Poema's POV
Prince Wilder's earlier question lingered in my mind, "Do you know each other?" I could barely get that out of my head.
Actually, I do know her but, the moment our eyes met, I suddenly felt cold shivers of guilt rushed down my spine. Probably, she is mad at me- which is quite understandable.
Kaia had always been a nice friend to me- always very supportive towards me- her, dream since like forever was to be one of Prince Wilder's concubines; but I ruined it.
As I carried the fork to take gentle bites from the cake before me, my hands shook with fear. My mind isn't settled, that's because I'm caught up in different problems.
Kaia, Prince Wilder, Prince Killan, my unborn child. So many things are at stake at the moment -my life is too.
A drop of tear slid through my eyes and I blinked immediately, he mustn't see me crying. He just can't. I wiped the tears off stylishly, with my earnestly hope that he wouldn't notice but he did anyway and my heart began racing once more.
"Is anything the problem?" His voice interrupted my train thoughts.
My mouth went mute, dry and even lost of words. I was completely dumbfounded at the moment. "N-no" I shuttered helplessly.
"You don't sound fine," he said.
I pinched my wrist then forced a wry unreal giggle. "I'm fine Your Highness" I said making sure this time, I don't stutter and my voice is completely flawless from revealing burden I feel right now.
"Ok then" he said, his voice laced with disappointment and dejection. I heaved a sigh then silence followed.
As I ate in silence, his earlier question about whether I and Kaia knew each other haunted me.
Suddenly, he touched my hand, sending cold shivers down my spine. Sweat covered me as his touch reminded me of Prince Killan's touch on every corner of my body that night.
His face made way through my head uninformed, I felt quick waves of jittersr ush down my chine. I gulped hard, real hard.
My hands slid off Prince Wilder's hand, an involuntary action caused by nosy thoughts of Prince Killan crawled idly in my head. Prince Wilder faced me with a raised brow. I doubt he would listen to my 'Everything is fine' lies this time around.
I hope he doesn't notice the sweat all over my face and my shaking hands. "You are not fine!" He raised his voice, though not in an angry tone but one laced with so much care.
"Your Highness" I started, as I endeavored to comfort myself then continued, "I'm fine, just that.." I paused, my brain completely empty- without lies to tell.
"What's that?" He asked, "Or would you go on a ride with me?"
I first heaved a sigh mixed with relief and excitement. Prince Wilder won't bother me with questions anymore.
My heart leapt in excitement, I've been wanting to go on a ride on the Palace horses and I would today. Who knows, maybe one of this days would be my last, the more reason why I should enjoy every moment to the fullest.
The first time I saw a horse was when I was about the age of nineteen, it was though a dying horse. My poor aching heart sank at the thought of it.
His voice penetrated into my thoughts about the horse. "What?" He paused with a furrowed brows on his face then continued. "You don't want to?"
"No Your Highness, it'd be great to go on a ride with you" I shoved in a bright smile.
"Oh" he heaved a sigh and then we both chuckled.
An awkward silence ambled in between us, filled with stolen glances until he voiced. "You need to wash up first and also dressed in the finest and we can't go now, it's against the tradition".
'What tradition?' I thought then raised a brow, or perhaps I was missing something but I can't place my fingers on what it was. Bit wait a minute, it was something similar with me and Prince Killan, when I asked that we go for a ride.
I decided not to press any further, "Your Highness" I gulped, then he faced me. "Mn?" Prince Wilder mumbled.
Out eyes interlocked with each other's but I broke it almost immediately, "Why are you being nice to me?". His eyes softened even more, his hands already on my shoulders.
"You're my wife" he caressed my forehead then planted a soft kiss on it. "Today, Heaven and Earth would seal our marriage vows" he said and I chocked on his words.
"Marriage vows?" I furrowed my temple, "Yes, or did you forget our wedding is today?" He asked, a corner of his lips twitched.
Before I could say something or even tell a lie to justify myself for not remembering it was our marriage union today, he yelled. "Maids!".
Almost immediately, as if staged or planned, two maid rushed in, their heads bowed and hands pursued foward. "Give my wife a good bath and the best makeover".he ordered after which he placed his hands behind his back then left me with the maids.
I bit the corner of my lips, "Damn!" I muttered a curse. How on earth could I have forgotten such an important day? But then, how could I not forget? There was a million justifiable reasons why i could forget.
The declaration was just too sudden, that at first, i thought it was a prank. Even now, I still have doubts so I won't let my guard down. "The bath is ready" one of the maids stood before me then bowed interrupting my train of thoughts.
I smiled lightly, more of a fake one, because I wasn't used to the attention and spotlight I was given. They led me to where I'd have my bath. As I entered what was described to me as the bathroom, I couldn't help but marveled.
My lips parted as I mouthed a 'Wow', as I admired it's gorgeous features. It was so alluring and stunning nothing had ever seen before- Not in my twenty years if existence.
Compared to the maid's quaters, it was more of a public bath, it was bigger and had only one door, the main door.
It wasn't even tiled compared to here, now I see why every lady wants to be a concubine to Prince Wilder. I understand perfectly why they all envy Dove.
The bathroom oozed wealth. Although, I'm a chamber maid, but never have I had the opportunity to clean such a beautiful place. It was tactical glittering.
"Here" one of the maids pointed to a bowl contained with water, "What's that?". "A smaller pool?" I rushed my words.
"It's a bathtub, you have your bath in it. We prepared a hot water bath" the other replied.
"You may leave. Thank you" I said.
They both bowed and left.
I pulled off my clothes, my tattered, filthy maid's dress. 'Life as a maid here, is bad' I thought to myself then entered the so called 'Bathtub'.
After I was done, I took the towel then wrapped it around my body to dry. As I was about to turn the door handle, my eyes met with my reflection from the mirror.
"Beautiful" I muttered. My smile grew as I said that, all my organ must be shocked, because this is the first time I called myself that.
Today, I believe Kaia's words, I see that I'm beautiful. It was as if I've been blind for a long time now because if not, I'd have known long ago that I am Beautiful.
A new surge to boldness rushed through my blood, and every corner of my goddamn body. "You've got this," I whispered to myself then opened the door as I exited the bathroom.