Chapter 2
Anya POV
Dear Ilom,
I've gone out for a run in the park.
Here's some food for you on the table if you wake up and get hungry before I return.
Anya.
I placed the note on next to the sweet cakes that I had made just yesterday. I headed for the door and turned to my right, with my hand reaching for my purse that contain my switchblade and money to buy enough food for two. My mother used to say that you could never be too prepared. I found while I was sneaking around in the King's study. I always kept it with me when going out, it had kind of become a habit. Turning around, I walked in long strides, thinking about what Ilom would think of my 'unladylike' hobbies.
The glass doors that lead to the balcony swivelled on their hinges as I opened them. I did a clearance check for people below, and as usual there was no one walking below my balcony or anyone walking within a 10 metre radius. So I back up a couple of paces and ran forward again, planting my hands on the waist high railing, I hoisted my legs up and jumped the rail. Free falling for a couple of metres before I landed on a branch as I have done so many times. I felt the sharp jab of pain on the soles of my feet and chastised myself for not bending my knees soon enough. Pushing myself off the branch, landed on the soft grass. I looked up at the balcony, hoping I thump of my shoes against the branch and the rustle of the tree's leaves weren't enough to wake Ilom.
I began to walk in the direction of my favourite park, slowly gaining a faster pace. By the time I was in a slight jog, I reached the stall market, and a scene unfolded before me.
A woman in her late thirties who, no doubt, was a beggar, was carrying a small child while a young boy hid behind her matted garment as a soldier harassed her for exorbitant taxes, when obviously she had no money to give. On lookers who saw the harassment had pity written all over their faces, but no one had the courage to stand up for her and her family against one who had authority in the name of the King. I stood there, frozen.
"Please, sir." Her pleading had no effect on the cruel soldier. "I have no money, please have mercy. My children have never even had a proper meal in their lives." Her head bent down to hush the crying baby, whose high-pitch wails brought more attention to the woman and the soldier, who sneered cruelly.
"Everyone get back to what the friggin' hell ever you were doin' before!" He turned back to the woman's pale face. "I don't give a shit. Now gimme the money." He grabbed the woman's collar and shook her roughly, the little boy whimpered and the baby's screams grew even louder. That was all I needed. I pulled my hood over my head, pulling it down far enough so that I could go unidentified if I could help it.
"Unhand her immediately!" I yelled. Everyone's head turned my direction. Including the soldier's.
His eyes widened in surprise at the fact that someone had stood up to him, but he quickly recovered and the look of shock was replaced by a look of pure rage. "How dare you talk to me like that!" His grip tightened on the woman's shirt.
I sighed mentally. All or nothing, right? My hand reached up to pull off my hood. I stared him straight in the eyes, hiding my real emotions behind a mask of utmost authority. "Says the man talking to the princess." The gasps started and everyone who heard our little "conversation" instantly dropped to their knees with their heads bowed.
The soldier still held his ground, "How do I know that you are the princess?"
"As princess, I have the power to protect the innocent. And you are far from innocent. You leave me no choice." I focus my magic on him, my anger dangerously lingering on the edge of dominance. The memory of my mother's voice found its way to the surface, Anger is wild, take control and let love flow, instead.
The image of flames appeared in my mind, urging the illusion of the flame's heat into his mind. The soldier's scream last for a moment. I didn't like using my gifts to inflict pain, but I found way to immobilise someone that didn't hurt them physically. He crumpled to the ground and hid his head behind his arms, as I he expected more pain to come upon him any moment. He scrambled to his feet and bowed at my feet. "Your Highness! Please forgive me! For my rudeness toward you I deserve to die for such crime." It took him a moment to realise that the flame's heat was gone.
"Consider it a warning." With that, I willed myself invisible and waited for the crowd to disperse before extending my wings to fly away. I flew around in giant circles to clear my head and landed in a tiny clearing in the cluster of trees in the park. Retracting my wings, I jumped from the air, running to the footpath. I thought about that soldier who kept on "asking" the beggar for her taxes. He had stopped his attacks in surprise, which meant no one else had had the courage to stand in his way. The people were too afraid of the King's corrupt power and authority. After my little show, he just begged for forgiveness and just accepted punishment death. He, too, was just a lowly commoner in the King's eyes.
A sharp cry rang out to my right, which startled me out of my funk. I stopped and looked for a source. I almost laughed at what I saw. A small family of sparrows were teaching the babies to fly. The littlest of the children went first. The brave little thing launched off the high branch. If I were a little bird just like him, I think I'd be scared out of my wits. The sparrow completed and arch and dived down towards the hard unforgiving ground around the tree. I fear for it life but just before impact. The bird flapped its tiny wings begin to float. Its family came down as swiftly as possible and gathered around the baby bird.
For a moment, I envied the little bird. Not just because he had learnt to spread his wings and fly, but because he had such a caring family for him. Mine had never been that way. Not even when my mother was alive.
I watched the loving family help the fallen bird, standing still. I didn't want to frighten them away. The baby had hurt his wing. Almost as if to thank him for refocusing my mind on something new, I healed him. A trail of magic left my finger tips and absorbed themselves into the injured wing, healing it instantly. I smiled as they flew back up into the branches.
I thought of the beggar woman once again. I wondered if she was still at the market. An idea struck me like lightning. Walking hastily, I headed towards the baker's stand, and bought a loaf of bread. I remembered the woman say that she could afford to buy proper food for her children. For a good half hour, I searched the streets looking for the place where that family lived. A couple of boys were playing and one of them bumped into me. He looked up frightened.
"I'm sorry ma'am. I wasn't looking where I was going." He said, so quietly that I almost couldn't make it out.
"That's alright, but next time be a little more careful. You might bump into someone mean." I said, looking down with a small smile. The recognition exploded in my mind. This was the little boy hiding behind the beggar woman. Before I could say anything, he was already a few metres behind me running from his friend, whom I assumed was 'it'. "Little boy!" I shouted, trying to catch his attention. His friend turned around first,
"Me, ma'am?" he asked, sounding a wee bit nervous, like he had done something wrong.
"No, your friend over there," I pointed at the small figure standing at least ten metres away, staring at me.
"Andre! Get over here, she wants to speak to you," said Andre's friend, waving his hand in a gesture that said 'hurry up'. Andre started to run back to where we were. When he came closer, he recognised me.
"Your Highness." He said, addressing me cautiously and bowing his head. His friend's eyes widened and did the same.
"Where is your mother?" I asked, I tried to sound like I wasn't just here for business. I tried to sound like I was an old friend and hoped they were not haters, even though it was unlikely after what they'd just seen a while before. I haven't had many diplomacy lessons. My mother had told me that she teach me after 'Manners'. She never got the chance to finish my lessons.
"My mother is in our house, Your Highness."
"Will you please take me to her, I'd like to talk with her."
Andre looked at his friend as if to ask "should I?" He look a little reluctant took take me to her mother. As if I'd hurt her. The realisation hit me like a splash of icy water. He'd seen me 'hurt' the soldier.
"Oh, don't worry. I won't hurt her I can promise you that. I just want to give her something." That did the trick. Soon the two young boys led me down the street into an isolated part of the town. Everywhere I looked there was nothing but dry looking tree and shrubs, surrounded with wees and hard, compacted dirt. The only signs of any life or civilization, was the wide road and rundown, shack-like buildings. One of the boys, Andre, ran ahead.
"Mama! It's the Princess! She came to visit you!" I heard Andre's voice, filled with happiness and pride. I smiled, knowing I just made the boy's day.
"Andre, stop joking around. That's absolutely ridiculous. Why would a royal come visit us? Let alone the princess, for Fate's sake." I smiled, wasn't she in for a surprise. I walked up to what I assumed was the entrance of their house. Sturdy shelter was more of the right words to describe it.
I knocked on the wall, and the woman jumped. "Hello?" I said, when I saw her shocked face, I smiled a small smile.
"Your Highness! Um, what an honour to have you in my humble home." She stammered.
"Thank you. May I come in?" I asked, already knowing the answer. Anyone else of the King's employment would have just barged in not caring to show manners to this—I quote— lowly creatures.
"Of course." She bowed deeply as if she believed the soldiers cruel and mocking words. I stepped inside and took a deep breath. I don't know why I was nervous, it was just a visit.
"I'm Anya." The beggar woman stared at me. Then at my outstretched hand. I wondered, living in such a poor community. How could I have not known about these conditions? Perhaps she was not familiar with this greeting, but then she blinked and shook my hand. Her skin felt warm and calloused from the field and kitchen work.
"I am Vera, Your Highness." I had to refrain myself from flinching at the use of royal title, reminding myself who I am ever so unfortunately related to.
"I've come to apologise for my father's," I choked the word out, "soldier's actions before. Please accept my apologies with this bread and money." She gasped as I held the bag that contained the bread and a few notes.
"Thank you! Thank you so much, Your Highness." Her face held a grateful grin that soon slid right off, only to be replaced by a tiny twinge of a frown. The tiny bit of nervousness I had managed to get rid of, had come smashing back in thick waves. "I don't have the money to pay for this." I almost burst out laughing at how simple the problem was, but I couldn't stifle a tiny giggle.
"This is a gift from me to you, Miss Vera. This visit had no benefit for myself except for that feeling of satisfaction, knowing I helped someone." Vera smiled, and thanked me again. Calling her boys in, she went over to the makeshift crib, made from branches dried and bound together lined with a thin sheet. Vera fed the baby little pieces of bread. I bade farewell to her and her lovely family.
Family.
People who love and care for you. Something I never truly had.
Valek POV
I lay in my new bed, staring at the ceiling. Listening. The suite was really, really quiet. Too quiet. I wondered for a moment. Is the princess awake? If so what cold she possibly be doing that would be this quiet? Questions buzzed in my head, while I turned my body to push aside the curtains and look out the window. It was nine o' clock, judging by the sun's position in the sky. I urged my body to roll out of bed, and I sat on the edge of my bed.
It was a clean room, tidy and neat, just the way I hated it. I couldn't put down any security measures what so ever. Otherwise the princess would probably fire me with one look at my "messy" room.
After getting changed, I opened my door slowly and carefully, hoping that the door didn't squeak. I let the door shut silently and I walked down the small hallway. Noticing a small plate of sweet cakes on the table. Upon walking up to them, a small square of paper caught my eye.
So she had already gotten up. From this note alone, I knew she was active person, but several reports from a few of the servants and guards in the castle, on the Rebel's side, stated that no one had seen the princess come or leave out of the castle or her suite for that matter. So how is she going "out for a run" every morning?
I heard the rustle of a branch outside. The sound was too vigorous for a bird, I hid in case it was a friend of the Princess's. That would ruin everything. Her friend might tell someone else that the princess had a butler and the gossip would travel all the way to the King, who would ask his daughter about a 'butler' and that would blow my cover along with my fake documents of 'acceptance'.
I quickly tiptoed back to my room and hid in the half empty closet. Which also reminded me to unpack the rest of my clothes.
"Ilom?" The voice outside was muffled, but it belonged to the princess. Before I could get my ass out of this stuffy closet, I heard the door to my room open followed by soft footsteps on the carpet. Shit. I can't get out now. The footsteps stopped right outside the closet, I heard a small laugh. "Ilom, why are you hiding in your wardrobe?"
I sighed and came out. At first, I squinted for a while, while my eyes adjusted from being in the darkest for so long. The princess stood in front of me, leaning her weight on one foot. Her arms were crossed, but she wore an amused look rather than suspicious. "Uh, I don't know." I replied. Really? In all my years of assignments, never had I ever come up with such a lame and horrible excuse.
Amazingly, she shrugged it off. As she walked out the door I noticed was she was wearing. She had a loose red and black T-shirt with black tights. I noticed how her t-shirt was loose enough to appeal modest, but still showed the curved of her waist. My eyes travelled up to her head, where the princess had tied her dark hair into a ponytail. Again, with red.
"Are you coming?" Her face held an even more amused expression. She had caught me staring.
"Yes, Your Highness." I avoided her gaze and walked out, awkwardly.
"Don't want the sweet cakes?" she began, then continued without an answer. "That's alright, I was going to whip up something else anyways." She disappear around the corner. I hurried after her, if she was going to cook for me then I have to be aware of poisons she may have slipped in. She told me to sit at the table, which was a long strip of marble coming out of the wall with is ends supported be ordinary table legs. So I obeyed and sat on the other side so I could watch her cook.
This explains why she hasn't been seen in the kitchen or the dining hall, she cooks her own meals. I thought. She must have been alone most of the time.
After "breakfast", the princess went through some "conditions" of my stay.
She said, "First of all, unless we're at an event, please, please, please don't call me 'Your highness', just Anya will do. Or if that's still to informal for your likings, Anastasia."
"Why?" I interrupted, by now I think I can't be a little bit less formal with the princess. By getting me to call her by her name, is definitely a rebel type of girl. Not one for the King's rules. The princess—Anya– doesn't like formalities for a reason, this was a perfect opportunity to get something out of her.
"It reminds me of who I am ever so unfortunately related to."
"And you hate your fa—" Anya shot me a pointed glare, so I rephrased my sentence. "You hate the King so much, because?" I prompted her to finish the sentence.
She sighed, "That's not really your business now is it?" Damnit, I thought I was getting somewhere. "That was my next point: don't ask about my relationship with the King or my mother, understood, so far?"
"Yes," I replied, refusing to give her a reason to dislike me when I was already gaining some of her trust at a steady pace.
"You can still get paid for whatever you're supposed to do, but I simply cannot have a worker who is probably getting forced to work for me, work for me. Long story short: as long as you stay in my suite, you are no butler to me, you are a guest." Okay, I have to admit that one just give me a million more puzzles to solve.
I sat there, listening to her conditions. I thought about them in so much depth I hadn't noticed when she stopped. Her face held a stubborn expression and I could tell that she had a very strong stance on them.
"Understood, um, Anya." I said, weakly. She seemed satisfied with my answer and walked off in the direction of her room. "Where are you going?"
"White room, which may I remind you, you are prohibited from entering until I can trust you with my secrets," She opened her bedroom door and it was surprisingly clean. Maybe I'm not the only one who she has refused help from. Until I get further proof I'm just going to assume the reason for her hatred against the King is because of his tyrannical ways. "Now, get out. I'm getting changed." Her hand made a shooing gesture, a clear dismissal.
I nodded, absentmindedly, and walked out into the lounge room, wondering what to do now that Anya had made it clear that I won't be a "butler". I remembered that I hadn't unpack my clothes yet.
When the last of my clothes, not including the ones with special loops to hide weapons in, where stored away in the closet, I sat down on the mahogany-felted desk chair and pulled out Anya's dossier. After reviewing it over once more, I heard strange sounds coming from the White room, like wood striking wood. For a while, that was all there was. Then silence. I wrote my report and added a few more things to her profile.
Day 2
The princess has given me 'conditions' to my stay, she wants me to call her 'Anya' suggesting she cares not for formalities, the cause could also give lead to the reason as to why she hates the King. "Anya" has shown me around every room in her suite, except for a room she calls the "white room". I'll need to find out what is in there, but for now my theories are kept to myself for they have no further evidence that even one of them are correct. She has prohibited me from entering, I simply cannot risk getting caught when I am half way there to gaining her trust.
Looking at the larger things going on, the princess's secrets could be valuable, and seeing how much she hates the King, anything she reveals may be liable. Another thing to note, she refuses any help from the King's choice of employment.
Report Summary—
Name: Princess Anastasia of Ixia
Alias: Anya
Age: at least nineteen
Features: Green eyes, dark hair and slightly tanned skin* and long scar across her collarbone**
I need to gain her trust, no.1 priority.
She shows signs of dislike towards the King.
Find out whether she is a magician or not.
Find out why she doesn't like her father.
The reason is assumed that she dislikes the way her father runs the kingdom.
Find out what is in the white room.
Find out what the source of those striking sounds are.
*I fail to understand why she has tanned skin. It's not natural pigmenting because of her northern heritage, and surely she hasn't gone out a lot, otherwise she would have been spotted some of the rebels.
* The reason as to why she hasn't been reported to be seen outside the castle is so obvious I'm almost ashamed to admit so. She dresses like ordinary people, and no servants has seen her in the castle so none of them know what she looks like. Also, she exits her suite via the balcony that overlooks the Snake Forest. Very convenient for sneaking out without witnesses.
** How is that there? She would have had it healed by a magician, if not herself, by now. Perhaps she is immune to magic like me.
After that, there wasn't much to do. When Anya came out of the white room, her face was a little red and her hair was wet like she just showered. She was wearing a summer dress, which was mostly red and black bands had been sewn along the hem and around her waist. She was beautiful. I mentally slapped myself for thinking such thoughts, such dangerous thoughts.
"Hey," she said, she chewed her lip, "You haven't had much to do, have you?"
I shook my head. "Not really," I admitted. I had an idea. "I've been thinking about what you said before, about trust and all. How exactly do I earn your trust?"
Anya cocked her head to the side like a puppy recognising their owner and placed a finger on her lip, thinking. "You'll know." She smiled and kept walking towards the lounge.
"But, you will give me a chance to earn it, right?"
"Of course."
