The Princess In Red Bandana

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

A few knocks from the door caught Matilda's attention the next day, when she opened the door a palace servant was standing in front of her.

“The queen wants to talk to you.” The servant informed Matilda.

“Yes, I'm ready where can I go to see the queen?” Matilda asked.

“Just follow me and I will send you to the palace garden.” The servant responded.

They walked down the long hallway and on its sides it was surrounded by various colorful flowers as if it was a paradise you are passing through, birds and butterflies are flying and perching on the flowers and there are also some chairs and tables that can be rested if desired.

“I guess Queen Yashiba and King Devar enjoy this part of the palace where they can relax and have some small talk while looking peacefully with those colorful flowers and butterflies flying and perching.” Matilda cannot stop herself to comment.

“Every morning they drink coffee and eat breakfast together in this place.” The servant told.

“It is nice to see that the king and queen are so sweet at the beginning of the day no wonder why they managed the kingdom well and with love. This place is the source of love and that is flowing towards their subjects.” Matilda commented.

The palace servant just stared at her as she continued to walk towards the garden.

“Come here Matilda, how’s your sleep?” Queen Yashiba asked.

“Good morning Your Highness, I slept and rested well enough to start a good routine for the day.

“Well then, it won't be that hard for you to work here in the palace.  Adella will always be with you because she's the one I trust, especially when it comes to the princess.” Queen Yashiba mentioned.

“I will make sure I get in touch with Miss Adella properly.” Matilda responded.

“I expect that one of the most important things you should remember is the purpose of your stay here in the palace and that is to prove to the citizens of Lemery that a witch like you can have a good relationship with us without any worries or being afraid all the time.” Queen Yashiba reminded.

“I will always remember that I also want to have a good relationship with them and remove the fear that envelops people's minds.” Matilda admitted.

“I’m glad to hear that, so I guess that’s all for today Adella can now be with you to discuss what task you need to attend .” Queen Yashiba concluded.

Adella and Matilda walked back to the palace when they arrived at the princess's room Adella mentioned the tasks assigned to Matilda.

“We are the most trusted by the queen to take care of the princess so we should ensure the safety of the princess at all times even if it costs our lives that is the service I offer them and I hope you are too.” Adella explained.

Matilda nodded in response, “I’ll make sure that the chance given by  Queen Yashiba to stay inside the palace and live a normal life will not be lost so I beg you Adella to give me a chance to work with you with trust,” Matilda sincerely requested.

“Just do your job right and I’m sure we won’t have any problems.”Adella’s intractable response to Matilda.

The two started to clean the princess’ room by sweeping, mopping the windows and floor, changing the bedsheets, and putting the clothes of the princess in order to make the two busy that morning and a few more minutes they hear that Queen Yashiba is coming together with the princess and some palace servants.

“The princess looks hungry, she had earlier played eating her little hands.”Queen Yashiba smiled while handing the princess to Adella.

“You are right Your Highness, I’ll prepare her formula immediately.” Adella replied.

“How wonderful that the princess doesn't cry even though she's hungry and look at her face she looks so cute while trying to eat her little hands.” Matilda's unbridled admiration.

After seeing that the princess was already fed and about to sleep, Queen Yashiba said goodbye and went to her room to dress up and prepare to join the king in his visit to Humptulips.

“Will you take me with you?” Adella asked.

“No, Adella just stay with the princess we will just visit the Humptulips to pay respect.” Queen Yashiba answered.

Matilda was surprised to hear the place was mentioned because it was the place in the Kingdom of Lemery where gods and goddesses were believed to live. People often visit the sacred place when they want to offer, ask for guidance, or make a request.

What could be the Queen and King’s purpose?, Matilda mumbled.

The king and queen proceed to Humptulips in a chariot with dozens of guards and palace servants.

“I want to thank Goddess Natasha and Apollo for our good health and keeping peace in the kingdom but more importantly I want to ask for the protection of our princess from anything that could harm her." The Queen admitted.

"I have the same intention though our palace guards are inconsistent training still the god and goddess protection can cast our worries away especially when it comes to our little Princess Amira.” King Devar replied.

Entering the sacred place you can feel strange energy that envelops the surroundings, the movement of branches of trees when the wind blows and nothing else can be heard but the sounds created by the rush of flowing water from the waterfall.

The king and queen knelt and bowed as a sign of respect for the place then ritually offered gifts such as leaves of bay laurel, fruit, flowers, incense, libations of wine, and animal sacrifice to appease the gods in return for favors from them.

“You are the deities who protect us from all invaders and make this Kingdom stable and stronger, we owe everything to you please accept our offer.” King Devar mentioned.

Wind blow so hard as if it is the god and goddess who respond to their offer.

"Our deities Apollo and Natasha we are humbly begging for your continuous guidance and protection not only for us but also most especially to our only daughter Princess Amira, please send her your untiring protection.” Queen Yashiba pleaded.

Suddenly there was a strong wind all around that makes all the branches of the tree in constant motion, then the clouds that were so bright slowly change their color and turn into grayish ones after that they heard a roar of voice from the sky.

“Your heart is full of worry and fear, go to the waterfalls and clear your mind the water from the waterfall will help you remove the negative energy that envelops your mind and it will give you the strength to lead well and peacefully over your people.” The voice they heard from nowhere.

The king and queen were very grateful to God Apollo, after giving their respects, they went to the waterfall they went down into the water and submerged their whole bodies slowly a smoke-like spirit circled the two of them and flowed into their entire bodies and they felt a calm of their minds and souls.

Outside the sacred place, the guards and servants of the palace are patiently watching and waiting for King Devar and Queen Yashiba to return.