WHO ARE YOU

Ivan made sure Cruzita had a befitting burial. He had ordered the servants to take care of Cruzita's corpse. The servants had cleaned Cruzita's body. Then they dressed her in a white silk gown that covered the cut in her stomach. Her hair had been brushed and a crown of flowers was placed over her head. Light make up was also applied on her face and it was a little surprising to see her with it. She did look beautiful though and I wished she could see herself though.

The snow didn't fall heavily today. The sky was blue and clear, it was as if the heavens were preparing for the arrival of a new guest. When we were done saying a few words for the dead, Ivan handed me the torch so I could burn her casket. I walked towards it with Blue walking closely beside me, giving me his support. I torched the caskets and watched as the flames go up to the sky.

Just wait a little bit Cruzita! I thought to myself as I stared at the fire, just wait a little bit more and I promise i'll avenge you, I swear it! I promised still staring at the fire. When the fire was out Ivan sent servants to gather the ashes while we entered back to the castle. We went to the dining room where a spread was already laid. I sat still pushing the soup inside my bowl, unable to stomach anything. Blue was beside me already battling with a lamb rack.

Aurora placed a hand on top of mine. "You should eat something, I don't know her like that but I know she wouldn't want you to starve yourself.

I smiled at that because Aurora was right. "Thank you." I told her before I took a spoon of my soup. It was delicious and I began to feed myself more of it.

A plate of bread was pushed in front of me and I looked up to see Kiran who shrugged before he looked away from me. I smiled wryly but appreciated his gesture. I ate the bread and finished my soup. I couldn't eat anymore.

"You okay?" I heard Ivan ask and I let out a dry chuckle.

"Okay?" I asked the word feeling foreign as I said it, "I don't think I've ever been okay a day in my life, the only person who ever made sure I was okay is g...g...gone." I managed to finish a tear rolling down my cheek.

"She was a good woman." Kiran said nodding his head.

"Yeah and she was a brave one too." I said with a small smile, "She was the only one who wasn't scared of this." I reached up touching my red hair.

Aurora arched a brow at me in confusion. "Your hair? What's scary about your hair?"

"I was born like this right from childhood, a girl with red hair and mismatched eyes." I said looking up to stare at them, "My mother died giving birth to me and my dad didn't want me, so he hired Cruzita. She was the only family I ever know, she treated me like I was her own daughter. When my dad and Christine, my step-mom lock me inside during the town festival. Cruzita would get me a dress me up and take me to the festival. God, we had so much fun then." I said with a sigh, reminiscing about the memory.

"She will be missed dearly." Ivan said drinking his wine.

I turned to look at him. "You will find whoever did that to Cruzita." I stated not asking him.

"I swear it." Ivan said looking at me dead in the eye so I could see his sincerity.

Satisfied with his answer, I nodded my head him. "Good." With that said I stood up to leave the room and retire to my chambers. I whistled for Blue and together we left the dining room and went to my room, where I collapsed on the bed and mourned for Cruzita.

I woke up the next morning with the sunlight streaming through the curtains. We were approaching summer already, I muse with a small smile as I stared at the window. I sat up on the bed and looked around. I found Blue still sleeping at the small rug beside my bed.

I reached down and stroke his head while he nuzzled my hand, still sleeping. I was still stroking Blue's fur when the door opened. A girl came in and I recognized her as one of the servants who were always attending to me.

"Good morning, my name is Yasmin and I'm the personal maid that has been assigned to you." The girl introduced herself while I stared at her in shock, "Um is something the matter?" Yasmin asked when I continued staring at her.

"Y..you can talk?" I pointed out still in shock.

Yasmin cocked a brow up at me. "Of course I can talk, what are you talking about?"

"Then why didn't you bother saying anything when I was talking to you? You guys always had a blank look on your face and ignored me whenever I said something." I said looking at her in disbelief.

"Oh that, well we were under orders not to get friendly with you and we also kinda hated you." Yasmin said as she walked over to Blue who was already awake and she began stroking his head.

"Oh." Was all I said in response.

Yasmin nodded her head befoee she continued. "You gave us a lot of work you know, with you escaping and all of that? Do you even know the amount of silk you wasted from pulling that little stunt of yours? Like what is it with you humans and your crazy thoughts?" Yasmin asked shooting me a look but I just gave a sheepish smile on response.

"Sorry about that." I apologized to her.

Yasmin just let out an exasperated sigh, "Oh well, I guess your situation is understandable. By the way, I'm sorry about your help who died." She apologized with a sad smile.

"Cruzita wasn't just my help, she was the mother I never had." I corrected her firmly.

Yasmin nodded her head at me before she apologized. "My apologies then."

"It's alright." I told her blinking back fresh tears that were about to well up my eyes.

"Alright then!" Yasmin said suddenly as she clapped her hands, "Let's get you ready for today." She announced.

I went into the bathroom to take my bath. Then got dressed in a light blue off the shoulder dress with feathery skirt Yasmin had picked for me. Yasmin styled my hair for me and when I was done, we went outside of my room with Blue following us. Yasmin led me to the dining where I was the the only one. I couldn't find Ivan or his siblings.

"King Ivan went on a mission to go find Cruzita's killer and prince Kiran went along with him . Princess Aurora is visiting town today." Yasmin reported when I inquired about them.

I nodded my head with a sigh. "I guess it's just me today."

I quietly ate my breakfast under the watchful gaze of the guards and servants. I finished eating while the servants came to clear the plate. I sat still on my seat my mind wandering about what Yasmin said about Ivan finding the killer for me. He really was serious about keeping his promise then! I muse a small smile grazing my lips.

I was still smiling when the door to the dining room burst open. I looked up to see a woman with long blonde hair that was piled up her head come into the room. She was dressed in a pink coloured gown that had flowery embroidery on it. I watched as she walked around the room, an air of arrogance about her. Whoever she was must be someone important! I muse as I carefully inspected the woman.

I was still watching her when the woman's gaze fell on mine. "Ah! So you are the human." She said assessing me with a bored look.

"And you are?" I arched a brow up at her and I watch the corner of her lips turn up at that.

"I am Princess Ravenna of Zeagia Kingdom!" She announced with pride.

I frowned at her. "Princess?"

"Yes, I am a princess." Ravenna confirmed for me before she walked closer towards me a malicious gleam in her eyes, "Now that you know who I am, my question is who are you?" She asked narrowing her eyes at me while I just stood still staring at her.