Unmasked

Chapter 25

-unedited, might end up changing or adding on later-

Chapter 25:

"I don't want to endanger your life in anyway," I say to him, panicked at the fact he really did come with me so early to town to shop, but he went as he was, no disguise or anything, just like himself.

"Only a handful of people actually have seen me, the rest only heard of me," he reassures me as we walk together, side by side, into the entrance of the town. The weathered down fountain being in the center, I suddenly felt nervous, as if the town area where I shop were my home and I was about to show him how run down it was compared to his.

The well being of the town was all up to the royals but I can't help but feel that it's our responsibility as well, and yet we fail miserably.

We walk in silence, he doesn't notice me watching him as he gazes around the area, looking at it as if he's in entire different country. I didn't know whether to take it as something positive or negative.

"Come," I lightly tug on his sleeve, careful not to harm his fabric in anyway. Why am I suddenly so afraid?

Because we're so public.

"The market is this way," I avoided his eyes and began to walk ahead of him. I'm only here to get a certain amount of food, the rest is up to the heads of the kitchen, we shouldn't take long here.

"Mary," He walked just fast enough to be at my side again, "are you alright?"

"Ah, uh, y-yes, yes I am," I smiled nervously at him. I know he sees that but he's kind enough to not ask me about that.

The market doesn't have a door, just an entrance so we suddenly walk into a broken down building and he was suddenly taken aback by it, but said nothing.

"Morris," I called out as soon as we reach the familiar counter, not loud enough but somehow he heard me.

"Ah, yes, my favorite customer!" He smiled at me, "What can I give to you today?"

I handed the paper I had folded in my hand.

"Oh my, this is actually a lot, I'm going to have to see if we have enough," Morris started.

"It's not really that much, are you sure you don't have enough?" I ask.

He only shakes his head.

"Low on food supply," he says, his voice almost a mix of anger and disappointment, "everybody low."

I knew that of the king really wanted his food he could find a way to get them, he was the king after all, so I wasn't worried on the lack of materials I would bring back but rather how we, the people who can't get a special order, are going to make it.

"Then just give me what you can, please." I tell him politely.

"Is still not enough," he shakes his head and suddenly drops his voice to a whisper, "listen to me, child, people like us don't stand a chance right now so please, take what you can for yourself, your mother can afford her own food."

I hold my breath.

He doesn't know yet that she got rid of me, nor do I plan on telling him so, I just nod at him and he hands me over twenty pounds of mixed vegetables.

"Your mother?" I suddenly hear him ask as we leave Morris' shop.

I realized that I never really spoke to him about my life, all this time i've been asking so much about his. I should've known that mine would be brought up soon.

"My mother," my voice involuntarily breaks even though I feel no emotion as I say it.

I hadn't realized I was looking down until I look up and spot Michael from across the street but he's accompanied by the person I last expect to see here, my sister Elisabeth.