22

My death was for seen, I had used my magic before I'm not sure when I pushed too hard or went to far. It could be something else and that's what they are blaming it on. I had always known at some point I would die but natural causes would be a first for me.

I stayed in bed for almost a week. Then Peter got busy. He stopped coming as he had done before and I was by myself again. I decided I was going to start going out. I went out to the orphanage my brother had opened and I spent time with the kids there. I started reading them books and bring them treats once a week. No matter how limited my time might be I decided to use it. Peter never joined me but it brought me joy watching the kids play and reading them books and be surrounded by there laughs and happiness. They still had hope in their eyes, they didn't realize I was the queen to them I was just a noble who came to visit and brought treats. It was a saving grace for me. I started teaching them how to read and write. I also was able to use my limited healing magic to help them when they got sick. I bought a little house near the orphanage and started staying there.

Peter had given me permission to stay there while I was waiting for me to either heal or die. I told him that he should find someone knew to love and start a family with. I spent a lot of time cooking and gardening and then being with the kids. I dressed like a commoner as I once was. Not even the adults running the orphanage knew I was the queen they thought I was in my room being treated by doctors that's what everyone was told. It made it so they allowed me to help with things such as laundry and helping with dinner and lunches for the kids. I became good friends with the women running orphanage. She believed I was simply from a poor noble family and had run off to avoid getting married, that's why I was able to use magic but still able to live by myself. The woman's name is Sarah she was always very kind to me and the children. She has fawn brown hair and dark green hazel eyes. She ended up moving in with me so that a priest could stay at the orphanages house while he was visiting for a mission trip. He would be with us for 1 year and was sent by the king to keep an eye on me but nobody else knew that. He had a guard from the white wolf with him and he was the person who used to be my personal guard. He understood that his job was just to watch over me and keep me safe, while not telling anyone who I am.

We all ended up spending day after day together, teaching the kids how to sword fight and self defense and how to read and write. I had started to cough up blood every now and then but I hide it from everyone. I knew they would freak out if they knew. I started coughing up blood and collapsed one day. The king came as soon as he heard. He dropped everything he had to do when he got the priests message sent through magic and was there within a few hours. He didn't even take a carriage since he was scared that would take to long. I laid in the bed and he made it to my side. A carriage arrived about two hours after him. He was adamant that I would go back with him although nobody at the orphanage knew what he was talking about when he said I needed to return home with him.

I could hear all the noise outside when the carriage arrived. Everyone outside excited hoping to get a glimpse of the king or queen not knowing I was living amping them all that time. I had been there for 6 months before my condition worsened, I smiled and laughed more in these 6 months than in my entire time alive. The carriage stopped outside of the orphanage and a crowd appeared. Nobles in the area all came out dressed up as much as they could be. They brought their daughters hoping one of them might become a mistress or future queen and raise their own standing. They waited outside the carriage to great whoever it was inside. Nobody came out.

The priest said I was finally stable enough to be taken back but that I might not make it to the castle. It would be risky.

"Can we go on one last picnic, it was Zach's favorite thing to do."

"Yeah one last picnic is ok. Prepare food." He commanded.

Nobody at the orphanage knew who he was to bark orders. They watched two people appear from the shadows in white wolf armor. They were some of my magicians.

"What kind of food do you want. We can get chocolate cake from your favorite bakery." The one said.

"Please, that and tea." I said.

The crowed outside was even louder as they saw the knights come and go. Peter took me to a room and helped me change. It was a dress made for the queen. It was purple and white.

"It'll be just like old times. Going out on picnics like when we first started seeing one another."

"Yes it will." I said and smiled at him.

I did my best to walk on my own. The kids in the orphanage were all inside confused on what was going on. I walked out of the room and one of them said "wow you look like a princess."

I smiled. "Thank you."

"Iris what's going on? There is a royal carriage outside." Sarah said.

The priest and knights bowed.

"Please stand, I want to have a normal day like we have for the past few months please." I said.

"As you wish my queen." Peter said as the other stood. "Say the word and it's yours."

"Would you all like to join our picnic? There is a nice field right by here filled with flowers."

"Can we, please we'll be good." The kids all said.

"Ok." Sarah said as she came next to me and held a basket in one arm and put her other arm around mine. "You can lean on me if you want."

I smiled at her and took her arm. Peter sent more people to make more sandwiches. We all walked out of the orphanage through the back doors and went out the field. I sat there and watched the kids play.

"What's actually going on Iris? Are you ok, and what is with all this?" Sarah asked.

"I'm sorry, I'm sure this is all a shock to you. I left the capital when I found out I was sick after my sons death. I knew I didn't have more than a year left to live when I first started coming here, so my husband the king bought me this little house. He assigned the priest and knight to watch over me and give him updates on my health. I know how much this place meant to my brother when he founded it and even after that, he always spent time visiting and being with the kids. Coming here made me feel closer to my son and brother, like they were still here. I wanted to stay and live a normal life so I didn't tell anyone who I am."

"Your the dukes sister! Wait then aren't you the queen. I'm so sorry that I didn't recognize you and you did labor."

"Sarah that is what I wanted." I said and smiled.

Peter came back and sat with us. The children ran around the field and picked flowers. One of the little girls ran over to me with a flower crown in her hands. "I made this for you, since you look like fairy queen I though you would need a crown." She said smiling.

"Thank you very much. Would you mind putting it on me, since you made it I think you should crown me." I said. She smiled and I lowered my head as she put it on me. She smiled and laughed and ran back to the others to tell them.

"You would of been a great mother." Peter said. "I'm so sorry, I wish I could of protected you and Zach. Instead I will lose you both."

"I love you, neither of us could of guest what Nora would do. I'm sorry I wasn't truthful to begin with, maybe then none of this would of happened."

"I promise I will make sure everyone knows your name."

We spent all day sitting watching the kids play. As it got dark I knew I was only getting worse.

"Would you all like to see a magic trick?" I asked.

"Yes!" All the kids came running back.

I took a deep breath and sent out little pieces of cold fire. Little bugs were attracted to the lights and flew into the fires. Then flew out flickering, as they flew around.

"Wow, she is the fairy queen." The one little girl said.

"The fire is flying!"

"Like the bugs are lighting up!"

"They are fire flies." Sarah said.

"Let catch them!"

I leaned against Peter and smiled at him.

He kissed my forehead.

"Is this goodbye?" He asked.

"We had a good run." I responded.

With that I closed my eyes and listened to the kids running around and laughing as they played tag and tried to catch the fire flies.

Peter held me before I felt him pick me and take me back to the crowd of people to put me in the carriage.

"Is there anything you can do?" He asked.

"No, we can make her comfortable, but she won't make it back to the castle." I heard the priest say.

I felt him set me down in the carriage and shortly after that everything went black.

With that I finished my 3rd life.

The black was cold for a little, then everything got warmer and warmer. I started see a golden and white light. Then I was surrounded by flames, they didn't burn they just felt warm and comforting. I could see pieces of my past lives playing out in the flames. Then it was light again.

I could see the world around me and I had little hands. I wasn't in a castle this time but in a small house. There was a little boy holding me.

"Mom, dad, what's her name going to be?"

"Let's see, she has white hair. What do you think about Lily?" The man said.

"That is perfect, our little Lily." The woman said.

The young boy looked me and said "Hi Lily, I'm you big brother Logan. This is mom and dad." He said as he pointed to the women and man. "I can't wait to play with you. Dad can we teach her how to wield a sword, our dads a knight and I'm going to grow up to be just like him. I've been practicing hard so you don't have to worry, even if you don't learn I'll protect you. Dads super cool and is one of the only knights that can use this thing called mana it's similar to magic. It's super cool. Mom will be home with us every dad she's pretty cool too, she makes the best pie and grows the best berries. You'll love it here trust me!"

"That's enough Logan I'm sure your mother and baby Lily are tired. She had a big day today, so how about we go tell your uncle and let your sister sleep."

"Ok! I can't wait to tell everyone how pretty Lily is."Logan said. He was so filled with excitement. I knew this time I needed to do things different if I practice magic all the time then I'll have enough mana to use it freely. If I would of used it regularly it wouldn't of been a problem in my last life.

I got set in my crib and left to go to sleep.