Princess Iris
CHAPTER 43

I wake up screaming in the night. I fall to the floor gasping for air.

"Water, water, water."

That is all I can say at the moment.

"I can't move my body, I feel paralyzed and hot," I say to myself.

I start feeling dizzy and, in the distance, I hear someone shouting my name. I slowly start drifting away, and just then I feel my body being lifted. I hear someone talking fast but I can't understand. "Waattterrr," I finally say.

The person carries me and pushes the door to the bathroom, and puts me in the bathtub. As soon as I feel water pouring on my body, I feel my strength spilling away, and I black out.

I wake up hearing voices in my room, I open my eyes and catch a glimpse of Prince Jeffery as I drift away again.

I finally open my eyes, the light in the room is too bright. I raise my hand to my eyes struggling to get used to the light in the room. I look around me and notice my room looks different. "What happened? I am not in my room. Did I sleep through the morning and where am I?" I ask myself.

The events of the day and the night come to me quickly.

"Divimon, I am at Divimon. It happened again, didn't it? I was scared of this happening. I thought taking care of my needs by myself last night would prevent the night terrors," I say to myself. Just then I hear footsteps walking fast. The room door opens to reveal Bridgette and Veronica.

"What are you doing here? I ask

They both stop in their tracks looking at me.

"Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty."

"Oh, thank goodness you are awake. We were scared," Veronica says.

"Queen Mariah told us you fainted last night when we arrived Divimon," Bridgette says.

"She was worried, we had to tell her about your nightmares," Veronica says.

They both keep quiet. I get off my bed and walk to the dressing mirror.

"I can't believe it happened while I was here," I say.

I think about the situation for a while.

"I need to get this under control," I say.

"It hasn't happened in a week now. I believe you are handling it, Your Majesty," Veronica says.

"You are right, I just need to keep a clear head and I believe everything will be fine," I say.

Just then I remember my plans with Princess Catherine.

"Alright then let's hurry up. I have my afternoon planned out. I have to find Princess Catherine. We are going to the forest," I say. "Prince Jeffery has been here all day," Bridgette says.

I turn and look at her

"He has?" I ask.

"Yes, Your Majesty, he left not too long before you woke up to talk to the physician," Bridgette says.

"I will have to see everyone then. I can imagine the trouble I cost them," I say as they both start moving around.

AN HOUR LATER

"We are done Your Majesty," Bridgette says zipping my gown up.

"Thank you, ladies," I say walking to the door.

"You are you don't need anyone of us to escort you," Veronica says.

I turn back to them.

"No, it's fine. I want to learn the castle grounds all myself. If I need anything I will send for either of you," I say.

"Of course, Your Majesty," They both say.

When I open the door, I find two guards standing by my doorpost.

"Your Majesty," they both bow

"Good morning to you gentlemen, if you don't mind, I will take this walk alone," I say.

"Of course," Your Majesty they both say.

I make my way down the stairs and to the great halls. I hear voices as I approach the solar. "Queen Guinevere."

I stop dead in my tracks when I hear the name.

"Queen Guinevere, why are they talking about her," I say to myself.

I walk closer to listen to their conversation.

"It's like she incarnated herself into Iris," says King Archer.

"The history we were taught about Queen Guinevere was patriotic. It's because of her Queen Jane of Achmorn became the first astronomer scholar," Queen Fiona says. I slowly swallow the big lump in my throat.

"Father did say King Archer was very inquisitive," I say to myself.

I finally enter the room and they all turn and look at me.

"Oh honey, how was your night? Hope you enjoyed the meal I sent up to your room?" Queen Fiona asks walking toward me.

"My night was pleasant and I enjoyed the meal. Thank you very much," I say as Queen Fiona warmly touches my cheek.

I look at everyone and curtsey.

"Your Majesties. I am so sorry for the trouble I cost you all last night," I say.

"Oh nonsense, we are all glad you are alright," Queen Fiona says.

"Your head maids already told us how to manage you," King Archer says.

"Just concentrate on your stay here. We will take care of everything," Queen Fiona says.

I curtsey

"Thank you, Your Majesty, you are far too kind," I say.

Prince Jeffery walks over to me. He takes my hand kisses it and looks at me. I could see the worry on his face.

"Will you like to join me for a stroll in the garden?" Prince Jeffery says.

"Of course," I say.

Prince Jeffery leads me to the back of the castle. The guards at the garden gate open the gate and we enter.

"Why are there guards at the gate?" I ask.

"You will soon see," Prince Jeffery says.

When we got to the middle of the garden, I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Are those diamonds?" I ask.

"Yes, they are," Prince Jeffery says.

"They look so beautiful. I love how the water reflects on the diamonds. Oh, my goodness, look butterflies," I say excitedly.

It looks so beautiful and peaceful. I walk to the stream. Pretty flowers are flowing on the face of the water and fishes are swimming. I can't help but think of how much Ri would have loved it here.

"I know one person who will give anything just to be here, in fact, it will be her new home," I say laughing.

"Princess Catherine said the same thing," Prince Jeffery says.

I smile and turn back to the waterfall.

"I am sorry about earlier. I know you heard our conversation. We shouldn't have brought the portrait out," Prince Jeffery says.

I turn back to him.

"Let me guess, my mother told you all," I say.

"No, I asked and father investigated. When I saw you working down the processing stairs during Williams's engagement ball, you looked so much like Queen Guinevere. Well, I didn't notice until Leonard mentioned it," Prince Jeffery says. My heart skips a beat and the warm feeling comes back again. I look at Prince Jeffery.

"Leonard noticed?" I asked.

"Yeah he did," Prince Jeffery says.

"Were you curious?" I asked.

He looks at me and nods. I walk to the bench close to the stream and have my seat.

"I haven't left my room in six years since after Ri was buried. I shut out everyone even my parents. So you can imagine my surprise when I finally leave my room for the first time in six years and behold I look like a dead historical Queen from more than 100 decades ago. It's like looking at yourself in the mirror," I say.

Prince Jeffery seats with me.

"How do you feel right now about looking like Queen Guinevere? I mean that's a whole lot of shoes to fill," Prince Jeffery says.

"I had a long discussion with my father about how I felt about it. It wasn't pretty but after successfully getting two ships across the sea, it was clear what my duty was," I say.

"Your eyes..."

"That was where father drew his conclusion. He believes the difference in the eyes proves that I am the reincarnation of Queen Guinevere and he also said I and Queen Guinevere are two different people which means that I am in total control of my fate," I say smiling at him and he smiles back at me.

"That's impressive," Prince Jeffery says.

"You know now that I think of it. My Nana always called me her little pirate especially when I gave the guards at the castle a hard time," I say smiling.

"You think she knew?" Prince Jeffery asks.

"Nana was different in her way. So I believe in her little way, she knew about me," I say.