Chapter 3

Word had spread through the palace, about the oracle that lived amongst them.

"I heard she was possessed by the spirit of the old oracle". A maid whispers

" Well, I heard she was given the gift from the heavens right from childbirth". Another added.

"Well, I heard she fell into the river and came back out a new person".

There were different origin stories, Barra's lie had turned into something huge, she even started getting visitation from the palace guards, Barra didn't even have to worry about sleep, she didn't get any of it, she had to work during the day and prophecies during the night.

Wasn't long until she had enough money to give to her uncle.

" Here uncle take this". She said handing him a bag full of gold.

With his shaky hands he takes it and opens it, he suddenly gasps and starts pouring "I don't know what to say, how did you get this?".

"it doesn't matter, what matters is you can start afresh".

" I don't know what to say". He takes her hand "Thank you, thank you so much".

Baara gets emotional "This is the least I can do for you, you raised me, and gave me a family, you deserve the best uncle".

He cleans his tears "Your parents would be so proud of you".

" I better get going, make sure you take care of aunt and the kids okay?". He nods and Baara runs to the palace gate.

Luckily for her, she got just in time, and she was able to follow the rest to the assembly.

As the head maid read their duties for the day, Baara noticed all eyes were on her.

"Baara!" The head maid called with a strict tone "Garden duty".

" Yes, ma'am".

Baara carries some garden tools in a basket on her way to the garden, she bumps into a maid "I'm so sorry Oracle forgive me". The maid bows

Baara has been getting this kind of treatment ever since, she's yet to get used to it but she just has to go with the flow "it's fine, stay out of trouble, may the heavens brighten up your day". She forces a bright smile

The maid smiles and starts to thank her " Oh thank you Oracle".

Baara finally arrives at the garden, maybe I should just tell everyone the gift has left me, I mean I've already achieved my goal, is there any need to continue? Baara thought to herself, she doesn't even know how she made it this far without anyone suspecting her, all she did was tell people a misfortune will happen and they should pay to take it away. Are people that gullible? The first one with the king was entirely luck, will luck just continue to be on her side?

Baara takes in a deep breath and starts by trimming the plant, afterwards she waters them and plants some new seeds.

She felt a sudden ache on her back as she got on her feet, she stretches until she heard a pop sound. Baara suddenly hears footsteps, panicked at first without thinking twice she hides behind some plants.

She doesn't see any ones face but she sure saw footsteps

"We can't keep doing this". She heard a masculine voice say.

"Do you not enjoy our times together no more?". Baara eyes widen realising who owned the familiar tone, she covers her mouth so she wouldn't make a sound because she knows if she gets caught she's dead.

"Of course my queen, but doing it hiding like we are doing something wrong, I do not like it".

The queen wears an ugly frown on her face " Do you now suggest we do it out in the open so the king would find out? Have you no shame? You think it's easy for me? I stoop so low to be with you, you're the only one I allow touch me!".

He grabs the queen's hands "And I am honoured, forgive me for not being considered, I acted on my feeling".

The queen places her hand on his face "There's nothing to forgive". They both share a kiss. Baara notice her garden tools were still on the ground.

The queen and her lover separate from each other "What is that?". Baara hear the queen ask, her heart starts to beat fast

"They're tools". The masculine voice answered, "Do you think one of the servants left them here?".

" I don't know". The queen starts to look around, Baara uses both her hands to cover her mouth, and she felt her whole body shaking, she squeezes her eyes shut praying for the heavens to help her, telling them she will stop her fake prophecies if they help her this once. The queen starts to approach where she's hiding, her mouth suddenly felt so dry.

A guard suddenly enters "My Queen, the king has requested for you immediately". The queen and her lover leave the scene immediately

Baara falls to the floor, taking in deep breaths as tears freely flow down her face, suddenly a sword is pointed at her neck.

" I knew there was someone in here". Her eyes widen as she sees the face of the Queen's lover, she immediately goes on her knees and bows

"Spare me, please". She cried " I didn't mean any harm, your highness". Indeed it was the devilish charming Prince Calvin

"Give me a reason why I shouldn't kill you right here right now, you saw something you shouldn't have seen, why will I let you go freely?".

Baara felt cold sweat on her forehead, her whole body shivering in fear, this might just be how she ends " Be-be-because I-i am a lowly maid, my word doesn't mean anything, if I even decide to tell the king, he would have my head cut off, there's no way he would believe a word that comes out of my mouth".

Calvin withdraws his sword "That is true, and it would be a shame wasting my sword on a filthy thing like you, you better not say a word to anyone, if you do, yourself and that person will die". He glares at her before eventually leaving her.

Baara falls to the ground again, and starts coughing, she felt like she just survived death, twice.

_____________ " What is all this?".the queen ask with a disgusted tone holding the white roses the king had given her.

"White roses my queen, these roses represent youthfulness, innocence, young love, and loyalty". Darius answered with a sweet smile on his face.

The queen drops them on the floor "I do not like them, you dare taunt me with flowers?". She scoffs "You can keep them". She storms out of his chambers.

The King gets annoyed, and he picks up the roses from the ground "eunuch!".he exclaimed

The eunuch rushes into his chambers and bows "Yes sire?".

The king throws the roses at him "toss them ".

" Of course". The eunuch picks up the roses and walks out.

"I can't believe the Queen yet again rejected his majesty's gift". The eunuch said speaking his mind out loud, he sees a maid walking towards his direction in a hurry, and decides to stop her "Halt!". She stops and gives him a quick bow "Take these and toss them". He hands her the roses eventually taking his leave

Baara looks at the roses speechless "These-". A smile slowly appears on her face "I guess this is a sign that heaven has heard my cry". She excitedly runs to her quarters

She lays the roses next to her bed, and she sees Dorothy fast asleep, she suddenly remembers what had happened earlier, she lets out a sigh and thought to herself 'what mess have I gotten into this time?'.

King Darius sits on his throne, the court arises and all bow "You may all be sited".

They all sat down, an old man with full grey hair and a long beard that goes by the name Nathaniel arises and speaks out "Sire we are gathered here today to make a decree and hope you see it through".

" Speak". Darius commanded

The old man bows "Sire, I was your father's royal advisor and it's been nothing but an honour to be yours, being an advisor to two generations it's been a blessing from the heavens, my role as your cabinet is to advise you for the betterness of our kingdom, It has come to my concerned that the Agenvil isn't doing very well financially, so myself and the rest of the court have come to a decision to raise the people's tax by 20%".

Darius with his fist hits the handle of his throne "You greedy bastards!". He exclaimed, and they all fall to their knees "You dare want to fill your pocket with the hard earn money of the people of this kingdom?".

" Sire hear our plead, this isn't just for us, but for them as well, with an increase in tax we can help turn Agenvil into a better place so it may attract tourists as well and help neighbouring kingdoms trade with us. Sire, please hear our decree".

The whole court chorus "Hear our plead Sire!".

Darius angrily gets on his feet "You all do this, you always want to have the last say, what I say never matters, you all just do what you want forgetting that I am king!". Darius exclaimed

" We are only helping you sire, it still seems you're yet, I do not mean to be rude but incapable of handling the business of the kingdom".

Darius scoffs "Incapable? No, you all just see me as a puppet you can control!".

" Sire... the only reason this kingdom was able to manage to get back was because of your marriage, the people don't seem to adore you, we are only helping you make a better name, or would you rather remain the confounded prince?".

Darius screams at him on top of his lungs "How dare you speak to me that way! You all rather believe the word of an unknown oracle than the word of the late king!".

"Sire...I don't mean to upset you or insult you, I am just simply letting you know what they say. This decree isn't for our pockets but for the restoration of the kingdom back to its glory days".

The whole court chorus " Hear our plead sire".

Darius sits back down, he is very much aware of what the people say about him, and he has tried his best to ignore it, he blames the oracle for everything, the reason why his life is miserable, he has always dreamt of the day he'll finally get to meet the one who cursed him. He lets out a sigh "If it's for the kingdom then, I guess I can allow it".

They all start to chorus "Long live king Darius, long live your monarch!".

Darius gets up from the throne and immediately leaves their presence.

Night fell and the glow of the moon brightens the palace, the maids of the night had gone to their post, while the ones of the day had gone to their beds, well, all except one.

"Please you have to help me oh great one sent from the heavens". A guard said on his knees pleading

Baara scoffs and uses her big worn-out fan to cover her face revealing only her eyes, she speaks in a deep tone"How many times have I told you that the spirit has left me, now, be gone".

He brings out a gold bar "I will give you this". The shimmering gold bar reflects on Baara's face, never has she seen something as beautiful as this

She clears her throat "The heavens have heard your cry and they are most happy with the gift you've brought, now speak".

The guard adjusts himself "There's this maid I've had eyes on, I really wish to be her lover, but I am scared to approach her, yet alone confess my love for her".

Baara caresses her chin lost in her thoughts "I see...I have just the thing". Baara walks to her bedside and brings out the white roses from earlier "Take this, confess your love for her before dawn and she will be yours".

The guard takes the flower from her " Thank you so much, I will surely do as you say". He gets on his feet they exchange bows and he walks away.

Baara looks at the gold bar "Beautiful". She said out loud, once she gives her uncle this, surely they would have food on the table for the rest of the year. She kisses the gold bar and excitedly hides it inside her old boot.

Baara wasn't worried at all, she knew for sure the maid would agree to it, once he gives her the flowers and confesses his love, she'll be swept off her feet for what she knows palace maids are easily swept off their feet because it isn't easy getting suitors, and the guard wasn't bad looking.

Before dawn the guard had requested to meet with the maid, he stood under the guava tree holding the white roses

The maid walks to him with a sheepish smile on her face, he confesses his love to her and without hesitation she takes the roses and they share a passionate kiss.

Just like the oracle had said his love came to pass.