Caught!

"The physician told me everything."

Maidservant Ann slowly breathed and she sniffed. She was least surprised to know the physician had gone behind what they both agreed on. It was because she knew what Callum was capable of doing.

"How long have you been watching?" she asked him.

"Two months," Callum answered.

She slowly nod her head and said to him, "That's a long time of observation. You seem to have a lot of time on your hands. Now tell me, what is the reason you are here?"

"The king wants me to set up a meeting with you. He wishes to see you."

Maidservant gave a short laugh and asked, "Is the king still mulling over the past? I see he hasn't moved on yet."

"Lady Ann…"

"I do not wish to see the king," she said firmly. "Is it not enough that he brought me here against my will? Or how much longer would he see me suffer in the hands of the Queen?"

"Have you not been happy staying here in the palace?"

"How can I? The king only brought me here to be by his side again, to see me every day. He couldn't see how sad I had become because he is selfish. He organizes events and invites me, clearly knowing my presence is not welcomed and because I have no choice than to answer to him. How many more ridicule will I get from him when he always favors the one he brought to me to take care of? Why didn't he bring my child to me instead?"

Everything she just said, she meant none of them, and Callum knows too, but she knew she had to say that for the best of everyone. And to give the king a good reason why she won't be seeing him, by bringing up her child.

Callum stood there in silence, still looking at her. Even now, she hasn't let go of her dead child. "When I realized you were sick, I wanted to tell the king, but I think you should tell him yourself."

"No," Maidservant Ann objected.

"It won't be good if he finds out himself. You know how much he cares about you."

"You know the king's health condition. How can I tell him such a thing?"

That was it, Callum thought. The meaning behind those words and the emotions that says she also thinks and cares about the king.

"More reason why you need to tell him before he finds out."

Maidservant Ann let out a deep sigh and gulped down. "When the time comes, I'll tell him," she said and moved her eyes away from him to stare ahead of her.

Eve was still awake when she heard the door to the house open and she stood from her bed immediately to go stand in front of the door. She listened quietly and heard footsteps and then she heard a door open before it closed back. Maidservant Ann was back, she thought and then moved away from the door to go stand at the window side. She opened it and looked straight ahead, wanting to know if Callum had brought her back but she didn't see any sign of him.

Did he let her return herself? She thought and let her body lean against the wall before placing folding her hands on the surface. She looked up and stared at the night sky and she inhaled the cold air before releasing a sigh. As she stayed like that, lost in her own thoughts, the corner of her eyes caught something moving and she moved her eyes to see what it was. To her surprise, she saw Callum who was just leaving and she slowly blinked her eyes, wondering; 'Was he at the door all along? And how long had he been standing there?'

When morning arrived, Eve did her chore as usual and when she was done, she decided to see Isabel. On getting closer, she could hear Mina's voice urging her to open the door and take her bath.

"Princess, how long are you going to stay inside all by yourself? Do you not miss our company?" Mina said and then looked at Beth who shook her head.

"Are we going to be leaving early again today?" Beth asked Mina in a low voice and put on a worried look. "If we keep returning to the quarters early and hawk eye finds out, what do you think will happen?"

"She will probably remove us from here and let us start working with the palace maids," Mina answered and scoffed.

Eve who had stopped behind them, cleared her throat and they both turned around immediately. They look startled and when they saw her, they heaved a sigh.

"That scared me," Mina said and moved away when Eve came forward.

Eve placed two knocks on the door and said, "Princess, it's me. Can you open up now?"

They stood there waiting for her to open up and both Mina and Beth looked at each other before looking at Eve.

"She's not going to o—"

The door unlocked from inside and Mina blinked instantly.

"Have little faith, will you?" Eve said to her and opened the door before going inside.

Eve halted and then took slow steps as her eyes moved around to see what the princess had been up to. To her surprise, the plates which the servants had used to serve her food were empty and packed at the side. Eve raised her brows and looked at the princess where she was busy scattering her clothes and looking for something. She quickly went to meet her and asked;

"If I may ask, what is all these about?"

Isabel in the middle of what she was looking for, replied to Eve, "There is this dress I am looking for. It's quite bigger than my size."

"And…what do you need it for?" Eve asked her, not understanding why she needed it now of all days.

"It's for my birthday. I will be needing it for someone," she answered and it was not long after that she saw it. "Found it!" she said and stood up, straightening the cloth with her hands and looking at it.

Eve tilted her head a bit to the side and found her actions rather questionable so she decided to play around her words. "You locked yourself in the room after returning late that night. You even ate all the food served to you. I thought something else had happened."

"Aha!" Isabel said, "Have you not heard of that saying that suffering may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning?"

This made Eve set her lips into a thin line and as she watched her do her thing, she wondered if she should tell her about what she had come for. But Eve did not want to ruin her mood that morning and so she decided to leave that for later.

"You told me it was the last time. Why are you not keeping your word?" Mina asked her as they now headed towards the lecture room. She was worried about her as much as she was worried about herself. It was because they know what happens if the queen should find out.

"I want to make everything right," Eve said to her. "I started this so I should be the one to end it."

Maidservant Ann had advised her to be responsible for whatever decision she makes. This was one of it.

Mina gasped and quickly came to stand in front of her. "Are you going to tell the tutor?"

"Hmm, that's right,' Eve said, determined as she proceed into the lecture room.

Eve sat in silence as she waited for the tutor to enter so they can start. This would be the day she would reveal to him that she is not the princess but has been taking her lessons. Maidservant Ann was right; it's better to say it first than for him to find out later on. She would just look for the best time to reveal it and whatever he decides to do, she would accept it. But she really hopes he would judge her by her honesty.

Eve didn't want to start thinking of what would happen if he finds out that she was the one. She had talked down on him and vented towards him. a mere servant to a tutor. That level of trespass was high. She let out a sigh as she waited for the tutor to arrive. He seems to be late today which was quite unusual.

By the time Eve was about to give up on expecting his arrival, the guards at the door announced;

"The tutor has arrived."

The door was opened and Eve saw the tutor walk inside, looking as composed as ever. He stood at the front, facing her and he gave a bow before going to sit down.

Eve expected the lesson to start but the tutor hasn't told her the page to open. He just sat there, looking down at his book and Eve wondered what had gotten into him. she wondered what he must be thinking for him to be quiet all along.

She gulped and parted her lips, deciding to ask why he was not starting. "Teacher…"

"Before you say anything, I will like to confirm something," he said and Eve saw him get up from where he was sitting. He came to stand in front of the curtain and as he bent down and placed a hand under it, Eve's heart missed a beat and her eyes widen immediately.

"No," she said in a whisper as her eyes moved frantically in fear and her finger shook along, but it was too late.

Moon slowly raised the curtain and Eve held her breath, feeling everything around her slow down as she locked eyes with the tutor.