A Queen's Redemption

Chapter 7- Normal Again?

I quietly chuckled as I heard the quiet giggles of the little girl who I was currently playing hide and seek with. I saw her little feet sticking out the bottom of the curtains. I smiled and shook my head.

“My, my, my, where’s my little Lillia? She’s such a good hider, I can’t seem to find her anywhere.” 

More giggles.

“Let me see, is she…under the couch? Nooo.” I moved closer. “Is sheeeeee in the flower pot? Nooo.” I was right by the curtain now. “Is sheeee…” I caught her before she darted away from me. “Gotcha!” before tickling her sides.

Her laughs warmed my heart as she tried and failed to get away from me.

The weeks following the attack was…hard. A cloud hanged over everyone. I was highly expecting the people to be scared of me when I came back but I was surprised when I was greeted with thanks and praise instead. 

The first thing I did was check up on the injured as well as people who lost their loved ones. The pain and sadness was immense.

The kids who lost their parents were taken in by other families in the village. I realised pretty early on the orphanages weren’t a thing here. Children were taken in and raised by other families, which I found to be pretty amazing.

I inquired about Lillia and was informed that Katya had taken her in. I paid them a visit to see how they were holding up. The situation wasn’t too optimistic. Katya had told me she wasn’t doing too well, and I mean…I can’t blame her. She watched her mother get shot down right in front of her. She refused to open up or get involved with anything. I could see it was a struggle for Katya, but knew she wasn’t going to say anything. 

So…I added another thought to the list of crazy ideas and solutions I've had in the last few months.

*Flashback*

“Mum, can we take in Lillia?”

She was in the middle of mixing batter for a cake and she froze mid stir then stared at me.

“How long have you been thinking about this?”

“About a day.” I said keeping my straight but hopeful look on my face

She sighed and put the bowl down. “Why?”

So I explained. At the end, I could see she knew I made sense so she had no argument. She sighed and then shook her head while smiling. 

“Well. Never thought I’d be taking care of another child so soon.”

My eyes widened. “Wait what? You’re agreeing?”

“Were you expecting me not to?”

“Yeah a little.”

She walked towards me. “Look, you’ve explained yourself and made a lot of good points. Plus her mother and I were good friends while she was alive.” she smiled sadly. “Of course, I’ll take that little girl in.”

*Flashback Over*

Lillia’s lived with us for about 2 weeks and in that time, she’s slowly turned back into a smiling and happy little girl. It’s been up and down as we do have some good days and bad days. I got her belongings from her mother’s house as well as a few memory items of her mother to make sure that she always remembers her. I’ve been told that wasn’t a good idea but both my mother and I agree that she should never forget her mother and how much she loved her.

I was shook out of my thoughts when my mother shook me and gestured to Lillia who had fallen asleep after eating her lunch. 

I had just picked her up to put her to bed when there was a knock on the door. 

Seconds later, “yo yo yo.” Qasim said waltzing in. “How’s everybody doing today?”

“Didn’t I just go to the palace 3 days ago?” I asked confused. “I thought he only needed blood once a week?”

“Here, let me take her.” mum reached for Lillia. “Go on love.” she said softly as she saw us out while also trying to not wake Lillia up. I saw the joy in her as she closed that door. She may not say it but I knew my mum enjoyed having company in her home again.

“Amir, Issa and I need to check out the situations in our outside countries.” Qasim informed me as we walked. “We also need to see what provoked that attack on us that happened. We’ve been at peace for years and for it to be suddenly broken like this with any warning or any known reason why, doesn’t make sense.”

I shook my head. I was wondering about that.

“So how long are you guys gonna be gone for?” 

“A while.” he sighed. “Few weeks, maybe even close to a month.” he groaned.

Okay now I’m caught up. “Ahh I see. So I need to give extra so Prince Amir doesn’t run dry.”

“Exactly.” He clapped his hands excitedly. I rolled my eyes at him. “Also, why do you call him Prince Amir? You know he’s told you multiple times you can just call him by his first name.”

“I know, but me calling him by his first name doesn’t feel right for me. I’m not royalty, ya know, I don’t have the same privileges you guys do.” I said chuckling.

“Well I mean, you pretty much do now.”he claimed. "You can come and go as much as you please. Just make sure to don't go too far." he said that last past quietly and I caught the underllying warning in his tone.

What was that?

We were walking through the Palace gates and I smile when I saw the flag that hung from the post. 

A phoenix surrounded by red and gold flames. Talk about sending a clear message.

I was named the Prince’s official feeder some weeks ago. Doesn’t make me a part of the royal court but I did have more privileges than the average person did. 

“I understand what your saying, but chances of me using those 'privileges' are slim." Then I grinned.  "Plus I’m pretty sure Diamanda wouldn’t like that too much.”

Qasim rolled his eyes.

“No seriously Qasim, why does she hate me?” I asked as he opened the doors to the medical wing for me.

He huffed. “She’s territorial over territory that doesn’t belong to her.” he saw me cock my head in confusion and grinned. “Sorry princess but that really isn’t my story to tell. Just take comfort in the fact that the only thing she can do to you is talk.”

He stopped and turned suddenly to the door that led to the prince’s medical room. He tensed up. “It’s all you from here princess. I can't go any further than this.”

My eyes widened. "Wait what? Why?"

"Don't worry. You'll be fine, just walk through. It's me that's gonna lose my life if I go further." he winked then walked off. I stared after him for a second then walked in and continued down the dark hallway before knocking on the door.

“C’mon on in Serene.” a voice that was definitely not my nurse said.

I did a double take. Huh?

I walked in to find Amir waiting.

"Prince Amir?"