9 Chapter Nine

The winner of the competition didn't shock much people. Judy for sure won! How exciting! She smiled at the crowd and bowed to the kings and queens.

Anita smiled at Judy who offered a stiff smile. She couldn't help but glance at her father, he was smiling but she knew he didnt mean it. She wished she could run but she had no place to go.

The presents were presented to the first three winners: Judy, Daniel and Anita. The crowd cheered and Judy got much popularity throughout the entire villages and kingdoms.

King Charles sat next to his dying mother with tears in his eyes. Judy had brought them together 4 years ago. During that year, he lost his father to an uncurable illness. Ever since then his mother had been down with emotional problems.

The queen was in her seventies but still looked young. The illness took a toll on her body and made her have black bags under her eyes. Her joyful eyes became sadder. Her face was squeezed and her hands and legs were wrinkled and lacked shine. Charles cried louder when he heard his mother unsteady breath, "don't cry son," she said with a shaking voice that she herself couldn't believe that-that was her voice. On the other side was Judy who was painting. She concealed her emotions and continued painting and drawing her dear grandmother. This was Queen Madeline's last wish, for her grand-daughter to paint her.

June was in the garden with her mother Clarisse. She collected herbs from the royal farm to make drug for Queen Madeline. Clarisse turned the herbs into concoction and ran to give it to Madeline.

"Madeline, I made some herbs, drink it," said Clarisse pushing it to Queen Madeline's mouth.

With a shaky voice Queen Madeline said, "Clarisse my friend. I won't make it. On the other side my husband waits for me. I'm sorry dear friend."

"No Made, no one is waiting for you. Please take it and live. For the sake of Judy and Charles. Please Made," she pleaded with tears rolling down her eyes. Years ago, she had lost her husband to a terrible illness. She was a concoctionist but she couldn't cure her husband. It brought shame to her as people murmured around. The enemy won and sent her a letter, telling her she couldn't win. They mocked her about. She was a herbalist but couldn't cure her dear husband. Madeline was her friend. Her closest friend and she couldn't lose Madeline to death. She wanted to help. This sickness was curable.

"No Clarisse," she coughed, "Judy?" she called.

"Yes granny," she answered clearing her tears.

"Are you shedding tears my dear?" She asked, "don't shed tears it will make you ugly," she teased.

"Grandma," she smiled, "please take your medicine. Grandma, I don't want to lose you."

"Judy, I am already an old woman. If I die, I die old," Queen said.

"No, you will live for 100 years," Judy stated.

Charles smiled and held Judy who in turn cried on her father's shoulder.

Madeline knew she won't survive. She had that believe on. She prayed for her children especially Judy. She struggled on bed. She kept struggling and stopped, "Judy?" She called.

"Grandma, I'm here," she said turning her face to her. "can I talk to only Judy?" She asked and everybody left. "Grandma, I'm alone," she said.

"Have you gotten clues for Ridgeland?" She asked.

"Yes I have. Anita is not the daughter of the king. She is the king's wife. Her mother was killed through poisoning when Anita was 11. He is planning to marry her when she reaches 16," Judy analyzed.

"What a sin! It seems like the only way to eliminate him is through poison," she said her voice healthy. "I thought so grandma but I discovered he had a cure to it. Even if he gets it he will be cured," she said.

"I lost my husband to him Judy," she cried, "and now I pretend to be severely sick."

"That's it. That's the only way to survive," she said, "keep it up. Don't take any concoction even if granny Clarisse forces you," she added and stood "That's it. That's the only way to survive," she said, "keep it up. Don't take any concoction even if granny Clarisse forces you," she added and stood up.

"Keep on the act. It will be over. I will eliminate Kins and make my mother the queen," she promised.

Madeline smiled and prayed for Judy's safety.

RIDGELAND

Anita screamed in pain when she was flogged by her father. It was really painful. She was half naked wearing only a thin clothe. Kins sneered at his daughter and flogged her harder. With his loud and thick voice he said, "you dare bring shame to my kingdom, Anita. How dare you, let the kingdom of Ridgeland suffer shame?" He whipped her again with a cane mixed with thorns and skin.

Anita gritted her teeth. She was bleeding and she was dying. She was chained. She dropped tears and remembered her mother's confession and plead: "Anita, he is not your father. He is going to be your husband when you reach 16. Please my child be careful. Respect him and fulfill his desire. Judy is the only one who can help you. If you can reach her. Anita don't let my death be in vain. Get clues and destroy this man - He is an enemy. He is evil." Another stroke brought her to life but she slipped into darkness soon after.