The Dominant Heir

| 20 |

Camila

After me and Leo's odd conversation, I'd noticed something was off about him for the past few days. I couldn't really ask him about it because I found that he was avoiding me. Anytime I attempted to start conversation with him he would come up with an excuse to not talk to me. Being truthful, I was kind of hurt to have come up with this conclusion, I thought we had been making some good progress with our relationship.

Despite all that happened between us, I hadn't let it interfere with my students. Luke and Freya were making impressive advancements in their training, they had even become a role model for the other students. That wasn't to say the other learners weren't improving, they were remarkable or maybe I'm just an amazing mentor. I was beginning to warm up to the kids, the places and the palace but I had yet to reconcile with the Queen since our last encounter.

I thought I would take a nice trip to the maternal care facility where all vulnerable pregnant women or new mother's stayed for the time-being, whether it was because their partner had passed away or in-training. It was my first time and I heard of it from Dana, she said Luca ushered her to spend some time there but she refused and threw a tantrum.

In other words, Luca got his ass beat verbally and is powerless against Dana.

I knocked on the door after passing many guards and was welcomed by a group of women smiling at me sitting on teal coco chairs and others with their children "Hi."

"Come. Sit down!" There was a seat available near the corner so I took that seat.

"So what's your name?"

"It's Camila." I said, all eyes on me.

"Oh okay. Feel free to look around." I didn't really know what to do, I hadn't planned what I was going to do beforehand so I just shuffled around awkwardly. The women went back to their chattering, they looked to be from their early 20's to late 20's. When I felt they'd ignored my presence completely, I moved to the neighbouring room; a nursery. Hanging clouds and stars, wallpaper with rainbows, cute frames and 3 cots was what decorated the room.

I shifted to the nearest cot and saw plates with names on them. The one I was standing over had Kiki written on it in intricate pink calligraphy. I looked over to her and awed at her small hands that were outstretched whilst she was asleep. I used the back of index finger to stroke her cheeks and then rested my thumb on her. She leaned into my touch and I smiled.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" I jumped slightly at the voice. I retracted my hand slowly and turned.

"Yeah." I whispered, giving a glance back at her.

"Her mum passed away when she gave birth." I frowned. "She didn't even get to hold her."

"Oh." Was all I could say. I didn't even know if my mother was still alive. There were times when I longed for her; they said a mother's touch could last forever, even when they're gone. I felt embarrassed because I had no memory of her. One picture was all I recalled, and that wasn't even a physical memory with her. The picture was her being carried by Papa bridal-style, both grinning.

She was in her prime.

Except, I soon forgot the pining for a mother.

"I haven't seen you around here before, is this your first time?" I nodded. "Well. I'm Ella, I'm a midwife."

"I'm Camila." I wasn't sure about whether or not to mention my role.

"You've got the hands of a warrior, just what are you doing 'round here?" She could tell I was a warrior from the glimpse of my hands? I rubbed my wrists thoughtlessly. I suddenly felt vulnerable and exposed, for no apparent reason. Was it because I was in a room with children? Or was it how she unexpectedly knew of what position I had?