years

igh in the sky, and she could hear the birds singing in the trees, branches swaying in the gentle breeze. A perfect day to go on a walk and pick herbs, her favorite

a middle-aged woman peeking her head in. Her

ned to her, her smile growing wider. "You should have called on me; I would have helped you

ya said, picking up the basket containing the things she would be using. She noticed th

ess. You shouldn't be doing that by yourself

oo much work on your hands. I don't want to add to it by e

his huge villa except her, the princess, and the stable keeper. Helpers came from the palace f

," she said. Maya collected them gleefully, placing them in her basket. The

Naomi stiffened but didn't pull away. Instead, she pat

uty to serve you, my princess," Naomi

Naomi's turn to chuckle. "I'll be leaving now..." Ma

d behind her. Maya nodded. She reached the door and pau

ny updates from the

ws crinkled in thought. Then she spoke up. "Oh... T

"There weren't any invitation

sadly. "None, my pr

ged a smile. "Okay. I'll be leaving now." With that, she turned arou

ses. Not surprising if you consider the instances of her birth, but it still didn't make it hurt any less. After all, she still had royal blood f

as none of her business. Her job is to take

ch the forest. Knowing this place like the back of her hand, she hummed

ce her mother's death nine years ago, she'd been living in the villa with her nanny. At first, she'd lived in the vill

ance was there. But he also couldn't deny her because everyone knew

trying to bring something dirty to the palace filled her head, causing her heart to hurt. In the end, th

r excited. She shook her head, chasing those scary thoughts away. She busied herself with picking herbs and flowers, mu

she gathered enough, she might have Nanny Naomi sell them for some money. Nanny Naomi neve

s were dirty, and she needed to wash them. Luckily, the river wasn't to

tly. Maya watched, enthralled before lowering herself to wash her hands and proceeded to was

egan racing as she walked closer, wondering who it was and why they were here. The clothes on him were torn, and he had sust

e dragged him out of the water, laying him face up. He wasn't

, desperately hoping for something. And she felt it, a

. Barely,