CHAPTER THREE.

Winter palace stood in all it majestic glory. The rays from the sun shone on the skylight, making the palace give off a dazzling appearance, like something carved out from a fairy tale.

There was no rest for the kitchen staffs who were busy preparing different dishes and baking for the Kings guest, who had increased to be about fifty or more.

Violet cleaned the sweat from her face and straightened up to stretch her back bones which were feeling stiff from too much bending.

She roamed her eyes around and stopped to stare at the ladies in the middle of the kitchen, gossiping with each other as they mixed the cake Doughs together.

She then moved her eyes to look in the direction of her room mate who was immersed in mixing the food sauce together.

The cook was standing close to the hearth , stirring and tasting the pot of soup cooking on the fire place.

The smell of spices,roasted meat and soup filled the air. She sniffed the air and sighed, before returning her attention back to the chopping board on the table.

Her knife made a clattering sound as it hit down on the board , chopping away on the vegetables.

"How did the Queen die?" One curious young woman, standing close to her asked her partner who was an older woman.

Violet slowed down to listen to their gossips, she flickered a look in their direction to see the women engrossed with grilling the meat.

"The event that led to the Queen's death took place on a dark stormy night , I can still remember it as though it just happened yesterday." The older woman began to go into details "have you ever wondered why the North is regarded as the strongest?'

" Yes ." The younger woman replied.

"The king had gone off with his soldiers to Abila for war , when the enemy stroke, " The older woman said checking the meat grilling on the open fire "The Queen who had recently put to bed, was attacked and badly injured by an assassin, who had been waiting for her in her bed chamber."

"Where were the guards when they were supposed to be on guard?" The younger woman asked again, feeling sad to hear the news." How did they know to locate her room?"

" No one knows. There were two Knights standing guard, right outside the Queens Bed Chamber when the enemy attacked ," " The older woman replied " They couldn't hear her call for help because the thunder storm made it difficult for any sound to be heard."

"Poor Esmeralda, she was only an infant when she lost her, Momma." The young lady said with a sad look.

"It was very disheartening for everyone in the kingdom, for she was dearly loved." The older woman said, reminiscing on the past.

' Who says, 'information can't be gotten from the kitchen?' People often forget that the kitchen hold lots of secret, that is waiting to be told .' Violet thought to herself as she pushed the tray of chopped vegetables and sliced onions to the cook who had come to collect the ones she had done out.

She had just gotten the answers to one of her question without any stress.

"Where was the prince on the night of the incident ?" The younger woman asked, coming out from her grief.

"Luckily for the prince, he was at the Manor with his great Aunt and princess Esmeralda was With her Nanny." The older woman said "The queen was only able to narrate what happened before she fell unconscious, in a deep sleep she was never to awake from. "

"How did the king take the news?"

The older woman stared off into space, trying to remember the details.

"The King knew it was the doing of the Abilas, he was furious with wild rage." You can guess what happened from there. Rumors had it that it took the king only two days to conquer the whole of Abila, killing the kings and princes in the country. He left a great terror in the heart of the Abilas who nicknamed him the "killing beast."

"Yes , I agree with you," The younger woman said "I have also heard it said in the East that the North are undefeatable in battles."

She picked out another vegetables, and threw a look at the older woman to see her reaction.

The look on the older woman's face was that of pride for her king. " Who ever said that, is right." She replied.

They became silent after that, each one to her thought.

The King and the crown heir to the throne of the Northern Kingdom were seated at the court to receive guest. Also presence were the Royal dignitaries of the Northern Kingdom and the nobles.

The royal secretary stood beside the King with a big diary, taking notes of the names of royals and nobles who had just arrived.

Many of the nobles on arrival, were taken to the court to pay tribute to the king, after which they were led by one of the maids to the guest chambers to show them their own chamber.

Nicholas absently nodded his head in acknowledgement to the guest who had just arrived. He made small pleasantries to them, while keeping a blank face.

He was careful not to reveal his true feelings on his face, so as not to appear rude to the royal councils and the nobles present .

He could feel their eyes on him, watching and judging. They wanted to know if he would one day make a fine king.

He was feeling bored and needed to go do his own thing. There was nothing to laugh about and entertain himself, in the court filled with serious minded nobles.

He put a hand behind his mouth to hide the yawn that keeps escaping through it.

He turned his attention to the King when he heard him listing out names of countries.

The king wanted to know the country that is yet to get an invitation and the ones who had gotten an invite but would be unable to attend due to one reasons or the other.

"The Abydos ?" King Maverick asked the royal secretary.

"Sent and accepted." Anthonio the royal secretary said.

"The Islanders?"

"Sent and accepted."

"The Aegina ?" King Maverick asked.

"Father, have you checked with our three neighbouring Kingdoms to know if they would be attending?": Prince Nicholas drew his head closer to whisper to the king.

" You are right, son ," King Maverick replied, turning his head to ask the royal secretary "Anthonio, have you gotten any response, as regard the invitation sent to our neighbouring Kingdoms ?"

"Yes, your Majesty. I was just about to bring that up. ," Anthonio replied with the air of a noble . He flipped the pages over to the information he needed " I received a letter from the three kingdoms , two letters came in yesterday and one today."

"Briefly, recount the content in those letters." King Maverick said.

"They all sent their appreciation for being acknowledged, and promised to grace your Kingdom with their presence, " Anthonio replied " The West would be arriving in three days time, while the East and North both wrote that they would be arriving two days to the celebration."

"Good ! Good !" King Maverick said leaning back on his throne.

Nicholas had a mischievous glint in his eyes when he heard the news. He needed to see if the rumor about the Southern princess great beauty is real.

Who knows, Abdera might turn out to be so much fun for him , after all.