The Runaway Princess [ENGLISH]

Chapter 39

The Past and Present

"A cup of tea for your thoughts?" A voice suddenly said making me snap back to reality.

I blink a couple of times before my mind registered what was happening. I saw Mia, the cook, staring at me curiously. The last time I talked to her was when I ditched the hearthy breakfast she was about to prepare for me. I feel guilty all of the sudden by the memory.

"I-uh- t-thank you," I manage to reply with a smile. I took the cup and place it in front of me.

Mia smiled broadly at my reaction. "You've been staring at an open space for minutes. Sorry for interrupting," She said.

"No, no! You did nothing wrong to apologize." I raised the cup of tea she gave me and said, "Thanks for the tea," I took a sip and when my tongue touched the hot liquid, I got burned by the sudden contact. I spilled some of its contents on the table and on my lap.

Mia's facial expression suddenly turn worried. "Are you okay? Here, let me help you," She fished out a table napkin out of her pocket and tried removing some of the stains off my clothes, but I stopped her.

"I'm okay, I can handle this." I gave her a reassuring smile.

She reluctantly gave me the napkin and withdraw her extended hand. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me," she said.

"Don't worry. I'm fine."

Looking down on my cup I asked, "It's delicious. What kind of tea is this?"

"It's a chamomile tea. It calms one's nerves when they're stressed," She said. "I heard from the other staff that your group will be travelling out of the country. Is that what's bothering you?" She asked.

"Sort of."

"You should pack your things now, I heard from Mr. Reeves that all of you will leave anytime soon," she informed.

"It's fine. To be honest, I don't even have anything under my name to pack so I'm here inside the kitchen to look for something tasty to eat," I confessed.

I heard Mia chuckled, but this time it's a little bit louder. "I think I have a solution to your problem. Wait right here," she said all of the sudden and rush towards the counter on the other side of the room.

I look at her retreating figure and sighed. Then, my eyes shifted at the cup in front of me.

Come to think of it, this reminds me of a memory that I cannot place inside my head.

I am in a garden full of flowers while drinking tea of the same type. I was enjoying my moment of silence as I read a book when suddenly, someone cleared his throat. Looking up to the intruder, I saw a familiar figure and scoffed.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, not hiding my displeasure.

"Good morning, your highness," He said cheerfully, not a little bit sorry for interrupting my 'alone time', and sit on the empty chair next to me.

"Who told you that you're allowed to sit there?" I snapped when he ignored my question.

"Relax, I'm just here because your majesty has given me a quest to take care of you,"