ANEESA POV
I felt eyes on me as I hung the clothes on the line to dry, it wasn't anything new. It's what has been happening these past days ever since I woke up. You think I would have gotten used to it by now but that wasn't the case, I still feel the weight of those stares prickling down my spine in an uneasy way. Turing around, I found a group of servants on the other side of the courtyard. The moment they saw me looking back at them, their heads jerked away but I could still hear their whispers.
"I told you she was alive!"
"This is impossible!"
"What is she?"
"She is supposed to be dead? How is she alive?"
"When you find an answer to that Miranda, please be sure to let me know, will you?" I turned to face the girl who had spoken that last statement with a smile that felt colder than the morning dew clinging to the air. She shrank back with the rest of her friends, their bravado withering under my gaze.
Deciding not to be their source of entertainment anymore, I picked up my basket filled with dry clothing and turned to leave. I might have handled that pretty good but inside, what they said bothered me and it wasn't just them. Everyone was talking about, it doesn't matter where I go, there were always people watching me and whispering.
I became the center of attraction once again and I didn't like it! Aside from the gossips and rumors about me that were spoken in the castle, I also felt a sudden change deep within me. I couldn't pinpoint it exactly but it was there and for some reason, it was unsettling and also scary.
I walked faster, my basket bumping against my hip. I needed to go back to my room, I was done with my chores for the day. Madam Katerina decided to lessen my chores ever since the poisoning. I was starting to worry the others and though she hadn't admitted it, I knew she thought I might be unnatural.
Not that I could blame her for it, after all she had been the one who had almost declared me the dead! Pushing the thoughts away from my head, I decided to walk faster, going to go and hide in the comfort of my room when I suddenly collided into someone.
White linens spilled to the ground, my basket tipped and clothes scattered. Shit! I mentally cursed as I bent down to pack the clothes, an apology already spilling from my lips. "I am so sorry."
"Hey there's no need to apologize, I'm the clumsy one here."
Wait a minute, I looked back only to be staring at Flora's gaze, never in my life have I been so happy to see a familiar face. A smile appeared on my lips and Flora returned it, a genuine one, so I was going to assume she wasn't as scared as the rest.
"Flora."
"Aneesa," Flora breathed out as she stood up, "It's been a minute."
"Yeah it has." I admitted with a smile and before I could process what was happening, Flora pulled me in for a hug.
A hug I welcomed because it was much needed and I was just feeling emotional. As if she could sense it Flora stroked my back in an affectionate manner.
"Oh you poor thing." She said.
Pulling away from her, I sniffed as I stared at her. "You ever tell anyone this, I'm going to deny it."
"There isn't anyone I'm going to tell besides they wouldn't believe me anyway." Flora responded with a smile, "How are you?"
I chuckled not quite sure how to respond to that certain question. "I'm alive."
"Yeah even though you shouldn't be." Flora said and I stared at up at her expecting to see some of the fear I saw in others but Flora's gaze only held curiosity with a bit of worry, "Everyone was sure you wouldn't make it. I haven't seen that much blood since…" Flora shut her mouth, a dark cloud settling over her gaze and I was certain that something happened that she didn't want to remember.
"Well, I mean I'm glad I to be alive." I said in an attempt to pull her away from whatever dark memory she must be remembering.
Flora shook her head and turned to look at me, "Except it shouldn't be possible, are you sure you are even human?"
"Trust me, if I wasn't I would have found a way to get out of here." I mumbled going to lean against the wall, "But of course I'm completely human."
Flora gazed at me skeptically, "No human can come back from that."
"I guess I was just too determined not to die."
"Or you are an undead like the vampyres." Flora's voice dropped into a whimper.
I gave her a sharp look. "Are you serious right now?"
Exasperated, Flora rolled her eyes at me. "That's what most people are saying and there's the fact that you were with the prince for a long time and all of a sudden you show up looking hale and healthy? Something is wrong somewhere!"
Rolling my eyes at her ridiculous theory, I decided to continue my walk. "I honestly do not know what happened but all I know is I am grateful to be alive." I said as I made another turn down the hall that leads to my room, "Besides, if I have any urge to go on a blood thirsty rampage, you will be the first to know. Although there's one cocky prince I'd like to take a chunk of!" I said with a mischievous grin.
It was meant as a joke but I wasn't sure Flora understood it because her face was suddenly drained off color. "Okay that was meant as a joke but clearly, it wasn't as funny as it was in my head." I mumbled but Flora still didn't say anything. It was then I realized that she was not looking at me, she was looking behind me.
Frowning, I turned to see what held her attention only to be met with the standing behind me in the hallway, arms crossed with a bored expression on his face. Just fucking great!
"Your highness." Flora greeted, bowing her head in respect.
Begrudgingly, I did the same keeping my mouth shut. As Flora raised her head up and I took it as my cue to do the same only to meet the prince in front of me. I hadn't even heard him move.
Once again fucking supernaturals!
"Come with me." He said not even bothering to acknowledge Flora who was standing beside me.
It was an order not a request! If we were alone, I'd probably do the exact opposite. I could practically feel my legs itching to kick him in the back as he turned away! Just thinking about it made me smile.
"Oh Aneesa, I'm so sorry." Flora apologized, guilt in her eyes.
I looked at her, momentarily confused, then realized she thought I was going to be punished for what I said. Oh my sweet, sweet Flora!
"Don't worry about me, I'm sure it's nothing." She still looked unconvinced, so I added, "I'll be fine, okay? I'll come find you once I'm done and we can gossip all day."
That seemed to reassure her and I watched her shoulders relax and she mumbled, "Okay." She mumbled.
Satisfied with her answer, I gave her a quick hug before I handed her my baskets full of clothes. I then raced after the cocky arsehole who hadn't bothered to wait for me. So by the time I caught up, I was already breathing heavily.
And they think I've become a supernatural? I thought to myself feeling my frustration rise.
"Could you slow down?" I called out, "In case you missed it, I just came back from a near death experience, so my body is still recovering!"
Corion kept walking, not even turning to acknowledge me. "Your body is fine!"
I scoffed. "And how would you know that?"
"Because it was curled up against me all night few days ago!"
"Motherfu_"
I bit back the curse, swallowing my words as we passed a group of guards. Offering them a timid smile, I quickened my steps to catch up to Corion, who now wore a small, self-satisfied smirk. Bet he felt very pleased with himself.
"Where are you taking me?" I demanded as we walked outside of the gates, something I was certain was against the rules. A servant wasn't allowed outside of the castle gates. Ever!
"Corion, where are you taking me?" I asked hating the way how my voice felt vulnerable.
"Do you trust me?"
I didn't even need to think twice about that, "No!"
A deep chuckle came from Corion, "Probably the smartest thing you've ever said."
An insult was about to come out from my lips when suddenly we reached the edge of the forest, where two horses were tied to a tree. Corion walked over to a large brown mare, grabbing the reins before turning to look at me with a glint in his eye.
"Want to go on a ride?"