Chapter Three

QUEEN'S POV

“Yes! He is indeed handsome.” I said trying my best not to show any hint that can connect to my real identity.

“Of course, he is a Prince!” her tone became different from her usual voice. “But he’s impossible…” she reluctantly added.

“He is impossible, what?” I asked Liza. I neither understood nor heard the reply clearly. I thought she was overthinking things so I told her “My dear, what’s wrong if he is indeed a Prince? Can’t a girl like him?”

“He is out of reach and out my league Grandma, like, you know... A Prince and a commoner, fairytale or Cinderella... In real life, it doesn't exist.”

“How did you say so? He may be born royal but he is also a man. And a grown-up man needs a woman. Oh! If that woman is you, isn’t he lucky? You are a beautiful, smart, kind, and passionate young lady. Any guy would fall for you easily.” 

“Are you joking Granny? Seriously, even if he approaches me right now and is like 'I like you Lizzie' I'd better say no because no way in this world would allow such a thing to happen. But you know what Grandma, thank you so much for hyping my dream, it helps a lot...”

“And who in the world do you think will not allow that to happen? You haven’t even met each other yet you're giving up already? Dear, try not to overthink everything. It will ruin the moment you are about to experience.”

Liza is a naïve one. She can’t hide her true self either. Well, Prince Hades, as far as I know, he has the habit of ignoring girls who push themselves on him, but as his grandmother, I can say he is not really that cold. I could not figure out either why he does not want to settle down yet already.

If I could only tell Liza my real identity and that I could easily pair them up, I would have done it already but it will spoil my plan. I am away from the palace so there should be no royal event to be happened not until the Queen has been declared dead. My plan is still possible. I will never tell her my real identity, yet, especially not now that they knew the queen is missing with the whole world looking for me. My reasons are simple. I just want to experience a normal life, away from the crown and the responsibilities attached to it.

I woke up in the middle of the night running after my heavy breathing, I checked the time and it is still past one o’clock in the morning. I trembled in fear, my body sweated a lot. I just had a nightmare. Not really a nightmare but it was a memory from my past, the night when the accident took place. I do not actually remember everything clearly, as of now; I have been trying my best to regain some memories of that particular time. I may not have amnesia or totally lost my memories but the incident is as blurred as muddy water.

Kenny, my dearest pet, a cat whom I treasured the most was a gift from my late husband Prince Albert for our fifty-first wedding anniversary. He passed away a few days after our celebration leaving me alone and widowed. Kenny was there all by my side throughout my mourning period making me feel better. He became so precious to me that I took care of him personally. 

I was carrying my cat happily in the Palace garden. While feeding him, the imperial secretary Mr. Yeshy Whillis came to see me. We talked about the usual matter that needs to be discussed with me. I needed to give permissions, orders, opinions, and likings that I become so engrossed in our conversation that I forgot Sunny. When I look at his spot, he was not there anymore. I could not see him anywhere in the garden so I hurriedly dismissed Mr. Whillis and ordered everyone to find my pet. 

I was walking back and forth waiting for news from my people. It was already an hour passed by, and still no news from them. I was so impatient at the time so I initiated to go over the searching people to take a look. Ignoring all the servant's worried looks, I went to a place that anyone has not been to before, I am not even familiar with the place. I walked carefully until I reached a part of the garden with tall trees. I hesitated to go in further. I was about to turn back, and stepped into a stone, small enough not to be seen, I did not expect it to roll over the landscape. I was out of balance and fell into the ground creating a big thug sound. My back was in excruciating pain and no one is there to help this old woman. I tried standing up as I arched myself but as soon as I moved my body, the slippery rocks unexpectedly rolled down the mountain. It was late when I realize I’m on the edge of a cliff. I cried for help but no one came. I can only hear the echo my voice has made.

"Is there anyone there? Come here and save me..."

 Thankfully I was able to hold a branch of a tree before I totally fell as my life depends on it. I repeatedly cried for help until a figure of a woman in her mid-fifties age showed up. I smiled in relief thinking someone could definitely get me out of there.

"Oh goodness. Thank you for coming just in time. Come here help me…" I am the Queen and I am so used to commanding everyone though I never behave meanly towards my servants and other people below my rank. What’s there to be bad anyway?

"I want to help you but I’m afraid I can’t Your Majesty" She answered with a proud face

"Why not? I will not drag you down..." I said confused as I lift my hand trying to reach her but she simply pulled herself two steps behind instead.

This ungrateful vixen shooed my hand away. She then sat, bending herself on one knee leaning a little saying,

"Yes of course! You will not drag me down and you can never drag me down! Your time has come. Now go to heaven or to hell, I don’t care! Die! You old woman! The palace and the country don’t need you anymore! Your, Majesty?"

The audacity indeed!

"You!!!… How dare you se- ahh!!!!!!!!!!" before I could even finish my sentence, she stood up glancing at my almost drenched self, walking carefully to the tree branch I was desperately holding my life with. She grabbed a part of it and shakes off as it made me loosen my grip on the branch and fall over. I used all my strength and will to hang on but I was not able to stick at all.

I fell on the cliff scared, and in no time everything went blank.