War of the Roses

12. Contrast

"Your majesties, princess Samira will not be joining you this morning for breakfast, she sends her deepest apologies." Announced Esma after entering the dining room, Philip lifted his head immediately, Henry gave him a murderous glare from the other side of the table which he eagerly returned.

"Oh? May I ask the reason ?" The king asked.

"My lady is unwell this morning, you highness."

"Unwell? I see, please tell her we all hope for her quick recovery, and make sure to call a healer if needed." The king replied.

Esma looked over to Philip to find him staring at his empty plate, face dead serious.

"I will inform my lady that you ALL" She made emphasis on the word 'all' " wish for her recovery your highness, excuse me." Esma bowed to the king and left the dining room, and after releasing a breath she did not know she was holding took her way back to the princess chambers.

A boy no older than 6 years old approached her. Esma bent down to ask him what he wanted.

"You have to go to the stables today at six." The boy whispered in her ear.

"What? What are you talking about, who sent you ? She asked confused, the boy ran away before she could say anything else." She called him a couple times but the boy was too far gone.

Upon returning to the room Esma found Samira still in her night gown seating by the window and looking to nowhere exactly, yeas of of knowing the princess gave Esma the certainty that Samira's sight was lost in the horizon and it pained her heart to see her like that.

"My lady." Esma ran to the princess and took hold of one of her hands. "What can I do to take you out of this state, is painful seeing you like this, you don't deserve it." Esma kneeled at Samira's feet."

Samira grabbed both sides of her arms, making her get back up.

"My dear friend, there's nothing you can do, the only thing that can bring hope back to my heart is my return home and we both know that's I impossible. I'm doomed to spend the rest of my life in this foreign land with a monster as a husband, this is my reality now, don't be sad because of me, this is my destiny."

"If only we could take time back and-...." Esma was interrupted by Samira.

"I would still have done the same thing. I have a responsibility to my people, the people of Khalon, being a princess in not only pretty dresses and afternoon tea, being a princess in placing your happiness after an entire kingdom."

"I'm proud of you, proud to call you my princess and my friend I still hope that this will change one day because you deserve better and I know the gods have seen everything you've done for us, I know they will praise you one day, please don't loose hope my lady."

Samira smiled softly, her hope was gone long ago but her friend's support meant the world to her, Esma was a constant reminder of who she really was, it felt like a breath of fresh air.

"I'm tired, I didn't sleep at all last night." Samira broke the silence.

"Then sleep my lady, I'm sure you'll feel much better once you wake up, I'll go to the kitchen to make your favorite meal if that's fine with you."

"That's great, thanks."

Esma left the room and Samira laid in bed and immediately fell in deep sleep.

Hours later she opened her eyes to the most beautiful rose, the deep red color made the perfect contrast with the extremely white bedding, so different from each other but so perfect once together, one gracefully highlighting the other most special features.