Through Thick or Thin (Book Two)

Chapter Three

Previously on Through thick or Thin

Continuing, I ran down the halls trying to get to the kitchen in time to set the table when I slammed into something hard.
Closing my eyes I awaited the impact but instead, I felt the firm hands of a man. "Are you okay?"

"Mina how dare you!" My eyes flew open as I heard the voice of the princess.

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Mina's Point of View

My eyes meet green ones which looked to be worried. Brown wavy hair caught at his nape emphasizing his high cheekbones. I roamed my eye over his body which was very muscular. He looked simply breathtaking.

Could you describe a man as beautiful?

"Mina!"

Snapping out of my trance I tried to shove him backward but he didn't budge. Pleading with him to let me go through my eyes, he looked confused then after a few seconds he seemed to get it. Soon after he steadied me on my feet and released me.

Turning to the princess I dropped to my knee. "Please pardon me, Princess."

"Pardon Mina, pardon you?"

"Yes, Princess."

"You have no idea what I'll make daddy do to you!" She screeched. "How dare you barge in and be irresponsible-"

"Is all this screaming necessary princess?" The man spoke again. He sounded so manly. His voice was deep and husky. A slow shiver crept down my spine.

Mark's Point of View

I looked at the Princess but her gaze was cast to the floor. "I said is all of this necessary?"

"No Commander, I am very sorry," She glanced at the woman on the floor. "You may leave Mina." Her tone was clipped.

I watched as the mysterious woman got off her knees and left. Her silver eyes taunting me. They looked so exotic.

"Let us continue Commander." Farah lead me eventually to my room and after much coaxing, she finally left. I dropped both my duffle bags and sat at the edge of the bed.

Something was off with this mission. It seemed that there was more to the story than the king was letting on and as for the princess. She was something else altogether.

I took a deep sigh, place my hands behind my head and laid down on the bed.

I think it's time I got this mission started and head back home to my family as soon as I'm done.

For a second I saw those silver eyes once more.

Mina one word, two syllables. We'll meet again.

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Mina Point of View

I ran as fast as I could to the kitchen. I don't know how I offended the princess and her beautiful guest but I did.

Now that I thought about it he looked American plus she said, Commander.

Was he a soldier and why was he here?

Gripping my skirt I shook my head.

Some things don't require one looking into it. He was here on business I think and I'll stay out of his way. Even though in the instant we met my feelings have become complicated.

Slapping my hands against my cheeks I pulled my self together. Shoving the doors that lead into the kitchen I was instantly greeted with the hustle and bustle. Ms. Fatima normally had one of the maids help her during the kitchen. On Mondays and Thursdays, I had breakfast duty. Tuesdays and Wednesdays lunch duty and Fridays I had dinner duty. So I helped her out all of these times.

"Mina love on time as always." Fatima's voiced spoke. She was the head chef of the kitchen.

"Good morning Ms. Fatima." I grabbed an apron and began washing my hands. She was a busty Irish woman that has been in the palace since I started working here in my teens. With a hair filled with ginger curls that rested on shoulders, you'd think she never ages. He skin had few wrinkles for her age. Rosey cheeks, think lips, a stout frame and a large bust made up Ms. Fatima.

"Tis' a good morning indeed." She was always like this. "Breakfast must be ready within the hour and then your other jobs begin."

"Yes, Ma'am." I went beside her and we immediately began cracking eggs and baking bread.

We had pointless but humorous conversations for a few minutes then it hit a turning point.

"The King has gotten himself an American soldier is what meself heard. Apparently, the items that have been stolen are causing the King to have a hissy fit. Plus the Princess allegedly almost being kidnapped and raped has caused him to bring in foreign help."

I nodded showing her I was listening while I placed the bread in the oven. I didn't want it to look as if I was a hundred percent interested but I was. Everything so far that spoke of the Commander had my full attention. "How long will he be staying Ms. Fatima?"

"That child myself cannot say." I nodded and we continued to work until the Princess began screaming my name.

"Mina!" The kitchen door was shoved open with a red-faced Princess.

"Yes, Princess?" I wiped my hands in my apron and briskly walked over towards her bowing once I was within three feet. I couldn't go any closer without permission.

"Y-you insolent little vagrant. How dare you embarrass me like that!" She screamed. I instantly got on my knees and began begging forgiveness. "Save it. Stay away from the Commander do you hear me?"

"Yes, Princess." I whimpered.

"The next I see you anywhere near him I will have you whipped without mercy and fired." She snarled.

My eyes were burning with tears. How could things have escalated this quickly? I didn't think I did anything wrong earlier.

I couldn't afford to be on the Princess's bad side. I need this job for my mom, my brother and myself. "In understand Princess." I wiped a few runaway tears.

"I don't think you do though Mina," She tsked sarcastically. The true colors of the Princess were coming out. Her mother the Queen was quite worst though. "Let me tell you something." She crouched down and began whispering in my ear. I doubt she wanted Ms. Fatima to hear. "The Commander isn't interested in commoners, he doesn't associate himself with filth and he doesn't need trash like you in his way. Listen carefully to me," By now the waterworks were free. "He is mine. Get that in your puny little brain and stay away." She spoke the entire sentence word for word. "Am I clear?" She spoke so Ms. Fatima could hear.

"Yes, Princess." Her hand came out of nowhere and collided with my cheek.

It now throbbed. "Know your place." Was her last warning before she stomped out of the kitchen slamming the door in her wake.

Sobs racked my body as soon as she left. Ms. Fatima came from where she was and crouched on the ground-hugging me. "That Princess is a real bitch and one day she will get her due," She whipped away a few tears resting my head on her bosom. "Don't mind her, she's just jealous is all. Your very beautiful Mina. The gobshite feels threatened." She patted my back as I tried to calm down.

"T-Thank you, Ms. Fatima."

"Tis' no problem lass. I doubt the princess can stop what is about to happen. This palace is in for a rude awakening. The fogs clearing love, the fog's clearing." I wiped away the last couple of tears. Ms. Fatima spoke like this at times. She always told me she could see snippets of the future so for now, I'd believe her.

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