"Try this on, honey," Irene said as she handed me one of her dresses. I nodded in acknowledgement and eagerly took the dress from her. As I held it up, I noticed the intricate lace details that adorned the bodice and the flowing chiffon fabric that cascaded down to the floor. The dress had a vibrant colour, a beautiful shade of crimson that seemed to sparkle under the light. It was designed with elegance and sophistication.
Curiosity and excitement filled the air as I slipped into the dress, feeling the soft fabric embrace my body. It was a perfect fit, accentuating my figure in all the right places. My mother never allowed me to wear dresses like this, so I was thrilled to finally try one on.
"You look heavenly," Irene exclaimed with a warm, genuine smile. Her words resonated with pure admiration. She paused for a moment, looking me straight in the eyes. "I've never seen anyone with such a unique skin colour before. Your flawless chocolate skin is a gift from Mother Nature herself. It's as if you were created to embody beauty in its purest form." I could feel her words touch my heart, and I couldn't help but smile back at her, grateful for her words. My mother always said she couldn't stand the sight of me, so I wasn't sure how to react to her words.
With a gentle gesture, Irene invited me to have a seat and wait for her. The anticipation grew as we sat together, with Enoch joining us at the table. I for one couldn't wait as I was literally starving. I've been on the run all day trying to get away from my mother, as a result, I didn't have time to stuff my face.
Enoch appeared to be anxiously awaiting the arrival of the food as well. The delicious aromas that started to fill the room only heightened our excitement and I for one, wanted to know how it would taste like. The tantalizing scent of sizzling spices danced through the air, promising a culinary experience.
Finally, the moment arrived as Irene gracefully served the food. It was a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds. The centrepiece was a plate of mouth-watering rice and tenderly cooked chicken. The vibrant orange hue of the rice was a reflection of the flavours that laid within. Each grain glistened with the perfect balance of aromatic spices, infused with love and care.
On the side, a colourful salad adorned the plate, filled with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy cucumbers. The freshness of the vegetables was enhanced by a tangy dressing that added a burst of flavour to every bite. The combination of textures and flavours created a symphony on the plate, enticing us with its visual appeal.
As we indulged in the delicate flavours, a sense of peacefulness enveloped the room. The harmonious clinks of cutlery echoed in the air.
The atmosphere shifted from anticipation to pure bliss, as my worries and troubles melted away with every mouthful. I knew the food could be poisoned as I refused to believe that someone could be this nice to a total stranger, even so I would die happy. The food was just that good.
As the night unfolded, we savoured each morsel, cherishing the flavours that danced upon our palates. It filled us with a sense of gratitude and joy, reminding us of the simplest pleasures in life that bring us the greatest happiness.
I sat under the bright moonlight outside with a lot of things going through my head, after we finished eating. Irene joined me shortly afterwards.
''What's on your mind?'' she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. Little Enoch must be asleep by now, I thought. It was time to share my story, the truth behind my presence in this unfamiliar place but, I needed to ask some questions first.
"Why did you help me? you brought me to your home without knowing who I was." I asked the question that has been on my mind for so long.
"All I did was give you food and clothes, I don't see the big idea. Though if you need a reason, then maybe because you remind me of my daughter. My husband was a gambling addict. He used our daughter as a collateral in one of his gambling games which he lost, resulting in the loss of our only daughter. Up till now, I don't even know where she is." She explained.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." With how my mother treated me, I didn't find it strange for a father to gamble his own daughter away. But, I knew that wasn't how Irene felt. With her kind nature, I knew she must have loved her with all her heart.
"What was her name?"
"Christine, that's her name. If she is still alive, which I believe she is, she'll be the same age as you. Enough about me, can you tell what has been bothering you?" she tried to change the subject but couldn't hide the expression on her face.
"I guess Little Enoch is asleep then," I said, trying to shift the focus for a moment. Irene responded with a nod, sensing that there was something significant I wanted to share. She patiently waited, her beautiful scarlet eyes reflecting the moon's gentle glow.
"So can you tell me what you were doing sleeping under that tree?" she finally asked, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern. Her genuine care and acceptance thus far made me feel comfortable and safe enough to open up about my past. After a little thought, I decided it was okay to tell her.
With a shaky breath, I gathered my courage and began, "My name is Majesty, and I'm a princess from the kingdom of Runevale." The words hung in the air, a moment of suspense, as Irene absorbed the weight of my confession. She turned to look at me with wide eyes.
"Runevale?" she repeated, almost in a whisper. "The princess of Runevale?"
I saw something flicker in her expression—shock, recognition, and something else I couldn't quite name.
"You've heard of me?" I asked hesitantly.
Everyone in Runevale knew about you," she said. "The princess locked away in the palace... the one the Queen hated. People whispered about it, but no one really knew why. Honestly, this is my first time seeing you in person."
I lowered my gaze. I had always known people talked, but hearing it out loud made my chest tighten.
Irene sighed. "I never thought I'd get the chance to meet you, and definitely not here," she muttered.
"How do you know about me? about Runevale?" I asked still in shock.
"Well that is because, I was born there and had lived there all my life until..." she hesitated for a moment, as though she had some unpleasant memories. It was the first her smile faded away since I saw her.
"Until?" I asked unable to contain my curiosity.
She sighed again before continuing.
"As I told you before, my husband was a gambler," she said, her voice filled with pain. "He lost everything—our money, our only daughter, our home. I stayed with him, hoping he'd change. But then... he did something I could never forgive."
Her hands clenched into fists. I was surprised? I didn't think she was capable of getting angry.
"Do you know why I stayed with him even after he gambled our daughter away?" she asked, her voice heavy with an emotion I couldn't quite place.
I shook my head, unsure of what to say.
She exhaled deeply, her fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns in the dirt beside her. "My mother owed the queen a great debt—one so large she could never hope to repay it. When she died, that burden fell on my shoulders."
Irene's lips pressed into a thin line, and she pulled her shawl tighter around herself. "The queen, in all her ruthless generosity, gave me a deadline. A very short one. Either I found a way to pay, or I would suffer the consequences."
Her voice wavered, but she quickly steadied herself. "My husband knew there was no honest way to gather such a fortune in such a short amount of time. So, he turned to gambling, thinking—hoping—he could win enough to save me." She let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head. "But luck was never on his side. The more he gambled, the more he lost, until he had nothing left. Not even our daughter."