chapter 18: The herb Queen

It's been ten years for Naya living with the man who murdered her parents, and in that ten years, alot had happened between her everyone living in the manor, she went from the stranger they were not so sure of, to the young lady they couldn't do without, and at eighteen years of age, she had never had a conversation with anyone outside those in the house!, she was always locked in a tower, built with the money she made them, the castle was now looking better than it ever did, Lady Dorcas and her handsome daughters wore the best clothes to the balls, that Naya was never invited to, they felt so insecure about her, as they claimed she was not human, and she was a fairy according to them, she looked like one, and later it would be that she looked like an angel that came to the world, they called her all sorts, and of course maltreated her, but it didn't matter, as long as Theo and Francis was saved, she was fine, and would endure more...

Before, she had tried her best to get them to like her, accept her, she no longer cared she remembered her eight summers old self, running to give lady Dorcas the potion for her teeth, and that had marked her acceptance of her, as it worked perfectly for her, and they made sure they worked her to the bone, she wasn't treated like the daughter of a Duke, she was treated like a prized mare they milked for money, giving her enough food just to sustain her and keep her alive, not to flourish exactly, but regardless she was still the beauty her father called her, he light green eyes had a red glint around it, her skin was so fair, it was impossible to resist staring at the glow, and her black hair complimented her skin, and she had a perfect lips, pink and very rosy, and perfect white teeth, she was treated like a prisoner, and the only people she spoke to was the immediate family, of Simon, to the rest she was always wearing a veil to cover her face as she went out, whenever Simon wanted her to treat the elites, she was expected to come with him, covering her face that is, as he didn't want anyone to recognize her, she only opened her face and treated those who paid Simon a fortune for it, in the ten years she had been with him, he became one of the richest men in the land, it broke Naya, she wanted to do all this for free, but she had no choice, she sent spies to check on her brother, and she knew he was fine,

She was known everywhere for her work, she was called miracle child, when she was younger, but now she was known as the mysterious poison lady, people gathered to see her as some of the servants who worked with Simon's family, and they saw her by mistake, told people of how beautiful she was, she was also called the fair lady, but at last "The herb queen, stuck, she was called that because, she was perfect with herbs, and her potions worked miracles...

The coach shook violently, as it climbed a rock, and Naya was back to the present, Simon was staring at her, and sometimes he had this expression on his face like right how, when he looked at her, in awe, and lust!, she recognized the look because she had seen it on some of the men that had seen her face, they looked like they wanted to pounce on her, she shivered in disgust, not her own uncle! she eyed him angrily and looked away,

"You should stop being rude to me, Simon said in a low thereatning voice, and Naya ignored him

"You are really stunning, he said again after a while, I know I see you everyday, but I still can't believe how stunning you are, he looking outside the window..

Naya ignored him, she was always told how stunning she was by everyone who saw her, she didn't really care about that, she just wanted her freedom, that was what she really wanted and for her to be reunited with Theo and Francis, she wondered how they would look like now, she was sure they were handsome young men..

They got to the location and he looked at her , "Cover up, and join me, he said to her and came down from the carriage, to see that the things were being set up right, she peeked through the opening and saw that the carriage was heavily guarded as always, and there was already crowd waiting to buy everything they brought, she sighed sadly, and prepared herself mentally, no matter how hard it was, she sighed, her life was something she wasn't proud of, something she couldn't change.

She saw a guard staring at her awe struck his eyes widened and his mouth open, he was looking at her like she was a goddess, so she smiled at him and quickly sat up, inside the carriage..

She wished countless times that the much feared babarians would attack their carriage someday and kill her and the evil uncle she was with, but she knew it was almost impossible, he always travelled with lots of men, as he was rich enough to afford them, and no one wanted to hurt the herb queen , as they also bought one drug or another from them, and sometimes they were bribed with some sexual enhancers she made, as she was forced to... and also some poison arrows, and few other scented candles she made, her products were really popular, and due to the fact Simon didn't want her close to anyone, she made them alone, and failure to do so, well it made them starve her, she planted all the herbs she needed in the garden no one except her is allowed there, but those who helped to weed the place, came before she got there, and she didn't see them at all, she was robbed of her childhood as soon as her parents died, her eyes were narrowed, she wasn't a weak girl, she was Duke Philips daughter, she is lady Anne's brave girl, she was strong, she thought covering her face, filled with determination and strong will, before stepping out...

Francis squinted at the sun, as his horse moved at a slow pace, they were finally at the city, the second place Theo found for them to plunder, he really enjoyed the woman he had earlier, and when she asked to be allowed to go with him, promising him so much sex escapades, he laughed, he wasn't ready to be tied to one woman, not to talk about someone as disloyal as she was, he would never do that, so he stared at her like she suggested he die for her, and show his head,

"I am not interested in you, and there is no happily ever after for me, he said still fondling her breast..,

"I can love you, she said and Francis stopped playing with her breast his eyes cold, he pushed her away from him violently, then he started dressing..

"Why are you so afraid, I will..

"Shut up wench!, Francis shouted, I want nothing to do with you, he said as he walked out,

Love?, never! he ran his hand through his golden mass, walking away quickly, he would never love again. his mother, his sister, his father..., he lost them, and nearly died, he will never...

"Theo!, Theo!, he thundered walking to the hall, shouting like a maniac...

Theo was thrusting into the wild woman, she was shouting, making funny and weird noises, and he frowned as he was thrusting in faster and harder,

"Yeess..., now..., she moaned closing her eyes, and Theo plunged faster, his heart racing as well, then he came with a quiet groan, collapsing on the spent woman...

'I.., I think, Umm, I want to go with you, she said amid panting, and Theo still out of breath, stood up quickly looking at her, then he started dressing, she sat up quickly, her large breast shaking as she moved, "Why are you quiet, she asked him

"Look, I don't need you around me, I don't need a love! he said, then he walked away,

He met Francis at the hall, they looked at each others sour face, needing no words, they nodded to each other, then set out with the men..

Now looking at the crowd gathered at a square, he was confused, was a king coming here?, he looked at Theo, who looked away quickly, his findings was really not good...

"Sir I think it's the herb queen, one the men spoke and everyone turned to look at him,

"The herb what?, Francis asked him, and he swallowed, fearfully..

"Um.., yer grace.., it's... he stammered

"Speak up! Francis yelled at him, and he nodded nervously..

"It is a young lady, people call the herb queen, claiming she treated any ailments you could think of, it is also said that even those suffering from heartaches she could get them to feel great by just a peek at her beautiful face, she looks like a fairy, and she was the most beautiful lady to ever walk this earth, he said looking at Francis with fearful eyes..

"And where did you hear such nonsense, Francis asked in disbelief,.

"Well it seems alot of people believe her, to gather such crowd, Theo said, and Francis nodded,

"Well let's check it out, she may a genuine one, and we need to get your shoulders fixed, Francis said to Theo,

"Nay, my lord, let us just do what we came for Theo insisted and Francis looked at his bleeding shoulder,

"Don't be stubborn Theo, he said, and kicked his horse to a slow trot, and other followed behind, he had been so scared of losing Theo earlier, if he did..., nay, he won't, because if he did, he was going to die with him!