Dreamstress

CHAPTER 11: THE BRACELET- PENDANT

When the Crown Prince and Julianna got to the palace the Crown Prince got off the carriage and strode into the castle without Julianna which Julianna found to be odd as it wasn't on any of the rules but she felt that it was nothing and brushed it aside considering what steps to take to search for the truth she wished to know and gain the future she wished to bring into existence.

By noon she took huge tray filled with lunch and fruits to the Crown Prince's study "Good day, your imperial highness" Julianna greeted.

He quickly placed the documents he was working on into the top drawer if his desk efficiently clearing the table while Julianna set the tray down gave a slight bow and turned to walk away,

" Why is the king of the black heart nation searching for you"

Julianna's heart kept into her throat while she almost staggered but she came to an abrupt halt.

'is this what he was called in for, if a maid knows about it no doubt it's a circulating rumour or a discussion of the seeing that I am the imperial crown prince's maid this could be a stain on his reputation '

"it wasn't a question Juli, it was an order" the Crown Prince spoke up breaking the silence.

Julianna sucked in a breath and faced the Crown Prince. "I," she exhaled deeply "I ran away" she said albeit difficulty "from him, from them all"

"Why" he asked Julianna's hands at her sides clenched into fists " Because I needed to, i needed to escape from all the terrible things he has done and plans to do" her teeth clenched as tears threatened to fall from her eyes.

"You might know that I am the said fallen princess of the shadow heart nation, I watched my entire family perish and the rest slaving away, I went through hell every single minute and i had to escape before he took what was left of what I cherished so I wouldn't loath my existence someday I want something that will fire me up to live and get back at him only then will I stop running and hiding, but when I finally escape I meet the news of him being a step brother " tears escaped from Julianna's eyes masking her entire face which she shielded from prying eyes as she cold not stop the tears.

the Crown Prince showed mild surprise but deeply he was shocked, " indeed he doesn't hide the fact and most agree that karma struck your grandparents, do you know anything about your parents?"the Crown Prince asked

" I was only five when my view of the world was forcefully changed even if I wanted to, i wouldn't have had the consciousness to note anything down but I do know that my parents were very loving people and gracious rulers" Julianna wiped away her tears as she reigned in her emotions which came under her control eventually.

"Your father had a queen before your mom whom bore a son for him but before he agreed to the marriage word was known that he was searching for your mom and when he found your mom he abandoned her and made your mom the queen a few years later war was suddenly raged on the shadow heart nation the people who supported your parents when they found out about the enemy's reasons most abandoned your parents and that was the downfall of the shadow heart nation" the Crown Prince explained

" this so called revenge has gone on to even those who were innocent, my entire childhood perished in the hands of someone blinded by revenge" Julianna was filled with contempt

" the same path you are willing to follow" the Crown Prince reminded

"he followed his in the name of destruction I follow mine in hopes of saving what's left of the people I love and in hopes of finding out why he hates so much"Julianna sighed softly

" Can I be of help?"the Crown Prince asked

and Julianna chuckled sadly " if you could I wouldn't wait till now to ask you I'm a very impatient person" she remarked.

"I want you to know you're safe with me" the Crown Prince smiled warmly stunning Julianna in the process........

A MØNTH LATER

AUTHØR'S PØV

"Hey Julianna" two maids calle out to Julianna.

"Hello, goodmorning" Julianna greeted as she waved.

"Are you going out today?" another maid asked. " Yes ladies I am" Julianna replied cheerfully.

"get us something on the way" "and be back early we've got A lot to do today, mostly you" the maids chatted.

"okay ladies I will, save me a role call would you"Julianna stated as she walked out of the fourth quarter

"sure, Julianna" the maids replied

The Crown Prince was coming from the opposite way "going out ?" the Crown Prince asked

" Yes Imperial Crown Prince " Julianna bowed slightly.

"I am told you do not want to take the royal carriage" the Crown Prince asked.

" I believe the weather is good for a stroll, I'll be back early, I promise" Julianna raised her right hand at the last two words and brought it down still keeping her head down.

the Crown Prince smiled, " okay" the Crown Prince said.

Julianna was wearing a light red dress which matched the colour of the Crown Prince's clothes, her mouth and nose was covered with a light red mask and her hair in a tight high ponytail.

"I'll take my leave now, imperial crown prince" Julianna curtsied.

still bowing her head, she walked away, when she got to a considerable distance she looked up.

The Crown Prince stared as she disappeared from sight, " Loquian" the Crown Prince called and his personal guard drew closer, " follow her, secretly" the Crown Prince commanded coldly "Yes,Sire" the guard bowed and left. 'let you go alone?, you wish' the Crown Prince's thoughts as he walked away.

Julianna walked towards the marketafter gaining pasture approval from the gate guards way too easily for a maid without a guard she discovered later on that it was because of the Prince's personal guard who was following her without her consent but she hadn't exposedthat she knew of his presence, yet.

A shop on wheels caught Julianna's attention 'impressive ' she thought as she glanced at the jewlries in show glasses. She approached the shop and entered.

" Welcome to my wonderful enterprise is there anything that catches your fancy?" A lady, the owner of the mobile shop revealed her presence.

there was strange energy radiating from this lady.

A pendant caught Julianna's sight.

'where have I seen it before?' Julianna thought and remembered that it was once her mother's but it was supposed to be locked in the treasury of the black heart nation what was it doing in this lady's shop.

"I see you are fascinated by that jewellery " the lady said and Julianna took note of her insist accent 'A gypsy' Julianna concluded. "it is very special and it'll look good on you " the lady chatted " I want it how much?" Julianna asked "it is, very unique, and rare despite it's simplicity, it will suit a beauty like you, you are from the palace aren't you?" "You could say that. tell me how much it costs" Jiulianna said

" of course I'm sure the servants have been paid their salaries by now, it's not so much just three gold coins" The gypsy said.

the monetary system was divided in to gold and silver coins the silver coins ranging between real silver and aluminum which reigned between 1 penny ranging from one to 500, silver equivalent to 1000 and one gold coin was equivalent to ten thousand worth of money.

"three?, what?" Julianna asked seemingly calm. "As I said it's a rare jeweland it is not supposed to be here, you luck " the gypsy shrugged calm.

Julianna glanced at the jewelry once more. "one gold coin and 5 pieces of silver" Julianna bargained.

" Alright," the gypsy easily agreed and Julianna was surprised,"Aren't you going to stand by your price maybe try to raise the bar a little?" Julianna asked " that darling is the power of raising the price so high that the right bargain can buy for" the gypsy smiled.

"That's smart," Julianna remarked. " Give it to me" Julianna said

' it looks like mother's jewel the one I lost to' she left the thoughts hanging.

"By the way do you know anyone called Julianna back at sky streak?" the gypsy asked and Julianna raised her guard.

"it's a huge kingdom" She replied briefly. "is there a problem?" Julianna asked.

" the black heart nation's king is looking for her and the bounty offered is a lot for her get me her and we split the money" the gypsy said

and what would a gypsy use bounty money for?" Julianna asked.

the gypsy smirked at Julianna

"Well done, Julianna " the gypsy was satisfied.

Julianna showed no sign of surprise by the discovery.

"Fate doesn't deceive, princess,"the gypsy commented" the necklace is a testimony and be sure to hide that I had to go through a bit of a rough rise for it"

Julianna glanced at the necklace and clenched her hands into fists, " have it in mind that I do not know this Julianna you speak about" Julianna reminded and the gypsy chuckled

" You're not even properly disguised and you dare to say that?" the gypsy asked but Julianna didn't reply.

" Return to the palace, today the black heart nation are roaming in full today I will be your guardian gypsy" the gypsy said with a smile.

necklace in hand, she walked close to Julianna and locks it around her wrist which slightly startled her. " it a bracelet- pendant wear to more on your wrists until you are far from this nightmare, that way it remains unnoticeable and a great accessory " Julianna took out the promised pay taking the gypsy's left hand she placed it into her palm and stepped and turned to walk away.

" Tell Julianna that aunt July will always love her "the gypsy commented and Julianna froze.

She turned," How do you know aunt July?"Julianna asked but there was no one there again, the jewelry shop she was standing upon had vanished. There was no shop on wheels , no jewelry gypsy. only the jewelry on her wrist assured her that she wasn't insane.