12 A way.

For the first time in her life, she didn't know why she was angry. The prince had replied her politely and agreed to stay away from her without any protests.

Why then was she disturbed, maybe she had expected him to be a little reluctant. But what for? She had gotten what she wanted. As Sebastian said, they must now focus in their main motive.

Child, you have been stiring that tea pot for over an hour now, the cheif royal servant said. Interrupting her frivolous thoughts.

Oh, Natalie said as she came back to reality. Her thoughts had gone far and wide and she didn't notice the old woman who had sent her to make teas for the king. She had come into the kitchen to inquire what was keeping Natalie so long.

Is that so, Natalie continued, embrassed that the woman had maybe seen her talking to herself.

You don't need to worry, no one else saw you except me, she smiled.

Natalie smiled back, and poured the tea into the cup.

You know you can tell me, what the problem is. She said.

Can I? Natalie asked herself. No.

I am fine, mam. She answered politely wanting to end the conversation. But the old woman was not done yet.

I wasn't born yesterday, she vented. I know you are worried about something, even since the first day you came here. I know your heart is heavy...

What was this woman saying? Natalie frowned, didn't she know that she was abducted. Sure, she also knew about her dead sister that the king warriors had murdered. Was that not enough reason for her to be worried?

Sebastian told me, you had raised him since he was a little boy. Natalie said changing the topic.

Yes, that is right, the woman said , her gray eyes lifting up.

Sebastian and the others, yes I raised them, such blubby little boys then, all of them now grown up. You know, she said.

That must have been a long time ago, Natalie said. You must know a great deal about this palace.

I was born here, my ancestery had always served the royal bloods for a long period of time. And they keep passing the role to their descendants. She braged.

Amazing Natalie thought, this woman may be the one to help them escape from the palace, she wondered if Sebastian knew this. She must tell him right away.

At this new development, the thought of the prince vanished from Natalie mind and she soon forgot him for a moment.

..... .. ..... .... .... .... .... .... .....,. ... . ..

Williams head grew foggy as he opened his eyes, he wondered if he had slept at all. Yesterday was a bad day and he hoped today would be better. But he doubt that. His father was still I'll and Natalie had told him to avoid her. He hadn't thought about it much because he didn't understand it fully.

When he thought she had accepted him the n she had turned anti clockwise and rejected him again. He agreed to let it go for now. Who knows what she had in mind.

He stood up to go and get ready in seeing his father but he was welcomed by a banging headache. Which was not surprising as he had slept late last night.

He soon managed to have his bath and dressed up. No one ce knocking at his door and he assumed things were under control.

Had the physician not tell him, his father was stable and would still live for a few more years. He walked briskly to the kings room and consequently he saw Natalie coming out of the room with a tea plate and he fought the urge to call after her.

Don't make a fool of yourself, he said to himself. Things are better this way.

Nothing that morning braced him for what the king was about to tell him.

Father, he called facing the king who was lying on the bed. His face was rather bright today and he didn't look like he had fell sick the day before.

He sat before him and said to the man who had refused to utter a word. Had he gone dumb, Williams thought. The physician hadn't mention that the illness had affected his speech. Had he?

I was so scared, father, Williams continued with his solemn speech. I almost cried...

His father raised his brows slightly.

You cried? His father said frowning.

No... I meant... I almost did... Like I didn't cry. Williams said recintructing his speech.

Williams, you know I have always told you that as a man....

You are not to cry, I know, I know, father.

Even in his sick bed he was still finding flaws. Williams thought. At least he was glad that the man could talk as he earlier feared.

Well I am fine, he said now beaming forgeting what Williams had said.

I have a very important thing to tell you, his father stood up facing him.

He sighed, his father was at it again, yesterday must have taken a toil on him when he couldn't talk to him. Now he didn't want to waste any more time. There had wasted enough.

OK, Williams replied not knowing where this was leading too.

Williams you would soon be king and I have been preparing you for years and one of the important preparations is for you to get a bride, the king said. Awaiting his reaction. Knowing his son truly well that he was stubborn and always adamant.

Well, Williams showed no facial reaction, he looked like he didn't understand what his father had said.

The king after having enough of the silent opera in front of him, decided to repeat himself to make sure his dearest son had understood.

A bride, I mean you need to get married, the king said raising his voice.

I know what that means father, of course I do, Williams said.

Oh, I thought you didn't hear me well. The king grinned.

Father, I will need...

Don't you worry son, I have covered everything, everything to be done as a matter of fact I have sent for her, yesterday and she will be here first thing tommorow morning. The king replied.

Williams stared at him like he hadn't seen him before.

You did that, yesterday while you were sick? Williams asked startled.

The king ignored him and continued, it didnt matter when I did that, all that matters us that you should be ready to get married and you know what that means.

Williams didn't know what to say, he didnr know how to. Protest and his mind was blank.

May I at least know this woman? He asked still shaken.

Oh, you know I would choose a good bride for you, it is Lilly duchess of avelon. The king said smiling.

A good bride indeed. Of course he knew lilly but he didn't know if he wanted to marry her. He sighed. Another bad day to be a prince.

... .... ...... ....... . ... .... Sebastian stared at the heaps of wheat he had cultivated today and nodded in satisfaction. He had learnt to do this stressful yet captivating job since he was a young boy and he had mastered the art skillfully. The sun was about to set and he knew it was time to go to the palace. He had left the palace early this morning to the fields and he hadn't rested all day long.

He must go home atleast to eat a little before retiring for the day.

Not so long he went into his room that he remembers he hadn't seen Natalie today.

He knew he was getting attached to this woman and it scared him.

The initial plan was to join her in escaping the palace together but as more and more days passed. He knew it was more than that. He liked this woman... And he didn't know how to say it. what if she considers it silly. He has told her not to be distracted by any other thing but their escape plan. Look at him now deviating from what he preached.

Not too long he found himself going to Natalie room. He was tired but wouldn't dare sleep without seeing her today.

Well she wasn't in her room as he saw her coming out of the cheif servant room.

He wondered when they had become friends. She wore her silk gown the one she always wore at night.

He acted shocked to see her and said, when did you become fond of the woman he said gesticulating at the door of the room she had just came out from.

Well, I was asking her about you, she said.

His eyes widened, about me, how so... Do you think that I had been lying to you about myself. He replied taunting her.

Trust me, it wasn't intentional, but I am glad I did, she is very helpful than I thought earlier. She said.

By the way, what are you doing here? she asked grinning at him.

Did you come to see me, she added.

What! He said pretending, I was just strolling around, you know, just checking things out before i get to bed.

You are supposed to be asleep, the cheif roysl servant told me you were busy all day at the fields, you should be tired.

You seemed to have talked with her, a lot today. He said twitching his face, Natalie had once said she was annoying.

She is actually nice and helpful, you know. Natalie said going into her room. Then she turned to him. You have no plans going to sleep now, do you, she said.

If you want me to, he said. Alias he didnr want to go now, not now he had seen the one person who he had grew fond of in just a short period of time.

He sat on the chair in front of her as she lit up the firelamp in her room. Casting a lovely glow on her face.

I think you have made me found this habit of sleeping late, she said smiling.

Any regrets? He asked.

Apart from the throbbing headache I get in the morning I don't think so. Is actually not that bad, she said.

Oh, I thought I am the only one who use to have that. Welcome to the leaque. He said.

She seem to know a lot about this palace, Natalie said, her voice suddenly very low.

Who? He asked confused.

The old woman, she said not wanting to raise her voice.

Is that surprising, she had been here a long time. He said.

She said she was born here, you know, Natalie continued.

He nodded, not knowing what she was trying to say.

I think she may be of help, Natalie said now very serious.

Am I missing something, he asked not knowing if they were still talking about the same person.

Yes, I will tell you.