The Reluctant Queen

Chapter 13

I wasn't sure how long we sat like that, with Milly's arms around me. For the first time, I felt actual comfort. Safe even. "My queen," she said, her hand patting my arm. "Why don't we get up." I sniffled, nodding my head. She helped me to my feet, gently guiding me up. 

The scene around the two of us looked utterly dramatic. With the broken bits of wood and the cello sprawled on the floor, I felt almost foolish in front of her. "Milly, can you please get rid of that," I said, gesturing to the mess. 

She gave me a soft smile. "Of course. You won't have to look at it again." I felt a genuine smile pull at my lips, probably for the first time since my memory loss. 

"She isn't what everyone says, really."

I let out a little gasp at the sudden ache in my temple. Milly moved to come towards me, but I put my hand up, stopping her. "I'm fine- just a little headache. After I change....would you maybe like to accompany me to the garden?" My hands were shaking again. I held them behind my back, away from her gaze. 

Her eyebrows shot up. "Of course, if you would like."

 "I would. It would be nice to have the company." I brushed off my dress, trying to think of the right things to say. "And you don't have to call me with any title. Sophia is fine." 

"I'm not sure that would be appropriate-" 

"No, honestly, Milly. It would be nice to have someone that I could talk to." Without fear of being judged.

She gave me an understanding smile. " Would you like some help getting dressed?" 

She already knew the answer to this, but I humored her. "No, I'll be fine. Just give me a few minuets and then we can go outside." 

............

The garden was beautiful, the roses in full bloom now. I reached out to hold one. "How can there be such beauty in the palace?" 

"His Majesty requested the garden to be planted for you. You must not remember, do you, Miss?"  Milly stood behind me, a basket in hand. She came up with the idea of picking flowers for the den. After witnessing my breakdown, I knew she was concerned about me and was trying to find ways to cheer me up. I myself wasn't completely sure what my reaction meant or if I would have it happen again. But I appreciated the gesture.

I rubbed a petal between my fingers. "No, I don't remember that." But it made sense. The garden was the only place that I could find peace within the castle. The decor inside still gave me chills, but every time I looked out at the flowers, I felt a some of the tightness in my chest go away. Only Adrian would know something so personal. "I must have enjoyed flowers before the accident, then?" 

"I'm not sure. Unfortunately we did not know each other before your accident." 

I gave her a sad smile. "That's a shame. You are probably the kindest person I have met so far." 

She blushed. "Thank you, Miss. Never have I had such an understanding mistress." 

We continued down the garden before finding a bench to sit at. I gestured for her to sit down with me. I was hoping to build a friendship with her, or at least a relationship more relaxed than how the other servers in the castle treated me. Slowly she was warming up to me, but I could tell it was difficult for her.

"Who did you serve before me?" 

She shuffled her feet in the gravel. "No one nearly as kind as you. She recently left the court, so I was happy to have a new mistress assigned to me." 

"How rude, Milly." We looked up, surprised to see another woman in the garden. She was gorgeous, with long black hair and striking purple eyes. What was really surprising though, was how she looked at me. Her eyes narrowed with a distaste I couldn't expect from a stranger.