Way of the Empire

13

Lilibeth walked behind Ero until they approached the end of the hall. The heat of her anger tinted her face into a light red as the fire spread into her heart. She didn't want to speak to him. Or look at him or have anything to do with him.

As Ero and the guard kept going straight, she turned right and snuck away to the gardens. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. Lilibeth stepped outside into the dark. The cool winter air brushed past her skin.

"To think I liked him? I'm so stupid!" Lilibeth angrily mumbled to herself as she kicked the gray pebbles away from her with the cloth point of her shoes. The rocks never hit anything. It just served as a reminder that her aim was never true.

Gradually, as she paced through the mazes of raised beds of herbs, her anger left her. She took breath after breath. Clenching and clenching her hands against her stomach. She paced back and forth until she finally felt cold enough. Lilibeth sat down on an icy stone bench. The flowers on the bush next to her were long gone. A skeleton made of branches stood in its wake. Lilibeth stood up and sat back down again. Peace refused to meet her. She ran her fingers through her hair not caring as she ripped her way through the knots she found.

"I'm not sure how permitting the weather is for a midnight stroll.'' Lilibeth jerked her head around. The guard from earlier stood by her. his outstretched arm held his cloak. Lilibeth stared at him and hesitated before grabbing it and wrapping the warm fabric around her shoulders. He held out a bread roll and a slice of cheese, his reward, no doubt. Lilibeth smiled and shook her head, still full from her dinner earlier. He tucked the cheese into the bread and took a bite. It was odd that he was out here this late at night but then again, Lilibeth had also ventured outside.

''Reginald.''

''Lilibeth.'' Lilibeth wanted to be alone. A silence settled between them only interrupted by the sound of him chewing.

'' Thank you for the cloak, but I'll be taking my leave. They must be looking for me in the kitchen.'' Lilibeth stood up and handed him his cloak. His fingertips brushed hers as he pulled the red fabric from her hands.

''I'll accompany you.'' Lilibeth froze. Her skin felt clammy against the cold night air.

"It's really alright, I'm perfectly capable of walking myself.'' Reginald blissfully ate another bite of his bread.

''Nonsense, it's no trouble. A lady shouldn't have to walk herself.'' His words were lightly muffled by the food in his mouth. Reginald straightened his back and dusted the crumbs from his hands. He stood next to Lilibeth. His calloused hand gestured in the direction of the door. They began the short walk back inside. The scuffle of Lilibeth's shoes and the light sound of metal clinging sung around them.

"A Lady shouldn't, but I assure you, I'm perfectly capable of looking out for myself.''

Lilibeth straightened her back. She made sure there was enough space between them. She was always on alert around the soldiers.

"I'm aware that you can take care of yourself. I admire that.'' Lilibeth almost blushed. She was rarely complimented and kind words were expensive. It wasn't as if she had much choice in taking care of herself. As they approached the light of the candles, Lilibeth looked at him. He had removed his helmet and had the large metal piece tucked under his arm. His hand was delicately enclosed in a black velvet glove. Lilibeth watched with each step, how the light reflected off the tiny silver hairs that glimmered along his lower cheek and hair. Reginald's lips contorted into a smirk.

Lilibeth felt heat surfacing to her face. She casted her gaze to the stone walls before her. She stopped as she recognized the hall. This is where they would part.

"Thank you for accompanying me, I'm not sure I would have survived without you.'' Lilibeth chimed. She smiled up at him. A gesture of thanks.

"Tis my duty and honor to protect and serve members of the palace.'' Reginald bowed, bending at the waist. Lilibeth giggled. Reginald would make a nice friend. Lilibeth looked back once. Reginald was still watching her, unable to take his eyes off of her until she was out of sight. Lilibeth waved. She watched as he waved back and walked off. She slowed her pace as she made her way back to the kitchen. A night as a scullery made wasn't what she had mind but perhaps it would help her think. The sound of her shoes dragging against the floor resounded against the walls and jumped back at her. She kept her hands behind her back while she watched the path her feet would take and traced the lines and small cracks that littered the floor. The only light came from the torches that hung on the wall. When she would return to the kitchen, she would be instructed to put them out.

For now, Lilibeth wanted to enjoy the warmth. The tips of her fingers were still icy as she rubbed her hands together.

''Hurry up girl! There's work to be done!'' The shrill voice of Romilda cut through the air like a knife. Lilibeth watched her as she sped past her carrying a small wooden bucket with water, rags, and a broom. Romilda was an older woman. She was taller than Lilibeth by a little bit. She was stubby but thin. Romilda was always angry at something. The permanent scowl on her face deepened throughout the day. At least when she spent the day with her. Other times, she was seen fine and content working with the other girls. Always drinking from some vial she had on her person, it wasn't wine, but it certainly wasn't water.

Lilibeth was leaning against the entryway when Maudie spotted her against the shadows

''Dear, come help me carry these things. My back's no good to me at this age.'' Maudie stood next to two buckets filled to the brim. She perched her self up with a broom. Her pink chubby cheeks were red from her attempts to bend down. Lilibeth couldn't help but smile back at her.

"How has your evening been?'' Lilibeth lazily approached the buckets.

''Oh, it's been alright, always working these days.'' Maudie laughed. Her laughter was always contagious. It was bubbly and somewhat quiet, unless you truly unleashed her laugh. Those moments were a rare treat.

''You finish that, then straight to bed. I don't want to come looking for you''. Lilibeth rolled her eyes. Let it be her mother who exstinguishes the nice mood she had finally found herself in.

''Evening Claudine, how have you been?'' Maudie spoke up. She sensed the tension between them and fidgeted her fingers against the cleaning rags.

"I'm alright.'' Her mother answered sweetly. The type of sweet that hurt your teeth and was hard to swallow without chasing it with something bland. Claudine dusted her hands on her apron and nodded her head in a good night to Maudie before she walked off. There was something about her mother that somehow always managed to suck a little bit of the life out of Lilibeth. She always blamed it on being stuck as an indentured servant. Even when her father was here, her mother was slightly happier with him but she always had some horrible day and Lilibeth was forced to carry the weight of it and be the receiving end of her anger.

''Anthony was telling me about the Queen's library. They spent so much time there; nice to see it get some love again.'' Lilibeth glanced over at Maudie. Her eyes were glassy as if she were reminiscing. Lilibeth tried but she couldn't help her curiosity.

"They?''

''Yes, they.'' Maudie paused for a minute to clear her throat. The sound was scratchy and wet. Lilibeth let go of the bucket and hurried to rub her hand in circles on Maudie's back. She used the other hand to try and keep Maudie straight. She only got worse. The cough was dry and hard as if it was pounding against her throat like a war drum with each breath. After a few minutes of Maudie gasping in between each cough. Lilibeth was about to run and fetch help when Maudie straightened herself and waved her away. Her cheeks were red and tiny tears leaked from her eyes. Maudie patted her chest with her hand. She muttered something and cleared her throat before smiling at Lilibeth.

"Now,'' she cleared her throat for a final time, '' the royal family, they would gather every morning before breaking their fast. Queen Amelia would spend her morning reading book after book to Prince Ero. The king would join them before his meetings. I would bring them morning tea, and I'd walk in to see them sitting on the lounge, huddled around the prince, teaching him about the world, reading stories. That was a long, long time ago. The happiness only lasted three years before the queen became ill. The king was never the same.'' Maudie paused, taking a small moment of silence in memory of the happiness that once decorated these very walls. Lilibeth studied the walls. For the first time, she could see the sadness the castle carried. They heavy burden it refused to surrender to time.