I'll Love You From Afar🤍

I swear I'm innocent

Aviva's pov....
My mind played tricks on me, making it seem as though his majesty was there with me at the waterfall when I was indeed all alone. It seemed he smelled like the wild and untamed nature of Liariah, perhaps that's why mind mind conjured his presence.
I swam across the waterfall, bathing In the cold water seeing the dandelions surrounding the water, it was one of the moments I felt truly at peace, the calmness of the waves.
I swam out, wearing my now dry clothes, I admired the beauty of the waterfall once again before turning on my heel out of the rushing waterfall.

The walk back to the castle was one I dreaded the most, the fear of being the outcast despite me being one already. The torches were on and the lamps were lit on the walk to the castle, the sound of my footsteps on the footpath. The glow of the lamps gave an eerie look to the trees. I clutched the jacket around me tighter, I continued to walk into the castle unaware of the figure behind me until I felt Warm hands on my shoulders. Out of fear I lost my balance and fell to the floor, steady strong arms steadying me before I made impact. My cheeks tinted pink, deepening when I realised how close we were, I pushed him slightly standing upright.
"Thank you General" I said looking akward as my eyes darted everywhere except looking at him.
He gave a small smile and turned on his heel walking away from me till I called out his name
"General" I blushed deeper when I had realised how loud I screamed his name, my flustered cheeks led him to chuckle. I removed the jacket from my body, carefully folding it and handing it to him
"Thank you " I bowed to him respectfully, my head was bowed when I felt his warm fingers on my neck pulling a dandelion.
My neck and cheeks heated up and flushed up in embarrassment.
"I will see you at dinner" his voice seemed far-off as it snapped Me out of my reverie, reminding me I had to serve at the Royal table.
I hurriedly went to the kitchen, upon my entering a tray of bread was forced into my hand and I was pushed out the kitchen and nudged to the direction of the dinning Hall. I walked, lining up with the maids outside the door, preparing for a signal to walk in with the royals food. I tried straightening my crumpled dress that Samara had scowled at as she inspected us before she opened the large double doors. I rushed in with the maids, my eyes trained on the floor respectfully as I placed the tray of bread on the large dining table. After dropping the tray, I scurried blending myself with the wall. There were more guests on the table today, if I was still Diana's maid, I could raise my head to atleast glimpse at their faces but I only refilled their glasses by their gruff voices.

Perhaps it was Diana's eyes or maybe it was my imagination, but someone's eyes trailed my every movement, perhaps waiting for my pre meditated mistake or so but the intensity of stare weighed on me making me more tense than I was.
"I hope we shall be expecting an heir soon, your majesties" I stiffened while refilling general Devis chalice with wine, I glanced up seeing Diana's milky skin turn a shade of pink.
Devi coughed slightly so only I could hear which brought me back from the land of envy, I poured Devi's wine and returned back to my post near the wall. Dinner continued the old men occasionally throwing jokes of heirs. The embers of jealousy were fanned in me, as I peeked and saw how much Zenon was tender to Diana, staring at her even when she was distracted and how their hands were intertwined underneath the table. The dining Hall seemed choked and the meal took longer than usual to finish. We were ordered to clean up after the merchants had left, leaving only The king, Queen and the commander left in the dining Hall. I blended in the maids not wanting Diana to call me but luck as usual was not on my side.
"Aviva" she called and I mentally groaned, I wanted to badly to be alone with my own tears, I had much to cry about.
I curtsied infront of her "your majesty." And right then did the head of the kitchens Samara walk in.
"I had thought a maid had gone rogue" a gentle smile tugged my lips as I smiled at her words.
"How is she in the kitchens lady Samara" Zenon asked, his voice sounding pleased that I was there
"Hard working Aye, this one" she pulled me closer to her "never once complained " I pinched myself, I wasn't used to being the center of attention.
"Avi" I stopped pinching myself when I heard the general stern voice call, I dropped my hands feeling like a child caught stealing. My fore skin turned red because I was pinching and slightly uncomfortable. Samara continued to talk with Diana and Zenon while I stood behind still fiddling with my own skin. I felt Warm palms on mine stopping me from continued pinching. Devi held one of my hands to stop me from pinching. I guess we had both forgotten our hands were somewhat intertwined till Samara nudged me out the dining room and I was pulled back by Devi. My back hitting his front, I blinked awkwardly, before rushing after Samara walking out the dining hall.

The few weeks i had spent in the kitchens had been well apart from the occasional bullying and being ostracised by the other maids, I had kept my distance from Zenon and Diana. She had replaced me with the maid who had slapped me who's name was Donatella, choosing her as her lady in waiting.
Today Devi's fiancee was travelling down from the Dukedom of the east called Horak. The youngest daughter, lady Esmeralda was travelling down to liariah. The kitchen was hectic, my arms ached but i pressed on. Kneading dough, running to the vine yard for grapes, washing the sheets and drapes for her room. She was a picky and unkind woman from what I had heard from Samara, I wondered why Devi had chosen to marry her. I was running across the courtyard with white sheets in the basket, trying to set up everything for her living quarters before she arrived. I walked into the kitchen with heaving chest and sweat making my hair stick to my face.
I went to Samara who was chopping up carrots, I tried collecting the knife but then the bell sounded signifying that the duchess is In the castle.
"I have to greet the duchess" Samara said taking off her Apron and handing me the knife. Letting me stew the carrots alone In the massive kitchen.

It was dinner time I was serving lady Esmeralda food but all she did was complain.
"You smell." I paused offended because of her remark. I dropped the ladle back into the bowl stepping away from her but she had other plans
"I did not dismiss you" my eyes made contact with Samara who was silently pleading with me to tread with caution. I continued serving her while she pinched her nose.

I was convinced Esmeralda despised me, she had done all she could to frustrate me. I was laying on my bed when all of a sudden guards burst in, grabbing me harshly from bed. I was dragged straight to the throne room where I was forced to my knees. Scared and afraid I clutched my gown tightly, my palms sweaty as I heard heels click and heavy marching of boots.
Zenon loud voice flooded the room " you have been accused of theft" theft, I stole nothing, I had never stolen a day in my life, even when I was poor and on the street I never stole.
A golden pin was brought before me, it had the crest Horak, this was the duchess doing
The guard held it up "the missing  pin was found in her room as we searched it your majesty." My eyes widened "this sacred pin is the crest of the Dukedom, how dare a lowly servant steal it" I looked at Esmeralda, with tears running down my eyes.
"I swear I know nothing about this your majesty." I looked at Diana pleading with her, I had served her for many years, she could vouch for me but her face was turned from mine. Diana refused to say anything.
"You stole my pin and now you call me a Liar." A sob wracked my body, I was completely innocent, yet no one believed me. Esmeralda face was smug, Diana refused to look at me and the maids in the court room snickered. I begged and pleaded but no one believed me.
"Silence" Zenon demanded, and I froze "you have stolen, for that you shall be treated as a thief."

I was running barefooted in the forest, as I heard the thunderous marching of horses behind me. The customs in liariah were barbaric and gruesome when punishing , but what was I a lowly slave to do when accused of thievery.
A perfectly aimed arrow was shot past me embedding it in the tree infront me. My heart raced faster, as my legs burned because of the thorns and branches on the forest floor.
I ran faster as I turned for a brief moment seeing another horseman aim another arrow at me, this time the arrow grazing my side, causing a small tear in my dress. My lungs burned for air as I continued to run and the horsemen continued to aim arrows at me, as if I was a prey for hunt. I heard another horseman join the bunch. King Zenon now leading the herd. I did not know what hurt more, the slap he had given me or the fact that he led the hunt or the fact he refused to see or believe me when I needed him. Another arrow flew through the air landing at the back of my leg. My legs gave out letting me tumble through the forest floor as dirt and blood stained my body.

"Maledicere hanc rem dicitur amor"
Curse this thing called love  💔