Everything looks silent in the palace,such peace is what am craving for. I continue my sword practice because I refuse to be the same as I was... I have to be more stronger and capable. At least if am to be an unrecognized child... I shouldn't let that be the end of my tale.
And besides if I ever get to meet my real father... I want him to be proud of me.. a loud knock interrupted my exercise
"Who is it?"
"It's me your highness!" I can recognize that voice anywhere... it's Leon! He is finally back after death escaped him and has finally being able to return to the palace. After sending him secret letters to help me find information about my father.. I hope he brings me good new
"Come in"
"Your highness...we finally me after a long time" he bowed with his face down... unable to face me
"Get up Leon...!" Yes... it's been quite a long time
"Let me remain like this because yet again I haven't been useful to you. Sky high kingdom is heavily guarded.... it's not easy to send in spies or letters in if one isn't an indigene or cross indigene..or one in possession of a prominent seal"
"Dead end!" I want to get a hold of my father before Zuma completely eradicate me from the face of this palace. I'll try to get a seal... maybe I'll steal form Zuma.
"One more thing princess... Lord Cedric is married with two princesses and a prince. But what baffles me is that he hasn't crowned any of them yet as a royal family.. neither a queen..nor royal children"
This made the entire situation very fishy...what is he trying to do...? Serious brain storming began but we thought of nothing..
"Your highness..." Hazel came in.. I was so surprised.. I never expected her to come back to me after she was punished for being careless in watching Ivory. I was in a cross fire of a war... which never came... speaking of which;
" Leon... what happened on the last war of anthill...?" I couldn't feel at ease
"I also think it's fishy. You and the other princess were one of the few casualties in the last unfulfilled war. Just 10 casualties...it just ended just like that" it seem all these was a game...but who's pulling the strings. If they were after my sister and I why would they want an information on the secret passage... something is indeed fishy... Ivory died for nothing!!
I cleared my head because am starting to feel pain.. seeing Hazel in front of me really do bring back the memories of Ivory and I
"Longest as it can be Hazel..."
"Yes princess... I hope you are doing well..? Am sorry for all these... it's my fault...if I had tried harder!" She burst into tears...this made the whole memory clear again.
That dreadful and unforgettable night... which will never make me pick flowers again or enjoy the moon darkness. Nothing good comes out of it. Lots of men in black that I can't count...for some unknown reason..they were invincible...our fight was futile...
That was the first day I saw Hazel handle a sword..she was swift..even Ivory put her skills to the fight but we were all subdued... Hazel got stabbed seriously and Leon got different deep cuts as well...
I didn't realize that tears had dropped.. merely thinking about that night had ruin my mood
"How are your injuries?" " They are long healed..but the one that's yet to heal is the loss of Ivory...she was a darling...." She was beginning to choke on her tears.
"I have decided for sometimes now to start healing and removing things that might open those wounds... which you are one of them..."
"I don't understand princess..." I don't want anyone to rely on me neither do I want to rely on anyone.. having myself in my own journey is enough...no more casualties...no more pain for other innocent people
" I want to let you go...the only mistake I made was making you sign that slavery petition...it was my selfishness... I am so sorry... I caused you so much problem" trying to conseal my emotions right now is really hard...we watched Ivory grow so it's quite hard for both of us.
"No... I won't....."
"It's not a suggestion... it's an order... I'll get you the freedom petition from Zuma" I swallowed my saliva...she looks suprised how I called the king by his name...
"Even if he acts like he doesn't care...he is still your father..." So ignorant of what went down...not everyone has to know everything. Give them action and results then it will be self explanatory.
"No he's not..." She didn't understand what I mean by that...her face has it all " let's go now!" I had no plan to reveal so much to her.
I walked down with Hazel to ivory's grave and I watched her cry like a baby.
"Princess... please forgive me...." It hurts to see her like this but I can't stop her.. I wasn't in the mood to shed any tear...the only tear I have left is the tear of joy once I finally free myself form Zuma's clutches.
"How can the king be so cruel...? Why would he suddenly replace his daughter... with bastards?" Hazel face reddened with anger... and I couldn't help but laugh...she looked at me so surprised
"What's so funny... your highness?" If she could lash out on me...she would! But she can't...not even in a facial expression.
"What's the point of crying? I stopped doing that days ago! When we were captives...she gave up her life for my silence... making hold the guilt of not letting everything and everyone burn along with her."
"Is there a chance that if you were the only captive... you'll tell them what they want to hear?" Her voice was so low because of the crying...she looked at me like a criminal...a person of treason...
"I wouldn't blink an eye to tell them. Since I can't have anthill...no one can. But unfortunately.... I didn't!" She immediately change her expression... and I know that I don't have any burden anymore... and she doesn't have any soft spot for me anymore...
"Let's go...." It's time I let anything that can stop me go finally