Checkmate

Chapter 26

     I was torn. On whether or not to get Flynn back or not, I was absolutely torn. But not because I was scared of Flynn for once, but because I was scared of his mother, who I knew would never accept Flynn and I being together. So with that, I realized the first person I needed to talk to was the Queen.

     It was a bright and sunny day and I found myself walking to the Queen, who was walking down the garden, her eyes scanning the flowers at her side. She had her hands clasped together, her posture straight and rigid, and I made my way towards her. And the entire time, my heart was pounding.

     "Um, your majesty?" I said once I neared the Queen.

     The Queen hesitated before she turned to face me. She was frowning. Her eyebrows furrowed as her cold eyes landed on me.

     "Yes?" Queen Astoria said.

     "Can we talk?" I asked.

     The Queen's eyes glanced around my face before she nodded. She continued walking and I stumbled to make it to her side.

     "About?" Queen Astoria asked.

     "Why do you hate me?" I asked.

     Queen Astoria froze. She glanced at me, her eyes wide momentarily before she concealed her expression. I stood there tall and proud for once. For once, I didn't fear what the Queen would say.

     "Why do you think I hate you?" Queen Astoria asked.

     "Well, you don't want me to be with Flynn," I said. "You said you would kick me out of this castle for being with him and I don't think someone would do that to someone unless they hated them."

      The Queen's jaw clenched. A rage was hidden beneath her eyes, but yet, I stood my ground.

     "This is nothing personal," Queen Astoria said. "It's just you're a servant and Flynn's a prince. It's not proper for you two to be together. That's all."

     "But why?"

     "Because. You don't understand Helena. And that's exactly the problem."

     My heart jolted at the use of my name. She rarely ever used my name.

     "But I can learn," I said. "I just don't get why you're so adamant on me never being with Flynn."

     Queen Astoria shook her head. She exhaled.

     "This is enough," Queen Astoria said. "Amara and Flynn are going to be together. They're happy, so there's no point in talking about this."

     I bit my lip. I so badly wanted to snap, to tell her that Flynn loved me and wanted to be with me, but it was her getting in the way. But because she was my employer, I stayed silent.

     "Well, I guess I should thank you," Queen Astoria said. "Thank you for breaking up with Flynn. Finally things are falling into place perfectly."

     "You know, I love him."

     The Queen's eyes flew wide. A look of horror crossed her face and I continued.

     "I've loved him for years and even now, even when he's with someone else, I still love him," I whispered. "But the only reason I'm not with him, is because of you."

     Queen Astoria remained staring at me. She no longer look horrified, but disgusted.

     "You better not tell him that," Queen Astoria said.

     "Or what?"

     "Or you'll be on strike three. You will be sent out of the castle and shunned."