The soft echoes of Leah's footsteps against the gravel stones of the garden could be heard. The morning dew overwhelmed the air, creating a cloudy mist.
The scent of roses and lavender lingered in the air, the flowers blossoming brightly under the faint rays of the early morning sun.
Leah was clad in a green dress, the hems of her dress brushing the ground, hergrazing the heads of the blooming flowers, their petals faltering under her touch.
The birds in the sky flittered about, chirping in the unheard silence. Leah made her way through the garden in casual steps, hands entwined elegantly in front of her.
She walked along a small wooden bridge, the breeze of the sea caressing her face; her hair, which was let down, swayed, exposing her jawline.
Her gaze was lifeless as she now walked on the wet sand, her footprints carved on the sand as she urged forward.
She squinted her gaze when she saw the faint shadow of a figure ahead, seated on the sand. She inched closer, trying to figure out who it was… Just then…
"Vinson? She muttered under her breath.
He was seated on the sand with his legs crossed, as though he were meditating. Leah felt her pulse race; she didn't want to see him or go near him.
Her mother had warned her…stay away.
The flashes of her mother scolding her filtered through her mind. Yet a force pushed her forward; she saw herself walking up to him, then she sat next to him, her gaze fixed ahead on the endless sea.
"Do you like the sea?" She lowered her gaze before languidly focusing it on his handsome face.
Vinson's eyes were tightly shut; even though he had felt the presence of someone, he still didn't open his eyes. But when he heard Leah's voice, his blue eyes slowly fluttered open.
"The sea is a part of me." He answered her question without sparing her a glare.
"It's no wonder; you are the prince of Yaleton." Leah admitted.
There was an awkward silence for a while.
Tell me what you like about Helena." Leah retorted, casting a fleeting gaze at him before fixing it back at the sea.
There was a pile of small marble stones beside Vinson. He picked a stone and threw it in the water, and it dashed off endlessly before sinking to the bottom of the sea.
"You care that much about what I think…
"She is my sister after all; I am only looking out for her." Leah lied with a straight face.
"Sisters?" He scoffed.
"Not from what I have seen." He added, throwing another marble stone into the water.
"The bond will become stronger eventually… We just need time." Leah said, looking away; if Vinson were to glance at her, he would see through her lies.
They were both quiet for a while; the wave of the sea intercepting was the only noise that could be heard.
"I have been in love with Helena for as long as I can remember…" Vinson started off.
Leah's chest constricted, his words stinging every part of it.
"She is benevolent, full of life, and pretty…
"Am I not pretty?" The question was said in a rush. Leah didn't know when the words slipped out of her mouth.
Vinson sighed and then gave her a knowing gaze.
She asked the question, shouldn't she wait to hear what he had to say?
"Sorry for interrupting. You may continue." She said, taking from the pile of stone, she threw it into the water angrily.
Why was she getting angry?
She couldn't explain what was wrong with her.
Vinson slowly rose to his feet, the sand on his body falling off in the process.
He stretched out his hands, and Leah took them and steadily rose to her feet.
"Walk with me." He said, and they both began to walk side by side on the seashore. They talked as if they had known each other for years; Leah smiled from ear to ear, taking in the moment.
The sound of shoes clicking on the tiled floor could be heard as Selena walked into her daughter's room with the overwhelmed aura of a queen mother.
Normally she would have a strict countenance etched on her face, but today she looked cheerful, her eyes full of life.
Helena was seated on a small stool in front of the dressing mirror in her chamber. Helena had just had her bath; her hair was still wet, and a maid stood behind her combing her damp hair.
"Good news knocks on our doors." Selena said as she walked in, she made her way to a bench chair in the chamber and sat on it, crossing her legs elegantly.
"I thought as much when I saw the smile on your face, Mother." Helena retorted, rising to her feet. The maid brushing her hair had to stop and get busy with other chores.
"Well, do not keep me waiting. Let it out.' Helan said, smiling faintly.
"Preparations for your wedding have begun. The priest has set a date." Selena said, grabbing an apple from the fruit basket on a table in front of her.
Helena was astonished by her words.
"But the king…does he know about this?" She asked quickly, taking a seat beside her mother.
"He has given us a go-ahead." Selena smiled, taking a bite from the apple in her hand.
Helena's eyes glimmered with untold happiness.
"This is indeed good news." she retorted as she watched the three maids troop into her chamber with a tray of tea and biscuits.
Selena was glad to see her daughter smile after such a long time. If only Helena knew the things her mother had sacrificed to see her happy.
"Since you will be a bride soon, I am here to lecture you." Selena said, dropping the half-eaten apple on a silver plate.
"Lecture me?" Helan arched her brows as she took the cup of tea a maid was handing over to her, then held it firmly.
"There are things you should know as a married woman that nobody will tell you; that is why I am here." Selena picked a biscuit from the plate of biscuits on the table, shoved it into her mouth, and munched on it.
"That is why I have a tutor, Mother; he teaches me everything I need to know." Helena retorted, bringing the steamy cup of tea to her lips.
"Does the tutor teach you how to be good in bed?" Selan asked with casuality.
Helena almost choked on the tea she was drinking.
"Mother, it is inappropriate to discuss such matters," she cooed, trying to hide the embarrassment showing through her red cheeks.
"Inappropriate? Would you rather have me arrange some experts? Physical actions are always a faster way to learn." Selena added on a serious note.
Helena blinked her eyes rapidly.
"I will go with the lecture." She said, dropping the half-filled cup of tea on the wooden table.
Selena adjusted her seating position.
"Brace yourself; it is going to be a long talk…" She started off before finally beginning the lecture.
At first Helena was comfortable with the discussion; she would nod at intervals, sipping from her cup of tea at intervals.
Then slowly Selan began to go into details; the countenance of Helena's face changed from curiosity to surprise…then shock.
At some point she stopped listening, her eyes dilating in amusement.
"Okay, that's enough! Helan finally said, throwing her hands in the air.
"Arrange the experts; I would rather see for myself than have you say things like this to me." Helan admitted it, and Selena was glad at her decision.
She rose to her feet, flicking her dark hair sideways.
"I will arrange for the experts; meet me in the guest room in a few hours." She said, and Helan nodded curtly and watched her mother leave her chamber.
Immediately after Selena left, Helena sighed.
Suddenly her throat felt dry… turning to gaze at one of her maids.
"Lidia, pass me some water, lest I faint."
......
Leah was walking along the hallways in the castle; she walked for a while before taking a turn in another passage when a hand gripped her wrist and dragged her to a secluded place.
"Mother?" Leah creased her brows when she raised her gaze and saw it was her mother.
"Come with me…now! Johanna said, releasing her grip, and then she walked away, making her way to her chamber.
Leah watched her mother leave. She looked around to see if anyone had been watching before raising her dress slightly with both her hands to avoid tripping as she walked.
She got to Johanna's chamber and saw her pacing up and down in her chamber, looking furious.
"Mother, what is wrong?" Leah asked, genuinely worried.
Johanna stopped pacing to and fro and turned to look at her daughter.
"You…will be the end of me, Leah. How many times do I have to warn you to stay away from Helena's fiancé?" Johanna scolded in a low but firm voice.
When Leah realized the root of the matter, she didn't look apologetic. Instead, her eyes darkened.
"Why do you keep sending spies to monitor my every movement, Mother? I am not a child."
"Yet your action says otherwise! Johanna said, throwing her hand in the air. She was frustrated. She walked up to Leah and then cupped her face with both her hands.
What I do is for your own good; I want what is best for you." She tried to explain. Leah took a step backward before slowly removing her mother's hand from her face.
"You are simply afraid of Queen Mother Selena. Afraid of her empty threats!
"You speak from lack of experience. I know what Selena is capable of. She goes around parading herself like some demigod, but she is the woman form of the devil himself." Johanna tried to talk sense into her daughter.
"You are supposed to stand by me! Leah screamed.
Johanna's eyes darkened.
"Don't you talk to me in that tone, Leah." She warned.
Leah clenched her fist.
"I try my best, Mother, to heed your words….
"Your best is not enough." Johanna shot back.
Leah scoffed.
Johanna had walked away from her during the argument. So she began to slowly walk up to her mother, each step with precision.
"You said I should stop acting invisible. I should learn to take what is mine…even if it is by force. I should watch my enemies burn." Leah's voice became sinfully low.
Johanna could see the dread in her daughter's eyes.
"I am only acting on your words."
"Well now I am telling you to stay away from him." Johanna retorted, but Leah began to shake her head from side to side, a deranged smile etched across her lips. She leaned forward, bringing her mouth to Johanna's ears.
"It is too late."
She whispered before swiftly turning around; she began to walk away.
"Leah…Leah! Johanna called out to her, but she didn't look back, nor did she stop.
"Leah, don't you dare walk out on me…"
Johanna wasn't able to complete her sentence before the loud bang of the double door of her chamber sounded as Leah locked the door behind her.
Johanna gazed at the door for a while, boiling with anger.
"Love! Blind and stupid! That was how I ended up here, you fool!