9

Syrus returned to his study after escorting Anna to her room. He took off his embroidered coat and hung it back on the stand. The door to his room opened and a guy in the knight's uniform entered the room. He was as tall as Syrus with a tanned face with sharp features with serious black eyes. His name was Arlo, one of the most trusted aides of the Prince.

"You called for me, Your Highness?" He bowed. His voice was firm yet low.

"Hmm… Keep an eye on the Princess, Make sure she doesn't open her mouth to the queen about Anna's visit to the Royal Father's personal Garden."

"Your wish is my command," He lowered his head, "Anything else? Your highness," He asked.

"No...At least not for now."

Syrus walked over to the cage in his office where he had a pet parrot sitting silently. He poked his finger through the thin metal wires hoping for a reaction but the bird looked out at the open sky intently, Completely uninterested in Syrus.

"Looks like he isn't in the mood to play." Syrus clicked his tongue and gestured to Arlo to leave.

Arlo bowed and left the room silently while Syrus continued to watch the colorful bird with a mesmerized gaze.

Three days went by silently, neither Anna nor Syrus came across Myrtle, Syrus uneasiness faded away. On a bright day, he sat by his desk reading the memorials when suddenly a servant came into the room.

"SIre, THe LAdy has been called by the Queen." His face was pale as paper when he spoke.

"What are you talking about? Why did she call Anna?" Syrus got off his seat and picked up his coat.

"The Queen caught a whiff of the fact that the lady went into the forbidden part of the garden." The servant shuttered,

Syrus's eyes flashed with anger, he gritted his teeth and walked out of his study. The Queen's room was on the other side of the Palace making Syrus take long steps to reach the room faster.

The guards saw him come closer and automatically pushed open the doors. The doors to the throne room opened and he saw the queen sit on her throne staring down at Anna who was kneeling on the floor. Syrus saw her pale complexion and couldn't control his anger.

"Why did you enter that part of the garden? What was your plan?" The queen's voice echoed in the room making Anna shrink herself due to fear.

"Queen Mother! Let me explain!" Syrus stood in between them like a wall.

The queen's face distorted and she lifted her head up. "I don't want to hear it! She must have a huge motive that is why she entered a place where only the tested people of the King are allowed." She stormed at Syrus.

Syrus opened his mouth to speak when another voice came from behind him.

"QUeen Mother! Please punish me! It's my fault for not informing the LAdy about the rules of the Palace."

Syrus turned his head around and saw Myrtle kneeling a step behind Anna with her head low because of guilt. The Queen frowned, she slowly walked down the stair above which her seat was placed. She passed by syrus without paying much heed to him and touched Myrtle's shoulder. "Get up! A princess wouldn't lower herself for a mistress." Myrtle's blue eyes shifted toward the queen and her eyebrows parted. "But...I am at fault," She said in a mumble.

The queen crouched down and held her with both soldiers before helping her stand up.

She then looked back at Syrus and scoffed. "These are called manners and etiquette, A thing you can only find in a royal blood, not in some street rat that has an unknown bloodline." The queen spat those words at Anna but Myrtle shuddered, her eyes shifted towards Syrus who was looking at her, but she quickly broke her eye contact and looked down at the floor. It was as if she wanted to say something but decided not to in a split second.

"Queen mother! Don't blame the lady, she must have wandered off to the garden because she didn't have any personal maids to guide her. I have neglected my duty as a princess by not providing her with personal maids. Please let it slide this time, it is a request." Myrtle stated.

Anna peeked at her, she was her savior for the second time, she didn't know why Myrtle was taking the blame on herself when she hadn't done anything wrong,

The queen looked at Myrtle's hanging head and sighed.

"I will not punish her severely…" just when she heard those words her head lifted in relief.

"But…" The queen added. "She has to copy all the rules a hundred times just so she never forgets what is forbidden in the Royal Palace."

Anna looked up at Syrus as she didn't know what was going on. "...And from now on she must take proper training...I don't want a low life to ruin the royal family's name." Said the queen. She walked back to her chair, "Get out of my face, both of you…" She referred to Syrus and Anna.

As a prince, Syrus felt hurt by the way his mother treated him, but he knew he had hurt her and was facing temporary wrath. Syrus held Anna's hand and escorted her out of the room. Myrtle peeked at them walking away hand in hand until they left the room and the doors closed behind them. The queen was looking at her intently waiting for her to turn around.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Huh?" Myrtle dumbfoundedly made a sound when she heard the queen. "I don't understand what you mean." She lowered her head.

"You know what I am talking about."

"I…" Myrtle blinked blankly at the floor while trying to find an answer.

"At this rate, you might lose Syrus, Do you want that to happen?" The queen asked in a deep tone. " Remember! You are his wife! You have right over him so why are you giving it away like that?"

"QUeen mother! I am sorry to say but you are wrong!' Myrtle looked up, her fingers clenched around her hand tightly while her face was as stiff as ice.

"I might be his wife but I have no right over him, HE has given me none." without a change in her tone she spoke. "One can take control of someone's body but not the soul, It stays where the heart lies and you know his heart doesn't lie with me."

The queen stared at her for a while. "I was like you when I was newly married to the King. He had many mistresses but see? I am the only one who is left, I have the King's heart and his soul…" She spoke victoriously, "Think about what I have said, It's not too late...You can leave now."

Myrtle bowed and turned around." You are wrong...You have neither." She mumbled.

She walked towards her room when she was stopped by Syrus on the way. He didn't look pleased with everything. Myrtle bowed. "Greeting to His Majesty."

"What did you get by telling your mother about Anna's mistake? What were you trying to prove?"

"..."

"Why? DOn't you have something to say? Let me tell you one thing…" He stepped closer to her. Myrtle walked back slowly as he got closer. "I will not let you or that duke father of yours get what they want."

"What do you mean? I don't get you?" Myrtle asked.

Syrus looked at her indifferent eyes, they were cold as ice, her gaze was blank as if she wasn't aware of what Syrus was talking about.

"Let me make one thing clear, If something like this happens again, I will make sure the Duke suffers tenfold, so if you want your family to get hurt! Don't harm Anna."

"But I didn't." She said confidently.

"Tsk!" Syrus clicked his tongue annoyedly. "There was no one in the garden except for you that day. How do you think the queen found out?"

Myrtle's mouth opened, Syrus noticed it, but she closed it again.

"See?" He said, "Stop it now! These little tricks can win you favourability from the queen but you can't fool me."

Myrtle took a step backward even when Syrus didn't come any closer. She spoke. "I have to hire new maids for the lady, I will take my leave then. Your Highness." She bowed and left silently.