10 Chapter Ten

It was two months after the competition. The people of Ridgeland was in silence. Their beloved princess was announced dead. Some people referred it to the failure of the contest as she hadn't showed herself to them. Others said, she was ashamed to be a princess. Only few knew that it wasn't ordinary.

Judy sat in a quiet house, dark and scary. Anita sat opposite with scars all over her face. Queen Madeline was resting on the bed while Clarisse was mixing herbs.

"The kingdom is in silence," Judy said, "nobody believes that their beloved princess is dead. They want to know how she died and why but are afraid of the brutality of Kins."

Anita sighed. Living in the palace after the competition was hell especially when she recall that she was going to marry Kins when she clocks 16. Her mother last words kept ringing in her head and she had to look for ways to contact Judy. Her face was swollen and unbearable to look at.

She had scars all over and was becoming thinner. She was sick and threw up almost everytime at the sight of food. She never knew something was wrong with her but she knew Kins raped her almost every night in those weeks.

"Drink this," Clarisse said, "apply this on your face after you bath. It'll help the marks clear and your face smooth and beautiful," she added smiling lovingly at Anita.

"Thank you Queen Clarisse," Anita was grateful.

"I am no longer a queen. The title was ripped of many years ago. Just call me grandma," Clarisse emphasized.

"Your baby in your womb, take care of it," Judy said while standing up.

"Ba-ba-baby?" Anita stuttered and felt her stomach. She was pregnant?

"Although it belongs to our enemy, it is your child. It has your genes and blood," she said, "I am leaving you. Take care of your health and eat healthy. Apply the medicines and when you are delivered of, we can plan to dethrone Kins and make him suffer."

She said and made for the door, "grandma Made, please be strong for me," Judy said with tears in her eyes.

Madeline's health was deteriorating more and more. "I will, Judy dear," she said but it sounded more like panting.

"Judy," Anita called. Judy turned to look at her, "thank you cousin sis for saving me," she said.

"No need, you are my sister. It is natural I save you. Just take your drugs, eat well and rest well," Judy said.

You might wonder how Anita was related to Judy. Many years back, Clarisse had a family. Her mother, father and two sisters. Her two sisters got married around the kingdom of Ridgeland while she was fortunate enough to gain the Prince approval and they got married. When she got married, she refused to have children immediately because she wanted to enjoy her married life with her husband. Clarisse's elder sister gave birth to two girls. One came to stay with Clarisse when she was seven.

It was around this time that Clarisse was pregnant and her husband was severely sick. The young lady helped Clarisse during those period and she was loved and spoilt by Clarisse. Then one day, Clarisse husband was found dead. It was a turbulent news, hurting and tearing Clarisse's It was around this time that Clarisse was pregnant and her husband was severely sick. The young lady helped Clarisse during those period and she was loved and spoilt by Clarisse. Then one day, Clarisse husband was found dead. It was a turbulent news, hurting and tearing Clarisse's heart.

Her niece sympathised with her and took care of her until the war broke out and Clarisse was taken away that very night to a safe place. That was the last she heard from her niece.

It turned out that this very niece was Anita's mother. She lived her years in agony after she helped her aunty escape from Kins mouth. She was only but a girl, a girl of 7.