Chapter 8: Face Reveal

KEILAH

I felt tears brimming in my eyes as I felt the cold mud against my skin.

I tried standing up, but the mud only pulled me down, causing me to sit back down with a pathetic splattering sound. I tried this a couple more times, but they only resulted in the same event. 

My cousins’ laughter resounded once more, continually teasing me for my struggles. 

I turned toward their direction.

“Can you—can you help me please?” I asked, swallowing my pride.

As much as I tried, I don’t think I’ll be able to get out of here without anybody else’s help.

“But you look so comfortable!” Evelyn exclaimed. “We’ll leave for a while, so try to enjoy your stay, alright?”

“Wh—what?” I stammered. “You’re going to leave me here?”

They chuckled, then I heard their chattering and chuckles becoming more and more distant.

“Wait! Help me out!” I exclaimed, but they continued to ignore my words.

After a few seconds, everything turned silent, so I knew that they were already gone—and I was all alone in this muddy field.

“Help!” I screamed, hoping someone would hear. Weston was usually the one who would get me out of these types of situations, but he’s not here.

I continued to scream for help, my throat turning raw. After a couple of agonizing minutes, I heard someone's footsteps coming over my way. 

“Oh my,” I suddenly heard someone exclaim. “Keilah, is that you?”

“Marilyn?” I asked, my voice filled with hope.

Marilyn is one of the maids here in the castle. She has been working here for a long time—even when my mom and dad were still in reign. She had been good to me ever since I was a child, and when my parents died, she’d give me some food from time to time. 

“Oh, it really is you! What happened?” she asked. “Why are you in there?”

I let out a shaky sigh. “It’s a long story,” I said.

“Is it because of your cousins again?”

“It’s one of their jokes again,” I said.

She sighed in frustration. “Those people, really. You’re already adults, but they’re still so childish as ever. Wait there, okay? I’ll help you get out.”

"Thank you,” I said, relieved that I would finally be able to make my way out.

She pulled me out of the mud and onto the hard ground.

“Oh, deary, you’re filthy,” she said. “Do you want to wash up at the stables? I can lend you a towel and some clothes.”

“Yes, please,” I said, feeling disgusted with how I felt already. I couldn't possibly go home with all the mud weighing me down. Moreover, I felt like I was warmer than usual. I must be running a fever or something.

“Come. I’ll lead you to the stables. I would lead you to the maid’s quarters if I could, but I know you wouldn’t like that.”

I nodded my head in appreciation. I didn't want anybody else to see me in this kind of situation. 

After walking for a couple of moments, I heard the sound of the neighs, so I knew that we were already at the stables.

“Here,” she said. “The water is quite cold, but it’s better than nothing, right?”

“Cold water is no biggie,” I cheerfully said. The cottage doesn’t have a heater, so I’ve gotten used to bathing with cold water. Besides, my body feels so hot that I can use some cooling down.

“Oh, Keilah. You shouldn’t be. Even the maids bathe with warm water these days.”

I smiled and looked down at the ground. “It’s really okay. Your help is already more than enough.”

“Well then,” she said. “I’ll grab you some clothes and leave them out here. I have to head back to the castle afterward since I still have some chores lined up. I would love to stay here with you, but I'm afraid I cannot. We have more chores these days since Prince Enzo is staying with us.”

I bit my lip as I heard his name. So, it seems like he's really staying here for the meantime, huh? 

“Thank you so much,” I said as I entered the small bathroom meant for the workers who tend to the horses.

I shivered as I poured the cold water on top of my head, but at the same time, felt relieved since the mud was getting washed off.

I heard some ruffling sounds right outside of the shower doors along with some giggles. I inferred that it’s probably just Marilyn leaving my clothes, so I just let it be.

I showered quickly since I wanted to get home to Lucky. I reached my hand out for the towel and smiled when I felt it right where Marilyn promised it to be.

I carefully opened the door, making sure that nobody else was around, before reaching for the clothes and the cloak she had left me.

I wandered my hands around, yet I didn’t feel anything.

I frowned. “It should be here,” I muttered under my breath.

My mind flashed back to the giggles I heard during the middle of my shower.

Those giggles—they were familiar.

My eyes widened in surprise when I recognized them.

My cousins. 

I thought I heard Evelyn's voice while I was showering, but blamed it on my imagination. I guess, I should have trusted my instincts. 

I felt for the clothes for some more, but they're really not here. 

Then, that means that I'm out here all alone with nothing but a towel. My face was out in the open, and I can't do anything about it. 

I bit my lip and couldn’t help but let a tear escape. 

Then suddenly, my body grew hot, and I felt a familiar sense of warmth go through my veins.

My peachy scent oozed out of my gland, and I finally realized what’s going on.

I thought that this day couldn’t get any worse.

But it just did.

I’m already forced to go home in only in a towel.

And to make matters worse, I’m on my heat.

How could I miss it?

It only comes by three times a year, and I’ve already known its pattern.

However, I failed to recognize it for the past few days due to the drastic events that happened in my life.

“What should I do?” I muttered under my breath, feeling defeated.

I certainly can’t stay here since the stable boys may come in later in the afternoon.

So, I had no other choice.

I had to go home in this kind of get-up.

But I have to do this fast.

In only a towel, I dashed out of the stables.

I was praying deep inside my mind that I don’t run into anyone at all, but damn, this day could actually become even worse.

Because just as I was about to arrive at my cottage, I bumped into someone once again.

It wasn’t my cousins.

But I hoped that it was them. They would have been a better choice during this time.

I gasped in surprise as I smelled a familiar scent and fell into a familiar pair of arms.

Prince Enzo.