"Helen, Helen". A firm voice echoed in her ears and she forced her eyes open. "It's time to wake up child, the sun is already up." Her gaze landed on a mysterious figure besides her. Helen tried to recognize the lady who was now caressing her hair softly, but her blurry vision couldn't let that happen and maybe because it was really dark.
" Come on . Break fast is ready" . The lady stood up , strolled towards the door and pulled it open allowing in a sliver of light from the narrow corridor . Helen's eyes adjusted to the sudden light as she took in the mysterious figure before her. "Dina". She sat up on her bed ready to know why Dina was still home.
However, Dina locked the door behind her before she could finish her sentence. 'Why was Dina still home?.' ' And for how long has she been sleeping." Helen wondered as she scratched the back of her head.
Gingerly, Helen swung her legs over the side of the bed but a sharp pain shot through her lower back making her gasp . " Ahhh" , frustration etched on her face as she rubbed the sore spot. Lifting all those buckets of water had clearly taken it's toll . " Helen, hurry up child" . Just then , Dina's voice pierced the air from the kitchen. "Coming ," she yelled back.
She straightened her posture and scampered to the kitchen trying so hard to hide agony. "There you are, come sit here". Dina's face lit up at Helen's entrance earning a grateful smile from her. " Thank you Dina" . Helen appreciated the gesture before settling into her seat next to Dina.
" Here, try some." Dina filled the plate with her fresh pancakes and offered it to Helen.
"Morning Helen" Thomas's eyes met with Helen's who was now feeling awkward at her morning appearance. She was only picturing how messy her hair was all ugly in a way. "Ughh" The thoughts alone made her cringe she didn't even realize that Thomas had seen her facial expression.
"Uhmm, Are you okay , Helen." Thomas looked back at his plate a little bit disturbed with her behavior. He was only greeting her.
'oh no , that was an inside thought.' She panicked. " I'm fine. I just uhmm....." She hated explaining herself and instead changed the topic.
" Are you on a break? I mean, you didn't go to work today ." She asked but Thomas kept on with his business as if nothing had happened. This made Helen nervous, how could he ignore her like that . She bit her lip to suppress the embarrassment with her fists clenched under the table.
" Today is different. I have to help Granny with her palace duties." He finally spoke up and Helen felt relieved. She wasn't ready to go on with any conversation he brings up but the mention of the palace some how piqued her curiosity .
" Did you say palace?", she sat upright in her chair. " Why ask?" Thomas looked at her with a raised eyebrow. ' Wow, so rude' Helen leaned back to her chair but his responses weren't going to stop her. " I_ I'm just curious of what this work of yours is about at the palace."
"I'm in charge of taking care of the king's garden dear and Thomas gives me a hand .You know, my old age ." Dina answered and Helen was even more confused now. " If you're a worker there, shouldn't you be living at the palace ?"
" Hey". Thomas snapped at her. "My Granny isn't a worker. She is the best florist in the kingdom that's why his highness chose her." He added . " I'm sorry l didn't mean it like that". Helen apologized her gaze settled on her plate. Dina noticed her change in expression and glared at Thomas sharply who only looked away with an l don't care look. " Actually Helen " Dina touched her shoulder softly. " I'm not a palace worker because if l were , l wouldn't be allowed to stay outside of the palace. I only stay in the gardens and carryout my activities there."
Helen looked up at Dina with revived excitement in her eyes as an idea popped into her head." Can l please go with you?"
" What" Thomas almost yelled but Helen cut him off. He couldn't ruin this opportunity for her. "Please Dina, l can help you with anything. I know a thing or two about flowers." Helen pleaded with Dina who probably didn't like the idea." I'm not sure about that dear". She caressed Helen's cheek trying hard to make her understand. " Please Dina. This will mean alot to me." Helen gripped Dina's hand in hers.
Dina thought of an excuse but the old lady was just so nice to say no to anyone most especially the pleading ones like this before her. " Alright, go freshen up. It's almost time".
" Yayyyy" Helen shrieked happily." Thank you, thank you so much" she leaned in and planted a swift kiss on Dina's cheek before running off to her room like a young girl. Dina was left in a haze still admiring the young lady's actions. "She reminds me of Clara" The old lady said her gaze still glued in Helen's direction but onlyearned a scoff from Thomas. " She looks nothing like my sister."
Dina looked back at her broken grandson only to feel great pain and pity for him . Luckily, he was playing with his food at the moment, he didn't notice his grandmother's gaze glued at him.
********
Soon after, Dina met with Helen at the door step all dressed up as though they were attending a ball at the palace. " Helen". Dina called and she turned to her with a brilliant smile on her pretty face . " Come, the coachman is here." Dina made her way past Helen and strolled to the white couch that had just parked infront of their house.
" Coachman?" Helen was amazed. It all felt like one of the many books she had read about princes and princesses. She held both sides of her skirt and ran towards the coach. " Come on in already" . Dina who had already settled called Helen with a help of hand.
Helen held the front of her skirt so that she can not step on it and she settled in as well. Once they had made themselves comfortable, the coachman closed the doors and moved back to the white horses.
" Wow, Dina isn't this amazing?" Helen asked .
" Of course it is Hel....." " Oww" Helen almost hit her head forward when the coach started moving but Dina helped her before she did. "It's okay, you'll get used". Dina assured her earning a slight smile from Helen who was now impatiently waiting for her arrival at the palace.
Silence then filled the air as Helen stared at nothing in particular busy making pictures in her mind of what she expects the palace to look like.
However, it wasn't long after all when Helen felt the coach slow down and she turned to Dina who was already expecting a question from her. " Yes Helen, you can move out now". Helen didn't even wait for her to complete her words when she opened the door and hurriedly stepped out of the couch.
She smoothed out her skirt and looked around her gaze landing on an all white structure huge enough beyond what her estimations could be. " Wow" ,she said her voice below a whisper. " It's beautiful, isn't it" Dina asked only to have Helen nod helplessly. " This way please" , One of the two perfectly clad guards in their blue and black uniforms ordered and the two followed.
Every thing about the palace had piqued Helen's curiosity and she was more than willing to explore each and every room in it...