Chapter 10
Serenity shook her head to clear it. It must be a coincidence. She must have imagined their voices. Was she homesick?
With a start, she realized that she had reached her favorite alcove in the rose garden. She needed to relax. So she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. She breathed in the lovely aromatic scent of the wild roses. The breathtaking aroma engulfed her and she smiled. She felt warm, her worries and fears melted away.
With a happy sigh, Serenity sat down on the wooden bench in the alcove.
This was it. This was her most favorite place in the world. And she sat like that for a few blissful minutes, taking in the beauty of the roses and he greenery surrounding her.
This place was truly paradise. Picturesque snow capped mountains surrounded the castle, but were quite distant. A lake lay to the left of the castle, nestled within an old forest.
Raye had told her a lot about the surrounding area. About the villages that surrounded the castle, about the festivals that they hosted, and about the beautiful landscape around the castle. She was very proud of Endymion and all that he had done for the people under his rule. Especially for the poor villages surrounding the kingdom. Serenity didn't care much for Endymion, but she eagerly listened to all of Raye's tales.
Raye had taken charge of her daily "lessons" ever since that hallway incident with her brother. Serenity wasn't sure whether this was his decision or if Raye had kicked him out for the time being. However, she had happily welcomed Raye as her new teacher. Anything to be rid of the confusion that her brother brought.
So for the past few days, I had been getting history lessons about the kingdom.
Raye thought it important that Serenity know about the disaccord in the kingdom so that she would understand why my healing powers were so important. They hadn't touched on any of the important present-day issues though.
It would be time for her lesson soon. Serenity was looking forward to meeting Raye. She was happy that she had given Raye a chance to be her friend. It felt good to know that she wasn't completely alone in a strange world.
And maybe she should give her brother a chance as well. Maybe he wasn't so bad. She could at least talk to him. Give him a chance to explain his feelings. Yes, maybe she could make a new friend.
Happy with her decision, Serenity relaxed just as she heard footsteps coming her way.
She sat up just as two maids materialized, one carrying her tea while the other held her biscuits.
"Here you are milady" they chimed together.
"Ahh…perfect. Thank you" Serenity smiled.
With a nod, they backed out of the alcove, leaving Serenity to enjoy her tea.
Serenity took a sip of her tea and felt the warmth run through her. With a few more sips, her head felt cleared.
"This is bliss," she Serenity.
Serenity was about to take another sip of her tea, when she heard voices. She realized it was the two maids who had brought her tea. They were on the other side of her alcove, hidden from her view.
She smiled; they were a lot more chatty now.
"Where is Linda? She's usually the server, I haven't seen her as of late," asked one of them.
"Oh I hear she's taking care of the Prince. She was bragging to all of us about how she satisfied him, just 4 nights ago," gossiped the second maid.
Serenity's hand froze with the teacup in midair.
"She always latches on to him. It seems that he favors her," stated the first maid.
"It would seem so," replied the second maid, her voice a lot more distant.
And silence followed. They were too far away for Serenity to hear now.
With shaking hands, she drank her tea.
Four nights ago? Serenity sipped her tea. That was the night they had met in the hallway. She took another sip.
Despite the warm tea, she felt cold. Numb. But she was eerily calm.
Maybe it was the tea, or maybe it was the fact that she had always expected this in the back of her mind. He was a prince. Used to getting everything he wanted. So why would one woman be enough for him?
She should have known. She shouldn't have fallen for his words. Actions speak louder than words, don't they?
She hadn't changed at all. She was still the same girl who gullibly fell for men with false promises and charms. She had been used all her life, as a bridge to her vast wealth. Men always had an ulterior motive. Her wealth. And now, this Prince was playing with her feelings and emotions like a toy. Nothing had changed.
Well not anymore. She would be stronger.
As Serenity finished her tea, she set her teacup on the bench and stood up from her seat.
Who needed new friends anyways?
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