Chapter 12 - My First Step

The maid went back and invited Amelia in. her eyes were teary and her face was red as if she had cried for hours before coming in.

The moment Amelia looked at Hazel, the dam of her eyes broke again.

"Sister!" her voice cracked as she hugged Hazel. She was looking in so much pain, that even Hazel who knew the truth was convinced that she was in pain. Hazel wanted to clap at Amelia's acting skills. The way she continued to make this sad face and tears continued to pour for this long, Hazel was sure that she would not be able to do that!

Amelia continued to wait for Hazel to stop her and console her so that she could stop crying but Hazel just sat there silently. She paid no effort in making her feel better.

'Selfish trash! She did not even feel bad for me when i was crying so much' blaming Hazel in her heart. Amelia finally wiped her tears and her crying turned into sobs.

"Are you okay sister? I have never thought that you could be hurt while going to the forest. You should be more careful when passing by the woods." Amelia advised as she wiped her tears. Hazel sneered at her heart. She was indirectly telling that it was Hazel's carelessness that made her injured. If she would have been careful then it would not have happened.

Hazel tried her best and finally able to manage a few tears in her eyes too.

"You are the right sister. I have been careless while travelling in the woods." a smirk formed on Amelia's face. She knew that Hazel would not go against her. If she would call night when it was day even then Hazel would accept that it was night! She was nothing but her puppet.

"But I thought that you had sent them. After all they were your knights. They told me that they were there to escort me while I went to meet my friends. So, i accepted it but when i moved they tried to kill me through their arrows. We can not trust anyone in this world, sister. But i am glad that they tried to kill me not you." Hazel cried further and further as she told the story. This was the first time when she opened her mouth about this matter. So, every servant and maid started listening with open ears.

Amelia was dumbfounded that she was not able to react for a few seconds. She could not believe that Hazel was making a story? No! She was not intelligent enough to do so! There must be some mistake! Had her knights tried to kill her to get browning points from her!? She needed to meet them to understand that situation.

"I am just worried that people would blame you sister. After all, they were your loyal staff. They did not even blink or take a step without your consent. I did not understand why they did so? I have never done anything against them." Hazel continued to speak against the knights taking the benefit of the tears which she had accumulated after so much effort.

Amelia's face continued to turn ugly. Why was she spouting so much nonsense! What had happened to the silent girl? Had the incident hurt her mind?

"I think there might be some misunderstanding, sister. My knights would not do that. They love and adore you." she tried to justify but she only got sobs in return.

Hazel shook her head.

"You do not know sister. They even forced me to tell father that they were trying to kill a wolf and I came in between to save the wolf. Can you believe this?

They threatened me that if i would not lie they would kill me mercilessly in front of anyone. I was so afraid that i wasn't even able to speak a single word. I was so scared sister." she hugged Amelia with all her might that no matter how Amelia tried she was not able to break free.

The whispers of the staff started again. They were speculating that Hazel was lying to save the knights but now that they came to know that the knights have treated her to tell that absurd lie they felt disgusted.

"But.. they can not do that, Hazel. There might be." Amelia stopped midway when she looked at the faces of the staff who were looking at her with suspicion.

She gritted her teeth as she realized that the tears of hazel had melted the heart of the staff. If she tried to support the knights now then they would be doubtful towards her too. And she could not afford that. She was the innocent and kind hearted princess of the palace.

Let them die! It was their own misfortune and carelessness. With that thought Amelia shook her head.

"I could not believe that I trusted the wrong people. I apologize to Hazel. I can't even imagine what would have happened if they would have been successful in their attempt." she replied as she hugged back Hazel who cussed her luck. If only she would have supported her staff a bit more, I would have won the first round.

"Thank goodness that you understood, Amelia. I was afraid that you would blame me when father will punish both of them." she added, hoping that Amelia would flare but her face bloomed.

"No! How could that be. In fact, I would personally see to it that they would get the worst punishment and would never come out of the prison again." she spoke through determination as her teeth gritted and she looked angry.

The staff nodded in appreciation at the just and kind Amelia but this was the first time that they looked at Hazel with kind eyes too.

'Sigh! I have to accept this much for now. Do not worry.. This is only my first step' an evil glint passed through Hazel's eyes.