𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅

chapter fourteen

Emriana

I pushed the door open slowly, not to make any sound. I was surprised to find Dana still awake, sitting in her bed with a book in hand.

She looked up at me and smiled.

"Hey,"

"Hi," I said, closing the door behind me. Akira walked over to my bed, making himself comfortable.

"Where were you?" She asked while throwing glances at the tiger grunting on the bed.

"I walked all over to the edge of the kingdom, and Akira went hunting," I said, and she nodded. I changed into a night dress quickly, sitting by my desk to undo the very sloppy braid. I saw Dana's grim expression through the small mirror on the desk as she looked down at her hand.

"Are you okay?" I asked, and she shrugged.

"I don't know," she said. I hesitated before replying.

"Do you...want to talk about it?" I offered.

"It's just...my brother was supposed to send me a letter this week," she started, and I listened as I brushed through my hair.

"I haven't talked about him much since I've got here, but he's four years younger than I am,"

"What's his name?" I asked.

"Mav," she whispered, placing the book on her bedside table before bringing her knees up under her chin.

"Why is it a big deal that he hasn't sent you a letter?" I questioned, glancing back at her.

She sighed.

"He's...um...not...like us?" She said, almost like a question, and I tilted my head to the side in confusion.

She sighed.

"He has limited mental capacities. After he was born, he got really sick, and he never fully recovered. To this day, he's...a little...slower than average," she explained, and I could see how sensitive this subject was for her.

A thought occurred to me.

"Wait, don't your parents live in this kingdom? Why would he send you letters?" I asked, and she bit her lips.

"You don't have to tell me if you're uncomfortable. It's totally fine," I quickly added, seeing her hesitance. She ran her fingers through her hair before releasing a long sigh.

"My parents sent him to an institution for people like him, like they like to call him. It's in Droomi's Kingdom, which is so many days away from here," she said, her voice cracking a little. I was about to open my mouth to ask her a follow-up question when I decided against it, seeing how difficult it seemed for her to talk about it.

"My parents are not bad people, I swear. They're regular citizens of Ekudal. They work very hard to sell their pottery. They don't have a lot of money, and with my brother not being able to be on his own, they couldn't work and take care of him. So, a friend of my mother suggested she sent Mav to a place where he can get the proper care," she explained, her glossy eyes meeting my own.

I slowly nodded along, not wanting to say anything that would upset her. I was still learning about the different aspects of friendship. She was, after all, my very first friend ever.

"I try to go visit him whenever I can, but it's hard with my job here. Plus, the trip there costs so much I can barely afford it...I know it sounds like I'm making excuses...but it's really hard for me," she admitted, wiping her cheek with the back of her end.

"I don't think you're making excuses. I just think it's a lot to deal with," I told her as I left my vanity and went over to my bed, shooing Akira to the left so I could fit. I slid under the cover, sitting up to face her.