Chapter 4 THE PRINCESS AT ATTRACTIVE PACE

Bella has grown into a very beautiful and attractive young lady. Apart from that,she was very humble, kind, understand, generous and respBellaectful. Her foster parents loved her very much. They treated her like their own daughter.

She did not even know that they were not her real parents. She was very surprised when,one day, when she was fourteen they had told her that they were not her real parents. That her life was battled,when she was a day old and was picked by the water side behind their farm.

The whole story of her being picked up at the stream behind the farm had seemed like a cooked up, for how could they have treated her that way if she was not their biological child?God, surely had a way of blessing people. Poliphate and his wife Amino had surprisingly enough decided to name her Bella because that was the name written under crown tattoo. Other than that,she was well befitted to the name,if not for anything but for her dazzling beauty.

Bella"Amino called"Bella dear she repeated,when she thought Bella did not hear her at first."yes mum be there in a second"Bella answered hurrying to go ad answer her mum. "Bella my dear, do you think you could go over to the farm and get some vegetable for dinner later in the afternoon Amino asked. Bella smiled and said why not mum ,I will just go finish up the laundry and I' will hurry up and get it before dusk".

Her mother smiled at her and said"you are so kind"mum"bella said stressing the word,and smiling"you tease me a lot. But it's true"her father said join them. The mother and daughter turned and saw him . They were not aware that he had joined them."Alright then,"Bella said giving up. She knew that in matter like this, especially with the combined; power of her mum and dad. She could not help but give up.

"Thank you so much mum and dad for being so caring.1 love you guy so much"she smiled and went to hug her mother who had already opened her hand in anticipation. That's enough" the father said and pulled her over to himself for his own hug. Amino was jealous"hey,are you gonna hug all day. Bella you still have to go to the farm remember'she said just as themselves and smiled. There were many happy families but they couldn't get happier. Prince Anthonio was pacing up and down the banks of the river. He had come here,his usual place of delight and comfort. He had refused the company of guard because he wanted to be alone. And now that he was alone he just didn't know what to do

"God help me"he thought"it has been fifteen years now since Bella's disappearence and I am not making any head way. I am letting the people who believe in me down or maybe....... wait a minute was that a voice singing"he asked himself. He became furious. Had the guard following him after he had asked them not to"he just had to find out. God help anyone he saw, he would be......./...

..He stopped short in his thoughts as he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

He robbed his eyes in an attempt to see more clearly and rubbed pepper into his eyes in the process. He had hidden among the plant in the farm close to the stream in order to spot the "sorry person"unnoticed. He did not know that he had placed his hands on a pepper plant and had mistakenly broken pepper one,so when the rubbed his hands on his eyes. The pepper ceased an opportunity to get in "Ahhh,he shouted,"help me"he fell in his knees just as Bella rushed to his side and held him"what happened"she asked kneeling besides him."pepper"the pepper got into my eyes"he explained"oh no Bella pitted"come on,I will help you"she said as she took his hands

The both of them gasped at the unfamiliar joint that cursed though their bodies at the contact of their hands then Bella led him to the stream and till his head sp that she could put water into his ear. "Are you crazy"he asked searching for the water and washing his face with it.It only peppered him the more.

He was about to splash more water on his face when she stopped him by touching his other hand."just trust me okay"she scooped up same water and put a few drop into his ear and asked him to open his eyes. He blinked twice and opened his eyes and to his delight or was it astonishment,the pain was gone.

"Thank you"he said to her, surprise written all over his face,"you are welcome she said and smiled,"so tell me, what were you doing hiding among the plants. Prince Anthonio had a good sense of humor"I was looking at you "he said, quiet sincerely.

Even though she thought he was just joking,she couldn't stop the blush coming out on her checks.she shook her head as if to stop the blush."Anyway, I am bella"she introduce"yes bella,any thing wrong."No,it just that the name means beautiful,as the bearer, anyway, allow me to introduce myself. I am prince Anthonio of the Binaglight kingdom"prince?you are a princes?"He nodded and she genuflected before him,"it's an honour to meet you, your highness"it's an honour to meet you too and hey,do you think you could just call me Anthonio at least while we are alone?"he demanded."yes your highness"."hello, it's Anthonio"he said, making the inverted comma open and close with his left and right second Fingers. "she smiled"okay Anthonio.

He smiled back and they just stood there smiling and looking into each others eyes. Anybody who saw the seen could have described it as love at first sight.just then ,a twig snapped and they turned, just in time to see a rabbit scamper away."oh my God,I forgot the vegetables"she said as she hurried to collect the vegetables,she tripped and almost fell but Anthonio stopped her by holding her waist.she was scared she was going to fall and in an effort to hold her still, their bodies was made to meet in a hug as she did so.

This unexpected act made prince Anthonio to. loose his balance and fell. She fell too,on top of him:"I am. sorry, sorry; Bella said"this is my entire fault"she apologized. "Allow me "Anthonio said and rolled over, causing her to lie on back so that he was now on top of her. Then he stood up and offered her his hand. She took the hand, saying"thank you"He helped her gather the vegetables she had come for and soon they bid each other farewell.