A Modern Little Princess

Chapter III

Cassie's Pov

Someone was holding my hand really tightly when I woke back up. I could faintly hear them whispering, to me or someone else I didn't know. I had heard the voice earlier, but who–

Shhh, shhh, my sweet baby, momma's here. I shuddered at the memory. Or was it a memory, maybe it was in my head? Maybe I was in a brownie coma or fell asleep during math. Again.

I let out a groan as I tried to move and the room went completely silent. I opened my eyes before immediately shutting them again. Way too bright.

"Shhh, relax baby girl, I'm here." The voice said again. "You had a seizure," she continued. "I just need you to relax, love."

I frowned, a seizure? I wearily opened my eyes again. "What?"

The forest eyes greeted me once more. "A seizure, in the garden. You're lucky a maid found you, speaking of which I wonder..." her voice drifts off.

"Garden? What garden?"

She looks at me concerned, brushing a piece of her chestnut hair behind her ear. "The royal garden honey, you love the garden." She says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

I shook my head, she's crazy I put together. A low suburb city like ours didn't have a 'royal' garden. I didn't think it even had a community one. "A royal garden? What are you talking about?" I sit up. I have to blink several times as a dizzy spell hits me, but I attempt to ignore it. The lady notices it too and worry crinkles in her eyes.

"You should lay down love–"

I didn't let her finish. "Who are you?"

She pauses and goes to cup my cheek in her hand but I flinch back before she can do so. Her hand stays in midair. "I-I'm your mother," her voice cracks and tears well up in her eyes.

I stare at her blankly and confused. "I'm sorry?" I asked after a while.

"Your mother," she said once more, her voice more firm this time. I start to contradict her but she cuts me off her voice holding power, yet an undertone of worry. "You are obviously confused from your episode. I'm your mother and I don't want another word about it, am I clear?" Her voice was ice, as she lifted up my chin so I looked directly in her eyes.

I stare at her and try to back away, shaking my head. "I'm not who you think I am."

"Your name is Liliana Cassandra, you go by Cassie by your friends and what not. And you were born in late July, a tiny thing you were to. Growing up reading was your specialty, but you always fell asleep during your math lessons." My mouth drops slightly, but she doesn't stop there. "You love the outdoors, especially spending time in flower beds where there's butterflies, and you always chew on your bottom lip when you're trying to concentrate. Your favorite color is purple, but not the basic kind like lavender or something like in the mornings when you can briefly see it in the sunrises."

"How?" Was all I could make out.

She just smiles. "I'm your mother," she says once more.

—

Queen Ophelia Pov

She shook her head. "No, my mother is a short woman, with brown unruly hair like my own. And deep dark brown eyes."

I frowned but decided to play along. "Oh?"

She nodded and took a gulp of air, the sweat making her hair stick to her forehead. "Yes, she works night shifts at the local hospital and I swear there's permanent bags under her eyes." I try not to scoff and just nod along.