Beyond the Lamppost

XX. Her Point

Chapter Twenty:

X

Her Point

She kept on sobbing while I am hugging her. I didn't mind the cold air while I'm still wearing a robe, wet from the bath. I tried to take in all the information I learned but it was too much. I have too many questions in mind that I can't addressed to the crying woman.

I patter her back and she calmed down a bit.

"I-I'm sorry, I just--- Your the first person I have opened up about it. I'm sorry." She kept wiping her tears away.

"It's okay."

She finally calmed down when she asked me.

"Are you really Queen Atheena's daughter?" I asked in a skeptical voice.

"I am." She is helping with with my dress, tugging the string from behind.

"I saw a child days ago. She's the Queen's daughter. Not a..."

"...a grown-up?" I finished her sentence, I glanced back and she nodded.

"Well, it's a long story." I hesitate in telling her and she seems like didn't mind for me to tell her because she smiles and shook her head, like telling me that I don't have to tell her. But I wanted to, so I told her all the things that happened. I just feel close to her.

She makes reaction in every highlight that I told her. She even patted my back when I was about to cry retelling about the last moment I have with my mother before I woke up being in the dungeon.

"I hope she's doing fine." I hope my mother's doing fine too. It was already too warm inside the room. Noon time. "I really like her as queen. She's caring and sweet."

"What was she like as a queen?" I suddenly want to know more about my mother. And she might have stories to tell.

"I came here when I was too young to know the world. A kid. I naturally grew up behind a castle room trained to be a castle maid. Wilhemia raised me. The designated head maid."

"His mother?" She nodded. I want to know his story too.

"Princess Willard at that time was a bully unlike Prince Phthalo. From time to time, he'll pick on anyone in the castle and I avoided him. He's way older than me but his mischief were never in act with his age. One time, I was cleaning a bedroom. A room for a lady, a daughter of the late King Deest's adviser." She paused recalling those moment. I sat on the bed after she's finally done with my dress and I pulled her down too.

"The guest will on the next day at that time and I was tasked to clean until then. I did until at midnight. I was about to go out when the bedroom door was shut from the outside. I didn't really know who did that. I lay near the door all night and day waiting for someone to open the door but no one came. I am confused because no one tried to find me, not even Head Maid Wilhemia." She paused for a minute.

"I don't know how many hours I've spent their lying. I only remember someone's voice of help and the soft mattress I lay next. Small amount of water in my throat and hot porridge. I can't remember what exactly happened. The next day, I woke up feeling fine and saw someone beside me. Wrapping me in her arms in the bed. She's beautiful and has a caring sapphire eyes. Just like yours." I saw little tears brimming in her eyes.

"I went to our chamber that day and met Prince Willard along the way. What he said made me loathe him since then on." She paused. "He said 'I thought you'd die, well better luck next time.'"

"What?! He really said that?" I asked shocked. "Why would he do that? At his age!"

"I didn't know. No one ever understands him before he was just being left like that." She smiled. "Then the lady started visiting me often. She will request for me from the Head Maid and we'll spent time in her room or out in the garden. Those were the best years in my life. I have found an older sister." A teardrop fall from her eyes but she's smiling. A happy memory it seems.

"She had taught me many things a castle maid have not known like reading and writing." My hearts feels warm while hearing her stories.

"So you've got a talent too. What was it?" I asked in curiosity. Everyone has them, well except Earth people. And me.

She frown. "Castle maids doesn't have one. Were the lowest of the kinds. A Nokt." What? Was there that kind?

"No, that's not entirely true." She looked at me confused. "You see, in the other side, they called singing or dancing a talent." And her swollen eyes widen in amazement.

"They did?" I nodded. "But I don't sing or dance." She looks sad again.

"Talent is broad and some are hidden. It doesn't mean if you don't know about it or can't make it visibly, then you don't have one. Everyone is unique and it includes you." But she doesn't seems convinced. I stared at her. She seems older than me of few years but she doesn't know a lot of things. Maybe kept in this place as a castle maid, with people discriminating her for not having what they have, had been too difficult for her and the people same as her. I knew what she felt. What I said to her seems like what I said to myself oftentimes.

I sigh. We both jumped in bed a bit when a heavy pounding resonated the room.

"Food!" Then the door burst open, a tray of food is shoved and it bang closed again.

"I'll get your food, Your Hi--- I mean Miss Veri." She immediately change what she was about to call when she saw my glare but I smile afterwards making her smile too.

It's nice having a friend in this situation. I never felt alone and lonely. I wish Mave is fine, too.

Nat!

"Mave?" I said and Alicea looked at me confuse. "Sorry, my friend is calling me." I saw her mouth formed 'O' as I was about to close my eyes.

Mave! Mave! Are you alright?

I called out as I imagine the dungeon he was in. Like I was still looking at him across my cell between rails.

Natalie! Are you okay? They're not torturing you right? Tell me, please.

No, they're not. I am fine. I'm in a room with the castle maid we've talked.

Who?

The lady you found in mind link at random, remember.

You found her? Cool! Maybe she can help too.

Help about what?

I've heard from your friend. He doesn't trust me at first but I made him believe that I am really telling the truth. He said they're closing in the borders of the castle. There in the forest hiding!

Oh my! Really?! That's good news!

Yes! But we can't act the plan just yet. We need more people.

I opened my eyes and saw Alicea looking intently at me.

I've got a new plan.

What is it?

I'll tell you soon if I'll be able to convince someone.

O-Okay. But I have a hard time connecting to you. You seems busy.

Oh! I'm sorry, we were talking earlier. I'll call you at night. Every night we'll plan. I'll keep in touch. I said.

Take care in there. He said and I exhaustion in his voice.

You too. And please take care of them.

I will.

And the connection disappeared.

"Is everything fine?" Alicea asked with worried look.

"So far." I stopped, having second thoughts for a minute. "Can I ask you something?"

She nodded.

"What is King Willard's desire and weakness?"