The Prince & The Pauper || z.m. [Book 1]

~12~

Genevieve's head fell from the awkward position she sat on the only chair that was placed in the hospital room, which startled her from her sleep. Gaining consciousness of her surroundings, her heart dropped again seeing her weak mother in deep slumber on the hospital bed. Genevieve brought her knees up and held them close as she watched her mother's chest rise and fall slowly. She hadn't spoken to her since she had arrived at the hospital. Genevieve was terrified of the idea of losing her only family. She didn't know what exactly was wrong with Matilda. But whatever it was, she hoped it wasn't life threatening. All of a sudden, she felt moisture leaving a trail on her cheeks. Genevieve realized she was weeping. The weeping soon became quiet sobs. She hugged her knees closer and rested her forehead on her knees as quietly sobbed to herself.

"G- Genevieve?" a fragile voice called her.

Genevieve slowly raised her head and blinked away the tears in order to clear her vision. She saw her mother looking at her expectantly, with a warm smile pasted on her pale face. Behind her thinning brown hair, her scalp could be clearly seen. Matilda had always hid it with her bandana in shame, disgust and pain.

"What's wrong my sweet pea?" she asked with the smile not disappearing from her lips. "Come sit beside me." she patted the bed with her fingers signaling Genevieve to come over.

Genevieve wiped her tears away as she made her way to her mother. She sniffled as she tried to stop herself from sobbing anymore.

"Shouldn't you be at the castle?"

Shocked and irritated by her question, Genevieve quickly turned her head to face Matilda. "Are you being serious right now? Mother, you're in the hospital! The last place I want to be right now is the castle."

"And why's that? I perfectly fine."

"Fine?! You spat out blood last night! You're far from being fine. Ugh I shouldn't have started working just yet." Genevieve held her head in frustration.

"Don't talk rubbish. I'm glad you get to be out of the house more often and are meeting new people than before."

"So? I should be with you helping with whatever is that you need. What if last night you weren't at Susan's and were home alone? God knows what would have happened to you!" tears returned to Genevieve's eyes.

"Darling, you stayed with me for almost twenty years. You sacrificed your life to spend all your time to take care of me. Now you need to live for yourself."

"I didn't sacrifice anything Mother. I love being with you. Taking care of you, spending my whole life with you wasn't a chore. If I have to spend the rest of my life looking after you, I wouldn't mind at all!"

"But I don't want you to. I want you to make friends with people of your age, I want you to fall in love, I want you to see the world. I should be listening to stories of your first kiss, not discuss what new patterns can be knitted onto a quilt from watching those lifeless shows. You're twenty Genevieve! I will not let you live your life like you're some middle-aged woman. You have a whole life ahead of you!"

"But Mother I-"

"I don't want to hear anything else. You're leaving for work right now."

"I already called in saying I won't be coming for the week." Genevieve looked away.

"You what?!" Matilda gasped. "You can't do that! It's not a store where you can just tell them you're not available for a week! Oh heavens, what will the king and queen think of you? So many preparations for the upcoming ball have to be done! Oh Genevieve, what have you done?" she closed her eyes in disappointment.

"Don't worry Mother. Queen Trisha herself said, I can take my time in returning. I'm also not stupid. I know my responsibilities."

"You are quite responsible." Matilda opened her eyes smiling.