Reclaimed Royalty: A Journey of Discovery

CHAPTER 5

As a couple of months have gone by, I've come to the realization that my birthday is approaching in this spring season. I don't expect a grand celebration like those described in books, but I'm hopeful that my mother might find a way to make it more special than a simple greeting and some pocket money.

Feeling a sense of monotony and irritation, I glance downward. Being confined to one place is truly suffocating. Seeking a change, I walk over to my window and let out a sigh. Staring into the distance, I observe the faint shapes of houses and buildings, slightly obscured by a thin layer of fog from the clouds. I suddenly caught myself singing once again.

In this house, day by day,
Routine's rhythm, in a dull display.
Four walls closing in, no escape in sight,
Stuck in echoes of an endless night.

Oh, I'm stuck, no way out,
Silent house, drowning in doubt.
Yearning for freedom, a change of scene,
Here I am, caught in between.

Clock ticks on, relentless beat,
Wishing for wings, to soar and fleet.
Trapped in solitude, silent refrain,
Stuck in this house, in a quiet pain.

In stillness, find my plea,
Break free, from this house, and finally be.

I was sitting at my window, feeling drowsy, when I suddenly drifted off to sleep without realizing it. Then, I woke up to a loud thumping noise. Startled, I looked up and saw a horse with armored men approaching. I quickly backed away and closed the curtains, hiding behind them. Peeking out cautiously, I saw them stopping in front of my house. Remembering what my mother always said about the dangers outside, I panicked and scrambled under my bed, fearing they were here to harm me.

My heart raced as I heard a knock on the door, followed by another one. Who were they, and what did they want? The silence only made their presence feel more ominous. I wished my mother would come home soon; it's scary.

A little later, I heard the sound of a horse trotting away, and I let out a sigh of relief. I crawled back from under my bed and peeked out to see them moving away. I couldn't help but wonder why they were dressed like that – just like the characters in my fantasy books. But something felt different, maybe they're not the good guys like in my books, but rather, something more sinister.

Even though I felt scared and shocked by their sudden appearance, there was a little happiness in my chest. It might sound kind of silly, but you can't blame me. I've only seen my mother in this house for all 16 years of my life. Seeing someone different was pretty overwhelming for me.

I decided to open the curtains again, letting the sunlight fill my room with brightness. Throughout the entire day, my mind couldn't shake off thoughts about those people who almost barged in. Should I talk to my mother about it? What if they come back? These questions lingered, making me wonder about what to do next.

As the day swiftly turned into night, I realized I had spent the entire day immersed in my book. Glancing at the bright moon outside, I couldn't help but wonder what it's like up there. A chuckle escaped me as I acknowledged how silly my thoughts had become. However, the smile faded as I sighed, shifting my focus to my absent mother. She still hadn't returned, prompting me to wander into the living room, where I found myself simply staring at the closed door.

"Don't open it, don't open it," I muttered to myself, fighting the temptation to break the rules once more. Despite my inner warnings, I found myself drawn closer and closer to the door, until my hand reached out and grasped the doorknob. Suddenly, I caught myself slowly turning it, only to gasp in shock and hastily step back when I saw my mother standing right in front of me.

"M-mother," I stammered, still in shock at her sudden presence.

"Did you somehow hear my steps, darling? I didn't call you just yet," she said, her voice sending shivers down my spine, making me wonder if she knew about my attempt to break the rules.

"I just guessed that you're coming at this time," I nervously laughed, telling a little fib. Stepping back, I closed the door as she entered with bags of food. "W-what took you so long this time, mother?" I asked, attempting to shift the mood.

"Hm," she uttered, her gaze fixed on the potatoes. I had a feeling she was going to say it was awful there again and avoid telling me the details. As I observed her, I couldn't help but wonder whether I should share that a group of armored guys had come to our house. The uncertainty lingered in the air as I debated whether to open up about the unusual encounter.

"Mother, do you happen to know anyone who rides a horse, wearing a helmet and armor?" I asked curiously.

She abruptly turned her head toward me, giving me a stern glare, as if she was shocked and confused. "Why? Did someone come here?" she inquired, her voice taking on a somewhat intimidating tone.

"N-no, mother, I-I was just curious if you know anybody like that. I've read about them in my books, and it got me thinking if they could exist in real life," I stammered, glancing nervously at her.

Her response was swift, a loud slam resonating through the room as she declared, "NONE OF YOUR BOOKS EXIST IN REAL LIFE. THEY ARE ALL MADE UP!" The force in her words left me momentarily taken aback. Her tone suddenly softened, adopting a calm demeanor. "Do you understand, my dear?" she asked, her eyes fixed on mine.

"Y-yes, mother..." I replied quietly, my gaze dropping to the floor. The tension lingered in the room, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of confusion and apprehension about her reaction.