"You have been staring at those flowers for a while; something ok on your mind ?"
Anabel blinked waking up from her thoughts.
"Mother, it's been a while " she smiled.
"Indeed, how have you been ?" She asked sitting next to Anabel.
"I am doing okay; I just feel a little bit bored nowadays", she said.
"Ohh...is he ignoring you again?"
"Huh?".
"His majesty has he visited you since the party ?".
"No...it's been two weeks now and nothing. I know what happened that night was my fault, but I would love us to talk about it and then avoid each other like this," she sighed.
"Whatever happened, I am sure it wasn't your fault, fault, and I know he doesn't blame you f,r it ", she said.
"I am not sure about that ..for then he wouldn't be avoiding me like that. And how do you even know he doesn't blame me ?" She looked back at the roses.
She laughed, "simply because I am his mother and I know my son well".
"Huh...mother!. You mean it wasn't just your name, but you his mother ?" She blinked.
She nodded.
"Do you think anyone can enter these doors without him knowing about it or being high in status? Your so naive my dear "
Anabel gazed back at her.
"Mother are you sure he doesn't blame me ?".
"Mmm, but let out him aside for now. Let's go do something fun". She said.
"Fun...where ?".
"Outside the palace...let's head to the capital " She took Anabel's hand, leading her away.
....
Since she arrived, Anabel had not stepped out of the palace. Her eyes kept wandering out as they headed to the capital.
"Princess is so excited ...we can try those snacks you love ". Lia let out.
"Oh...and try on anything you want ..or eat "
They were excited to take her out, but she didn't seem too excited about it.
"Don't worry, this will be fun, different and mostly especially not boring ", said the queen's mother.
She nodded.
When they finally arrived, Anabel hesitated to step out of the chariot.
"Come on my child ...you need to step out of that dark shell"
Anabel took her hand and followed her lead.
Moving from stall to shop, they visited almost every place in the capital. Lia and Hope had fed her every fruit and food they knew.
The queen went along with them, and Anabel, who had been cautious, finally gave it.
She was laughing and trying on a dress now.
"Oh my, that looks great, you, Ana", the queen's mother said.
"Ana, let's get you into this too," Lia pulled out another.
They had arrived to call her by her name so no one would know who she was.
"Am starving?" said Lia as they stepped out.
"I thought it was only me ... I am hungry too," Anabel laughed.
They found a good place to eat and ordered their food.
"Are you having fun so far ?" Anabel turned to Sebastian's mother.
She nodded, "I am a mother "
"Am glad so to celebrate this step you took, we will all be drinking tonight " she announced.
"Huh...but I don't think I can. I have never tried it before " she protested.
"Then this is your chance, Your Highness", whispered Lia.
"I don't think this is a good idea ".
"Yes, it's not, but today was all about doing things we don't normally do ", said the queen's mother.
The wine and the food were brought to the table.
"You go first, princess ", they all turned to her.
She blinked taking the huge cup filled to the brim with the red liquid and took a sip.
Her eyes beamed as she took another sip.
The other giggled as she started to gulp it down.
"Another one, please ", she muttered as she placed the empty cup down.
They all laughed.
"See, it wasn't bad,", said Lia.
She nodded as they brought another.
....
Sebastian was finishing up his work when a knock came at the door.
"What is it, Henry ?.. I remember telling you not to disturb me " he let out.
The door opened, and he walked in, "I am sorry, but I can't seem to reason with her ", he said.
As he spoke, someone walked in behind him.
She staggered back and then grabbed Henry's coat to get her balance.
"We need to talk, Sebastian" she hiccuped.
"Bel .." he called seeing her blushed face.
He got up and took her away from Henry, helping her down into a chair.
"What happened ?" he asked.
She was dressed in different clothes; her face was burning up and red, and she smelt of win.
He frowned; she had never seemed to be a fan of drinking, so they never took or served her any, so where did she get it?
"I heard from one of the guards that they went out to the capital today,", said Henry.
"What ?".
"It was your mother's idea. They all came back drunk " he added.
Sebastian sighed.
"You can leave us," he said to Henry.
The moment the door closed he glanced back at her.
"Why did you drink so much ?" he asked her.
"Cause it tastes so good. And it was fun being so free without concern about anything " she muttered.
"You shouldn't have it's not good for you," he said.
She pushed him away but he didn't budge.
"But it's good I did, for I finally got the confidence to come face you ", she smiled.
"Huh...you wanted to see me ?"
"Why are you avoiding me ?" she stared back at him.
"I am not ", he lied, avoiding her gaze.
"Please dont lie to me ....I know you are " she sniffed.
He was silent.
"I am sorry for what happened on your birthday; I didn't intend for any of it to happen "Her tears filled her eyes.
"Don't blame yourself, it wasn't your fault but..." She cut in.
"Then why are you doing this to me .." she cried out.
Her tears fell.
"Bel?!" he held her hand.
"I thought you liked me as much as I liked you ..or was I wrong?" she busted out her tears.
She pulled away from his hold, "Sebastian it was you who made me feel this way, I had never felt it before until I met you, so you need to stop avoiding me and take responsibility"
"Bel, please stop crying," he said.
"Didn't you hear what I said ...take responsibility now" she kept yelling.
"First, calm down, Bel ", he said.
She cried looking back at him.
"So you don't like me, not even a little ?" She sniffed moving back away from him.
Wiping her tears she looked away.
"Bel it's complicated," he said.
"How? Is it because of what I saw that night " she muttered.
He was silent but she heard his footsteps moving towards her. Sebastian turned her to face him.
"Please give me some time ".
She pulled away, "I can't ... I have given you enough time and all I got was silence "
"Bel...".
"I don't care about all that ...whether you are human or not, I don't care about any of that. "She was crying again; I want to know if you feel the same way as I do for you ?".
"Yes, I do ", he answered.
She bit her lip, "then show me "
Sebastian moved, his hands clasping her face.
She blinked holding her breath as his lips dawned down on hers.