Red & White

five.

Who knows what possessed her to do so, but Leah felt the urge to see the royal castle in person, properly. She had seen it before when her father was alive and decided to take a trip down with the family to show them their rulers. But that was years ago.

To see peasants in close proximity to the palace was an unusual sighting. Even though they were frowned upon everywhere in the kingdom, close to the castle was where the snobbiest of men and women are located. It was like they had a sixth sense for spotting the ratted and smelly clothing from a mile away.

Leah knew the trip over would be long and harsh if it comes to it. While laid out on the prickly hay called a bed, she went over what she would wear--a nice disguise to her social status--whether or not to bring her bike, how long she would spend there that day, and how to use up her washing minutes in the tub for the week.

Yes, that was how it worked in the Bates household.

The water was preserved each week for four short and sweet baths. The family members were given the privilege to choose what day they would use up their five minutes to scrub off the dirt and grime. The decision would have to be strategic, in case a day like this would arrive where Leah would take a special trip down to the capital.

So, the eldest child prepared for her excursion that day by awaking from her uncomfortable slumber extra early. It was her day off from working in the field and selling so she knew she could get away with leaving with no source of punishments trailing her every move.

Leah didn't even mind if she didn't see the future King of England; that wasn't her purpose here. All she wanted to do was innocently take a few glances at the magnificent castle she had not set her sights upon in years. Her premature brain at that time did not fulfill the duty of appreciating the land.

"Mum, I'm taking a bath today," she informed the other woman sat on a wooden chair in the main room.

"Leah, please remember this is your bath of the week. Don't be too long, I beg of you."

"I won't," she promised, secretly lugging her nicest and cleanest article of clothing she owned. It wasn't anything fabulous. The dress had one small rip in the shoulder sleeve, but Leah supposed her long hair could conceal it. The color was an off-yellow shade. It was pretty enough to blend in with the middle-class ladies sure to be milling around.

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The bath taken was short, as sworn to be. Leah dressed quietly and discreetly in fear of her brothers or mother seeing her clad in her best dress.

She opted to use her bike as transportation instead of her small legs, due to the distance. A mile may not be too long, but it takes a tare on time and Leah knew she needed to be home by sundown.

Hidden behind the drapery of the so-called bathroom, Leah called out to her mother that she would take a trip into town for a relaxing day just walking around. She hated lying to her distressed mother, but she knew it would be suspicious if she bluntly said that she was going to the castle. That, and it was dangerous. Any man knowing her identity and social status could cause her harm. The world was not a safe place at all. But it was a risk she willingly took.

The bike ride took approximately thirty minutes and the golden sun was now high in the baby blue sky. The pedal on her foot turned more leisurely as she passed more and more commoners. They all looked so official and proper. She glanced to the windows of shops containing woolen coats and pastries.

The further she pedaled into the decadent kingdom, the closer she got to the royal castle. She could sense it. The crowds of people were building up in certain areas and she followed those paths down the real streets.