GEM OF SEASONS

YOU BETRAY ME ALREADY

“Did you not hear what everyone has been saying? The princess retired from the waiting chamber since the morning hours.” Another maid whispered.

They all panicked in shock and used their palms to cover their mouths from shouting. Most of them were known gossipers and was eager to tell their friends outside the palace, what was going on.

“But what could be her reasons?” One of the gossipers asked.

“I heard a lot the princess when I went to the market the other day. I even said she is evil and was a omen to the Royal family.” Another whispered.

“I am not among this gossip. My family will miss me if i shall die and i wish to see my grand children before death.”

The King walked up to Princess Mayah and found her reading a romance novel. Immediately she noticed her father's presence, she hid the back behind her.

“Father, what brings you here? You could have called for me!” She asked but he frowned even more.

“What are you doing here? Why are you not at the visiting chamber?” The King tried hard not to unleash his anger. His face has turn red a little and he bite his lower lip.

“Father, I do not wish to be married off like that. I wish to be in love...” King Beldon dragged Princess Mayah closer and took hold of the novel.

“These books are the cause of your misbehavior! I know what will put an end to it.” King went through the name and frowned even more, “Say goodbye to them!” He yelled at Princess Mayah and started to walk away.

Princess Mayah followed her father up to her chamber.

“Get in there and get out all the novels like this!” King Beldon ordered the guards at the entrance of Princess Mayah's room.

“No father, do not do this! I promise to go back!” Princess Mayah pleaded as she held on to her father's coat but he gave deaf ears to her. Then she noticed, he was with his crown. He had come as a King and not her father, “Father, I beg you!” She kept pleading but King Beldon just stood still, as he patiently wait for the guards to come out with the novels. He was tired and wished Princess Mayah would understand the pressure.

Princess Mayah ran towards her room to stop the guards inside; King Beldon waved his right hand and just then, two other guards blocked her with their spears, crossed. She tried to pass through but they were stronger. Her books were the only things that kept her mind far from boredom.

“Mayah!” King Beldon yelled in a cold deep tone. It sounded more like a warning than just a call and Princess Mayah stopped. It felt as though cold water was poured on her, and tears rolled down from eyes to her chins. Her father was really angry. He had never call her by her name in a very long time. She looked at him and he did not blink.

The guards came out with about ten of the books and threw it on the floor.

“Burn them!” He commanded and left.

“No, father please!” Princess Mayah begged but just then, it was set ablaze. She grabbed Lily who just walked to the scene, by her hand and ran inside her room. Slamming the door so loud.

“My king, that was harsh. She needs to be checked up on.” Lord Parker said in a whisper and the King turned back to look at Princess Mayah's room door.

“She will be fine!” He replied and began to walk away.

The olfactory hallucination of burning books gave out a malodorous smell. The fire was increasing and the smoke filled the air.

“My parents will not give up and I am going to be married off.” Princess Mayah lamented as she kept crying.

She dragged Lily into her room because all her life, she had no friends, just maids and guards at her doorstep. It was as though she was a well-taken-care royal prisoner.

Lily sat on the bed close to Princess Mayah and patted her back, “You keep forgetting the rules, Princess. A royalty must never cry in front of her servants.”

Princess Mayah immediately raised her head, “But you are my only friend.” she said honestly and Lily smiled.

“You know it hurts my heart to see you cry. What would the Queen say if she notice a black or puffed eyes. That I do not take proper care of you and under my watch the princess now looks ugly and so unkept.” Lily uttered and Princess Mayah snored while trying to surpress her urge to laugh.

Lily has been her special maid since the time she was little. They grew up together and knew everything about each other. Princess Mayah would steal some cakes and Lily would take the punishment. She always wanted to see the princess happy and wished the princess would someday marry the one who would cherish her the way they did. The title of chief maid for Princess Mayah was given to Lily. Princess Mayah cheated with the votes so Lily would be elected as her Chief maid. The bond between them was crazy but Lily kept a good limit because of her background.

“It is okay now. You have to stop crying and wear your regular charming smile. You don't want to have wrinkles, right?” Lily asked and Princess Mayah turned to look up while cleaning her tears.

Princess Mayah hated wrinkles and said she would get old and not have one.

“I need your help to leave this place. I wish to flee from the palace.” Princess Mayah said with a serious look and Lily eyes widened in shock. Did she hear right or do her ears deceive her? What did she hear? Flee?

“What!” Lily exclaimed loud and covered her mouth. She used her finger to clean the top of her ears in disapproval, “Have I gone deaf or something?”

“No, no, you heard me right. And i need your help to make this happen. You alone can see that this goes successfully, please.” Princess Mayah held Lily's hands while talking. Lily on the other hand, looked unsure and confused. She kept wondering if the Princess was really planning to flee.

Finally, Lily put herself together and forced herself to talk, “ My beloved Princess, i do not wish to disobey your orders or insult you in any way but have you given it a thought about the risk involved and how i could get killed if it is to go wrong? What if you get caught and the spread out, that you tried to run in fear of getting married. What will the people say? You know some rumours already, I wonder what they will bring up this time. Please for the sake of your reputation, accept whoever your parents picks for you; I am sure, they will get a right choice for you.” Lily responded honestly, praying in her mind that her Mistress listens to her.

Princess Mayah removed her hands from Lilys' and moved away, frowning, “You betray me, already? I thought i could confide in you. I thought you were my best friend and understand me. Just to help me leave this palace is what you find so difficult and advise me to marry who my parents wants me to. How can i freely marry a man i do not know or even love?”

“You will learn to love him. And I am sure, he will threat you the way you truly deserve.” Lily tried to convince Princess Mayah but it made her more furious.

“Now tell me, honestly, can you marry someone you do not know or love?” Princess Mayah asked and the room fell into total silence.

Lily on the other hand has come to think and behave like Princess Mayah. They grew up together and they almost had the same mind set. Because, when every Princess Mayah finishes any novel, she would discuss the events with her. Lily also wished to find true love and understood the Princess points but they were from different backgrounds and Princess Mayah had to understand that her parents only want the best for her. As Royal and also the Gem, it was expected for her to marry before any maiden presented that day as well. And the worst was, Princess Mayah looked undisturbed.

Noticing the awkward silence was taking too long, Princess Mayah sighed and looked closely at Lily, “Why do you not have an answer to my question? Or do you not hear me clear? You are taking like forever to give a reply and i have no time to waste.”

Lily noticed she was supposed to answer, she swallowed hard her saliva and turned at Princess Mayah, “My Princess, i understand you but you also need to know your status, you are of a Royal....” Princess Mayah interrupted as she was yet to finish her statement.

With furrowed brows and widened eyes, Princess Mayah looked directly into Lily's eyes, making the poor girl feel nervous, “Yes or no!” She said.

After a long time of thinking, Lily knew that if she disagrees with her Mistress, she would do anything to runaway from the palace and if she eventually report it to the Queen, then their close relationship will forever come to an end. She loved the Princess like her own sister and can not withstand not staying with her. Princess Mayah would find a way to escape, because once she is determined for something, she must achieve it.

Lily formed up a pleading facial expression but Princess Mayah did not care.

“Okay, I will help you.” Lily uttered and Princess Mayah hurriedly, hugged her.

“Thank you! I knew i could count on you.”

“Well, I am only doing this because if you leave this place without my knowledge, I will be executed. So I do rather die while defending you, than die like a foolish coward. A stupid servant maid who do not care of her mistress's whereabouts.” Mayah rolled her eyes at Lily.

“Enough with your patriotic speech. We have to start the plan now before mother comes in to get me prepared. I am sure she have gone to select gifts and a gown for me.” Princess Mayah said while walking about her well decorated room, helplessly.