I'll Love You From Afar🤍

Market.

My eyes were darting around the heavily busy market, trying to look for my mistress while balancing a basket full of the finest silk and veils, I wouldn't dare think a servant like me would own such fine clothing.
I spun around once more and finally caught a glimpse of the red silk gown, my mistress had worn before we left the castle
I clutched the shawl tighter and began my walk to her
"Princess Diana" I called out and her black hair plaited with the finest jewels whipped to mine
"Please mistress you cannot run off like that. " Diana was a child at heart, she was kind and her beauty was unmatched in the all twelve kingdom. She had the nobles, finest of merchants, princes and Kings at the palm of her hands
"Do you think this would make a good gift for his majesty." She brought out a fine silk jacket embroidered with fine red thread
"It is quite appealing to the eyes." She rolled her eyes
"You always speak so formally to me Aviva"
"I am not of your status my lady" she had always tried to make us cross the bonds of master and servant to friends but I would always resist.

She mumbled something under her breath "do you think Zenon would love it" I tightened my shawl around my neck, turning to the jacket in question, already picturing his majesty in the fine clothing. I traced my fingers on the material feeling its soft like texture between my fingers.
"So what do you think"
"I think it would suit his majesty." She gave me a grin and turned to the merchant and gave him the jacket "Two silver coins."the merchant said
I brought out the pouch filled with gold and silver coins and gave them to her. She was paying when I caught sight of a white handkerchief with an apple design.
"It looks quite cheap." I was startled for a moment when I heard Diana voice. I only bowed and began walking leaving her to follow. Diana fails to understand how the very things she undervalues or calls cheap are worth something to me, years ago I would even dream of going to the silk Market without being called filth nor stoned at.
"I fear I might have offended you." She said as she caught up to me
"Not at all your highness." She nodded
"Do you wish to purchase anything." I wanted the handkerchief but it would mean I would have to listen to her call it cheap as long as it stays in her sights "no my lady." I walked with her as she chattered on as we walked to the coach. I turned my head and saw a young boy covered in grime and mud begging a cotton merchant for something as measly as a coin. My heart ached for him, I could see myself during my younger years as I was covered in slime, days where I begged for a morsel of food.
I opened my own pouch and brought out three silver pieces and two copper pieces and walked to the child
I opened his palms and placed the money in them without a word. To the nobles the amount I gave him might not mean as much to them but as someone who shared a familiar pain, I knew it would go a long way, his large eyes watered and he hugged me. His small arms wrapping around my skirt.
"Get off the lady, you filth." I smiled softly at the merchant and waved him away, I had still not gotten over the respect people now had for me. I pulled away reluctantly from the boy
"Use it wisely."
"Thank you" he bowed before running of to his peers
I looked at the the slight mud stained on my skirt and smiled as I remembered a fond memory.
I picked up my skirt and walked back to the Royal coach
"I thought you had gone back for the handkerchief."
"No your highness" the horses neighed and we began our journey back to the Palace
"I cannot believe my wedding is in a Fort night." The knot in my stomach twisted. Despite their marriage was purely political she seemed excited to marry him. I gave a tight smile trying to ignore the pang of jealousy I felt.
We horses marched through the castle gates, the flowers were in bloom, the birds took shade in the dense leaves of the trees, the fountain that habited the smallest of fishes. I wondered of liariah was as beautiful as Farah
The kingdom of farah was blessed beyond doubt.
The coachman helped the princess down, I was alarmed when I saw the Queen waiting in the court halls
"Mother" the Princess greeted her by bowing, I bowed as well and the Queen looked at me and my stained skirt in disgust, I was no secret that the queen despised my existence.
"My child. You must go now to the gardens zenon waits for you." My eyes widened despite my head still bowed, I was not of noble standing to look at the queen
"What is he doing here mother."
"Your wedding had been pushed forward " I saw Diana face fall, "how many days"
"Just four more nights and you will become the Queen of liariah."
I saw the faces Diana made "But mother..."
"But nothing, go and change both of you" even though my head was still not raised, I could feel the intensity of her glare.

Diana dress^
"You look wonderful your highness" she looked at the mirror with a glum smile
"Is it bad I am having second thoughts on our marriage." I stopped folding the dress I was holding, I swallowed, I wanted to tell her to stop the wedding
"I believe It Is just wedding jitters, your union has been discussed since you were conceived."
"I suppose so" I wanted to slap myself
"Shall we leave now" I bowed and she led the way to the gardens, I fiddled with my fingers, my whole body was trembling, he was the only one who made me like this.
"Your majesty" Diana and I curtsied. He grabbed her glove clad hand and kissed it softly.
"My lady." I wiped my face clear of a treacherous tear that had slipped out
With her hands still in his, they walked to the picnic leaving me trailing behind them
"My apologies Princess, I hope you do not mind my friend Devi" devi is zenon right hand since they were in nappies
"You are as beautiful as they say Princess."
"Thank you General, I've been told stories of your charms too" they all took their seats talking about things of the country while I served tea whenever their cups were empty.
"Your handmaid is quite a beauty Princess Diana."
His words shocked me enough to Spill hot tea on my fingers.
"Aviva" Diana exclaimed, I fell to my knees immediately begging for forgiveness
"Get up, the tea is spilling on your dress"
I looked at the white dress I had worn for Zenon and my eyes clouded with tears as I looked the the stained brown patch

I swallowed back my tears, I would have enough time to cry in my Chambers
"Forgive me, your grace Aviva isn't this clumsy." My eyes were cast down as I looked at my hurting fingers
"I'll bring something from the kitchens to cool your hands, General can you please find some Aloe for her hand, I know I have seen it in here."
General Devi helped me sit before he and Diana disappeared to get things for my burn
"I apologise for my mistake your Majesty" my eyes were cast down, I wouldn't dare look him in the eye. I wore my heart on my sleeve, he would easily see I harbor affection for him
"It is no problem, I thank the skies for I have always wished to speak to you." I was pretty sure I had stop breathing at that moment.