“I was born within these walls, and I hope I’ll never have to leave.”
“And how do you know all this about the people outside the walls?”
“We see enough of them during the ceremonies. So dirty, and the smell... I wish our beloved queen would cancel all the parades.” Sally wiped the mirror on one of the walls.
“Do you see her often?”
My mind seemed to run in circles and I had difficulty concentrating, but for some reason I felt that I needed to know everything.
“As much as anyone here. I know you haven’t seen her yet, because of your condition. She’s very private. People say that she’s very sick and frail, but I’m not one to gossip.”
“I feel really tired.” I adjusted the blanket and sighed.
“Of course, milady. Forgive me for all this chatter, I tired you out.”
I closed my eyes and started drifting away when the door opened and someone’s light steps sounded on the carpet. I did not move, too exhausted from the conversation I just had. Colorful visions shifted in front of my eyes when I overheard the quiet conversation between Sally, and by the sound of it, Lady Corliss.
“Did she take it?”
“Yes, milady.”
“The whole glass?”
“Yes, milady.”
“Did you notice anything unusual?”
“She talked to me, and even asked some questions. You said to report anything that seemed out of the ordinary.”
“Yes, you did good. Keep informing me about everything,” Lady Corliss said, and the sounds of footsteps grew louder.
Corliss approached my bed and softly touched my shoulder.
“Take care, sweet child,” she whispered.
I was fast asleep long before she finally left.
Exhaustion would not leave me, even later in the day when, with the help of my bodyguard on one arm and Sally on the other, I made my way to the garden. My mind still tried to process everything I had learned that morning, and I wassure that if I thought about it any longer, I would lose my sanity. I glanced at Sally who only had eyes for Kent the entire time.
She wanted to ask him out. I wondered how that would go. She looked quite pretty, she clearly put some effort into looking her best this morning. She had curled her hair and kept it loose around her face. I could detect a blushing powder on her cheeks, and peach-colored cream on her lips.
In contrast, I looked like a pruned crabapple. Thin and frail, pale with dark purple circles under my swollen eyes. To be completely honest, the outing was Sally's idea, because I would prefer to hide in my room until the world tipped over and perished into nothingness.
I sighed and caught a concerned look from the man beside me.
Kent was breathtaking as he stood in the soft afternoon glow. It was almost painful to look at him. His astonishing brown eyes, in their deep mahogany shade, shined with amber specs. It was almost physically impossible to keep my eyes off him. He was absolutely gorgeous. I could not blame Sally, and pretty much every other woman who could not pass by us without giving him a second glance. However, he did not seem to notice any of them, too absorbed in his own thoughts. Sometimes, when I looked at him, I fantasized about reaching out and smoothing the line between his eyebrows.
“When did you arrive from Ulfare?” Sally asked.
“What?”
“When did you get to the capital?” she tried again.
“Couple of months ago.”
“It must be exciting for you,” the maid continued.
Kent said nothing. I fidgeted in my seat, not sure if I should be a part of the conversation.
