Prince Sebastian quarters.

"Your highness, " princess Ellen was welcome by her two maids from Bozoa and Grater.

Princess Ellen nodded her head in response a small smile on her lips. "You look pale, your highness, did you catch a cold in samor," Grater asked. Her hand was already reached out to touch the princess's head.

"You are burning up your highness, you should take medicine and rest. We prepare all your favorite food," Grate said already leading the way to princes Ellen's chamber.

Ellen and the other maid followed her, for some reason Grater reminder Ellen of Ann.

"You two should go and get her highness meal and bring it to her chamber. She should not get stressed out," Grater instructed. She oped the door for Ellen and walked in after her.

Grater did not know why but the princess remained her of her daughter who died two years ago. She felt pity for the princess since she knew being married to a man like the cursed prince must be hard on her

Grater was not one of those who hated the cursed prince. Yes, she feared him, but no she never hate him. She still remembers how her husband praised him when he returned from war years ago

According to her husband, he thought he would see his death that day until the young prince arrived. So for Grater, the prince has saved the life of her husband and she was grateful for that.

Yes, she feared him, but she had worked under the prince since the death of her husband and daughter two years ago and she has realized that the Prince was not a Beast like the rumor claimed.

He did not hurt the innocent, so she liked him and prayed he would be the next king since he was fair in all his dealing. even to the maids and servants in the house.

Although she could not call him nice, but to her, he was better than his brother who hit their servants and let them go hungry for every little mistake they made.

Princess Ellen took her seat on the bed and look at Grater. "Do you have any children?" she asked.

" yes, I had a daughter but she drowned along with her father when they went fishing," Grater answered. She has been trying to live past the death of her husband and daughter.

"I am sorry," princess Ellen said noticing the sadness and lowliness in Grater's eye.

"You know my mother died when I was little. I never got to know her?" Princess Ellen said. She had no idea why she was talking about her mother with Grater.

The truth was that she always felt hurt about not knowing her mother. "I am sure she would have been very pretty and nice as you," Grater said.

"Maybe, I don't know. Dad kept her a secret from me. I grew up calling another mother. I only found out the truth when I was fourteen. It hurts, I wish I met her," Princess Ellen said as a single tear unconsciously dropped from her eyes.

"I know how you feel, I miss my husband and daughter very much. But I guess they would be happy to see me not given up on life," Grater said.

"Do you believe that the dead watch over us?" princess Ellen asked.

"Of course child... I am sorry, your highness," Grater corrected herself when she realized how she had addressed the princess.

"It's okay," princess Ellen gave her a small smile. She did not feel offended that Grater had referred to her as a child. She has always craved for a mother"s love.

"I am sure your mum is proud to see the woman you have become. She might no longer be with you but she lives on in your heart," Grater said.

"How? I never even got to meet her. I have no memory of her," Ellen balled her fist remembering what Ann had told her about Queen Regina adding something to her mother's tea.

"Of course you do, look at yourself in the mirror, you carry a part of her with you. You knew her for nine months before you knew yourself," Grater said. She hated to see the sadness and pain in the princess's eyes.

She wished she could hug her close and comfort her but that was not her place as she was only but a maid.

Princess Ellen cleaned the tears in her eyes. "Thank you," she smiled at Grater.

"It nothing your highness," Grater replied.

Just then there was a knock on the door and it was pulled open reviling her maids who brought her meal.

Princess Ellen got up and sat at the table. Her mouth waters at the sight of her favorite dishes. Without a second thought, she took a bite of the apple pie in front of her.

She felt more relief when she did not perceive or taste anything different in the food.

"Where us Biel?" She asked realizing that the prince had instructed One to lead her to his quarters.

"You mean the new maid?" Grater asked.

"Yes," Princess Ellen nodded her head.

"She was taken to the darkroom," Grater answered.

"Darkroom? Where is that?" Princess Ellen raised her head to look at Grater? She noticed the woman bite her lips so she did not repeat her question. She could already guess that Grater had answered her question without thinking.

"Did you go to the Royal Court?" Princess Ellen asked. She still felt like she should have gone back.

"Hmm, the Queen will stand for you. She said so yesterday," Grater answered.

"Is the crown prince closed to his mother?" Princess Ellen asked. She had only been in the palace for a few days but she did not notice any interaction between the prince and his mother.

There was also no rumor about him and his mother. She was taken aback when the Queen had supported her the previous day.

"I am afraid not, the Queen hates her son. I heard that he had tried to see his mother countless times, but the Queen pushed him away refusing to see him," Grater replied.

"Then why did she help me yesterday?" Princess Ellen was confused.

"I don't know? Maybe she was just trying to protect her image. You know a lot of people said she is very nice, but what kind of a mother pushes her son away?" Grater asked.

Ellen shook her head. She was beginning to think of the possibility of the Queen not been the prince's mother just like what happened to her but she did not dare voice out her thoughts.