The Sleepover

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ５

"No comment." A commoner said waving Rayyana's attempts to talk to her off. Rayyana sighed and said "okay." Before walking back to Marium, Fatima, and Rida. They had worked hard to get someone to crack and explain how to get rid of Alejandro or even how to win against him so he can send them home but no one had commented on him.

"This is bullshit!" Marium said fanning her face with her hand. It was hot as fuck even though the commenors said it was winter time. Seasons also worked differently here, fall was spring, summer was winter and vice versa.

Everyone around them however we're wearing winter jackets, looking like idiots. "Now what?" Fatima asked still upset over her IPad. "I don't know but we can't give up." Rayyana said attempting to attract another commoner but he also waved her off.

"Who else is left to ask? We've asked everyone!" Rida said eating some chips she had stolen from a vendor. Well, she didn't really steal them she just had to exhale 2 breaths in a jar and that was payment.

"Wait..not everyone." Fatima said mysteriously. The girls all stared at her waiting for her to elaborate "uhh that guy..you know the one." She snapped her fingers trying to remember.

"How did you forget already?" Rida said watching as Fatima hummed. "Uhh..is it Valen?" Marium said looking at the ground. "No." Fatima said making Marium sigh.

"Whore." Rayyana coughed into her fist. "Yes! Whore! Balisto!" Fatima said remembering the name. "How did whore remind you of Balisto?"

"I don't know." Fatima shrugged and walked quickly to the palace.

"Are you mad?" Sir Balisto said closing his book, his glasses perched high on his nose. His bald head was shining bright underneath the white lights, which gave off a weird tint since the entire palace was gold.

"No we aren't mad, we just want to go home!" Rayyana said for what felt like the millionth time.
"We've already asked everyone in town, I can't hear any more "he's the best!" or I'm going to hurl Rumaisa off of a cliff." Marium said.

"There is no way out, you're all stuck here." Balisto said returning to his book. Rayyana raised an eyebrow trying to make sense of what the hell he just said "What do you mean there is no way out? You can't possibly tell me none of you have ever tried!" It was so random to have a king so different from his subjects. Rayyana had an uncertain feeling that maybe...these people weren't born here.

She also wondered why they were so loyal to Alejandro. What could a king who speaks Shakespearian do for a kingdom like this?

According to some books Rayyana had analysed while she was cleaning the very dusty library, Alejandro had many enemies meaning that a war could be called at any damn moment. This Kingdom wasn't safe either, along the borders there were nothing but a brick wall and a gate that no one was monitoring because apparently Alejandro liked a good challenge.

So really she was confused out of her wits as to why these people's  loyalty lied to a king who clearly didn't care about them.

Sir Balisto sighed  and looked around as if he's about to tell a secret "I admit Alejandro is a bit..." He trailed off not knowing what to use "Lazy? Incompetent?" Rayyana offered "No... he uh... never mind but Alejandro keeps us safe as safe can be. All of us here are happy."

"Are you really?" Marium asked suddenly. Sir Balisto nodded a little too much "Of course!" Rayyana and Marium stared at him until he sighed "Alejandro's father was a mighty knight, when Alejandro was born he tried to get him to be as brave as him but Alejandro had no means to practice being a king. I have to do all his work while all he does is sit on his throne and eat! And occasionally visit..." He trailed off.