As Tuille, a young wanderer, walked along the cobblestone path, she noticed a family standing across the way. The father held the hand of a child, while the mother walked beside them. The child then said "Papa!" and it stirred memories of Tuille's own past, where she lacked a paternal presence. Seeing the happy family scene made her feel a deep sense of longing.
"Tuille, please be careful near the street. Do not scare me like, I would not know what to do if I lost you! I am sorry, I do not want to yell at you. I'm concerned that you could get hurt!"
" Mama. Do I have a papa?"
She has another difficult question that I am faced to confront.
"No, you don't have a Papa. You are different. You were born with only my love and my love."
alone."
When you are old enough, I will tell you the truth someday.
"Ma'am, the carriage is ready.
As the horses drew near, the people erupted in joy at the return of their ruler. Their excited cries filled the air as the royal carriage moved through the crowd. In the midst of the celebration, a touching scene caught the Queen's attention. A loyal attendant, who had been a faithful companion for many years, walked hand in hand with a young child. Their fingers were intertwined, swaying gently as they walked. The child, a radiant being of five or six years, had eyes filled with wonder. The attendant, a symbol of kindness, smiled down at the child as they walked leisurely together. Watching this tender moment, the Queen's mind filled with curiosity.
"Who is the child with my servant?"
She sensed the urgency to delve deeper into the mysteries that beckoned her.
***********************************************************************************************
Upon her slumbering daughter, Yvana cast her gaze, her heart heavy as moonlit dew. Anxieties and hopes for their shared destiny intertwined within her. Fragmented memories of her past in the mystical woods fluttered like whispered secrets, a life interrupted by the radiant emergence of a celestial bloom.
The carriage came to a halt.
Yvana settled uneasily as the carriage unexpectedly halted before sunset. Eager to reach her destination promptly and cross the border with her young child, she felt a sense of urgency.
What is causing the delay? I was under the impression that we were meant to travel near the border without any interruptions.
She cautiously raised the curtain from the backseat of the carriage, gazing through the slender gap to observe her surroundings. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she witnessed a man conversing with the guards, displaying a detailed sketch resembling her appearance. With dread, she observed the man gesturing towards the carriage, alerting the royal guards to her presence.
How could he?!
After shelling out cash and squirreling away every penny for a grand escape with her daughter, she now faced a shocking plot twist - he had pulled a sneaky double-cross!
The fear and desperation Yvana felt since the start of her escape intensified, as she felt as if her heart had sunk down to the pit of her stomach. In that moment, she knew that she needed to act fast if she wanted to avoid being caught. As she slowly shook her child waking the little one up.
"Hey sleepyhead, rise and shine!"
The room was filled with a mix of rustling and mum's voice as Tuille stirred awake. Blinking sleepily, she rubbed her eyes and let out a big yawn. Feeling a bit fuzzy from her nap, she glanced around, trying to figure out where she was before mumbling in a drowsy tone, "Hey, what's happening? Mama, did we reach our new pad yet?"
" Quickly, Tuille!"
Upon exiting the carriage, the little girl found herself engulfed in a whirlwind of bewilderment and uncertainty. With her mother in a frenzy, she dashed in the opposite direction from the guards, struggling to match her pace. The air filled with the sound of gunshots, her heart drumming with fear. Despite the chaos, she stuck close to her mother, braving the unknown with unwavering trust.
Yvana was strunk with a gunshot wound and her body wracked with pain, making it difficult for her to hide her discomfort. As she gingerly touched her leg, she winced as she felt the warmth of her blood seeping through her clothes. Despite the agony coursing through her veins, she was resolute in her determination to secure a better future for her daughter, one free of constraints and limitation of the palace life.
Clutching her daughter's hand with all her might, she drew courage from the cozy warmth it brought. Even through the tough times, Yvana put on a bold smile, dead set on protecting her little one from life's harsh truths.
"Behold! Yonder she stands!" hollered the royal guard.
The sound of gunshots echoed through the air again.
The little girl's voice quivered with fear and desperation as she called out, "Mama!" Her heart sank as she witnessed her mother trip and collapse. Tears streamed down her face as she rushed to her mother's side, pleading for assistance. Overwhelmed with dread and helplessness at her mother's motionless figure on the ground, she knew she had to act. Oblivious to the encroaching royal guards with weapons at the ready, the young child remained lost in her thoughts, unaware of the imminent danger. Startled by approaching footsteps, she looked up, hoping for aid in her dire situation.
" Can you please help my Mama?" Tuile asked.
The child's disrespectful manner while speaking to Her Majesty was noted by the royal guard. The insolent tone and inappropriate choice of words did not align with the expected respect for addressing the queen. The guard, infuriated by the child's behavior, advanced towards her, fixing his gaze upon her with a look of utter disgust.
The guard's tone was authoritative and unwavering as he rebuked, "How dare you show disrespect to Her Majesty!"
What is a majety? I just want someone to save my mommy!
Yvana struggled to pry open her eyes only to find her child in tears. With a gentle lift of her head, she came face to face with Her Majesty. "Oh, please spare my daughter!" she whispered, trembling with fear.
"Lady Yvana, today has brought forth considerable inconvenience due to your absence from the quarters and the emergence of perplexing rumors. Would you kindly elucidate the misunderstanding regarding the speculations suggesting your involvement in an attempt to leave the country illegally?" Her Majesty sought clarification on this matter.
Her Majesty, adorned in her elegant attire, bowed her head and observed the little girl standing before her, tears rolling down her face. As she met the child's gaze, a wave of compassion washed over her for the servant who had cared for the young one alone for many years. Her heart ached as she looked into the child's innocent and striking blue eyes, reminiscent of the vast sky and deep ocean, a hue both mysterious and majestic. Curious about the trials the little girl had faced in her short life, the Queen maintained her composure and strength for the child's sake. With a gentle smile, she reached out her hand to offer solace and support during this challenging moment.
" Who fathered this child and caused you to act recklessly?"
Yvana's voice quivered as she delved into memories of days gone by. Thinking back to her own youth, she remembered the deep connections that tied her fate to Her Majesty, her queen. Their bond was more than just servant and ruler, more like siblings molded by shared challenges and youthful adventures. Yvana's hard work and loyalty paid off, earning her the prestigious title of Lady-In-Waiting. She carried out her duties with precision, a shining example of faithfulness and commitment to her queen. Through dedication and unwavering support, she rose to a revered position in the royal court. Their relationship stood as a symbol of enduring friendship, overcoming societal barriers that tried to tear them apart.
"Your Majesty, I stand accused of treason. I have borne the offspring of your spouse."
The empress's visage twisted in fury as she fixed a stern gaze upon the servant and her daughter. In a moment of intense anger, she gestured for the guards to intervene. Swiftly and without pause, the guards moved forward and seized the child.
" Mama!"
The young child struggled to break free from the guard's grip. She attempted to flap her wings for a daring escape, but alas, the magical ointment kicked in, making them vanish for a brief moment. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she called out to her mother in distress.
Your Majesty, spare my daughter, the epitome of purity and innocence. If blame must be placed, let it fall upon me!"
The Empress stride came to a graceful halt, a moment suspended in time.…..
Yvana, I can't just let you die here after striping your daughter from your hands. Why do I feel like horrible? A ruler of the nation does not have petty emotions.
" Guards taken the wretched woman, too. The both of them shall be punish by death."
Upon their apprehension, they were forcibly transported to a prison where all provisions were withheld, including sustenance. The absence of food and water subjected them to profound suffering. In this dire setting, a young girl lay upon the chilling and unyielding concrete floor, her fragile form trembling in the shadows. Drifting into slumber, she was whisked away to a phantasmagorical realm, enveloped in a dense fog, and haunted by distant cries of anguish. Witnessing ethereal creatures with delicate wings flit anxiously in a bid to escape an unseen terror, she stood transfixed. Suddenly, the ground quaked beneath her, threatening to crumble, while a pair of luminous red eyes emerged from the darkness, fixating intensely upon her. Startled awake, she gasped, her heart racing as she called out for her mother in distress.
" Mama!"
"Hey there, little dreamer! Another spooky dream? Don't fret, I've got you covered. I'm right here, and I solemnly swear no monsters will dare to mess with you!"
Yvanna hugged her daughter tightly, her heart racing like a cheetah as footsteps crept closer down the shadowy hallway. Every hair on her neck stood at attention, straining to catch any clues about the mysterious visitor. With her daughter clinging on, Yvanna tried to stay cool, but her mind was a circus of wild guesses. Who could it be? Her Majesty? Has she finally pardoned me...?
In a spooky twist, the sound of footsteps filled the dim hallway, and suddenly, a guard emerged holding a torch that danced light across the walls. He bowed dramatically before the king and announced, "Your majesty, I bear news about the servant you inquired about. Per the Queen's orders, the servant faces execution in two years." Pointing to a child asleep in a cell, he continued, "And here, Your Highness, is the child you wished to see - the King's own offspring." A slow grin crept across the king's face as he grasped the keys and freed the little girl from her chains. But instead of gratitude, Tuile's eyes widened in fear at the king's presence.