. This voice, she knew this voice. It was one voice she despised the most.
She snapped her head towards the source of the voice and the disgust was evident in her eyes.