Chapter 6

Serena woke up feeling a hard slam in her head. she moaned softly and slowly got up.

standing up to her feet, she acknowledged she was at the old physician's Chambers because she saw a large shelf with different antidotes arranged on it.

It's old Theus! She reminisced.

" it's good you're awake".

she turned and saw Theus staring at her, his chubby jaw looked broad and unkempt.

" What happened?" she gasped with unrest looking around.

" you fell unconscious when knocked out by a horse, fortunately, prince Philip brought you here."

"Prince Philip?"

" the prince of the Isle"

Serena gasped in shock. the man with dark hair was the prince? she recalled how rude she was to him when he wanted to slaughter her pregnant goat, how she dreamed of kissing his beautiful shaped lips and how handsome he was when she saw him for the first time...

The prince saved her again.

" you may get some rest now.." Theus said and smiled.

Serena stared at him. he was a nice man old enough to be her father.

" would you like something to eat? I can send my daughter down here to attend to you".

her stomach rumbled in hunger, she recalled she hasn't eaten sensible food since the day before.

" I'll like that," she replied.it wouldn't be bad to fill her hungry belly.

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Cassandra tugged at the white nanny-goat she caught wandering around the city. she knew the goat was lost and needed care.

the goat "mews" behind her.

"quiet old fellow.. we've not got all day"

she said to the goat as she wiped off the sweat on her fair skin. her brown hair smelled like cheese and crackers.

"don't worry..when I get you safely to father's barn, you'll be safe. you shall eat crackers every day and take care of your little one," she said glancing at the baby goat sleeping in her arms.

she was determined to take care of the goat.

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knight Rufus screamed in anger. Damn the prince. why would he apprehend the only person he craved? he wiped his face in frustration. the girl was so beautiful.. innocent..and fragile..with rare red hair.

he had dreamed and wanted her to himself the first day he saw her. And he had the opportunity earlier, why would he take her away from him?

" Rufus?" a tall knight came into his Chambers." you summoned me my friend.. something hailing?"

Rufus sipped his wine and smiled."that prince thinks he's genius..."

"why do you say that Rufus?" the man asked him as he poured wine for himself.

" he's our prince after all".

"he took what is mine!".

" that beautiful woman again? It seems the prince is in love with her and you Rufus are planning to take her? Remember you killed her parents"

"Not yet Uthmer..".he whispered.

"all good things come to those who wait."

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Cassandra burst into her father's Chambers grinning widely.

"I'm back father!" she shouted and frowned slightly when she saw Serena sitting on the old bunk bed.

" you need something miss?" she asked studying her for recognition.

"well...no..my name is Serena...."

"Cassandra..!" Theus exclaimed coming towards them." oh.. thank God you're back. I wanted to cook something for this lovely lady but I couldn't find the salt. and why's your hair like that? did you get into a fight?"

"well, father. I saw a young white goat today.. wandering around the city."

"and what has it got to do with you?. I sent you to lord scholar not chasing goats around the village!"

"Pardon me father.. I've done exactly what you told me."

Theus sighed." Children nowadays are so incompetent!"

"My apologies...can I see the white goat?... I lost my father's goat when we were ambushed.."Serena said turning to Theus.

"very well young ladies, you should be back before dawn.. but before then Serena, fill your belly, and Cassandra, give me that letter from lord scholar."

"ye, father".

As they took off towards the barn later in the day, Serena's heart replenishes with joy and happiness.

"So Serena".. Cassandra began speaking."I'd like to know you more. where did you say you lived?"

"just nearby.." she replied smiling at her new companion.

"would you like to come with me every morning I serve the royal family?"

"Really?."Serena gasped happily." I'd like to".but frowned afterward

"What troubles you, my friend?"Cassandra asked noticing her discomfort.

they stopped walking." that man...who locked me up in the cell..he's part of the royal family?"

"what man?"Cassandra asked with concern.

"the man who took me away from my family..."

she turned to Cassandra her eyes wet with tears. "I can't face him again". her heart thumped in fear. The thought of his hair color and how he smiled cruelly at her, made her shiver.

"look at me Serena"... Cassandra said, "he won't hurt you again. I promise you. I'm here.. we're all here. together we'll protect you.

Serena smiled and hugged her. not just only because of her soothing words, but because her white goat was running towards her and mewing.

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