Chapter Six

LIZA POV

I was on my way back from the market; I bought us enough goods to be consumed for the next weeks. Grandma says she wants to eat meat for dinner so I specifically look for a slice of goat meat, I was actually craving it for the past few days but I didn’t have the chance to go to the market so I took the best chance just now. 

I also went to the same bookstore I visited last time, it was a little crowded today and I heard the same rumor the people were tackling about. It was the rumor about the lost Queen. They said that the noblewoman has been around the villa all this time but no one can say where she is situated exactly.

There was this trail of extravagant cars, at least ten vehicles following after each other leaving from inside our small villa. At first, I was awed by the classy design, it looked pretty expensive. I would never dare to even touch it if I can even come close to it Haha! Yeah... so as I was saying, the first car almost hit me! No matter how rich the people riding inside it, I don’t think they deserve applause from me! hmmm...

Here’s the thing, I think I saw my knight in shining armor in the magazine I have read before.

Am I imagining things already?

Goodness me… how come he’d be here? Who am I fooling? I thought I had to dismiss the idea.

Grandma has already been sitting in the living room when I arrived. She was trimming the stems of the flower and arranging them into the flower vase. I settled myself on the couch too. I noticed grandma stole a few glances from him, it made me feel uncomfortable so I asked if there was anything wrong. Although she was hesitant, she said no.

Earlier, the long silence in the living room almost crept me out. I don’t know what’s going on but I am sure something is bothering grandma. I took the initiative to invite her and James to the kitchen since I bought meat for our dinner, I needed their help with the cooking plus I don’t like the growing tension forming in the air between me and grandma. I assigned her to clean the meat, and James was to take the goods from the basket and put them into the containers. I on the other hand chopped the onions and other vegetables needed. When she was done with her part, Grandma offered me her hand and assisted me which I gladly accepted. She obviously knows almost nothing! Not even to identify which is which or what a salt looks like haha!!! I tried my best to suppress the laughter boiling inside me but James cannot contain it anymore and the two of us burst into laughter, grandma laugh along with us as we enjoyed the activity together and devoured the meal after.

Since three days ago Grandma seemed to be bothered a lot, there were times when she was about to say something to me but she gradually shakes the idea off and changed the topic. My curiosity has grown deeper. This time if she does the same, I will not let it off the drain again.

I am so busy with my thoughts that I didn’t notice someone has long been knocking on the door. I stood up and walked myself to open the entrance, just as when I am about to open the door handle I heard the sound of different voices talking from behind. I grabbed the knob carefully right away and made sure it was still locked. I tip-toed to the nearest window covered with a curtain and peeped my eyes outside. My mind dropped dead when I saw men in black. 

"Oh my god! What am I going to do?!"

I asked myself feeling all nervous and scared to see the people waiting outside the house. I walked back and forth thinking of a way and figuring things why they were there. I slightly moved the curtain again and popped my head, to my surprise an overwhelming figure was there just a meter away from me! He was glaring at me like I am a criminal in my own house, his well-shaved mustache added aura to his expensive suit. My tongue was glued; I can’t even dare to speak a word or two.

“Miss, can you please open the door for us,” he said while still maintaining the cold face in front of me.

I swear I’m scared to death! I didn’t move instead I asked him back. I know he can hear me, our windows are just windows meant to block anyone or anything from entering but that doesn’t mean it is soundproof.

“Who are you? Why are you here?”

“I am the chief of the royal secretaries Miss Gilbert, and we are here to take her majesty, the Queen back to the palace as promised. Please allow us to enter your house so we can settle things up.” He monotonously replied to my questions.

“Queen who?”

“Her Majesty, the Queen of Slytherland”

“Come on… How can the Queen herself is here?... I mean here??? Inside this house?!?!  Ha! Ha!. but you’re not funny… look Sir you must have been mistaken” with that I closed pulled the curtains back to their original place and moved away from the window.

Those people neither knocked nor barged the door for a few minutes so I thought they left already. When I am about to pull the door open, things went really fast.

Bang!!!

The door flung open. I was pushed back to the living room aching from the strong impact that almost broke my spinal cord as I got flat laid on the ground. They entered the room without hesitation. That guy whatever his name was approached me leaving a meter distance between us; he leaned forward slightly squatting his knees and offered me his hand. I ignored it and roared in anger.

"Young Miss, let it be known that we are here not to cause commotion but to carefully attend and assist her majesty back to the imperial palace. It is our duty to do so. Please lead us the way to the queen."

"No need for that."

Grandma arrived just in time, when they noticed her, everyone stood properly, they even bowed in unison. It was so organized that I thought I’m in the wrong place, I have never seen this act before.

"Your majesty… my apologies for making you suffer in vain. I was at fault and should be punished. Please take my life." the old man said. 

I was stunned in disbelief at what I just hear. Did he really offer his life to be punished by… the Queen? I looked at grandma and she was already staring at me too. I couldn’t really tell how I truly felt at that moment, it was like the world stopped and time has frozen. It was a moment of silence. No one dared to speak, not until the queen slowly walked in my direction and grabbed my hands. She gently caressed it, and her eyes… her eyes were in tears, telling me something.

"Please forgive me for hiding my identity. I never forget who I am. I am so sorry; it wasn’t my intention to fool you and James, along the way I… I just enjoyed my time here. I mean I…"

I moved a step back "You don’t have to be sorry grandma. I mean… your majesty. It was my fault I didn’t have any idea of what our queen looked like or was even paid attention when I knew right in front of my eyes about the news, and still ignored it. Please spare me and my nephew’s life, Your Majesty..."

"Oh my dear Lizzie, why would I do that? Don’t be… I am sorry. I’m really, really sorry...!"

I didn’t look at her anymore and focused my eyes on the floor, I got carried away too until my eyes became wet in tears. I cried a river when I could not take it anymore.

She then walked away with the guards and the royal secretary who just came. The queen stopped when she was about to exit the entrance leaving me 

"One day I will return you the favor, Liza." And we departed just like that.