It was from Princess Fiona, what did she want from her now?
Gianna carefully opened the sealed envelope containing the Ailtonian Royal seal. That was odd. Only the reigning King or Queen could use the Ailtonian Royal seal, yet this letter was from Princess Fiona.
To Gianna Kent
I hope this finds you well. I am writing to request an appointment with you to discuss my personal health concerns.
Please meet me at the castle tomorrow morning.
Princess Fiona
That was very brief. For one requesting a medical diagnosis, she should have at least mentioned her health problems to make it easier for her. Now she didn't even know what herbs to take with her tomorrow .
Her lips grew thin and firm as she folded up the letter and put it back in the envelope. Ominous thoughts squirmed at the back of her mind. What if all this was a plan by Queen Mazarine and her daughter to get their dirty hands on her. But she had no reason to think Fiona had any ill intentions towards her, so far.
But Queen Mazarine!
The woman's name brought back painful memories. Not that she had been there to witness the things she did but her father had told her how she had made her mother's life a living hell. Her head pounded in tension, she was so confused. She just wished Hera was here, her insight had always been at Gianna's disposal and Gianna always found it useful. She closed her eyes to get a break from her real world.
When she woke up, Yasmeen had already brought her supper. She ate quickly and packed some herbs she hoped to find useful on the following day while attending to Princess Fiona before retiring to bed.
As she lay underneath the warm duvets she remembered she was married! Good heavens! She had nearly forgotten that. She had been enjoying and found peace in Kyler's absence. But how long would her peace last?
To Gianna, a little peace was better than no peace at all.
****
The dawn chorus erupted at daybreak, as the flute-throated thrushes sung their joy. Bobbing robins joined in, lilting in age old melody. As Gianna drew the curtains the cold air caressed her cheeks soothingly. She observed in the garden pond the frogs spawn glistening like mini moons. They even had the dark spots, as if to suggest they are as old and alien as the actual moon itself. It was a beautiful morning to start her day. Finally she was going to experience it once more, the right to do what she pleased.
Freedom.
Quivering in excitement she greeted Yasmeen who was busy setting the table for breakfast. After going through her daily morning routine, Gianna proceeded downstairs. Unlike the other days, Vana and Delilah were not present to spoil her day. This was certainly going to end well. She had no need to be afraid.
The coachman opened the carriage doors and Gianna entered with her bag of herbs. She felt very excited to be leaving the manor at least for a little while. She didn't want to live like a bird trapped in a cage. That's the life of a prisoner! Not for someone like her.She wondered whether Kyler would allow her to leave the manor when he came back now that she was already defying one his rules. The thought seemed to disturb her as a frown settled on her face.
The carriage doors slid open interrupting her thoughts and the coachman helped her carry the bag of herbs.
A guard approached them immediately.
"Halt! State your names and business ."
Gianna stepped forward.
"Greetings. I am Gianna Kent, here to attend to Princess Fiona,Her Highness. Would you be so as kind to show us to her quarters?"
"Of course My Lady, but you'll have to report to the throne room first." The guard said and engaged the pulley system to open the large iron gates.
Standing tall and majestic was the Kingshill Citadel, known to exist from the most ancient of days. The palace looked regal with the kingdom's flag and the many guardsmen standing still. If not keen enough, one could actually mistake them for statues. Gianna admired the refined decor of the palace, thankfully Yasmeen had splurged on an elegant dress for her to ensure she matched the palace's elegant environment.She was involuntarily drawn to the mystical palace despite this not being her first time here, despite her conscious attempts to stay away. She suddenly felt like turning back. Something was not right and she could feel it.
But it was too late to go back, the guardsman was just announcing her arrival.
The luxurious throne room was filled with jewels, silks and of course a golden throne; reserved for the Queen.
To newcomers the palace was imposing and the royal family enjoyed seeing their faces on arrival. She was confused. The royal family was treating her like some honorable guest yet she wasn't, she had expected to be received by Princess Fiona's servants, not the entire Ailtonian Royal Family except for Princess Fiona.
Queen Mazarine looked at her inquisitivelyl. Oh,why was she still standing instead of bowing like the guardsman and her coachman? That was disrespectful. She bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty!"
"Welcome to our happy place Miss Gianna, where friends are always welcome." Queen Mazarine spoke.
Friends? Gianna barely knew them. Even as a castle healer she had never seen or interacted with any the members of the royal family.
"Thank you for having us here Your Majesty."
Good Lord! When will these pleasantries end? Gianna wasn't so good with them.
"You're very time-consious Gianna." Prince Ian remarked his gaze void of emotion.
"Thank you Your Highness." Gianna said in a flat tone.
Queen Mazarine cast a look at Prince Ian and he immediately left. She also dismissed the guardsman and her coachman. Why did she want them to be left alone?
"Sit Miss Gianna." Queen Mazarine ordered.
She should have just turned back when she had the chance. Queen Mazarine was a mystery to her. She had just been nice the other moment and now...
"Do those ears serve as a decoration to your face?"
Gianna immediately took a seat.
"My daughter has been unwell for quite a long time now. Many healers have diagnosed her but have failed to cure her. Your family has a history of medical expertise. And for that reason I want you to attend to my daughter as her personal healer until she's cured."
Why would she chose her if she wanted a medical expert? Her grandma and father were probably way better than her in the art of healing having a vast wealth of experience.
"But... Your Majesty, my grandma and father are also healers and..."
"Do you disagree with my decision Miss Gianna?"she raised a brow.
"No Your Majesty. It's just..."
"Good. Now let me clarify this; you don't stand a chance to disobey me as your Queen. As you're well aware, my word is law! Put your best efforts in helping my daughter and I will see to it that you are compensated adequately." The Queen had a rather spiteful look on her face as she addressed her.
What had she gotten herself into? Now there was no turning back having brought herself to the palace, right into Queen Mazarine's grasp. Perhaps she should just have respectfully turned her down .
"I don't even know what Her Highness is suffering from Your Majesty. "She tried to reason with her for the last time.
"Oh, don't worry. Fiona will tell you in detail." The Queen smiled for the first time since Gianna had met her, a rather triumphant smile. It was only now that Gianna noticed how young and beautiful she looked. It was hard to believe that she was actually Fiona's and Ian's mother.
Ringing the bell on the side of her throne a servant rushed into the throne room.
"Your Majesty."
"Escort Miss Gianna to Fiona's chambers." She ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The servant bowed and turned to Gianna;
"This way my lady."
The male servant led the walk along the quiet hallway and up several flights of stairs. He was walking very fast and Gianna could hardly keep up with his long strides.
Gianna stopped. Her legs were already tired and she was scared walking in the dark eerie hallways and ascending stairs with a stranger. They had already ascended several floors already yet it seemed like they were still far from reaching her quarters, whichever part of the palace they were located. The servant seemingly noticed her halt without looking back. He stopped momentarily.
"Her Highness's quarters are located on the castle's attic." He explained and resumed his walk. Gianna hurriedly followed him, he was super fast and didn't seem the least exhausted.
Candles became increasingly scarce as the walk continued. As she strolled through the last hallway where the servant had told her Princess Fiona's chambers were located, she began to feel some sort of dejavu. She felt like like she had been there or at least a certain part of it. But when ?She continued to walk, more questions asked in her mind but still none answered. She began to feel a bit of anticipation, feeling like something would happen but she did not know where or how or even what would happen.
The seemingly never-ending hallway had black tiled floors that shined in front of her.Gianna glided her hand across the white cement walls. The red hallway ceilings were decorated with different mythologies. The male servant came to a sudden stop in front of a large door.
"This will be all for now. You will take it from here My Lady." He said and turned to leave.
He couldn't just leave her alone with the cold princess. Not that she trusted either of them but she just feared the cold princess more.
"Wait please." She called behind him but he had already walked away and was now out of sight!
The fact that she was to face the princess who suffered from what the heaven's knew better alone ignited a spark of fear within her.
Suddenly, a door opened behind her and she nearly fainted as her knees began to judder. The princess was supposed to be in her room, then who had just come from the other room and was now standing behind her?