I found it so hard not to lose focus, the news I just heard still baffles me and I would not stop thinking about it.
Or maybe I didn't hear their conversation well. Maybe I was too quick to jump into conclusion.
"What's wrong? You look so perturbed" a maid faced me.
I shivered.
The news was so shocking that this lady could tell I was disturbed. I have to keep Poema's secret safe- no one just hear about this apart from me.
Prince Wilder must truly love her, if not she'd be dead by now. No man would hear such news- that his wife was pregnant with another man's child and still shower her with love.
'But who is the father of her child?' I pondered inwardly.
As I reminisce about their conversation- which I accidentally happened to eavesdrop, I felt a sting in my chest.
Didn't she trust me enough? Was our friendship delusive? Tears covered my eyes and were about to pour down freely when I felt someone tap my shoulder.
"Kaia" the maid who questioned me earlier called.
Darn..I was so lost in thoughts that I didn't even remember to respond to her. "O-oh..I'm sorry" I muttered awkwardly.
She glanced briskly at me then her cute
small lips parted, "You were so lost in thoughts. Are you fine?"
Her eyes were filled with concern which soothed my soul, "I'm good". My voice betrayed me badly but I hope she doesn't notice at all.
"The prince's wife summoned you" she responded sharply.
My pupils contracted in shock and anxiety; multiple questions ran through my mind which sadly, I didn't find answers to.
Of all the questions that raged in my head, two made me more concerned- why she summoned me and whether she knows I already found out her secret.
This two questions were the main deal.
"Kaia" the maid waved her hand across my face.
I pinched myself for drifting into my thoughts again. "Got it" I managed to say.
She eyed me awkwardly with an expression that made me feel like I was insane.
After that, she left.
I rubbed my palms together then brushed them off over my skirt.
….
My legs trembled which I found to be very awkward because I don't even know why I'm so scared.
"Kaia" Poema dashed towards me with a bright smile.
For a while I concluded that lucid dreams, I mean why was she so happy to see me? She's probably gonna be the next Queen but i'm just a mere maid.
She paused in front of me, still with that happy smile but for some reasons, I had the feeling that she was just putting up this act to make me think she likes me or something.
A trap I definitely won't fall into- all she can do is to try but she'd eventually fail every step of the way.
"I miss you" she pouted holding my shoulders.
I scoffed inwardly, as I ensured that I perfectly hid my anger at the moment. It's a shame I trusted her this much.
She won't have kept such away from me if she truly considered me as her friend.
Without responding, I shoved my legs backwards which made her hand fall into thin air. Poema glanced at me sharply then moved closer to me again.
As the space between us closed, my heart raced faster, my grip on the tip of my dress also tightened.
Forcefully, I went on my knees before her, then bowed, "I shouldn't be seen with you"
"Kaia, drop the attitude, who cares about them? I won't neglect my bestfriend because of anybody" she said eagerly.
I sneered, "You're now a princess, I'm just a lowly maid who has nothing to offer you".
I ensured that as I said all of that, my head remained bowed. Her hands touched my shoulder and before I could realise what was going on, she had already stood me up to my feet.
She responded, "Where is all this coming from?" Her voice cracked as she asked me that, I could feel her sincere hurt.
'Didn't my words hurt her that bad? I didn't mean to' I told myself inwardly.
"I'm sorry Princess Poema" I stuttered.
"Kaia, did I do anything wrong? Did I offend you? Why won't you talk to me? You're acting like you don't know me" she rushed her words with earnest curiosity.
Each of her questions stabbed my soul mercilessly. The fact that she was really good at acting. I felt betrayed and cheated, I have been lied to all along.
I could take it anymore, my struggle not to let anger control me was becoming futile with each second that passed.
My fist remained clenched and it hardened even more in a flash. My patience finally exploded and I yowled in frenzy of rage, "Too bad my acting skills aren't as good as yours!"
She stared at me blankly which I apparently disgust, "Don't look at me that way Princess"
"And yes, I don't know you anymore Princess, I don't have to act..".
"Did I do anything wrong? I'm sorry, please forgive me if I did" she said heartbroken.
But I know better, it's all part of her plan and schemes all along.
"It's not me..it's you. I'm sorry, I mean it's not you, it's me" I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
My eyes darkened, her presence here already irritating me, "Tell me princess, am I not good enough for you? Do you think your secret isn't safe with me? Or do you perhaps think I'd expose you to the Queen and King?"
Her eyes narrowed and she appeared to be shocked. Yet again, I didn't buy her tricks.
"Secret.." she stuttered, her lips and hands shaking.
"Yes, your secret, I finally got to know thanks to the argument between Pronce Wilder and you".
Poema tottered backwards causing her to call to the ground. She appeared stupefied by my words.
Her heart raced and I heard loudly the sound of her heartbeat. "How..do you kmow?" she asked as she clutched to my leg.
"Oh, you think I wouldn't know?" I replied disappointed with the response she gave.
"No-no, I didn't tell you because I was scared to tell you. I didn't tell you because I was planning to take my life but things went out of my power. I kept this from you because…I didn't know how to face you
I'm sorry Kaia, I didn't know I hurt you instead. I was stupid to have kept this from my bestfriend" she sobbed.
My heart softened when I heard that, "But you should have at least told me".
"I'm sorry" she sobbed hardly.
I bent to her level then patted her back softly as I asked, "Who is the baby's daddy?"