Sammie's Pov
I arrived the palace for my shift , I had left Greenville that morning. I was to be on duty at Her Highness's chambers that week. It was also important that I leave, so Rose could heal properly from the miscarriage which she had.
I knew she would feel much relief if wasn't there, at least I had already instigated enough fear in her and her father and I was sure they wouldn't dare do anything otherwise.
Unknown to them I actually had no evidence against her father's drug scandals . I had only heard about his doings in the past from people who lived around the neighborhood, but I hadn't any proof against them.
Telling them that I have proves was one of the best ways to escape being jailed, of which they actually believed that I was going to take some actions which would put him behind bars and that was the reason why she immediately agreed to stop the divorce her father that wanted her to go for.
I kept on laughing at their ignorance and stupidity, because I knew they had much more proof against me than I did against Hardin. Nevertheless life is all about how smart one can be and not all about the amount of prove you against someone.
There was no way I was going to let her pull away from the marriage in which I knew I had invested so much in. I was quite sure that no other lady would be as good enough to tolerate my excesses like she did and this was the reason why she was going nowhere out of this marriage. Her father had consented to this right from the beginning and things were going to remain that way between us.
The palace seemed very quiet and everyone seemed worried. I couldn't ask any questions because I tried my best not to get entangled with the other workers who loved gossiping alot about things that happened here.
If there was one thing I hated the most, that will be having to join a group of palace gossips to discuss about the royal household in the palace. I would rather get my facts straight by myself than have to stand and discuss with them, of which I know they were all low lives workers. It has always been my dream to aspire into becoming a member of the royal household, although I didn't know how to go about it but the way I carry myself and positioned my mind has always helped me in gaining favours from them.
I was seen as a different worker unlike the others who behaved like they were awkward and old fashioned. I received lots of gifts from the Queen and from Veronica which I think they quite understood what I represented very much.
In fact my behaviour had fetched me a whole lot of loyalty and trust from the Queen and Veronica. Except for Blake and his sister's which were all the total opposite of his mother and Veronica. they never had time to listen to me and that made me so much displaced . I loved being given attention and if I wasn't given enough attention I felt less of myself.
I went about picking up all the used bed sheet and dirty clothes. It was my duty to always get everything clean. I wasn't a Chamberlain to a particular person ,as my work was always random, depending on the area I was to be on duty.
Having gained the royalty of the queen and that of Veronica,they called me quite often into their Chambers. I worked more in the Queen's Chambers and in that of Flora, Blake's daughter ,as her mother preferred my services to them the more.
It was my eight year serving as the palace's chamberlain, the job was quite stressing but the pay I got was all worth it. I was able to live a normal life and people saw me as a middle class citizen. With the pay I got,no one would ever think that I worked in the palace as a chamberlain.
When I got to the queen chambers ,her maids brought out the clothes which were in there numbers, handing them over as I walked through the hall way to the laundering room.
" The prince has not returned since he left the palace and the queen is worried", some one said at the laundry room.
" I over heard the queen say that he would not pick his calls and he would not let anyone know his whereabouts", another said.
I smiled hearing their gossips, of course the prince was in Greenville , although I had no idea why he was really there, but Greenville was the town given to him and he could visit it as he liked.
Maybe he wanted to get some fresh air out of all the nagging and pressure to get married which the queen always gave him, I thought.
I once said that if I was in Blake's shoes I would marry Veronica without having to think twice. She was bold , classy and very educated from one of the most wealthiest families in New Orleans. they already had a child together and I saw no reason for him not to have her as his wife.
Well, he was a spoilt kid who grew up with a silver spoon on his mouth ,that was why he felt he had a choice after getting her to carry their child. If I had my way with Veronica, I wouldn't even think twice. Even though she wasn't too beautiful facially, but the chick was very hot and had this charisma that even Rose could not beat.
Rose had the beauty, but Veronica had the brains. She was very articulate and had this sense of reasoning that enticed me whenever I saw her.
" Take this to the little princess's chamber", my superior said ,handing over a few well packaged clothing to me.
I collected them and quickly went to Flora's chamber. She was Blake and Veronica's daughter which they had while in high school. She was always handed over a piece of new clothing every morning before she goes to school.
I got to the door and over heard Veronica speaking out so loudly. She seemed to be so tensed and from the way I observed things she must have spent the night at the palace last night.
I could vividly remember the last time she has planned staying in the palace ,not because of her daughter but because of Blake. She had planned out how she was going to spend the whole night with him as she kept on asking me Blake's schedule for the day. I have told her that he was going to return back home around 8:30pm that evening and I wasn't too sure if he had any plans of not sleeping in the palace that night as it was always in his habit to spend some nights at the guest house in New Orleans.
She had instructed the cooks to prepare his favourite meal, while she dressed to kill in her red shining nightwear, which I saw before she went to the kitchen to get the meal by herself. Veronica was a very lazy woman who never liked doing house chores ,neither will she ever want to step into the kitchen, but that day she had wanted to serve him by herself for reasons best known to her of which I suspected she wanted him to meet him and spend time together.
She took the tray of food and went towards his Chambers. I had to stay put at a particular place to see what the turnout would be. it wasn't up to five minutes when she ran off from his Chambers angrily as she kept on scolding every single worker that came close to her.
when she left I went towards thee Chambers and noticed that his room was locked. Unknown to me Blake had gone on a three days trip of which that day was the first .He was to return on the Monday. I could remember her yelling at me for giving her false information. I pleaded with her , stating that it wasn't intentional, I had believed he would return and never knew he had a change of plans.
Now I could see that same reaction she had that day as she displayed it after noticing that Blake was actually avoiding her. I wondered why she was so annoyed that Blake didn't want her close when she herself wasn't that clean.
I knew that the reasons why she was always at the palace wasn't because of her daughter but most especially it was because of the wealth, fame ,the name and all the recognition she would get when she answers the Queen, if they both get married.
I had seen her so many times in the streets of New Orleans with a guy named Chris and I was so sure that was the person she actually likes or maybe she was only using him in passing out time.I wasn't going to blame her if she was having an affair because I knew it wasn't her fault partly. If Blake gives her the full attention she deserved ,she would never have to look out for any other man.
" Why wouldn't he pick up his calls! now I am so tensed, what kind of a father is he!", she kept yelling.
I knocked and the door was made opened , then I walked in with the clothe in my hands. One thing I hated about Veronica's attitude was the way she kept on pressing Blake to be close to her. I saw it as a sign of desperation and I always know that a desperate woman can do anything to have what she desired mostly.
I could only wish that Blake would take her as she was and avoid any troubles that would come up in the future if he decides not to end up with her.
" No one seems to know where he went to and he didn't want anyone to speak with him after having a conversation with Flora over the phone", she kept telling Thelma , Flora's nanny.
" Maybe he just wanted to take some break from the palace ,my lady", Thelma replied.
" Some break for what , from who?", Veronica asked while Thelma replied silent. Any more words from her would only worsen things and Thelma might end up receiving a very sounding slap from her.
" Come on mother, you don't need to be so worried. I'm sure father is fine wherever he is now", Flora said.
" I know baby, but I have an idea. How about, you call him again. I'm sure he would pick up your call immediately", Veronica said.
" No mother, that's not necessary, besides I'm hurrying up for school now, and I'll be having a big presentation today at the hall, I don't want to be late. Father too would be mad if I called now. He had already wished me well for the day and wouldn't be happy that I was calling him while I should be preparing for School ", Flora said.
From Veronica's look, I could tell that she was so mad and really wanted to know Blake's where about that instant. I wondered why Blake had told me not to let his presence at Greenville known to anyone, if he was there for a clean reason then why did he have to hide it.
" My lady, please can I have a work with you?",I told Veronica.
" Who are you to have a word with me, do I look like your fellow palace servants?", she replied rudely.
" Never mind my lady , I thought you would like to know where the prince was", i replied while leaving immediately.
" Hey! wait.......
I kept walking not looking back, while she ran after me to the hall way.
" Are you deaf? I said wait!", she yelled.
" My lady , if you would want me to listen to you, then you must call me with a little bit of respect. I am not a servant , I'm one of the highest paid workers in the palace and my rank is far above many", I said.
" I see then. Pardon my manners. Where can I find the prince ", she said.
I looked at her from head to toe, admiring the little beauty she had which was in no way compared to my Rose, but I needed her too. Her brown well stretchened hair which look so expensive and the sweet scented perfume she wore could entice anyone who came across her.
She had this straight sparkling clean legs and a little curvy waist which I could see from her tight fitted short gown.
" What are you staring at?", she called out as I returned back to consciousness.
"Tell me where the prince is".
" I will tell you, but what do I get in return?", I said.
" What do you want? name it and it shall be yours ,as long as I find the prince", she replied.
" i wouldn't tell you what I want now, but sometime I will and I hope you will give it to me", I asked.
"Of course I would give you what you ask. Now be out with it, where's the prince?"
I told her where I had met him and what he had told me. She promised not to let him know that she got to know his whereabouts from me. I smiled as I watched her walk away through the hall way.
Some palace workers were eavesdropping on our conversation,as soon as I got into the laundering room ,they both ran towards me to ask what I was discussing with Veronica.
" It's none of your business, and I think you should focus more on what brings you here ,which is to earn a living", I said.
" And are you focusing on what brought you here?" , a younger lady said in an angry tone.
' Of course I am", I replied.
" Well ,let's see how Prince Blake would handle you, when he finds out you told Lady V about his whereabouts!", an older lady said.
I was so surprised, I had no idea that someone was listening to my conversation. This was one of the reasons I didn't like the palace, it always seemed nothing was a secret in here.
" Oh ! you look surprised right? well you shouldn't be ,cos the palace is a very free place to be and the walls has ears. Good luck with whatever you just told Lady V, prince Blake would hear it", the older lady continued
I knew at this point that I had to ignore them, of course I knew they wouldn't tell Blake anything . They all feared Veronica and they wouldn't dare report anything that involves her in it.
It was best not to speak ,but watch them run their mouths on what they wouldn't be able to do.