22

Ruthy’s

I do think I’ve been unfair to myself lately. Ever since Mom found out about me and Angelo, all I’ve been thinking is “be true to yourself” and “don’t hide your feelings anymore”, but I feel like I’ve done everything but that. I kept denying things from myself, I kept hiding my true feelings. I don’t know what to feel anymore. Rather, I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel anymore. Last night, I felt so uneasy and empty. I couldn’t fall asleep for almost three hours. At first, I just closed my eyes and emptied my mind, but I failed to put myself to sleep. I ended up opening my window and sitting on the mini sofa staring at the moon. When I woke up, I laid on my bed for 20 minutes before standing up. I just cuddled my pillow and wrapped myself with my comforter. I changed for breakfast and headed out my room. Saint was outside, waiting to accompany me.

“Are you feeling alright, Your Highness?” Saint asked as we started walking down the hallway. I stood straight and held my hands in front of me. I smiled at him.

“Of course. I just didn’t get a good sleep,” I told him. He didn’t seem to believe me, but he didn’t push it. We walked silently through the hallway, down to the staircase while hearing the clanging of plates and utensils on a cart. It was the normal sound that would echo around the halls during morning. Since we are just starting the day with little energy, we keep the conversations low and short. I reached the Dining Hall and my parents were already there as well as King Ricardo and Queen Josephine.

“Good morning, Ruthy,” they greeted me. I stopped in front of the doors and made a little curtsy.

“Good morning, Your Majesties,” I greeted them then went to my usual spot on the table. Thomas and Althea arrived a little later, but Keith was taking longer than usual.

“Where’s Keith?” Althea whispered beside me. I looked around and he was still not arriving. It was weird for him to be late for meals, but I don’t have any idea what happened to him. I shrugged.

“I don’t know. Maybe he slept in?” I said and Althea giggled. Of course, Dad would scold him if he ever did, but he never does that. A few minutes later, Keith arrived.

“Where have you been, Keith?” Mom asked Keith as he sat beside her on the other side of the table. The butlers began serving us pancakes with fruits. We always have light breakfast like toast, sandwiches, and muffins.

“I went to the Throne Room to wait for a delivery from France. Pardon me,” he apologized. Oh, it must have been the toys I got for him. I didn’t imagine him actually waiting for it at our doorstep. I got him antique model ships since he liked to collect as such. It was because I made a stupid promise just so we wouldn’t tell Dad about me and Angelo. Well, not that I didn’t want to give him a gift, but he already had enough toys and it wasn’t even his birthday. After breakfast, Lady Shine stood at the foot of the staircase, patiently waiting.

“Queen Cleo, you have mails at the Women’s Room,” she said with her head down. Mom, who was in front of me, immediately headed to the Women’s Room. Since I didn’t have anything to do today, I headed to the Women’s Room with Mom. Envelopes and folders were neatly piled on the middle of the desk, I guess some papers to review and sign as well.

“Mom, are you and Althea going to knit again later?” I asked as we entered the Women’s Room. I sat at the couch near a shelf while Mom went straight to the desk. I grabbed the nearest book I could reach to read while I wait for her.

“If Althea wants to, sure. You can come with us,” she said as she opened a drawer to take her reading glasses and started opening the envelopes. I always liked the seals of the mails we receive. It was in different styles and colors, but it was perfectly shaped with no excess or not enough fill.

“I would love to,” I told her and then opened the book. Not even a minute through the book I’m reading when Mom suddenly gasped so loudly and jumped to her seat. I almost dropped my book and the maids who were standing by the door flinched as well. I set the book back on the shelf and stood.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” I asked and walked to her. She had her mouth covered while reading the letter. She started breathing heavily and she suddenly dropped the letter and fell back to her chair.

“Mom!” I exclaimed and jumped to her side. I held on to the arm rest of the chair where she leaned on and grabbed her shoulder. I shook her and tapped her cheek to make sure she’s conscious. The maids immediately went to us, waiting for us to ask for assistance.

“Mom! Are you okay?” I frantically asked while letting her sit up. She came back to her senses and held her forehead as she catches her breath. She held my wrist and suddenly began crying. She was silently crying, but I could hear her gasps as I try to calm her down.

“Call Lady Shine,” she silently said between her breaths. One of the maids bowed and immediately went out the room. I knelt before her and held her shaking hands. I was close to tears as well since I couldn’t understand what was happening and why she was reacting like this.

“Mom…please tell me what’s wrong,” I told her, my voice breaking. She calmed herself and grabbed the letter from the table. She handed me the letter then gently held my cheek.

“The DNA results arrived, Ruthy. It’s a match. Josephine and Noah, Althea and Noah...they all matched,” she said with her voice shaking. I gasped and almost screamed, but I covered my mouth. I fell to the floor, desperately catching my breath. My hands were shaking while holding the letter and I was trying to read each and every word it had.

              Based on testing results obtained from the analyses of the DNA, the probability of maternity is 99.998%.

              Based on testing results obtained from the analyses of the DNA, the probability of siblingship is 58.768%.

Mom had her ways to get to Queen Josephine and Althea, and she didn’t even break a sweat to get what she needed. It may seem weird or inappropriate, but we are family. Lady Shine arrived looking anxious, holding up her skirt from running. She stood still in front of the opened door.

“Y-yes, Your Majesty?” she stuttered. Mom, who finally calmed down, tapped my shoulder and motioned for me to stand up. I took a deep breath and slowly stood up, as well as Mom. I wiped my cheeks and blinked the tears away.

“Please arrange a meeting at the Throne Room within 30 minutes. All of the royal family members should be present,” Mom ordered. Lady Shine immediately followed and called up the family members. Mom and I went to our rooms to calm down and rest our eyes. My maids worked quietly when they saw me enter in tears. They spoke nothing of what they saw. I laid back on the chair, trying to catch my breath, while Danielle massaged my palms and Genesis putting cut cucumbers under my eyes.

“Try to breathe slowly, Your Highness,” Danielle softly said. So, I did. I closed my eyes and let my body loosen up. My hands finally stopped shaking and my heart calmed down. Genesis gently brushed my hair and massaged my scalp. It was calming and refreshing, indeed. After 20 minutes, Genesis took the cucumbers away and gently pushed my shoulders to make me sit up. I opened my eyes and the two of them were looking at me through the mirror with worried eyes. I smiled at them.

“I’m okay. Don’t worry about me,” I told them. I didn’t feel sleepy despite not having enough sleep and having tired eyes, but I felt like I was preparing myself for later. I’m sure that Mom will be announcing it, but I still can’t believe it’s true. It’s been scientifically confirmed. Noah is King Ricardo and Queen Josephine’s missing son, Noah is Prince Brylle Wilhem.