Found Frozen

Chapter 23

23

While Euphoria was sleeping, I looked at her sketchbook left on the nightstand. She drew so well. She drew a lot of pictures of me, which made heart swell. She did so well. She drew a lot of flowers too, and ocean views. As I flipped through I heard her soft breathing. Her chest rose slowly and steadily up and down. She looked exhausted, and I frowned in concern. 

I looked back to her sketchbook and continued looking through. I then stopped at one picture, my heart dropping to my stomach. It was a picture of a man and a small boy, and I immediately recognized it as my father and me in his office. Mother had taken it when I had snuck in there and he was letting me help with the papers. I suddenly felt so selfish. 

Euphoria had been taking care of me that whole time while I shut myself away from everyone, including her. And now, I had to tell her there was no way to save Sam. My father was dead. I had to accept that and move on. Euphoria was going to have to watch him be executed, and I didn't even know what to think of the wedding that was in a few weeks. I needed to find a way to tell her. But really, I didn't have to. All royalty goes to the hearing, especially something as important as this.

I got out of the chair I was sitting in next to the bed and saw the sun begin to set. I was deep in thought, debating, wondering on how she would react. Would she understand if I kept it to myself? Or lose trust in me?

I softly kissed her forehead and quietly shut the door, ordering a guard to watch her at the door and a maid in the room. I decided to take a walk on the beach The ocean was nice. It seemed like I hadn't seen it in so long. The sand felt good on bare feet, and the breeze ruffled my longer hair. I scratched at it, trying to fix it. I needed it to be cut.

I stood at the shore for a while, watching the sink into the ocean. As the tide slowly rose, the water brushed on my toes like cold fingers. When it got dark I finally returned to the castle, heading into the kitchen.

Three young maids were gossiping at the table with cups of tea. The saw me eyes wide and rose from their chairs. "Your majesty." They said.

"Did I interrupt your break?" 

"No, your majesty. We were only talking." The first maid said.

"I need something for Euphoria to eat, something not harsh on her stomach."

"Is the Princess ill?" The second maid said.

"Just under a lot of stress, she should be fine in a few days I hope." I explained.

"I'll get some soup ready your highness." The third maid said. She rushed out, heading to the stove.

"How is Rachel?" I asked.

"She is sleeping now. Our mother is looking after her." The first maid replied.

"You all have the same mother?" 

"Yes, we are triplets your majesty." The second girl, the tall one said with a smile.

The laughed together and the third maid said, "Sarah, can you get me chicken broth?"

The second one, Sarah, got up and went to retrieve it. "Do you want to help with the chicken Samantha?" 

The third at the stove obliged.

They all worked together, doing everything. They seemed to be communicating without speaking, and I found it productive.

Finally they set up a tray and handed it to me. 

"Would you like us to take it up?" Sarah asked.

"Oh no, you've done so much already. However, could one of you come clean the room? Euphoria might like it to wake up to a clean room, and I don't want her to think she has to do everything right now, include cleaning."