It was still early in the morning and the palace was bustling with activity with servants moving around making preparations for the upcoming kingdom greet event.
Three weeks had already passed since Leila met Jared and of course he met her again because he wanted to become her friend for whatever reason, he heard the rumours at some point but he has never been one to judge a person without knowing them well himself.
She still didn't fully acknowledge him but at least she wasn't too cold to him, and she felt a little warm through their friendship.
John was in the middle of the chaos ordering servants to perform several tasks
"Nancy give the ribbon to Samuel and off you go to the yard to help over there..."
"No, you can't do anything right Melissa, turn it over...."
"Take it back, I want it perfect..."
He stood tall with his stern face and strictly ordered around with confidence honed over several years of service to the royal family.
"Dianne, come here"
He called for a robust looking muddle aged woman to come..
"Take two trusted higher maids upstairs to the last room of the north wing, clean the place thoroughly, replace the sheets with darker colours, remove all shiny and eye catching decorations, do not make a single mistake.... otherwise the consequence will be dire, do you understand?"
He instructed seriously.....
"Yes mister John..."
She replied professionally, bowed a little and made her way to carry out the task...
John absent mindedly looked in the direction she walked off, an odd and dark emotions swirling in his sinister orbs before quickly masking his expression back to that strict front.
...
Leila was in the garden as usual doing her favourite work, trimming the plants and watering the flowers, today she had assistance from two other as rhe workload was much, and one of them was the young who bumped into her the other day.
She worked in cold silence, not paying attention to the other two individuals.
The mischievous little was suddenly in the mood to stir up trouble.
"Did you hear, we have a witch in this palace, she's dark skinned and evil, and if you touch her, you'll be cursed for eternity"
She said loudly to her partner and they both snickered.
"I can't even work or sleep in peace, always thinking that she'll jump out one day and eat me alive..."
Her partner snickered as she couldn't control herself, before shaking her head and moving to the other side of the garden so she doesn't get in trouble if Mister John sees them.
"What is your name?"
Leila asked the blonde girl....
She was shocked and looked around, seeing no one else she knew the question was directed at her.
"Why do you want to know?"
She shot back sharply with a little apprehension as she suspiciously and warily stared at Leila.
"You don't need to tell me"
Not really curious, she said curtly, not expecting a reply, or even expecting a sarcastic reply....
"Lisa...."
The girl said in a small voice....
Leila looked up, a little emotional fleeted in her eyes but the next second it was gone...
"Lisa..."
She repeatsd softly before looking back up at her .