Chapter 5 5

Rebecca's POV

Princess Oceania's reaction changed immediately after we got to the greenhouse. A while ago, she seemed annoyed at me for urging her to bow to the queen. But all I had in mind when I did that was a concern.

The moment I set my eyes on the princess, all I could see was the late Queen, I had served since I began working in the castle as a maid.

Queen Beatrice, was the kindest Queen I had ever seen. She was so nice to all her staff. All her workers loved her so much. And when she got pregnant, we all prayed and anticipated a safe and stress-free delivery for her.

No one knew what fate had in store for our dear queen. That particular day she had her baby, I was transferred to work in the King's quarters. Which was so unusual as I was the Queen's most trusted maid.

She assured me that serving her husband was the same as serving her. I obliged since it would be just a day. Sydney was left with the queen, and she was ordered to inform the king and the midwife, who was brought to stay in the castle should the queen go into labour.

I had high hopes, I waited, praying silently as I worked. And as the day came to an end, I rushed back to the queen's quarters only to find it empty.

Confusion etched all over my face, I ran out to the courtroom, I had to report the queen's disappearance to the king. But what I saw, is something I will never forget.

I saw my beloved queen, clad in white, lying still on the floor. My eyes immediately turned teary, her baby cried loudly, by her side.

I picked up the newly born baby girl, and more tears found their way to my face. Same sparkly blue eyes as her mother.

"Oceania," I told Kiara, as I handed the baby to her. The princess was supposed to be raised within the castle, but I had secretly suggested to the King that she wouldn't be safe as a baby without a mother in the castle.

So, we had to give her up to Kiara, the late queen's sister who took the baby to a village, where no one would know who she was. Kiara was a princess then, but she sacrificed 19 years just to protect her niece.

"Rebecca... Rebecca..." I tapped her. She jerked, looking as shocked and confused as ever.

"What? I've been talking to you ever since we got here but you seem... In a world of your own," I said to her. She suddenly looked apologetic.

"Forgive me, My Lady," She muttered.

"Are you okay?" I asked, feeling worried about her sudden change of attitude.

"I am, My Lady," She managed a smile.

"Are you sure?" I probed.

"Very sure, My Lady. Thanks for caring about me," She said still wearing that sad smile on her face.

"It's my pleasure. I was talking about the greenhouse. Since it's winter approaching, why don't we start up something? I'd like to grow flowers and exotic fruits," I announced, grinning widely.

"That's great My Lady, when would you like to start up? And what can I assist you with? Would you like me to call the gardener?"

"What gardener? I want to work on these all by myself. It would be amazing, right? I'm so excited, I can't wait to begin. I'll give you a list of fruits and flowers I'd like to grow." I said, still smiling.

"My Lady, it seems you have an interest in growing flowers a lot, you look happy," Rebecca said, studying me with those eyes I'm sure had seen a lot.

"You have no idea. I've always loved plants, especially flowers. And I still can't believe I have a greenhouse. It's beautiful," I stared around.

"My Lady, your mother loved planting a lot too. This greenhouse, it was her idea."

I turned to look at Rebecca, she looked sorry for what she had just said. "You seem to know a lot about my mother," I said, startling her.

"I do know a lot about her. She was the nicest person I have ever seen. She looked so much like you, My Lady. She had the same blue eyes and her blonde curls were impossible to straighten..."

"Why did you stop?" I asked her. She smiled, shaking her head.

"I'll tell you about her another time My Lady, I'm sorry I can't say more, I... I don't want to get emotional,"

"It's fine. I understand, some other time." I nodded, already getting bored from being in the greenhouse without tending to any plants.

"Are you okay, My Lady? Do you want to go back to your room and rest?" She asked.

"Yes please," I replied and she opened the door, we walked out and were greeted by the cool temperature outside the greenhouse.

"Is there anything left for you to do in my room?" I asked Rebecca, we still had a long way to walk, before we would get to my room. She shook her head, telling me no.

"I want to be alone for a while, I promise to call you whenever I need you," I said, she bowed and walked away from me. Sighing, I turned trying to find my way back to my room.

I had almost gotten to my door when I heard the sounds of feet behind me. My first thought was to scream, but before I could do that, someone covered my mouth tightly with his hands.

My eyes widened, I stared at the most beautiful brown eyes I had ever seen. I couldn't call it brown because it sparkled, and within that short period, I had seen purple, or was it blue? His angelic face stared back at me.

I'm not the type of girl who stares at men or notices their existence. Yeah, I had lived my 19 years without speaking to any guy at all. I was not interested in men, my aunt wouldn't have even given me the comfort to do that.

Who was this handsome stranger? He was too close for my comfort but I had to admit, I loved his minty smell, his face chiselled and handsome. His striking height made me crane my neck, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe.