Chapter 37: Chapter Thirty Seven: The Old Queen

Jackia's point of view

Layla confused me after the announcement was made. I was pissed off at first, but then I felt sad for her. It isn't something anyone would be happy about. I looked at the audience and to my father, grinning from ear to ear, it was like he was sending me a signal word. I know father would have made immediate arrangements for me to be married off to someone who is not worthy of me.

We all made our way back into the palace. Everywhere was silent; it was as if we were all mourning Layla's death. I had to leave my room with my tail between my legs.

"Miss Jackia, should we all be able to say that she's gone?" Fisher asked

"Isn't that a heavy word to say to someone who was just trying to win a competition, just like everyone of us?" She didn't even bother to listen to me as she did a short happy dance and sat beside me.

"Would you like a long bath?". I could make you a warm bath. The competition is almost over, and I am certain the moon goddess already has a winner for it.". Fisher added

If I didn't know better, I would have called her a bitter person, but I had to never look at that and just look away from her. "I would prefer to be alone for now. When I need your attention, I will call on you."

Alright, Miss Jackia. She was looking sad when she walked away.

Leaving me to my solitary, this was what I had craved for earlier this morning before we were all called out. Now that I was alone, wouldn't it be better if I sneaked out through the window, or better yet, went on a tour of the palace?

I have been out of the palace, and it has been awfully silent since the incident this morning, and I do not blame anyone for it. But the moon goddess, if she knew that she had someone that had been created to be the next Luna of this kingdom while bringing us together and making us hate each other for no good reason, even though I was trying to protect my kingdom by winning and still using it to my advantage, I wouldn't be on the losing end.

If I win, I will also have the chance to have some relevance in the kingdom. I stood up and walked right out of the room, making my way towards the east wing of the palace, even though I did not know what or where I was heading.

I still wanted to see what the palace looked like. There were a lot of pictures of the late Queen; she was so beautiful when she was young. I couldn't stop myself from getting so jealous of her beauty, which wasn't a sane thing to do.

But how can someone be this beautiful? As I continued on my journey, there were several empty rooms in this part of the palace that were not used, but far away, I heard two women chattering; their voices were different from each other.

So it was easy for me to know that they were two women. As I got closer, I could hear a little bit of what they were discussing. It was the turn-up of the event today, and the other one was happily giving out the information to the other one, who had just injected once in a while.

I walked slowly towards the room which was now quite lively. I didn't expect to see anyone at this end of the palace, which was quite surprising to me. I looked into the room, careful enough not to scare the two women.

Who didn't notice someone had walked into the room

One was heavily pregnant, while the other was a maid in the palace. They were both intrigued by whatever conversation they were having. I was beginning to love this conversation, but I didn't know when I fell over on the large box that was at the entrance, I fell flat, facing the floor, knowing fully well that this could scare the pregnant woman. I quickly stood up and made my way up. "I am so sorry; I didn't mean to scare you".

Dusting away the dirt off my body, the maid must have noticed who I was: "Oh miss Jackia, i am so sorry. Did you hurt yourself?"

"No no, I didn't, dear. I just wanted you to enjoy the conversation. I didn't mean to scare anyone.".

I smiled at the pregnant woman who was looking at me in a funny way, like she hadn't seen someone like me before.

"Who are you?" she asked after much deliberation in her head, even though she knew that it would take a wrong question.

"I am Jackia, one of the maidens. I was just passing by, like on a tour of the palace since there was nothing tangible to do for now," I said innocently at the two ladies who kept on staring at me,

"I think I should go now.". I said this with my legs moving backwards as a way of showing that I wasn't leaving. I turned around to leave. "Wait, don't leave. I want you here.".

I looked back to see that I had been addressed by the pregnant lady. I smiled back at her; her smile was contagious, so it was enough to get me to smile back at her. I walked towards her and sat right next to her.

She stretched her hands forward to touch me. "You are such a beauty; just like the previous queen, no wonder alpha's dad so much cherishes you secretly and wishes you were his." I still couldn't comprehend all that she said.

"What did you just say?".

"Oh, no, do not mind everything she tells you; she does this once in a while. The royal doctor said it was part of her pregnant sickness; it will pass away when she puts her to bed." The maid quickly responded as I stared in awe.

"Who is she in this picture?" I finally asked the right question.