Learning to Work
Hey, I currently have no idea what the chapter is but keep reading you'll like it! (Well…..
I hummed under my breath while the wind swirled around me. I liked getting up early, and tasting the crisp morning air. It was much better to the bitter start I had gotten used to after so long of travelling.
It was the first proper sleep I'd had in weeks, so I had wished it would go on longer, and, like I said, mornings were beautiful.
It is amazing to see the world wake up again after so long in eerie silence. The sunrises in Ayorthaia were amazing. The palace was so enchanting, and the views were amazing.
The only disappointment of the morning was my hair. In my exhaustion the previous night I had forgotten to braid my hair, and I didn't have the time or energy to upon awakening. I had hastily shoved a cap on top, but it was uncomfortable, and loose strands of hair kept flying around and bothering me. I could do it properly while watching the songbirds though.
My job was reasonably good. I had to get up quite early in the morning, but that wasn't too much of a comeback. Conrad woke me, and we opened the doors together, to let the birds out. We would then walk around with them, not letting the wonder too far in any direction.
The songbirds were free creatures, and could leave whenever they wanted. However, if the whole flock took off at once complaints could be made, or they could all run into trouble. So they were essentially kept in a group, though they were free to wonder.
After several hours of strolling around, though the time wasn't strictly controlled, we would open the castle doors once more to let any birds in that wished to return. The Ayorthaians clearly weren't the type to keep animals captive, and so often through the day we would just open and close the doors again.
My job was easy and left as much time as I needed to explore the palace and simply to think.
On the first day, Conrad and I were walking casual along the bank and just talking to each other. I had already found his weakness – he was very flirtatious but not overly nice.
Currently we came upon the river bank, and I sat wishing I could dip my toes into the water, but knowing it would not be proper for a lady to do so.
I took off my cap, and began running my fingers through my hair, occasionally using the water to aid me. It was dreadfully tangled, and so the event was rather painful. Conrad wondered off to some distinct place that I would probably never know, and I found myself enjoying the time to reflect.
I had thought too much, too deeply, over the past couple of weeks, so my reflections were mainly surface thoughts – what would I have for dinner, if I was judging Conrad to harshly, what it would feel like to sing at the palace.
I didn't really want to do the latter. Other places may like my voice, but the singing I had heard put me off performing publicly.
After I tired of combing my hair, I began to braid it. This was a long and tedious task as it had grown even longer, though not in a nice way.
Just as I started braiding, Conrad came walking back along the river bank. He sat down close beside me – too close – and started playing with it.
I shuddered to feel him play with it, his fingers caressing my back not in a gentle way.
'You're very pretty, you know?'
I shuddered once more. I didn't know what to do. Conrad was stronger than me, but I couldn't let him think he'd won.
Searching my memories for any knowledge I found useful, I came upon a time when I was roughly ten years old. My nurse and I were wondering around the garden, and she was telling me of magic. I didn't believe her until she started reciting spells.
'They don't work for me, but maybe they will for you.'
Being the curious girl that I was, I immediately recited one in the exact same way she did.
'No, not like that,' she reprimanded. 'It's too wooden. They have to fit you.'
I tried over and over again in the coming years, until I decided that I was too old for it anymore, when I was fourteen. Sometimes the spells worked and sometimes they didn't, but I figured that I may as well try.
'Blow, wind, blow,
Take Conrad's hat,
And make him chase it,
Until I have braided my hair,
And tied it up again.'
I whispered this as softly as I could, and by the third line, I felt as if this spell was out of control.
'Why are you whispering?'
I pretended that I had been feeling meek, but was now gaining courage – though pretending may not have been the right word for it.
Just a little louder, I said 'please don't play with my hair, It hurts.' He wouldn't know the truth.
Just then, the morning wind strengthened, and Conrad's hat blew away.
From that day on I avoided Conrad as much as I could, awaking of my own accord, and dawdling along behind him.
I decided to find the palace library, and research spells. I had a need for knowledge, and I wished to play up my new power to its best advantage.
I also had another mission though, which was to find Arae's room. So as soon as the birds were safely inside, I decided to go exploring. I spent much of my time remembering how, in the old days, Mubdi and I would go exploring in the gardens. Our friendship deteriorated over time, but at around the age of twelve we were truly the best of friends.
I didn't find it hard to find Arae's room. It was the only room that was clearly occupied that I couldn't hear singing coming from. The harder part was still to come. I had to find a way to eavesdrop on Arae without being caught. I was sure my punishment would be severe.
I decided to wait in a nearby room until I heard movement. When the door opened, I would leave my room and see what was happening. I wasn't able to hear any conversations, but at least I could keep track of Arae.
I had only been hiding in the room for roughly ten minutes before hearing the closing of the door. I left my own room quickly, and found myself face-to-face with the prince.
'Excuse me, Your Highness' I said, curtseying and blushing. He laughed. He had an easy, free laugh. He sounded like a merry person. He didn't look merry that moment though. In fact, he looked bored.
'No it is my fault,' he replied kindly, and untruthfully. 'What is your name?'
I was shocked by the fact he just asked, no premeditation involved.
'I am Aiya.' I decided to tell him that straight off. Being called Samaiya, and Aiya, all the while remembering my true name was all too difficult.
'Maid Aiya, please accompany me to the grand hall, as my apology.'
I was mortified. What if he introduced me publicly, or asked me to sing? But I couldn't say no to the prince, and there way always the chance that I might see Arae.
'If you wish, Your Highness.'
We walked in silence for a while.
'Where do you come from?' he asked.
I wasn't prepared for such a question. I winged it.
'I am from a small town on the edge of the border. My brother Mubdi, my father and I live there as farmers.'
I had to stick with the same story each time. I thought it would be best to include Mubdi in the story now to avoid later confusion.
I needed to find out more about Arae. I decided to take my chance.
'Where were you, just now?'
'I was visiting Princess Anidori of Pu.' He looked glum – a good sign.
'Did all go well?'
'She….' He was searching for words. 'Sometime she is difficult to get along with.'
'I have heard she has a temper mightier than an ogre.'
I was getting too comfortable with the Prince. I hoped I hadn't gone too far. I thought I had read his face correctly, but I may have been wrong. I tried to gauge his reaction, a task made much easier when he laughed.
'Words fly faster than the songbirds in the palace.'
We arrived at the hall. It was crowded, and I thought that there should be little chance of me being spotted.
'I trust you have heard of the composing game?'
'The what?' I didn't want to sound to bewildered, but the words slipped out.
The Prince smiled.
We take it in turns to sing from a book. The person who gets the most laughs wins. It's quite simple. Would you like to have a go?'
Even if I had wanted to, I couldn't. I had to play this safely.
'The audience is too large for my first attempt. Perhaps another time.' I tried to be as firm as possible.
'Very well then, we will just enjoy.'
Though my mind was very much occupied, I tried to look as though I was having fun.
At the end he walked around with me for a while. We talked of several things, great and small, and I tried to seem as though I knew a lot about politics.
We got to the palace doors.
'Thankyou, Your Highness.'
'Please, call me Hiram.'
'Thankyou, Hiram.'
Howzat? Have an awesome long weekend, and please be aware that reviews are always welcome.
Never2Old4Disney
