The Death Kingdom

Chapter Twelve

I spend the next few days trying to be as busy as possible. Anytime I have even the slightest second free the image of Kane's disfigured face flashes through my mind. I've barely been able to sleep at night, plagued with dreams I would give anything to get rid of.

If Nena notices anything she doesn't say, but I've been seeing more of her this week than ever before. Partially because I've become Prince Kavi's newest recurring servant. It's been wondrous to get away from Rome's grouchiness and the dull repetitiveness of washing linens.

Prince Kavi knows how to keep a day interesting. For someone who barely leaves the castle, it seems he always has somewhere to be and something to be doing. He's getting more and more familiar with me and Nena as well. I can tell from the way she looks at him with awe that she adores him.

I find I cannot blame her. He treats us well, yesterday he even gave me a pastry he didn't want to go to waste and I almost dropped to the floor in shock from both his offer and the deliciousness of the pastry. I have never had something that melted in my mouth like that. It was so crispy and flakey, the things I would do just to get another taste would have the noblewoman gasping with harsh judgment.

After another day of assisting Prince Kavi, Nena and I sit on my sad little cot and regale ourselves with stories of dreadful Rome—from me—and stories of other questionable snobby nobles—from Nena.

"Can I ask you a personal question?" I ask Nena, adjusting my position on my cot with one leg placed underneath me.

"If it's about being lovers with David then no," she replies.

I give her a playful nudge in the ribs with my elbow. "It's not, but good to know that topic is off-limits." I pause, thinking of how I want to word this inquiry. "Is this where you see yourself in the future? Working as a servant for the castle for the rest of your life?"

The question hits her hard, it wasn't what she had been expecting and I feel a bit guilty that I didn't ease our way into a conversation like this. I admit though, that I'm too curious to not ask her.

She runs a hand through her curls, yanking on them gently. "It isn't something I've thought about if I'm being honest."

"Isn't there something else you want to do? Hopes or dreams? The last thing I want to do is sound rude, but I'm genuinely curious," I tell her as softly as possible. I understand having pride in the work you do, I find that to be immensely admirable, but I feel like there's always more to a person than being a servant for the entirety of their lives.

Nena frowns, her eyes drifting to the floor. "All I know right now is that I need to help provide for my family. They need the money I'm making and I don't know what they would do without it."

I nod in understanding. Ever since my father got shipped off to war he's been sending money back that I've relied on. I wasn't making enough as a fisherman's assistant to keep the house I grew up in. Most soldiers out on the frontlines send money home to their loved ones. It's an incentive just like becoming a servant in the castle. Those unable to fight or those that don't want to become servants for the royal family or other nobles tend to struggle.

"Do you ever get to go home and see them?" I ask.

"Maybe once every other year."

My mouth gapes open. "That's it? I would expect at least once a year."

Nena gives me a mournful look. "There's always work to be done here, it's difficult to get away from the castle. Every day I wish I could go see them. I miss my family so much Saige."