ROSHIDA After the meeting, I had to see the King personally. I stood with my head facing the ground. “I must say, when the issue was reported to me, I was livid. Infact, I was so mad that I thought that at the end of the day, I'd strip you of your title. This has never been done before.” I thought my head was going to be gone too. “You will play a very valid role for your people, Luna. And I can already see that you're going to be not just their leader, but their friend too.” If I was going to be a good leader, then I'll step on toes. A lot of toes. “Thank you, my King. I just did what I thought was right. Thank you for hearing me out. And thank you for helping that woman. She would have had nothing if not for you.” He waved it off.“Oh, it's nothing. I mean, you opened my eyes to see how ridiculous it was that her husband got to laugh last after everything. I'll take a better look at the othe
VALFRED When I heard that my father’s court was in session, I rolled my eyes. I knew that there was no way that I could miss out on it no matter how much I wanted to. It was always so boring and aggravating. But when I heard that Roshida was involved, I didn't think twice before leaving my mother and rushing all the way there. What is the matter this time? The way she was able to stand up for herself despite being in front of my father and his cabinet made me quite impressed. The fact that she had changed not just one law was a brave move and I knew my father frowned against every form of disrespect and everything that seemed like one was going against him. The way she spoke so proudly, knowing that she had done the right thing got to me and I couldn't bring myself to look away from her. Even when Elder Rossi seemed to frustrate her efforts, she spoke back at him. He was the major reason I hated being in court. He
ROSHIDA After replying everything to Sophia as it happened, she sat beside me in awe. “Woah, I have to say that you really have some balls. You stood up to the king and his elders?” That man who thought he could make things work out in his favor was going to be my biggest fan, ironically. He was going to make things hard for me now that I was going to be in the legislative council. “Oh, did I add that the King wants me to be a part of the legislative council? I guess something good comes out of trouble.” My mind cast back to the palace and I saw Valfred’s face when I was speaking about Felix. I didn’t get to thank him but I was really grateful for what he did for me. The way he stood up for me like we had spoken about it before, not minding if his father would get mad at him for taking sides. “What did you just say?” I looked at Sophia as I popped a grape in my mouth.“What are you talking about?”
ROSHIDA I stood in the centre of the room, staring at myself in the mirror as the seamstress moved around me like a merry-go-round, putting pieces of material together and sewing them together. “Do we really have to do this? Can’t you just take my measurements or something?” I’d finally sent the reply back and since there was just a day left, we had to get the dresses ready. It was quite sad that I could not wear my normal black leather outfit. Apparently, everyone had seen me in it. “Isn’t the cleavage a little low? I don’t need men staring down my top. Close it up,I'm uncomfortable.” As if life was against me, Sophia entered the room. “Hold on a minute. What are we closing up?” “The Luna said she didn't want the cleavage to be so low so we’re going to close it up. Although, that will be a very sad thing because I must say you have a pair of very nice breasts.” It was weird to hear that from anyone, esp
ROSHIDA Sophia was right when she said that we were going to be so pretty. The tailor had called last minute and said that she needed to change a few things and even though I didn't understand what she was saying, I just told her to do what she felt was best. I didn’t know how it was going to turn out but I didn't care though. It’s not like I cared about going to the party so the way I looked didn't exactly matter. But as I stood in front of the mirror, I had to admit that this was perfect and yes, I was glad that they both stopped me from closing up the cleavage. “Isn’t that lipstick too bright?” “There is no such thing as “too” in fashion. Everything that happens is for a reason.” I let Sophia do whatever she wanted and finally, she clapped her hands together. “I’ve created a masterpiece. You should be put in a museum and not allowed to move. Unless you have to pee, of course.” Sophia had a
VALFRED When my father told me about the party, I was reluctant to go especially after hearing that it was in Lucas’s pack. I didn’t want to be anywhere near here but he didn’t give me a choice. I don’t know why he couldn't just go by himself. I got there late on purpose and asked them not to bother announcing my arrival because I didn't want to be here. What was the point of pretending? As soon as I entered, I walked straight for a table and just sat down. “My King, should I bring you anything to eat or drink?” I would rather die than eat or drink anything here. I didn’t trust that bastard and I never will. “No, just let me be.” It was only a matter of time before other people heard about my presence and I was shaking hands and accepting more greetings for my father than I could remember. I wasn’t just approached by Alphas who were trying to get on my good side, there were also women who were
ROSHIDA Did I expect attention? Yes. But not this type of attention. As soon as we sat down, we started getting approached. Well more like I started getting approached because Sophia just sat quietly behind me like she had done her part and was watching it all play out. Thankfully,there was an open chair beside me so I sat there looking like I was holding an interview in the middle of the party since the chair was not vacant for more than five seconds. They kept asking me for dances and I kept turning them down because not only did I not want to leave my chair, I didn't want to dance with any of them. They were all opportunists. “Where are all these people coming from? Sophia, help me!” Before she could respond, I felt a presence in front of me and I turned back around. “Hi beautiful.” I almost rolled my eyes. If you were going to disturb my peace, at least be good at it. The waiter
ROSHIDA The prince ran up to me as I stood outside and for once, I didn't feel the anger boiling in my chest. “Why’re you leaving so quickly? Bored already?” I wanted to answer him but my heart was beating very fast so I just shook my head. “Oh sorry about that. You seemed to have your hands full with all the men tonight.” Attention that I didn't want. “Men are like flies. They will go after everything.” What was the point of hiding my annoyance? All men were the same. “Oh well, I'm sorry if you were offended by anyone tonight..” Before I could think of a response, Sophia spoke up. “Some silly girl disrespected the Luna.” I turned around and gave her a look. I didn’t need her telling the Prince anything because it didn’t concern him. He stepped closer and I could see that the distance between us had shortened but he wasn’t too close yet. “Disrespected you
ROSHIDA This time around, a bottle didn't solve his grievance. Infact, I think it only enraged him. The more I showed the bottle to him, the louder his cries got. I had to taste the milk to make sure that it wasn't too hot. “Liam, please. I'll kill to know what you want.” As I called his name, he suddenly stopped crying and looked at me. “What? What do you want? Will you tell me?”The tears were rolling down his face and he was red. Then I did the stupidest thing. I raised the bottle to his face again and showed it to him. “Are you hungry?” The crying ensued and I just stood in the living room wishing that babies could talk. I had a headache, I was hungry, sleep deprived and weak. “Why’s the little one making so much noise this early?” The Queen came down from the stairs in her night robe and face mask. “Good morning, My Queen. I'm sorry if his cries woke you up. I've been trying but he just won't stop.” She smiled. “Can I hold him? I think I know what's wrong.” At this
ROSHIDA “Evelyn, look at me, please.” I wanted to turn around but I was scared of how close we were standing. Well, he was the one standing close to me. The only option out was to walk away. “Fine, I'm sorry for not coming to see you. I really wanted to but that would mean going against my father.” Was I even mad at him only because he didn't come see me in the hospital? Maybe. Because he was actually in trouble and I couldn't blame him. “As I said, I'm not mad. Now, let it go.” I walked away from him. I didn't even think I was hungry anymore. Of course, he followed me. “Hows the baby doing?” “He’s fine.” “I’m sorry about his mother.” I know, I was too. “Yeah, sure.” “If there is anything I can do-” I turned to face him. “There is nothing you can do, my Prince. I fact, I don't need your help. I'll bury her myself. Thank you.” He was taken aback by my outburst but I didn't give him time to recover. I guess the only thing I couldnt blame him
ROSHIDA I was about to lose it. I wasn't a mother, well not yet anyway, but I could feel the burnt. I thought Liam was a peaceful baby. He wasn't. As soon as he woke up later that evening, he cried his lungs out. I carried him, dropped him, snag to him, played with him but nothing could stop that mouth from crying. Sophia rushed into the room and handed me his bottle. “Just the right temperature. Here.” As I placed the bottle in his mouth, the room instant became silent and I could hear myself think again. “I guess someone is a little hungry.” He was so focused on the bottle that until he finished it, he didn't even look at me. “It’s just your first day and you look like you've had it.” That's because I have. I have had it. “What’s the time? I'm hungry.” I looked outside but I couldn't see anything. “Its two am. What time did you think it was?”
138VALFREDI should have known that something was wrong. The higher I went, the heavier I felt. It was getting hot but I didn't stop. I had to save that kids brother. When I finally got to the sixth floor, I placd my hand on the door handle and it burned me instantly. So I had to use my clothes to open the door. The fire threw me back. There was no way I would be able to walk through the fire. Wait, maybe if I could get my jacket wet. The sprinklers were activated so I went to stand under one. When the jacket was finally wet, I stood at the door knowing that what I was about to do was dangerous but I was already here and I couldn't go back. Flinging the jacket over her head, I ran past the original flames at the door. The fumes were so thick that I could barely breathe and I couldn't see anything past me but I was in now so I didn't have a choice. “Is anyone in here?!”The fact that I didn'
VALFRED I couldn't say anything to her. When I heard about what happened to her, I wanted to go immediately and check on her by my father said that he would have to be dead before I walked out of the house after just being free from the debris on top of me. I wasn't supposed to go to the Trade Center today but just as the last minute after breakfast, I decided that since I didn't have anything to do today, I might as well get some work done. I'd only entered the building and gotten into the elevator when the alarm went off. At first, I thought it was a drill but then when the elevator door opened and I saw the smoke and the way people were in panic mode, I knew it wasn't a drill. With how big and important the Trade centre was, it meant that there would be a lot of people in it and a lot of people running at the same time meant a stampede. A stampede which I could see before me happening and I
ROSHIDA I didn't have to tell him twice before he accepted. Although he was a little skeptical since there were still procedures that he had to follow with Child Services and all but once I told him that the Queen was involved in this, he was grateful to have something that he could shove in their faces. Sophia helped me carry the bags to the car while Valfred drove us home. All the while, I didn't bother raising my head up and I didn't even realize it until we had gotten home. My whole attention was on Liam. His eyes were finally opened and I just couldn't look away from the tiny little creature in front of me. He had his mother's eyes. While looking through Brianna's things, I'd seen a picture of her and I took it with me so that I could show it to Liam when he got older. I wasn't going to take that away from him more Brianna. He deserved to know the wonderful woman who had raised him. A
ROSHIDAI didn't even bother to finish taking the IV. I'd removed it from my arm last night and worn my clothes. “Where are her personal effects? I need to see if she has any family.” He led me to the reception and brought out the bag. “We’d already gone through it but we couldn't find anything. There was nothing to say who she was or where she came from.”Shit. Meaning I didn't even know if Brianna was her real name. How could no one know who she was?“What’s going to happen to her body?”“In cases like this where there is no one to claim it, the body usually takes care of it. We do our best to respect the dead and give them a resting place.”Brianna deserved better for all her struggle. “Can I claim her body?”“That would make very happy. That girl deserved more. I'll get you the release forms and then the morticians will help you with her body.”I followed him back to his office so I could get the forms. Who is to blame for what had happened? Emergency services? The Fire De
134ROSHIDAShe ignored my question and pulled me in for a hug. “Oh, I was so worried when I heard about you. What happened? The doctor said you went into shock?”I nodded. “A lot happened.”“Where did you go? Why didn't you go with a guard? I hear you helped a woman give birth?”I nodded and she finally smiled with tears in her eyes. “Youre really amazing. I was so worried. Come, have a seat.”I sat down beside her. “What about the Prince? Is he here too? Is he okay?” She nodded. “He’s fine. They were able to get him out and he bounced right back up, even refused treatment. But his father forced him to take some drugs for the pain. But he'll be fine. He doesn't know you're here yet.”Gosh, I'm so happy he was fine. If anything had happened to the Prince…“I need to check on the woman I'd brought here. I need to make sure that she's doing okay.”I wanted to stand up but she held me back. “Why don't you rest for tonight? I'm sure you can see the tomorrow.”Right now, it wasn't t
ROSHIDA “Rub the chest. Make sure that the baby cries. Spank him! Any thing you have to do..” I did all she said I should do but the baby wasn't crying and Brianna wasn't moving. “Brianna? Hey, wake up! Your baby's here.” She didn't move. Her body was limp. Now I was with a baby that wasn't crying and a mother who wasnt moving. I was about to start crying. In a fit of desperation, I spanked that baby on his buttocks so hard and he started crying. The way relief washed over my body, I couldn't explain it. “Screw the ambulance. Sophia, do you know how to drive? Please, get down to the park. Um, the name is Riverdale. Please get down here as soon as possible. I need you to help me get to the hospital. Brianna isn't moving or responding.” I tried shaking her more times but she didn't move. I even placed the baby on her so that maybe she will move but she didn't.