CORA

CHAPTER 3

The day was dragging by slowly, I had just returned from the meeting with my father. He was so relentless in making sure that Belrom was brought down to ashes. His hatred for them runs so deep and I understand why. But then I think it's time for him to let go.

Few minutes ago

“We need to start another raid to get them all out” King Castor said.

“But father..” prince Castor started but was cut off by his father.

“No buts. You and your men will do as I say”

“No father. This is wrong. This people have left Winslow and are not a threat to us. We should move on and let them be” the prince tried to reason with his father.

“I won’t rest until I have wiped them off the face of the earth”

I was so angry I walked out on him. He was taking this whole thing too far and I couldn’t stand him right now.

My father was hell bent on destroying them. I was so tired had to relax a bit. I tried to sleep but a knock on the door brought me back to reality.

"Who's that?" I asked a little bit offended

"It's me" the feminine voice replied.

It was Phoebe. I wondered what she wanted by this time of the day when she should be about her daily chores.

Phoebe was gradually becoming a pain in the ass, she felt like she owns the place too. I've seen how she talks to other slaves like she wasn't a slave too. I was thinking of getting rid of her but she was so damn good in satisfying me and she had no replacement yet.

Till I find someone who gives me as much pleasure or even more as she gives me, I'll endure her excesses.

"Come in" I shouted.

Phoebe walked in like she had a mission of seduction on her mind, I wasn't cut out of what she was thinking.

"What do you need?" I asked. I noticed her reaction , she was now fidgeting. She was expecting me to fall for her game of seduction.

Unfortunately for Phoebe I wasn't in that mood. I had other things going on in my head and she I need to rest.

"I.. I wanted to know if there's anything you wanted me to do for you." She said and I knew it was a lie.

“No Phoebe, I am fine. If I need you I’ll send for you” I replied. She must have noticed I wasn’t in the mood so she turned immediately to leave.

“Phoebe” i called out and she turned back like she was excited and expected something else and was disappointed when I said the reason I called her.

“Let Gaia know I won’t be having lunch with my father tonight”

Phoebe looked quite confused but didn’t interrupt me. I had always had breakfast, lunch, and dinner with my father, but after our little argument I didn’t want to share a space with him to night.

“I’ll be having Grilled meat and Honey balaclava with frappe and should be brought up to my room” I ordered.

“Yes your highness” she said and left.

“Hmmm...What a relief” I mumbled and then dozed off.

CORA’S POV

It was finally my birthday, I woke up super excited. What a city I was yet to get down from the bed when I hit the knock on the door.

“Come in” I said.

Aunt Thea and Uncle Evan came inside beaming with smiles.

“Surprise!!!” they both chorused.

Showing me the loveliest dress I had ever seen. It was so beautiful.

“Happy birthday Cora” Aunt Thea said.

“Thea had told me how much you want to see the city of Winslow, so get dressed, we are taking you round town today” Uncle Evan said.

“Yaaaay!!!” I shouted in excitement.

They both left and left me to change up into the beautiful gown they brought for me.

My day was just starting and I was going to enjoy it to the fullest.

I quickly rushed my bathe and put in the yellow floral dress they got for me, with a pair of flat shoes. It for me perfectly. So I stepped out of my room.

“Wow wow wow” Aunt Thea shouted was wondering why she shouted.

“It’s a perfect fit” Aunt Thea added . The dress hung on to my body like a second skin, it showed how perfect my curves were.

“We should get going” Uncle Evan said

We went round town, I got to see beautiful houses far bigger than that of aunt thea’s. The city was so beautiful like my parents always said. I know they’d love to live here again, but that might never happen.

Aunt Thea and Uncle Evan met with some of their friends and started chatting with them and so I continued sightseeing. I saw the palace. It was so beautiful, mama told me how beautiful it was and how she worked there as a maid before she got married.

I was lost in the beauty of the mansion o didn’t know when I bumped into someone. I looked at who it was and I saw a-tired looking woman, she was elderly, a lot more older than mama.

“Child you should concentrate on where you’re going” the woman cursed.

“I’m sorry ma” I said then bent down to help pick the supplies scattered on the floor.

“I’m Gaia, what’s your name” she asked

“Cora” I replied.

“You don’t look like you’re from around” she said

“I can help you take this home” I volunteered trying to change the topic and it worked. Her face lit up immediately.

“Thank you. I will appreciate it” Gaia said

Gaia led the way and to my greatest surprise we entered the part that led to the palace gate.

“Do you live here?” I asked.

“I work and live here, I have been the royal cook for decades now” she replied.

I tried to hold my excitement. I would be seeing the palace today.

When we got tot her gate, there were guards. Gaia entered and I tried to buy one of the guard blocked me.

Gaia turned back and noticed I wasn’t following her anymore, she then told the guard.

“She’s with me” and he let me enter.

The palace was so massive and beautiful. I wished o could live on a place like this one day. There were guards almost everywhere. For a moment I paused to look at the building properly.

“Come this way Cora” Gaia shouted

I quickly ran to meet up with her, She led us through a beautiful garden at the back of the palace filled with a few of people who were busy.

“They must me helps” I thought.

“Cora come in” Gaia called out . I had gotten lost again.

I entered the room she called from and it happened to be the kitchen. There were maids running around the kitchen too. I quickly dropped the supplies on the wooden table. While Gaia was putting out some of the items a woman of almost Gaia’s aged walked in and drew Gaia out. So I was left standing alone.

I noticed a guard speaking to a lady,like he was passing a message. I didn’t also fail to notice the stares and whispers, and I felt a little bit of discomfort.

One of the maids, she should be my age mate or a bit older than me came over to where I was standing. She was the same one the guard spoke to few minutes ago. She followed the guard almost immediately with plates and she was back.

“Hi I’m Maia, Gaia’s daughter” she said smiling

I could see the resemblance, she shared the same color of black hair with Gaia, just that Gaia had some grey hairs.

“I’m Cora” I answered returning her smiles.

“Are you the new maid?” She asked.

“No. I was just helping Gaia with the supplies, they were so heavy” I replied.

“So sweet of you” she said reaching out to me for a hug which I reciprocated.

A loud voice made us to pull out of our embrace

“Maia”She shouted.

“Yes Phoebe” Maia answered as the lady drew closer to where we were standing.

“You worthless piece of s**t, you have nothing else to do other messing around with your fellow pigs” she said.

Maia was trying to explain her self when the lady gave her a slap. At this point every other persons attention was our direction. Gaia who was outside rushed inside to see what the commotion was all about. I was enraged, how could she hit her like that.

Gaia came over to defend Maia and the lady tried to hit her too, I got pretty defensive and grabbed her by the hand and pushing her to the ground. I could hear cheers but I didn’t care, this woman had to be put in her place. Gaia quickly rushed over to me and pulled me up from her.

“Let go of her Cora please” Gaia pleaded

I stood up letting the lady free, she quickly stood up and dusted herself.

“I would deal with you all” she said as she scurried away and everyone burst out laughing including Gaia and Maia.

“Thank you” Maia said

“It’s nothing” I replied

“No it is indeed something, Phoebe is always like that simply because she thinks she’s the prince favorite” Maia complained frowning.

“It’s okay” I said with a pat on her back and then she held my left wrist.

“Where did you get this from?” She asked curiously.

“My mama gave me” I replied.

“This is very rare, you must be very special to have this given to you” she said smiling.

“My parents always told me how special I was” I replied.

I was beginning to feel uncomfortable with the way Maia was staring at the bracelet, I didn’t want her to ask me anymore questions, I had to leave and besides Aunt Thea and Uncle Evan would be looking for me.

“I have to be going now” I said.

So I rushed out of the door i came in through, without giving Gaia and Maia the opportunity to say goodbye. I was in so much hurry I didn’t see the horse galloping towards me, by the time I realized it it was pretty to late.

“This is probably the end” I thought.

But was surprised when I felt a strong grip on waist, pulling me out of the way. My heart was racing so fast. I collided with the hard surface that shielded me from the horse and the ground. I turned around to see you my savior was and I saw the most beautiful pair of blue eyes and I was lost just as much as he was too.

I quickly came back to my sense.

“Thank you” I said and dashed out of the gate.

I met Aunt Thea who looked worried. I rushed to her side. She immediately hugged me with relief.

“I’ve been looking for you, where have you been?” She asked looking worried.

“Please don’t scare me like this again please” she said.

“I promise I won’t” i said giving her another hug.

Aunt Thea and I went to meet with Uncle Evan who had gone in another direction in search of me.

“I’ve found her” Aunt Thea shouted drawing Uncle Evan’s attention to us. He met up with us and I could tell he was worried too.

It was such a long day and so we went home. Back to my bed all I could think of was the pair of blue eyes I saw back in the palace.