In fact, the tree was the largest and tallest tree that I had ever seen in my life. The tree truly stood out from the rest because of the color of its leaves. Because it wasn’t autumn, the other trees’ leaves were green; however, the leaves of this large tree were a mix of orange, brown, and red. The leaves scattered all over the ground where the tree stood gave me a very good hint of what she wanted me to do here. “Unfortunately, this tree takes a long time to shed all of its leaves. As you can see, even as we stand here its leaves are falling,” Sophie said before she turned to smile at me. “I see…” I murmured in understanding. If all I had to do was sweep up the fallen leaves then that wasn’t a hard task. There was quite a lot of it so it would probably take some time if I worked at it alone, but it wasn’t something that was unmanageable. “I want you to sweep up all the fallen leaves and then make sure to immediately pick up the leaves that have just fallen. As I just told you,
“No…umm…it’s fine. Thank you…” I managed to say while stuttering. The man chuckled lightly, and his voice sounded like music to my ears. The warmth of his hand around mine made my face feel hot. Without warning, he pulled me back up to my feet with ease. My heart raced madly in my chest, and I couldn’t tell if it was because he was close or because of my fall from earlier. His hand and his fingers are so beautiful…“What are you doing here?” he asked with interest. “I…I’m picking up the leaves that fell from this tree…” I replied while still confused about what was going on.Who is this man? “Why bother picking them up if more will just fall down?” he asked.Why indeed…?His face looked up at another leaf that was making its way down to the floor right to our side. My eyes followed where he was looking and rested on the falling leaf as well. When the leaf fluttered down close to us, his hand shot out and caught it. “For you…” he said as he handed me a leaf.The way he smiled so b
“Umm…can you…” I began asking.“Yes, I can carry you…” he replied as if he knew exactly what I was going to ask. My eyes widened in surprise before I collected myself and nodded at him in thanks. At least, that saved me from the embarrassment of asking him to carry me up. Instead of carrying me, the man turned his back to me and crouched down. “Climb on my back or you can sit on my shoulders, which ever you prefer,” he said casually. He waited as I hesitated on what to do. Frankly, I had never ridden on a man’s back or anyone’s back before. So, how do I climb up someone’s back exactly? On top of that, I might be heavy so…“What are you waiting for?” he asked with a hint of impatient in his voice. “Umm…I’m sorry but…I don’t really know how to get on someone’s back…” I admitted shyly as a blush crept up into my cheeks.The man turned his head around and stared up at my face before he burst out laughing quite loudly. His hand moved to cover his lips as he continued to laugh even loud
“I’m just doing my job…” the doctor said before her eyes glanced over at the man standing next to me. It looked like she was about to say something but then decided not to. I cocked my head slightly to the side questioningly, but she never said anything more. “You don’t have to worry about it. Just leave the cat here with me, I’ll take care of it until it can walk around like normal again,” the doctor promised me reassuringly. “Thank you so much. I was worrying how I could take care of it. Pets aren’t allowed in the maids’ quarters so…” I said apologetically before trailing off. “I completely understand. Don’t worry about it,” she said with a sweet smile. After leaving the cat with the kind doctor, we headed back outside. I felt immediately guilty on skipping out on my work to save a cat while my mind began wondering how many leaves have fallen all around the tree by now. Why did the tree have to shed so many leaves?I should get back to work now after handling so many distractio
“Huh?!” I exclaimed in pure surprise. “Why are you so shocked? We’re in a kitchen, there’s a bunch of ingredients and cooking tools, and you can cook. Cook us some lunch, little girl,” he said as if it was really the most obvious solution to our problem. “Can you not call me a little girl…” I said softly before I could stop myself. “You don’t like it? I think it’s rather cute. What about little maid instead?” he suggested before he grinned playfully at me. “Nevermind…” I whispered in resignation. “A cute name suits a cute girl, no? I’m hungry…can you start cooking already?” the man said before he chuckled in pure amusement. “Umm…sure…” I replied while still confused at this sudden turn of events. It seemed like our quest for food ended up with me cooking for the both of us. Honestly, I didn’t mind cooking. It was something that I enjoyed and did very often when I lived at the orphanage. Just standing in this kitchen reminded me of home, the orphanage, along with all the girls t
I was quite confident before in my cooking abilities but now that the time came for me to serve him food, I was so nervous that my hands shook. Endless worries filled my mind, and I doubted if the food I had made would be good enough for him or if it would suit his tastes. After placing the food in front of him, I took a few steps back and stood to the side. “What are you doing? Sit down and eat with me,” the man said invitingly. I hesitated for a brief moment before taking the seat opposite him from the table. He must have thought that my reaction was strange because even I didn’t know why I acted like that. Since he’s not one of the masters that I was supposed to serve, I had no idea why I was starting to treat him as if he was one. He lifted a spoonful of the soup that I made up to his lips as I stared at him from across the table. My stomach felt like it was tied up in a tight knot as I waited for him to appraise the food that I made. “It tastes wonderful,” he said before he s
What am I supposed to do now? Did I say or do something wrong? This is why women are so troublesome. They’re so hard to understand and figure out. Despite my firm vow to myself, my body moved on its own. Again. “If you don’t stop crying, I’m really going to kiss you…” I said in a low whisper.That was definitely the wolf in me speaking. Why else would I feel such a strong urge to kiss her pink and slightly swollen lips like this?I could still feel the warmth of her damp tears on my fingertips. Her eyes had started to swell red and the same applied to her cute little lips. I like it so much more when she smiled, although her smiles were always so reserved. “Umm…wait…” she protested softly. I found her confused expression while she tried to hold back her tears quite adorable. Just staring at her face puts me in a good mood without any good reason at all. Now if only I can figure out or make her tell me why she is crying…“This isn’t what our first kiss is supposed to be like…” I m
My heart skipped a beat again and I cursed myself silently in my head. He was quite stubborn, that was for sure. I nodded in resignation as I watched him sweep up the fallen leaves. I did my part in picking up some random leaves that had just fallen. It didn’t take long for him to finish sweeping up the leaves into neat piles while I admired his efficient movements. The leaves really just kept falling. I turned around and walked over to another that had just fallen before bending down to pick it up. “Thank…you…” I turned to thank him for his hard work before my words ended in a whisper. He was…gone. When did he leave? I looked around but couldn’t see him anywhere around anymore. Just as suddenly as he had appeared, the man seemed to have disappeared into thin air. “There you are…” a woman’s voice rang out loud and clear.I heard the sounds of soft footsteps approaching me and I turned around to see Lady Regina and Sophie walking towards me. They were probably here to see if I hav
“Congratulations to us, you’re pregnant, Mila!” Prince Leonard announced excitedly.“I’m pregnant?” I asked more out of curiosity than out of surprise. Although I knew that the prince would never joke about something like this, I still found it hard to believe that I was suddenly pregnant.“That’s right, you’re pregnant, and that means we’re about to have another baby,” Prince Leonard said before breaking into another wide smile.“I’m…really pregnant?” I whispered as I struggled to wrap my head around the prince’s sudden announcement.“The doctor said that you might have been feeling tired because you’re in the early stages of pregnancy. I’m sorry that I hadn’t realized this sooner; otherwise, I would have kept all the ceremonies short so that you didn’t have to go through all of that when you’re feeling so tired,” the prince said apologetically as he took my hands into his. I kept staring at the prince as he buried the side of his face against the palm of my hand.“We’re about to hav
“Have you eaten anything? Actually, that’s a very stupid question. I know that you haven’t really eaten anything because you haven’t had the time, right?” the Duchess asked knowingly.Although I didn’t want to admit it because I didn’t want to be an inconvenience to anyone, the Duchess was spot on correct that I hadn’t had the time or the opportunity to eat anything. The day had been so busy from early in the morning up until the evening, and everything seemed more important than filling my own stomach.“It’s fine, I’ll make sure to eat something when this reception is over,” I told her reassuringly before offering her a smile. Duchess Flavia only gave me a disapproving glare before shaking her head from side to side.“You look like you’re about to faint. It’s like I can see your face go pale even with all the makeup,” she said as she brought her face closer to mine to get a closer look at me.“I’m feeling fine,” I told her while I tried to convince myself that I wasn’t feeling light-
"Your daughter looks like you," Prince Leonard commented."And I think that your son looks like you, and I'm sure that he will grow up into a great king," Regina said, and I could hear the confidence in her voice."Let me know if you ever need anything," the prince told her with a warm smile."You're always too kind. Please take good care of yourself and of Mila. Mila, please take care of our King," Regina said, turning to address me."I will," I replied shortly before finding myself smiling at her.Regina truly did look happier than the time when she lived in the palace. It felt like the shadow that had always been following her around and haunting her was no longer there. I could tell that she was no longer living under pressure, and it made her shine with happiness and freedom. It seemed that I didn't have to worry about her anymore.After some parting words, Regina led her daughter away from us so that we could converse with other guests. I had no idea how many conversations we ha
Prince Leonard probably had no idea that it was the way his beautiful eyes looked at me and the way his alluring lips curved up into a smile that was responsible for making everything else fade away from my field of vision so that all I could do was focus on him."Thank you for making me your queen," I whispered softly and sweetly.The prince only nodded his head once before carefully placing the crown on the top of my head. When I was aware of the world surrounding us again, all I could hear was the thundering sound of applause that echoed in the royal hall...."Hang in there for just a little longer, Mila," the prince said before flashing me a teasing smile."I guess we're done with two out of the three parts of what we have planned for today," I mumbled before stifling a yawn. I had no idea why I felt so lethargic and sleepy, although it was only just early in the evening. So far, the prince and I operated as the perfect team to pull off two of our most important events of the day
His words touched me like never before, and I could feel it in my heart and soul that I reciprocated his feelings and thoughts. I had never understood the concept of fated mates until I experienced it myself along with the prince. Our bond felt stronger and firmer than any endearing words of promise."I love you. I’ll love you forever," I said the words that came naturally to my mind.**Back to the present**When it came my turn to say ‘I do’, I found myself managing to say it without any difficulty. It must have been partly because I truly meant it when I vowed to be with the prince in sickness and in health, through thick and thin; however, I was certain that everything felt easier because I knew that we had a bond that even the heavens could never break."I do," I said firmly when it was my turn.When we shared the kiss to seal our wedding vows, I knew that what we had was something that was going to last forever until the end of our lifetimes....Our wedding ceremony in the churc
I gave Logan's hand a slight squeeze before taking my first step forward into the church. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I reminded myself to keep my head held high, curving my lips into one of my most beautiful smiles. Without any hesitation, I made my way forward down the aisle. The fact that each step forward brought me closer to the man waiting for me at the end of the aisle gave me the comfort and courage to continue on. I didn't even bother trying to identify faces that I might recognize in the crowd of guests present on both sides of me.It felt as if all my nervousness melted away completely when my eyes met Prince Leonard's. I’d always thought he looked amazingly attractive, but seeing the prince wearing an all-white tuxedo standing in front of the altar with such a loving smile on his face as he waited for me was out of this world. I felt my heart skip a beat in my chest, and it wasn't at all because of my nervousness. Everything and everyone around me slowly faded aw
It was clear that everything was too extravagant for my own taste to the point where it must have been pretty obvious to Prince Leonard that I had no hand in the selection and design of the proposed decorations. "I'm actually fine with anything. I think everything they've chosen is very beautiful, and their work is a lot more professional than anything I could have done by myself," I admitted to the prince honestly."If that's the case, then fine, but if there's anything that you don't like, just tell them to take it out," the prince said firmly."I just think it's easier to let them sort everything out. It's enough for me that we'll be getting married and that Logan will be there to witness our union," I said while trying to keep my tone cheerful. I was certain that if I picked out anything by myself or intervened with the guest list, I would be bringing unwarranted complications and troubles that I didn't want to deal with."If that's what you say," the prince said after finally gi
I should have known that the prince would never want to become the next king for his own personal gain. I found myself nodding my head naturally in agreement with his plan when I realized that I also had to play my part in contributing to the happiness of our son in the future.“I agree that that seems to be the easiest way. I guess if you become king, you can change the rules in whatever way you want,” I said while seeing more than a glimpse of hope.“It’s not going to be that easy. Many people on the committee are going to be against it, but this is our best shot. No matter what, we’re going to make this successful and change the rules of this country for the better,” the prince said, so motivatingly that I found myself feeling slightly excited.“I guess bringing change, especially big changes, isn’t going to be easy,” I said, but by then I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. In my mind, I had already envisioned such a bright future, and it gave me the greatest honor to be able to co
“What is it?” I asked, feeling a sense of worry stir in the pit of my stomach.“I’m concerned about Logan,” the prince confessed in a whisper.“Concerned? What is there for you to be concerned about? Is something wrong?” I bombarded him with questions, thinking there might be a threat to Logan’s safety. I had no idea why I felt that way, but I just had a very bad feeling.“Remember when you asked me why I changed my mind about taking over the throne? I’m sorry, but I haven’t been entirely honest with you,” the prince said with a regretful look on his face.“It’s fine. It must have been hard for you,” I said understandingly while wondering what had the prince feeling so concerned. “What is it about Logan?” I asked as I started to frown with worry.“Logan is getting a lot better at controlling his transformations now, but he’s still too young for us to be sure about what will happen in his future,” Prince Leonard said.It was true that our son had improved tremendously at controlling hi