Chapter 49

Cara couldn't help but notice that a lot had changed within the space of one night. Queen Jasmine had had a rough night and here she was, exuding some form of confidence and self control by the next day. She couldn't help but admire the Queen's great spirit. It reminded her of how the Queen used to be back then. Now it all feels like a mirage.

Cara initially worked side-by-side with Queen Jasmine but in order to study her more she slowed her pace and followed closely behind while stealing glances at her. Cara was pondering on whether or not to tell the Queen about her findings of the other day. She had been looking for ways to inform her but she had always found none. Today seems like a good day, she thought, glancing at Queen Jasmine.

Queen Jasmine noticed and called from behind. “Quit staring, Cara or you may just trip and fall again". She turned and winked at Cara, smiling.

Cara looked at the Queen and soon they burst into laughter as Cara recollected how she had fallen unexpectedly.

That day had been a hell of a day for Cara. A morning like this one and Cara had as usual come to call the Queen out and escort her for breakfast. The Queen had come out putting on an emerald colored gown and had redone her hair. She had stepped out of the room that morning like her life depended on it. She walked gracefully, taking long strides with her. Cara had never seen the Queen more beautiful than she was that day. She had kept staring and staring, stealing glances here and there and before anyone could say “Jack Robinson '', Cara had tripped and fallen mightily, spilling over the files she was carrying. The fall came with a great thud, so much that it attracted those that were already sitting in the dining room. They had all rushed out alarmed, only to find Queen Jasmine laughing and they had all joined in, including Cara. It was such a funny incident.

Cara shook her head, trying to wave off the thought of having to trip this time and endure the embarrassing moment she'd face. Most importantly, the laughter she'd get from everyone, especially Becca and Rose.

Finally getting to the dining room, Cara made to open the door for Queen Jasmine.
Queen Jasmine's heart skipped a beat as she watched Cara twist the knob and pull at the door without warning.

Before walking into the dining room, Queen Jasmine took a deep breath in and exhaled.She quickly ran over a few of her affirmations and finally regaining her confidence, she dusted her clothes and made for the room.

Queen Jasmine walked into the room like one on a runway. She had a straight face on and only raised her hands when she wanted to fiddle her earring or touch her hair or her dress.

As she walked in gracefully, everyone at the table stopped eating and looked up from their meals.

“Wow!” Matt exclaimed as he studied her neatly done hair, the colorful gown and the accessories. He was truly surprised by this new look. He could barely take his eyes off her. If it were to be like it were before, he'd dash out of his seat and rush to Queen Jasmine. He would go down on one knee, hold her hands and often say in a funny accent, “ What did I do to deserve such beauty?”
Each time, Jasmine's replies were always in laughter.


Matt shook his head, knowing that things had changed. He only looked on wondering how one person could be this beautiful.
His wife Jasmine was truly unmatched when it comes to beauty, he thought.
Searching the table with his eyes, he realized that she not only caught his attention but the attention of everyone on the table.
“She still has it in her,” he muttered.

Staring intently at Jasmine who was now trying to take her seat just beside him, he couldn't help but feel more drawn to her that morning than he had ever been in a while.

He carefully studied Rose and returned his gaze to Jasmine and without an opinion of another, he knew his wife was prettier and much more endowed than her step sister.

Rose and Becca, on the other hand, kept exchanging glances. After the piece of information they had received the previous day on how the Queen was faring, they had assumed that the Queen would not even be at the table not to speak of, being finely dressed or exuding confidence.

They were thrown off guard by this new development. Rose wondered how one rough night could transition a person into a bold and confident fellow.

Cara watched as she stood by the door, how much attention Queen Jasmine had drawn to herself that morning and smiled confidently.

Exactly! Don't play their game with them. Be your own boss! Cara thought, cheering Queen Jasmine on, inwardly.

Queen Jasmine watched the reaction she got and was pleased with herself, knowing fully well that she had made a good and shocking impression on them.

Returning her eyes and attention to her meal, she devoured it whole with so much class that everyone on the table felt intimidated. She was ready to prove them all wrong today, so rather than picking on her meal, she forced herself to finish the meal, pretending like she was really starving.

Getting up before others, she smiled at them and made her way out of the room, Cara following behind her smiling like one who had just won a lottery.

Queen Jasmine was so excited and could barely control her emotions. She kept grinning from ear to ear and wanted to share her excitement with Cara but she needed it to look real. So she decided against it.

On getting to her room, Jasmine asked Cara not to leave but invited her in. As soon as the door was shut, she tapped on the stool next to her bed, for Cara to sit.

As soon as she sat on her bed, the confidence she had been exuding since morning evaporated and was quickly replaced by worries and anxieties.

She needed to inform Cara of her intentions. “I intend on going to that place, today" She said looking at Cara, awaiting a protest.

Cara looked at the Queen shocked. "Your highness, you want to go there? Why, if I may ask your highness?”

“I haven't gotten answers and I need the answers urgently in order to know what my next line of action would be.”

"I can't keep up with this,” she added, confessing.

Cara didn't understand where all this was coming from. The Queen had been waving off the discussion to the Tree Park each time the topic was brought up and now, all of a sudden, she wants to go there by all means? Cara really struggles to understand the Queen and her actions sometimes.

Cara opened her mouth to protest against this but kept quiet as Jasmine raised her hand in detest.

She didn't want to hear anything from Cara so she wouldn't have a change of mind. She wanted to go there today and that is what she was going to do. Nothing was going to stop her!


“But… but my Queen” Cara started but kept quiet again immediately she saw the look the Queen gave her. Cara felt bad as she was yet to inform the Queen about the dangers of revisiting that Park again. She so badly wanted to let it all out without considering her current state of mood but she couldn't, especially now that the Queen was not willing to listen.

She had to find another way of telling the Queen before she leaves the palace but how? Cara pondered.