Chapter 5

Maya woke up, her mind swirling with the events that transpired the previous night. She had seen Princess Samantha and Grey, the son of Lord Thelma, in what could only be described as an intimate position. Grey, with his striking features and magnetic presence, had been standing close to Samantha, their heads bent together, their hands almost touching. For a moment, it looked as if they were about to kiss. But Maya quickly dismissed the thought. The princess's actions were always composed and controlled, but Maya had seen enough to wonder what truly lay in Samantha's heart.

As Maya prepared the morning tea, she couldn't shake the other image from her mind, the prince of Oryn and Samantha, standing too close, speaking too softly, his hand lingering a moment too long on hers. Maya found herself wondering who was truly in the princess's heart. Was it the prince of Oryn or Grey? Quickly dismissing the thoughts Maya continued her duty , she knew she was supposed to kee6her head down and her mouth shut ,she was here as a slave and she didn't need to be a silly dally in other people's business,with quick steps she made her way to the princess chambers .

Samantha woke up bashful, her cheeks tinged with the memory of the previous night. She remembered the dimly lit room, the soft glow of the moonlight casting a delicate light on Grey's face as they held each other. It had been a moment of pure connection, their bodies and hearts intertwined in the soft embrace of the night. She remembers what happened before the lovemaking before she was held in Grey's secure arms.

Grey's voice echoed in her mind, his words still sharp and clear. "You didn't tell me you're getting married," he had said, his tone filled with hurt and disbelief.

"Married to who?" she had asked, her heart pounding in her chest.

"The prince of Oryn," Grey had replied, his eyes searching hers for an explanation she couldn't give.

The weight of his words crashed down on her again, pulling her from the warmth of the memory. She had to find out what was happening, had to understand why she had been kept in the dark. Resolute, she made her way to the queen's chambers.

Pushing the thoughts aside, Samantha focused on the task at hand. Today, she needed to appear calm, collected, and, above all, ignorant of the storm brewing around her. She smoothed her dress, a deep blue gown that highlighted her striking features, and stood tall. Her reflection stared back at her with an expression of determination that she did not entirely feel.

She exited her chambers, her steps quick and purposeful. Each step echoed her racing thoughts as she made her way to the queen's chambers. She needed answers, and she needed them now. The corridors of the castle seemed endless, the faces of the guards and servants a blur as she passed by. They were all part of the world that was closing in on her, a world she desperately needed to understand.

Upon reaching the ornate doors of the queen's chambers, Samantha paused. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. The guards stationed outside gave her respectful nods as they opened the doors for her. The queen's chambers were a stark contrast to the rest of the castle, filled with warm light and the scent of fresh flowers. The queen herself, regal and composed, sat by the window, her gaze distant as she sipped her morning tea.

"Mother," Samantha began, her voice trembling slightly. She steadied herself and continued, her voice rising, "What is the meaning of this? The prince of Oryn… am I to be married to him?"

The queen looked up, her eyes betraying a moment of surprise before she regained her composure. "Samantha, sit," she said, her tone gentle but firm. Samantha obeyed, perching on the edge of a nearby chair, her eyes never leaving her mother's face.

"Where did you hear such a thing?" the queen asked, setting her teacup down with a soft clink.

Samantha hesitated, anger bubbling up within her. "I overheard some whispers," she lied, hoping her mother wouldn't press further. "Is it true?"

The queen sighed, a sound filled with the weight of unspoken worries. "There have been discussions, yes," she admitted. "The prince of Oryn is a suitable match for you. Our kingdoms have been allies for many years, and this union would strengthen that bond."

"But I don't love him," Samantha blurted out, the words escaping before she could stop them. "And I believe… he does not love me either."

The queen's expression softened. "Samantha, love is a luxury we cannot always afford. This marriage is about more than just feelings. It's about our people, our future."

Samantha's mind raced, anger rising. "What about my future? My happiness? Does that mean nothing?"

The queen stood, crossing the room to stand before her daughter. "Your happiness means everything to me," she said softly. "But sometimes, we must make sacrifices for the greater good. You are strong, Samantha. Stronger than you know."

Tears welled up in Samantha's eyes, but she blinked them away, her anger now boiling over. "What if there's another way? What if… what if I found someone else, someone I truly care for?"

The queen's eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion creeping into her gaze. "Is there someone else?"

Samantha swallowed hard, her mind flashing to Grey's face, the pain in his eyes. "No, Mother," she said, the lie heavy on her tongue. "I just want to know if I have a choice."

Before the queen could respond, Samantha's voice rose further. "I don't want to wait! I deserve to know my fate now!" Her voice echoed through the room, filled with anger and desperation.

The king, hearing the commotion, entered the room with a stern expression. "What is going on here?" he demanded, looking between his wife and daughter.

Samantha turned to face him, her eyes blazing. "I have learned of my engagement to the prince of Oryn, and I demand to know if it's true!"

The king's face hardened, and with finality in his tone, he said, "Yes, it is true. You are to marry the prince of Oryn. This is not up for discussion. Whether you love him or not is irrelevant. This marriage will happen."

Samantha felt as if the ground had been pulled out from under her. Her father's words were like a death sentence to her hopes and dreams. She turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, her heart filled with fury and despair.

As she made her way back to her chambers, her mind raced with plans and possibilities. She had to be careful, had to be smart. Her future depended on it, and so did the future of the one she loves .

Maya stood outside the princess's chambers, balancing a tray with a delicate porcelain cup of steaming tea. She knocked softly, but there was no answer. After waiting a few moments, she turned the knob and gently pushed the door open.

The room was dimly lit by the early morning light filtering through the heavy curtains. Princess Samantha was dressed in a stunning royal blue garment, pacing the room with an air of frustration. Her movements were restless, as if she were trying to solve some invisible puzzle.

Maya hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding. She had never seen the princess so agitated. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, intending to offer the tea she had carefully prepared. However, as she moved closer, her hands betrayed her, and the tray tipped. The hot tea spilled all over Princess Samantha.

The princess shrieked in pain, her face contorted with anger. She spun around to face Maya, her eyes blazing. "Useless! Everyone is useless in this castle!" she yelled, her voice echoing off the chamber walls. She grabbed the cup, now empty, and hurled it at the mirror. The glass shattered, scattering shards across the floor. "Get me out of this thing before I have you beheaded, you useless creature! Why didn't you knock?"

Maya's heart raced as she dropped to her knees beside the princess. "I-I'm so sorry, Your Highness," she stammered, her hands trembling. She carefully began to peel the soaked garment away from Samantha's skin, trying to be as gentle as possible. The princess winced and hissed in pain, but Maya continued her task, her own fear making her hands unsteady.

Once the dress was removed, Maya hurried to prepare a bath, filling the tub with warm water and adding soothing herbs to help alleviate the princess's burns. She returned to Samantha's side, helping her into the bath, her own clothes now damp and stained from the spilled tea.

With the princess safely in the bath, Maya rushed to fetch the royal physician. She explained the situation in a hurried, breathless whisper, her eyes wide with worry. The physician nodded gravely and handed her a small jar of ointment.

Maya returned to the chambers, where the princess sat in the bath, her eyes closed and her expression softened somewhat by the warm water. Maya knelt beside the tub and began to apply the ointment to the burns, her fingers moving with practiced care. She kept her head low, avoiding the princess's gaze, her breaths coming slow and steady despite the fear that still gripped her.

She finished applying the ointment and l of porcelain and glass, her mind racing with thoughts of what she could do to avoid such mistakes in the future. As she left the princess's chambers, she vowed to herself that she would find a way to make things right, to avoid the wrath of the princess, no matter what it took.