Chapter 567
I gasped once I saw the Queen standing in the middle of the room.
I hurriedly let go of Nanny Nia and Nanny Nia herself turned around.
“Jasmine what’s the problem-
She didn’t finish her sentence.
When she was the Queen herself she went mute.
We both quickly curtseyed.
“Good morning your majesty.” We greeted in unison our eyes downcast.
“Good morning.” She said in her usual kind and hearty voice. “You may rise.”
We slowly rose up to look at her.
The Queen was dressed in a peach-colored dress, the soft shade brightening her pale skin and making the red in her hair catch the light.
The gown was simple yet elegant, fitted at the waist with a thin embroidered belt, the skirts flowing loosely around her as she moved.
A delicate brooch pinned at her shoulder added just a touch of gold, enough to remind any one of her rank without being ostentatious.
And most of all, her crown was dutifully on her hair.
A very simple and yet, elegant crown with different pieces of stones over her straight red hair.
The Queen despite her age still looked extremely beautiful.
“My apologies your majesty.” I apologized at the messy room. “We hadn’t been expected you.”
“It is I who should be sorry.” The Queen said with a genuine smile. “Came without informing you. Xaden has said you would be here.”
She approached and I could tell the uncertainty and then disbelief in her eyes.
“Good heavens Jasmine.” She gasped. “Did you dye your hair?”
I became flustered.
“Uh… er… your majesty.” I managed.
She closed her mouth and her eyes seemed sad.
“Your hair was unique.” She said. “Anyone in the royal family would kill to have that. Why did you change your beautiful color.”
Before I could respond, my towel almost slipped.
I blushed in shame as my hands quickly caught it in time.
“I am so sorry.” She said as she looked away. “You aren’t modest and I interrupted. I should leave you.”
“No don’t go.” I found myself saying before it was too late.
I pushed in my mother necklace well into my bosom.
She stopped and I went red unsure of what next my big mouth would say.
“I mean. If you’re here, it must be because you needed to speak to me.” I explained.
She nodded. “Yes Jasmine I do need to speak to you.”
That terrified me.
“Well if that’s the case then I think it would be more appropriate for me to come find you than having you come. I’m a slave.” I expressed.
“And I’m the Queen.” She said. “But that doesn’t make either of us less of more before the Goddess does it?”
I thought about it for a second.
“Perhaps?” I said uncertainly.
“How about we do it this way.” She said. “I sit here and wait for you to get dressed, then we can talk.”
I wasn’t sure how having the Queen wait for me was a good thing.
“Don’t worry I canceled my plans for the morning if you’re worried about me waisting my time.” Queen Rose said as she found a seat and sat down.
I blinked and snapped back to reality.
The Queen was waiting for me.
I was keeping the Queen herself waiting.
“Of course your majesty.” Nanny Nia spoke for me. “I would get her ready immediately.”
The Queen smiled and Nanny Nia dragged me to the bath.
“Why is the Queen here?” I whispered once the door was shut.
My heart was beating so fast I believed it would jump right out of my chest.
Nanny Nia shrugged. “We don’t know yet. But we need to get you dressed.”
And with that Nanny Nia went out of the bath.
My mind began to race through different scenarios.
Perhaps it was because she now wanted to change her mind and take away the immunity she had granted to me.
Or has Anna plotted one of her schemes and this time taken the Queen to her side?
So many things went through my mind.
Nanny Nia Returned holding a dress and hair brush.
She helped me put on a very simple but pretty blue dress, before making me seat on a chair and completely brushing out my hair.
I waited in anxiety as the Nanny Nia brushed through my newly raven colored hair.
“Take it easy Jasmine.” Nanny Nia said reading my mind. “The Queen isn’t so bad. I’m sure she isn’t what you think. She is merely just here to see you.”
I didn’t buy it.
Well not the part that she was just here to see me.
I knew the Queen was very kind.
Maybe too Kind for her liking.
Once Nanny Nia was done, she braided my hair in a single braid and only then did I go out to meet the Queen.
The Queen wasn’t sitting on the chair anymore, but rather the bed.
“That’s much better isn’t it?” She asked me.
“Yes your majesty.” I nodded.
“Come, Take a seat.” She said as she tapped beside her.
I did as I was instructed and soon I was sitting inches away from the Queen.
“If you would excuse me your majesty.” Nanny Nia said heading towards the door. “I have somethings I need to oversee.”
And in the blink of an eye, Nanny Nia had disappeared, leaving me with the Queen.
I was terrified.
“So.” The Queen said after a deep sigh. “I hope I haven’t scared you with my presence.”
“No your majesty.” I lied as I shook my head hastily.
She laughed. “For some strange reason or the other I can tell you’re lying.”
My face went red in shame.
Could she read minds now?
“I can’t read minds.” She waved her hand very gently as though still reading my mind yet again. “Unfortunately it isn’t one of the gifts my wolf bestowed on me.”
“There was only one person whom I could always tell when she was lying.” Queen Rose said. “My late daughter Scarlett.”
Scarlett
The Queen’s daughter who had gone missing in the ocean and never returned.
“She rarely ever lied.” She explained to me. “But when she did, I simply could tell.”
There was a smile on her face.
A very sad and weak smile.
“You remind me of her sometimes.” Queen Rose said. “Well not with the new black hair of course.”
I laughed.
“But you do.” She nodded. “So now tell me, why did you dye your beautiful red hair to black.”
I have an uneasy smile.
“Well, your majesty.” I began to explain. “I just got tired of being asked if I was a member of the royal family and then having to explain that well I’m an unshifted wolf.”
The Queen looked at me sympathy written all over her face. “I am so sorry you went through that Jasmine. Please accept my apology for all the things you’ve failed.”
“Your majesty please don’t apologize.” I pleaded uncomfortably.
“When my subjects offend a guest in have to apologize, Queen or not.” She told me.
The Queen was so kind and gentle.
I wished she were my mother.
“Well if you wished to change your hair then that’s your decision to make Jasmine.” She told me. “In this world no matter who we are, we have to make our own decisions.”
I bit my bottom lip and nodded in agreement.
“You look beautiful.” She said. “And I’m glad you didn’t get to hide those freckles of yours.”
I blushed as I placed my hand over my face to hide my freckles.
I had always been so insecure about them.
She very gently pulled my hand down.
“No my dear.” She said. “There is no shame in what the goddess gave you. You’re naturally beautiful. Embrace it.”
I smiled at her kind words.
“I’m so happy for you.” I finally voiced out my thoughts. “You’ve found your grand daughter. You look better and happier now.”
The Queen smiled. “It’s a bitter sweet experience. On one hand my daughter is dead but now on the other hand she gave me a gift I never knew I had.”
The Queen had tears in her eyes. “Sometimes I wish I can go back and find her. Bring her before she died, take care of her. I wish I could have searched for her more.” She said her voice breaking.
“Please don’t cry.” I said as I got her a handkerchief to wipe her tears.
She laughed. “Thank you. I know I seem ungrateful. I have my grand daughter and I’m still wishing for my daughter.”
I held her hand boldly. “Your majesty If there is one thing I’ve learned, is that nothing is coincidence. The goddess always looks out for us no matter what.”
“Those are very intelligent words.” Queen Rose remarked.
“You’re happy now. You deserve it your majesty.” I said in all honestly.
She held my hand tightly and sighed.
“Jasmine I came here to speak to you because. I know what you went through. You lost your baby. The same way I lost mine too.”
I felt tensed as the memories came flashing all through me.
My necklace burned my chest and I began to itch.
“What’s that?” The Queen asked