The Bastard Queen ✔

XII.

"Thank you for lending me your clothes, Isla," Katherine said, buttoning up the light brown shirt

"You look better in it than me," Isla said, fixing her hair into a bun

"Liar. Now, I'll be taking a knife with me." Katherine said, leaving the bedroom

"Why do you need a knife?" Isla asked, walking after her

"To protect Ro and me," Katherine said, looking at each knife

"Katherine, it's not like how it was years ago," Isla said

"Isla, I won't feel safe if I don't have a knife with me," Katherine said

"Fine then, but take this pocket knife," Isla said, Katherine looked at her

Isla looked through drawers, trying to find the pocket knife.
"Ah! Here it is." Isla said, handing Katherine the pocket knife

"Thank you, Isla," Katherine said, slipping the knife into her boots

"Welcome. Now, you and Ro should go to the library." Isla said, pushing Katherine out of the kitchen

"Ro, are you ready to go?" Katherine asked, looking into the living room

"I'm ready." He said, walking over to her

"Ro, be a good boy and remember what I told you," Isla said, placing her hands on his shoulder

"I will, mom. I love you." Ro said, hugging her

"I love you too." Hugging him back, "Now go before it's crowded."

"Come on, Katherine," Ro said, grabbing Katherine's hand

"Use the money to get something to eat and nothing else," Isla said by the door

"Only food, got it," Katherine said, walking out the front door

"I'll lead the way, so don't let go of my hand," Ro said, Katherine nodded

Ro and Katherine walked across the grass plain to the gate. Once they exited through the gate, Katherine felt scared all of a sudden. Ro squeezed her hand and continue walking. They continue to walk, passing people, stopping at lights, being pushed. It was exciting to Katherine since no one knew she was the Queen. Once they arrived at the library, Katherine was already out of breath.

"It wasn't that long of a walk," Ro said

"It didn't seem like it, but it felt like it." Katherine breathed out, her hands on her hips

"Come on, let's go inside and learn," Ro said, excited

"Let's go," Katherine said

Katherine and Ro walked inside the library and were amazed by the multiple of bookshelves.

"Hello?" Katherine looked to her right, spotting a woman walking towards them

"Hello. You have a wonderful library." Katherine said, complimenting her

"Oh well, thank you. Is this your first time here?" She asked

"Yes. Where's the education books?" Katherine asked

"I'll show you to it. Oh, and my name is Linda." Linda said

"Nice to meet you, Linda," Katherine said, smiling

Linda showed them to the section with education books and Ro's education began.

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"This is hard," Ro whined, dropping his pencil on the table

"Ro, mathematics is hard, but you'll learn that math is easy," Katherine said, placing the pencil back in his hand

"Is it easy for you, Katherine?" Ro asked

"It is since I had to do financial papers with the council," Katherine said

"If you can do it then I can," Ro said, writing on the piece of paper

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"Ro, we have to get going," Katherine said

"Okay." Ro picked up all the papers and kept them close to his chest
Katherine kept him close to her as they walked down the street to get back to the house.

"Kat-"

"Marie." Katherine interrupted Ro

"Sorry." Ro gave her a smile, "I was going to ask why did you want to help me?"

"I already told you," Katherine said

"I think there's another reason. You keep looking around us like you're looking for a way out." Ro said

Katherine stopped and Ro looked at her

"What do you mean by 'a way out'?" Katherine asked

"You don't want to stay with us because of how we live," Ro said

"Ro, that's not the reason. I'm making sure, there is no danger to us. I like living with you and Isla, but I'm trying to think a plan in the meanwhile." Katherine said, Ro, nodded and began to walk

Katherine jogged to catch up to him and kept her hand on his shoulder. They reached the gate, Katherine opened the gate and Ro ran away from her and to the house. Katherine let out a breath and closed the gate behind her. She continued to walk to the house but stopped when she felt eyes of her back. She turned around and saw a figure in the window, a male figure. She looked away and continue to walk to the house. She opened the door and heard crying. She ran to the sound and Ro was on the couch, crying into his hands. Katherine sat in from of him and place her hands on his knees.

"Ro, did I make you cry?" Katherine asked

"I don't want you to leave, Katherine." Ro sobbed

"I'm not going anywhere, Ro," Katherine said, wrapping her arms around Ro

"Yes, you will. You'll be a queen again and forget about us." Ro said, crying into Katherine's shoulder

"That will be a while, Ro. Kana's coronation is in a month and she will be made Queen." Katherine said

"I know, but you'll become queen again," Ro said

"Ro, it will take a while. Even, I love staying with you." Katherine said, raising his head

"I don't believe you," Ro said

"I promise you, Ro. I'll never forget you even if I become queen again." Katherine said, but an idea came to her mind, "How about you and Isla come live with me when or if I become queen again."

Ro eyes light up, but looked down, "That won't happen."

"Anything can happen," Katherine said, giving him a smile

"I'll believe in you," Ro said, smiling back at Katherine