10: Sick

I woke up in the afternoon with a headache. I feel sick. I ran to my bathroom and vomited. Someone knocked on my door and entered my room only one person has a duplicate key to my room.

He closed the door and sat on the bedside. He placed his hand on my forehead and neck.

"Didn't I told you to take a bath and change?" he asked me

"Sorry." I apologized

"Patrice, not every day I will be here. Remember, tomorrow is the end of my contract here in the palace." He said

"I know." I said and my voice sound hoarse.

"Go on. Do what I told you earlier. I'll check on you later." he said and stood up.

Even then, though I don't feel well I did what Zairo told me to do. I lay in my bed and covered myself with blankets.

"Get up." Zairo said when he came back with a tray of water and soup.

He assisted me in sitting and he fed me the warm soup.

"You aren't water proof, Princess. Remember that." he reminded and caressed my hair

"I'm sorry." I said

"Shh. Take a rest. Don't worry, I won't tell your mother, unless she asks me." He said and kissed my forehead.

He carried the tray out if my room and I closed my eyes to sleep again.

The next day, I was feeling a bit all right but I still have fever.

I went out of my room and walked around until I reached the garden.

"Patrice, didn't I told you to rest?" Zairo asked when he came

"I need fresh air." I said

"Then you should've just opened your window. Come on. I'll escort you to your room." he said so I followed him.

While we were walking, we saw my other guards. They were laughing and talking to each other.

Zairo greeted them and they bowed down to me and greeted Zairo back.

"It's unfair." I said

"What is?" he asked

"My guards aren't sick while I am even though we did the same thing yesterday." I complained. I am lucky these halls to my tower don't have guards.

"Patrice, you stood under the sun then you were showered by the rain so you'll really get sick." He told me

"Fine," I said then he opened the door for me

"Did mother asked for me?" I asked and he shook his head.

I sat irritated on my bed.

I think mother only know I exist when they really need my presence.

"Come on, cheer up. Maybe she's busy." Zairo said and sat beside me

"Busy? She's always busy, Zairo, but when the council want my presence she have time to escort me herself." I complained

"Pam, try to understand your mother. She's the current Queen. You'll understand it when it's your turn to reign." he said

"If I will be queen." I said

"Cheer up. You might not be the Queen of Astrae but you will always be the Queen of our home." he said and caressed my back

"Alright." I said and he kissed my forehead

"Take a rest. I'll be outside just call me if you need anything." he said and touched my cheeks

"Thanks, Zairo." I said and kissed his cheeks. He left the room and I lay on my bed again.

I'm lucky to have him beside me. Despite my attitude problem, he never left me.

I slept again and when I woke up it was already evening. The door opened and Zairo entered. I sat on my bed and he sat on the side of my bed facing me.

"Here. You should eat." he said and placed the tray in front of me.

He fed me the soup and told me what happened the whole time I was asleep.

"Did mother ask for me?" I asked him

"She didn't." he said. I expected that. I'd be surprised if he said she did.

"What were her whereabouts?" I asked

"The palace guards told me your mother went to visit your cousin, Ezra for she was sick.," he said

How great. Mother was taking care of my sick cousin, Ezra, while here I am. I'm also sick. How lucky Ezra is, she has my Mother and she has the Duchess Elizabeth taking care of her.

"Pam." Zairo called so I turned to him

"You didn't tell your mother. You ordered me not to tell her. Don't be envious of your cousin." Zairo said

"I know but at least Mother should've come to check on me and why would she take care of Ezra? Aunt Elizabeth is there." I said

"If you want, I'll tell the queen you want to see her." Zairo said

"Don't bother. I'll sleep again." I declined and covered myself with my blanket

"Get well soon, Patrice." he said and kissed my head before leaving.

Often times I felt like I am competing with the kingdom for my mother's attention, which I obviously always lose.

I was supposed to sleep again when I saw snow falling from the sky in my window. I stood up and sat on the chair near the window.

"These snows used to be small tears." That was what my father used to say when I was a kid.

"My little Snow Princess, one day you'll learn and make thousands of them." Father had once said when I asked him how they are even produced.

Father was my only companion when he was still alive. Mother and Father are always busy with managing the kingdom but only father could spend time with me.

Mother was always going out and doing duties. They never quarrelled for my father always understands my mother.

"I know you won't sleep early." Zairo said and I heard the door closing

I sensed him walking towards me.

"You remembered your Father, didn't you?" He said and held my shoulders

"Father was always there despite of his duties." I said and tears started falling down my eyes

"I bet the king won't like seeing his princess sad like I do." He said and went in front of me

"Patrice. Don't be sad." he said and wiped the tears from my eyes

"I'd miss you, Zai." I stood up and said then hugged him

"I'd miss you more, little Princess." he said and kissed my cheeks

After I calmed down, we sat down the bed. We were supposed to plan how we can remain updated with each other when someone knocked on the door.

"I'll open it." he said then when he opened the door, his bowed. My Mother is here.

"Leave us for a moment," she ordered and Zairo paid respect then she entered my room

"The guards told me you didn't leave your room the whole day." She said when Zairo left.

Let me guess her purpose of coming here; another council meeting.

"I left my room to visit the garden, Mother." I said

"Then after that, you returned here." mother said

"Mother, what is wrong with that?" I asked

"Even Knight Zairo wasn't spotted the whole day." Mother said

"Ask my other guards, Mother. Knight Zairo wasn't with me the whole day." I said

"Is that so? You didn't run away again, right?" Mother asked

"If I did run away, you should not have seen me here." I answered

"Avery, the council would like to have a word with you tomorrow." She said

I am right. She really is here to tell me about another council meeting.

"Is that all, Mother? If you'll excuse me. I want to rest." I said and she left my room.

I locked the door and went to my walk in closet. I went to the racks of gowns, and made my way to my secret room and cried. I was right. She would only speak to me or look for me if it is about the council. Mother is so unfair.

I cried and cried all the pain out. I took a pillow from the side of the rack, punched it hard, began throwing the things around, and buried my face on the pillow. I screamed released all of the pain and anger I felt and cried.

I felt cold with myself until I fell asleep on the cold tiled floor.