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CHAPTER 3

“How can you not know?” Cierra asked, “Do you live under a rock or something?” Now I’m even more confused. “I was sure every single person in this castle already knew about this, how don’t you know already?”

I didn’t know how to answer to that so I kept my mouth shut and waited for her to actually answer my question. In the end it was River that answered me.

“It’s the prince, he’s coming back today.” Prince? I’ve been in this castle for eight years and I’ve never heard of a prince, a princess, maybe but never a prince. She must have seen the confusion on my face because she continued, “He’s been away from the castle for eight years for his training so that’s probably why you’ve not really heard about him.”

That definitely explained it. It’s not my business anyway, I’m probably never going to meet this prince. I’ve lived here for eight years and still didn’t know what the king looked like.

After Cierra and River left the room I headed to the kitchen to do the dishes for the night. When I was finally done with the dishes and on my way back to the room the head maid stopped me on the way, looking at me down her nose as usual she said, “From tomorrow you shall no longer do your usual daytime duties, from now on you are to clean the room of the prince.”

“You are to clean the room when he is not around so make sure you figure out his routine and avoid meeting him no matter what. Am I understood?” I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding and felt myself relax. Wait.... am I his watcher or something? Am I just meant to stalk the guy like a creep till I find out his routine? Well, at least I’m going to do the work when he isn’t there so I guess that’s a good thing.

“Yes ma’am.” I replied bowing my head slightly. Letting out a huff she walked away.

I got to my room and laid on the bed, before you know it I was out like a light.

*I was racing home to tell mom how well I did on my test because it was everything we practiced. Getting to the house I saw the door already open.

Not thinking much of it I entered the house still excited and wanting to tell mom all about it. As soon as I entered the sight that greeted me drained all the excitement from me.

There she was the woman I looked up to, the one who loved me the most in this world, sitting in the middle of our living room silent, unmoving but that wasn’t what bothered me, not at all.

What bothered me was the man she held in her arms. The man who never stopped laughing. The one who gave me piggyback rides all the time and always found a way to make me smile even on the most terrible days.

That man now laid motionless, in a pool of his own blood. I think I’m gonna be sick! I don’t understand.... What happened? Just this morning we were laughing like we always did, how did this happen?

I couldn’t stop the tears that slid down my face as I felt an intense pressure building in my chest, it was like someone was squeezing my heart so tight I couldn’t breathe. I fell to my knees gasping for air and clutching my chest.

That was when my mother noticed I was in the room and ran over to me.

Gasping for air I sat up clutching my chest in pain, tears streaming down my face. This dream again... I don’t need a reminder of the day my life was turned upside down my, I used to have this exact dream every single day eight years ago but now it’s gotten better, it’s not as much a dream as it is a memory but I’ve learnt to live with the pain.

Looking at the alarm clock I saw that it was just four o’clock. I let out a deep sigh, knowing that I won’t be getting anymore sleep anytime soon so I decided to go for a run.

Putting my hair in a high ponytail I put on my running shoes and headed into the woods for my run.

You might be thinking that I’ll get lost or something but I’m used to these woods by now, I used to run in them everyday years ago when I’d have these dreams, to clear my head.

Then, I’d get lost all the time and come back late only to get an earful from the head maid and a whole lot more work as punishment. In the end I learned to navigate my own way in these woods.

I don’t come here as often anymore since I don’t have the dreams all the time anymore but I’m sure I could still find my way.

Lungs burning, I stopped by under a huge tree with a stump beneath it to catch my breath when I hear the bushes behind me rustle. I turned around to see what was there but I the forest seemed so peaceful, almost as if nothing could disturb its tranquil state.

I could have sworn I heard some movement. I settled down on the stump beneath the tree to catch my breath for a few minutes, I closed my eyes enjoying the feel of the cool forest’s morning breeze on my skin.

Then I heard it again, the rustling of the bushes. My eyes snapped open looking frantically around for any sign of movement but I could detect none. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t my imagination this time.

I felt my heart thumping in my chest and this time it wasn’t from lack of air or exertion. Getting to my feet I started racing back to the castle as fast as my human feet could carry me.

I heard who or whatever was following me increase its pace too. By the rate at which it was catching up to me it definitely wasn’t human.

Ignoring my burning lungs I continued to push through the thick bushes and trees trying to put as much distance as possible between myself and whatever it was that was after me.

Why was it after me anyway? I swear I’ve been good. I’ve done everything I was asked to do and haven’t even made any nasty comments out loud, so why on earth was I being chased.

Then the worst possible thing happened. I tripped. Cursing my horrible luck I hurriedly tried to get up again only to hiss from the pain coming from my ankle.

You have to be kidding me! Of all the times to twist it was now? Unable to do anything to protect myself I sat there waiting patiently for my doom. Luckily I didn’t have to wait long because my pursuer wasn’t too far behind.

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