SUSPICION OR MISGUIDED FEARS?

"My princess, please believe me. What I said is true! When I picked that rose it changed into a strange black color with flames around it and it turned back to purple again. I'm sure of what I saw." Priscilla cried hoping that the princess would believe her.

"Get me a vase."

"My princess?"

"Get me a flower vase!"

"— Yes my princess."

In a short moment, Priscilla returned with a vase and filled it with water as ordered by the princess.

She watched the princess put the purple rose inside the water and add a strange chemical to it before covering it.

"The chemical I added will desolate the powers. Let's wait for a few days to see what will become of it. Make sure no one hears about this rose until I speak about it. I will investigate the matter myself." Gabriella instructed.

"Yes, my princess."

A knock came at the door.

"A message from the queen, My princess." The servant announced.

"Let him in," Gabriella ordered putting the vase away inside the dresser.

The Queen's messenger walked in and bowed, "Greetings, My Princess. The Queen demands your presence immediately and that you come with the seal given to you by the King."

"Let her know that I will be there."

"Yes, my princess." The messenger bowed and left.

Gabriella turned to Priscilla and said, "You can retire to your room. I will go meet the Queen now."

Priscilla nodded, bowed and left.

Gabriella went out of the room, towards the Queen's chamber.

As she approached the door, she knocked and gently pulled it open. With slowed footsteps, she stood a few steps from the Queen, her gaze lowered as she called, "Mother,"

The Queen's face was still contorted with anger over the King's decision as she looked ahead through the window. She had a book in her hand, probably forcing some distractions. Taking a deep, shuddering breath without turning to Gabriella, she asked, "I hope everything is done according to what I have instructed?"

"Yes, mother. I made sure everything is in good condition." Gabriella answered.

"Good." She finally dropped the book in her hand before she slowly turned to Gabriella. "The seal," She demanded.

Gabriella nodded and handed the seal over to her. Catalina took some minutes, reading carefully of the king's way of granting wishes as she scoffed in the end, throwing the seal on top of the table beside her.

"Now they think you have accepted defeat by requesting to live as a lone wolf, it will be the best opportunity to execute our plans." Gabriella nodded. However, they both know that the King is not someone they can deceive so easily. He must have had a reason for saying that he would grant the wishes only if no man demanded her hand in marriage.

That was a tricky decision made by the king since he knew that it was impossible for no man to demand her hand in marriage. She was a Princess. Every nobleman died to have her as his wife. If not for the King having given them the opportunity to choose, by the tones of suitors which had been coming, the two princesses would have long been married.

The Queen said, "We must be very careful with what we do and never give him a reason to suspect us. I'm sure he would have his eyes on us to know why you demanded to live alone."

Gabriella nodded.

"I have that in mind, Mother."

"Good. As the King had said, Marquess Brutus will be returning tomorrow," A smile mischievously played on the queen's lips, making her eyes gleam as if something was cooking somewhere, "Prepare yourself for his welcome."

"I will, Mother."

Catalina nodded and proceeded, "Make sure no one finds out about all I told you to do."

"Yes, Mother,"

"Good." Queen Catalina exhaled before she looked deep in thought. As if worried about something.

"Is anything the matter?" Gabriella asked noticing the change on the Queen's face.

"You and I know it doesn't matter if the King grants the wish or not. That is only an impression we have created that will help us work against Alexia and her daughter. As long as I want nothing to stop you from being the crown princess, that does not mean that I would love to see you not getting married."

Gabriella's stomach twisted with anxiety, her mind racing with the words her mother said.

"Mother," She mumbled, her voice unsteady as her hands almost trembled. "Mother, I thought we have talked about this before?"

The Queen's brows furrowed. "Gabriella, you have come of age now. You can't still give the same excuse of not being of age and needing to figure out life. You are a woman now."

Gabriella's fist clenched by her side, forcing herself to keep her gaze at her mother who could not read her mind. Who had right from time, not understood the aching in heart, who all she made her to be was the strong princess of Horndragon.

"Mo... Mother... I... I fear I am not worthy of such happiness."

Catalina's furrowed brows deepened. "What makes you think you are not worthy of such happiness?"

"Mother, please. Can we talk about this some other time?"

"Talk about it some other time?" The Queen frustratedly paced the room. "This is a matter that will affect you and our kingdom and you want to talk about it some other time? You're going to become the crown princess and it's important we know the man that will..."

"Mother, please," Gabriella mumbled, her eyes dropped, her gaze falling. Her heart began to beat faster as the Queen's voice rang in her ears.

"We are no longer paranormals that gave us the ability to look young even when we are getting old. You are Nineteen, Gabriella, you must let a man into your life. A man who would stand by you as you rule this kingdom in the future."

"I am running out of patience with you already. Thank the good Lord the king allowed you to choose. I hate the fact that you want to misuse this opportunity. I will not sit and accept it if Vanessa secures a husband before you."

"Mother can you hear..."

"I will not take any of your complaints anymore. I don't want us to keep talking about this. So many noblemen will be present tomorrow at the breakfast party. Find someone to choose tomorrow. Your choice of man is yours to make. All I need is for you to promise me that you will open your heart."

~~~

As Gabriella's footsteps clicked up the stairs back to her room, her mind was occupied by all the words of the Queen. The words that kept reminding her she was not getting any younger. Pushing the door to her room open, she walked to the balcony.

The sun had gone completely behind the sky, now replaced by the appearing moon.

Promise me this Gabriella. She thought. As hard as it was for her to make this promise, there was no other option she had than to make her mother believe she would find love. A man who will forever be her companion. But deep within her, she knew it would be impossible to keep this promise.

Having a man in her life and allowing herself to love meant she would eventually have her own children, she would have a family of my own.

Having a family is a precious gift. A gift that no one should ever be allowed to come between because that's where true strength lies and no one should have the right to destroy it.

'How possible is it for me love, to have my own family?' Gabriella mumbled to herself.

'Wouldn't I be greedy to seek such happiness when I had literally taken it away from others when I was a destroyer of families?' She continued to mumble.

"My princess," The voice of Priscilla pulled her out of her trance as she slowly walked into the balcony.

Quickly, Gabriella adjusted her mood, wiping the tears she didn't realize had fallen, she forced a smile on her face and mumbled,

"Priscilla," She turned as she saw her walk slowly towards her.

"I know you are disturbed by the king's decision."

Gabriella shrugged not knowing how to react at the moment. Only if her maid knew that that was just the tip of her problems.

Priscilla sighed, coming to stand beside her as they turned and gazed up into the sky.

"Always remind yourself that you are capable of achieving great things. Believe in your potential, and let that belief fuel your bravery. It takes bravery to follow your dreams, even when others go against you. Do not let yourself be fazed by the King or anyone."

Gabriella stared at her maid for a while before she smiled and said almost in a whisper. "Thank you." She knew quite well that her maid detested her acceptance of the king's decision. To decide to live as a lone wolf was the last thing she also wanted. But she had to pretend she accepted since it was what she wanted.

Most of the people wanted her to be the crown princess. But now the king's decision would jeopardize everyone's wish.

"It's going to be a new long day tomorrow." Priscilla sighed and drew in the fresh breath of the gentle breeze.

"Everyone is getting prepared to welcome the Marquess and his son tomorrow," Priscilla stated, Gabriella nodded to that.

"I thought you would be more excited about it," Priscilla said.

"And why is that?"

"His son was your best friend, your favourite playmate before they left the kingdom. I can still remember those times when his father let him visit the castle. You would be so excited about it."

Gabriella smiled at that.

Gabriella gazed up as if to recollect some thoughts. She was just a child the last she could remember about him.

His father Marquess Brutus at that time was one of the special guards, serving in the king's court as one of the king's advisors in security affairs of the castle and the kingdom at large. She could recall the king promoted his father to the status of special knight of the castle but he had rejected the offer under a certain agreement kept only between him and the king.

It was during those times his father would stay for months in the castle without visiting his family due to the state of his work, and his mother would take him to visit his father. That was when she would get the opportunity to play like other kids her age did. He would join her in doing so many things including in her class when the governess taught her.

After a long moment of silence, Priscilla said, "I wonder what he would look like now." Priscilla kept her gaze as if thinking. "He was a cute little boy then. And his father now is no longer a guard but a Marquess."

Gabriella knew where this conversation would lead if she said a word now. She kept silent but perceived Priscilla smiling and looking in her direction. "I know what you're thinking, Priscilla," Gabriella said, still hiding her frustration.