Chapter 3 2.

(Five years before.)

Maya stood in front of her dressing mirror, comb in hand as she arranged her hair, a small smile plastered on her face while humming a tune to herself. The sun was high in the sky, and she could hear the birds singing in the trees, branches swaying in the gentle breeze. A perfect day to go on a walk and pick herbs, her favorite thing to do. Braiding her hair neatly behind her head, she let a few tendrils run free. Fixing a bow on it, she let out a sigh of satisfaction, pleased with herself.

A knock came on the door, and it creaked open, a middle-aged woman peeking her head in. Her eyes found Maya, and her face lit up in a smile.

"I see you're getting ready for your walk, my princess," she said as she walked in. Maya turned to her, her smile growing wider. "You should have called on me; I would have helped you get ready," she said as she helped to brush off the wrinkles that had appeared on her dress.

"I'm no longer a child, Nanny Naomi. I'm perfectly okay with taking care of myself," Maya said, picking up the basket containing the things she would be using. She noticed the parcel Naomi was holding, and her eyes glinted. Already she could guess what was in it.

"Dressing you up is the job of a maid, princess. You shouldn't be doing that by yourself," Naomi continued in a gentle but firm voice.

"And we don't have anyone with us. Besides, you have way too much work on your hands. I don't want to add to it by expecting you to come early in the morning to dress me up."

Naomi's eyes flared in disagreement, but she didn't speak again. Indeed, there was no one in this huge villa except her, the princess, and the stable keeper. Helpers came from the palace from time to time, but they never lived here. She stretched out the parcel in her hands instead.

"Here, I baked some cookies for you. You should eat them when you're hungry," she said. Maya collected them gleefully, placing them in her basket. Then rushed to give her a hug, wrapping her arms tightly around the older woman.

"Thanks, Nanny! You're the best!" she said excitedly. Naomi stiffened but didn't pull away. Instead, she patted the young lady's back, a gentle smile on her face.

"You don't have to thank me. It's my duty to serve you, my princess," Naomi replied. Maya rolled her eyes, pouting.

"I'll still thank you anyway," she muttered. It was Naomi's turn to chuckle. "I'll be leaving now..." Maya announced, walking ahead with her basket in hand.

"Okay, my princess. Don't stay out too late," she called behind her. Maya nodded. She reached the door and paused as if remembering something, turning back to Naomi.

"Nanny, are there any updates from the palace?" she asked.

Naomi seemed to think about it for a while, her brows crinkled in thought. Then she spoke up. "Oh... The second prince of Madonia will be visiting soon."

Maya nodded, partly satisfied. "There weren't any invitations from my family? No inquiries?"

Naomi shook her head sadly. "None, my princess," she replied.

A look of sadness crossed her face, but it quickly cleared. She managed a smile. "Okay. I'll be leaving now." With that, she turned around and walked away from the room, her footsteps quietly dissipating.

Naomi let out a sigh, feeling sorry for her. It's like the Royal family has forgotten they kept a child at the villa they built for holiday purposes. Not surprising if you consider the instances of her birth, but it still didn't make it hurt any less. After all, she still had royal blood flowing through her veins, and she didn't ask to be born. Blame that on the king's promiscuity, having an affair with a maid while having a queen.

She shrugged, shutting her mind to it. It was none of her business. Her job is to take care of the princess. And that she will do.

.

.

.

Maya walked out of the villa, and it didn't take long for her to approach the forest. Knowing this place like the back of her hand, she hummed as she walked, letting the bright atmosphere soothe her troubled mind.

Frankly, she wasn't surprised there were no invitations from the Royal family, but it didn't stop her from asking. Since her mother's death nine years ago, she'd been living in the villa with her nanny. At first, she'd lived in the village, oblivious to her status, but her mother's worsening health had forced her to seek her father, the king of Madonia.

He barely acknowledged her as his daughter, even though the resemblance was there. But he also couldn't deny her because everyone knew of the affair that had happened between him and her mother earlier.

The queen took the information even more terribly. Memories of the Queen screaming to have her killed for trying to bring something dirty to the palace filled her head, causing her heart to hurt. In the end, they brought her here, away from the world, promising to bring her back to the palace once she turns sixteen.

Maya shivered, swallowing the lump in her throat. That is six months away. She didn't know if she should be terrified or excited. She shook her head, chasing those scary thoughts away. She busied herself with picking herbs and flowers, munching the cookies that Nanny Naomi gave her. It didn't take long for the smile to be back on her face, her heart light.

She was in a really good mood today due to the vast amount of rare herbs she was seeing. If she gathered enough, she might have Nanny Naomi sell them for some money. Nanny Naomi never approved of it, but it was something she loved doing. Plus, it reminded her of her mother.

She checked her basket and discovered it was full to the brim. Her hands were dirty, and she needed to wash them. Luckily, the river wasn't too far away. She picked up her basket and began heading towards the river.

It didn't take long for the river to come into view, its surface glistening as it flowed gently. Maya watched, enthralled before lowering herself to wash her hands and proceeded to wash the herbs. As she did, she glanced around. Her eyes caught something, causing her to freeze.

Something was sticking out of the water. No, not something. Someone. Surprised, she stood up, taking steps back. Her heart began racing as she walked closer, wondering who it was and why they were here. The clothes on him were torn, and he had sustained multiple injuries. But even as he lay there unconscious, she couldn't help but notice how beautiful the person looked.

Unconscious? What if he was dead? That thought in her head, she dragged him out of the water, laying him face up. He wasn't breathing at all, and his body was cold; her heart began racing.

She checked his wrist, her heart pounding in her chest, desperately hoping for something. And she felt it, a faint pulse... So faint, it could almost go unnoticed.

He's alive. Barely, but alive.