King of Hearts

22.

A loud and angry voice awakens Val from her sleep. She doesn't even remember what she dreamed about because of the annoying shouting. Irritated, she gets up and discovers that Dánica has woken up before her. 

Val gets dressed and ready for the day. Mostly to see where this noise is coming from. No one is in the kitchen, the yelling is coming from the shop. The warm and angelic sunlight that lightens the whole room seems rather unfitting for an explosive morning such as this.

Terror hits Val when she sees Carmen standing at the counter screaming hysterically at Garan. Her face is turning purple, and her eyes seem to fall out soon. She is concerned for Carmen's health but also terrified for her own sake. Val wishes she could hide somewhere but the round and fiery woman has already caught her. 

"There she is! That ungrateful, spoiled girl! She almost ruined my reputation", she chokes at her last words. Val catches Dánica offering Carmen a glass of water when she turns around and meets Val's gaze. She's trying her best not to burst out laughing, Val can tell.

"Carmen, dear, I think you're overreacting." Garan tries to calm her down with his gentle voice but he only worsens the situation. Carmen is now walking up and down the shop, pointing her thick finger at him and Val. Eyes are about to explode out of her face.

"You weren't there yesterday! If only you had heard her insolent words toward His Highness ", she dramatically gasps sharply and clutches her hand to her chest. "For the very first time in my life, and I am 43, I felt speechless. Really, I was speech-less. I have never met such a rude, ungrateful, disrespectful – "

"I think you're going a bit overboard now", Garan raises his voice. He's still smiling but this time it's clearly fake. "Val is a loving and sweet person, and whenever she acts a sort of way it's because there is a reason for it." Garan calmy defends Val. She appreciates Garan's loyalty. He would even stand up against a co-worker for her sake. That shows how much he cares about her, and it comforts her to know that she's not alone because that's exactly what she would have felt like if it weren't for him and Dánica.

"What reason could there ever be? She can't afford to get offended, especially by His Highness. Other girls beg to even clean the floor at the palace, just to possibly meet the Prince. She should've been grateful to have found a job such as this. No, Garan, I won't tolerate ungratefulness. I won't risk my job for her again. Have fun finding another job, with that temper of yours." The last words are directed to Val. 

"I'd rather be homeless, than work for a self-centered and arrogant Prince." Val steps in. If this woman is going to shout at someone, then that person should be her. Garan has done enough. 

"You can pass on to His Highness that now I'm the one looking forward to meeting again this afternoon," Val says boldly. She doesn't know why she has said these words, she's not planning to do anything extraordinary, but in her opinion by simply appearing to the RoyalMaze War unprotected she'll prove courage, and this is the weapon she wants to slap him across the face with. Besides, she has tried enough to hide from him. Val wants to put herself out there and show everyone what she's got.

Carmen just looks at Val resigned and shakes her head. Without adding something, she storms out of the shop. Val is sure she has left a bad impression on Carmen. But at least she won't be easily forgotten.

Silence fills the room until Val turns over to Dánica and Garan. Dánica is the first one failing to contain her laugh. Now all three of them burst out laughing.
For some reason, Val feels bad for Carmen though. She just wants to get her job done. She's probably not a good improviser or a spontaneous person. She and Val have very contradicting personalities, they would've never gotten along. At least now Carmen will be able to work peacefully without any unwanted surprises, and Val won't have to work at the palace anymore. It's a win-win situation. 

"Thank you for having my back", Val thanks Garan. "I hope I didn't cause a fight between you and Carmen." She would hate to be the cause of a broken friendship. Although Carmen seems to have a difficult personality. But she's not any better herself.

Garan just waves off, "Don't worry about it. We fight all the time, even for the most irrelevant things, and yet, we're inseparable." He responds with his usual eye smile. "And don't worry about finding another job, you can work here in the shop. At least you won't cause any trouble here at home. Unless a rude customer gets on your nerves, then everybody better hide", he laughs jokingly. 

Val can't believe two things. Firstly, she can finally work with Dánica. She has grown fond of her, and every time they talk, Valfeels understood for once. Not only because they share the same passion but mainly because Dánica is a true friend. She's protective, kind and respectful, and not judgmental at all. And the fact that she has already told Val about her life story means that she trusts her, and it means a lot to Val. 

Secondly, the word home gives her mixed feelings. Val's unsure of how to feel about that since this is of course not her home. But why does it feel like one? Unlike at her real home, she feels comfortable, accepted, and appreciated. The loving and supportive people who have her back, this amazing city she has fallen in love with and has always given her feelings of nostalgia. This might become a great home.

But no.

This is not her home. Val needs to focus on why she's here. She needs to collect the Sacred Gemstones and leave immediately. Her friends and family are missing and waiting for her. She wants to become an Art Student., or that's what she thinks. This is not her life, she can't stay here. She can't let herself get distracted that easily. It's necessary to take a step back and get some distance between her and the people she has met here in Senfira.

Garan and Dánica exchange a look. They must have noticed how Val's mind has wandered to various places. "Dánica, what do you say, I take over your shift for today and you take Val out. Have lunch somewhere, go for a walk or shopping. Have some fun. You both look rather tense. I think a girl's day is what you need", Garan suggests with his dark sparkly eyes. How is Val ever going to distance herself from such loving people? 

Dánica's eyes even change color out of excitement. "Would you really do that? I would love to! Of course, if Val also agrees", she mumbles the last words.
"Of course! I'd love to. Finally, I get to see more of the city", Val answers now also excited. A fun day with Dánica is an opportunity for different thoughts. Val can't deny the fact that she's feeling a little nervous for this afternoon.

Dánica's thrilled face shifts to a disappointed expression as if she has just remembered bad news. "I don't have enough money right now. All we could do is go for a walk if that's fine with you." She must have spent all of her money on pencils and colors, probably. Typical Dánica.

"Dánica, don't worry about it. I'll give both of you this month's wage in advance", Garan says. Dánica wants to protest but he raises his hand, clearly not wanting to hear any of it. He goes behind the counter and comes back with two jingling dark purple bags. Val has already wondered what money looks like in this world. She takes the bag but doesn't open it, however, out of courtesy.

"Now, get out and have fun. But don't come too late, though. Don't forget about the Royal Maze War, Val, it starts at five o'clock at the Royal Gardens." Garan shoves the girls out of the shop and waves at them.

"Don't worry, I won't forget it." Val barely answers.