Chapter IX

Blocking the rays of sunlight that seemed to escape from parts of the window uncovered by the curtains, Queen Ara woke up as she wried from it. Just then she heard a knock on the door. It was Marcella. She had come to ask what flowers the queen would like for her vase.

"Good morning my Queen." Marcella greeted and walked straight to the window to open the curtains.

"Morning Marcy. Up and shining as always." Queen Ara said, Marcella smiling in return.

"Ma'am, what would you have today? Sunflowers or roses?" She added.

"Sunflowers. It sunny day," Queen Ara said.

"Alright and breakfast?" Marcella asked.

"I'll have breakfast here thank you." She added.

"Okay your highness, I'll be right back." Marcella said.

Queen Ara walked to her closet wondering what she would put on for the day.

"Now let's see... Ah yes! I'll wear my favorite floral gown." Queen Ara thought as she searched her closet.

She took out the dress, moved to her bed to put it down and headed to the bathroom. It was long before she came out, breakfast still hadn't arrived. She moved to the dressing table and after few minutes Marcella knocked and pushed the catering trolley in.

"What smells so nice?" Queen Ara asked wryly.

"Hot tea and scones," Marcella said with a smile.

"Aww how lovely, thanks Marcy." Queen Ara returned.

"You're welcome, enjoy." Marcella said.

Maya supervised the cooking that morning, since Queen Ara hadn't come down she decided not to disturb her and had breakfast alone. After that she went up to her chambers.

"Now where did I keep it?" Maya thought tapping her lips.

"There you are! You, have been on my mind..." She smiled.

She picked up the book and went straight to the garden. Books with mystery and adventure were Maya's favorite. Queen Ara went out on the balcony to see her flowers. On seeing Maya, she smiled impressed at how engrossed her daughter-in-law was in the book.

Maya was at the last chapter when she heard Queen Ara's voice.

"Maya," Queen Ara called.

"Oh mother," she stood up and reached for her hand.

"How are you dear?" Queen Ara asked.

"Fine thank you, did you sleep well?" Maya asked.

"Yes I did. You seem so occupied by what you're reading," Queen Ara said with a smile.

"Yes mother the book is really good, you should read it too." Maya said.

"Have you completed it?" Queen Ara asked.

"Not yet I'm at the last chapter," Maya said.

"Alright I'll read it right after you," Queen Ara said.

"Okay, I must admit all this sitting has made butt ache a little," Maya said with a giggle.

"Let's take a walk then," Queen Ara said.

"Alright mother," Maya returned.

As they walked, Queen Ara noticed a wilting rose and stopped. She bent down, placed her hands on it and it began to bloom. Astonished at the sight, Maya moved closer to her mother-in-law.

"Mother... You made it bloom again," Maya said with sparkles in her eyes.

"My father had this same power too," Queen Ara returned and smiled.

"No wonder the flowers in your room always look radiant," Maya added with so much glee.

"Hahaha, let's go," Queen Ara said as she was done helping the little rose.

The two Queens walked round the palace as they bantered and laughed. Marcella, had come to tell them that lunch was about to be served.

"Mother you go ahead I'll be with you shortly," Maya said.

"Alright dear, don't take too long," Queen Ara returned.

Maya followed the way to the kitchen till she got to the corridor leading to her room. When she reached for the doorknob, she felt rather dizzy. Carefully she walked to her bed after opening the door and sat for some minutes. She poured water into a glass cup from the jug on her bedside table. When she was okay again, she stood up to go have lunch.

"Am I that hungry?" She asked herself on her way to the dinning room.

"Maybe I'm just tired," she added with a faint smile as she walked.

On getting to the dining room, Queen Ara smiled; she'd been waiting so they could eat together.

"Maya come sit," She said.

"Oh Mother, you should started eating without me," Maya returned as she sat.

"It food was piping hot Maya," Queen Ara added.

"Even so mother, you could have eaten fruits for a start," Maya said endearingly.

"Alright, alright. Let's eat?" She asked with a smile full of warmth as she looked at Maya.

"Okay mother," Maya answered.