Way of the Empire

10

Lilibeth darted between the trees, minding her cloak as she swerved through the shadows. Icy wind slashed across her face, leaving paper cut like stings across her cheeks. It was late afternoon and the sun had begun to set, King Abdeel was having an audience with some of the villagers, and all of the servants, including her mother, were spying on them. The King had walked into the finished room, decorated with the last flowers of spring, taken one long, deep, inhale, and laughed.

"This! This is what I call clean! For an old bat, you've trained that new girl well,'' King Abdeel grimaced over at Maudie, who faced him with a smile on her face. If only he'd remember that Lilibeth had been born within these very walls. New was the last thing she was. Maudie had rushed out to prepare tea, where she was joined by a few of the older ladies that were excitedly clamoring around her hoping she would select one of them to help her serve the King. Maudie had assured her that she could have the afternoon off. She would personally see to the King's first meeting herself. Her exact words were ,go, have some fun. Lilibeth shook the memories from her head. She had to focus. The ends of her dress were cold, wet, and most likely tainted with icy mud that slapped around her ankles as she walked. The edge of the secret hall was just past the corner. It wasn't really secret. She had just always called it that after she discovered it. In truth, it was one of the castle storage rooms. It was so far off and nearly disconnected from the palace that it almost felt secret. She stopped and turned around. Her eyes scanned the tree line for any sign of movement. A stray cloak drifting in the wind or someone scurrying to hide before her eyes found them. She had heard nothing on the way up here, but one could never be too sure and her thoughts had gotten the better part of her so her attention to out of place sounds was limited. Once she felt that no one else was around she pulled open the heavy door. Her body nearly shut down as the hinges squeaked and she held her breath. She left it open just enough to peak inside. Light from a dimly lit torch illuminated the hall. Guards, she thought. It made sense, now that the King was back, people may want their chance at seeing or stealing whatever treasure he brought back from the war. The light was limited but she could hear footstep farther away. Very far. The sound of their armored feet clomping was growing quieter. Silence soon fell upon the corridor. Lilibeth released her breath and squeezed her chest through the small gap she made between the door and the wall. She held the door with one hand and used the other to help pull herself inside. All the servants and spare guards were crowding the usual hallways and she would never be able to sneak away if there was always an eye on her. Taking the long way around the castle and using the forgotten back door would suit her more.

Finally, Lilibeth dusted off as much dirt as she could. She stood still listening for anyone that might be nearby. It was odd there was no guards but they were most likely stationed a bit farther away. the storage room she was headed for was just in the back corridor.

''Did you hear something?'' A man's voice trickled into the hall loud enough for her to hear. Lilibeth felt her heart rush to throat. She took off her damp shoes and hurriedly tiptoed to the storage room as she heard footsteps getting louder and louder. Thankfully, this door wasn't nearly as loud as the other one and she slipped inside with ease. She picked up the paintings that covered the c***k. Dust flew up and into her nose making it tickle. Holding her breath, she moved the last painting and got down onto the floor. She was a bit bigger than the last time she squeezed through but a few years of malnutrition had left her body small enough to slide in. Lilibeth slid her legs first. The hall on the other side was tall enough that she could bend her knees and wiggle the rest of the way. She grabbed the painting behind her and covered the gap in the wall. Leaving her cloak and hood on, she followed her path to the classroom.

She had been coming here since she was a child. Back when she would sit against the cobblestone wall and peer in through a small c***k in the wall just big enough for her eye. But a few years ago, Lilibeth discovered a new door. She had come back in search of the tutor, but he had never returned. Lilibeth's education was lost forever. She supposed it was the price to pay for being a thief. She hadn't paid him for any lessons, and yet she helped herself to every word that came out of his mouth. Gobbled it down like a beggar at a feast.

She tapped the bricks against the wall until one of them moved. Her fingers pressed it deeper until something clicked. Dust and small rocks puffed out like smoke from the cracks. Lilibeth pushed the door open, welcoming the familiar darkness of the room. She preferred it dark. That way, in case any rats decide to appear, she wouldn't see them, and if she can't see them, she can't fear them. Besides, she would find candles somewhere in the room. Lilibeth stopped. Her entire body went rigid. The sharp edge of a steel sword laid against the base of her neck. If she breathed too hard, she would slice herself open against it.

Schooling was forbidden for girls. They were only allowed training in housework if they were anything lower than a lady. Yet, here she was, sneaking into a tutor's classroom, a common nobody.

"State your King and country,'' Lilibeth felt the voice as she heard it. Though her body wanted to relax, her mind didn't allow her to.

"King Abdeel. I live in Astoria.'' The sword at her neck faltered, just a little bit. Lilibeth prayed that he would recognize her voice. Cold sweat dotted her forehead. He was still the king's son, and King Abdeel was well known for his lack of mercy.

Glow from a small candle lit up the room. The flames casted an orange sunset hue on his face. It was the first time Lilibeth was able to really look at him. His eyes were hazel colored in the darkness of the room and picked up the orange glow of the fire and reflected it back. His chin and jawline were covered in a layer of short hair. Not too heavy and not too light. It traced around his mouth, leaving a small gap in between his lower lip and chin. His lips were full and pink. Lilibeth looked back up to his eyes. He was studying her features just as she had studied his. It was then that she saw a pinkish white line slide down his face from his forehead and past his eye. Lilibeth didn't get to see the entire line as he turned his face. Realizing she had noticed, he pulled a mask out of his pocket and set the candle down to lace it round his face. The same mask Lilibeth had pressed. His sword had been sheathed, but Lilibeth stayed next to entrance. She opened her mouth to speak.

"How long have you known about that entrance?'' He asked.

"For a few years.'' Lilibeth paused before speaking again. She would get her answer one way or another.

"I didn't know they allowed soldiers here,'' she took two steps forward, watching his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"This room's been abandoned for years. At least, I thought it was.'' He lit a few more candles as he walked around the room. His gaze never left hers, even when he turned away. Lilibeth's stomach dropped.

"I did realize the bookshelf is clean of dust, except for a few fingerprints here and there.'' He turned to smile at her. At least she thought it was a smile with the way his eyes creased. Lilibeth didn't know what he meant by that. The mask made it impossible for her to tell what he meant, and all the candles in the room were beginning to suffocate her.

"How did you learn to read?'' His voice was softer now. As if he could read her mind. Lilibeth understood what he felt now. There was no rage or anger. No disgust. Just curiosity.

''I learned. I didn't get very far, but I've been trying.'' She wouldn't reveal all of her secrets in one go. It was enough, he found out about her sneaking around the castle to come here.

"You've certainly made your way through these.''

"I didn't fully understand most of them,'' by now, Lilibeth had moved closer. She stood next to him as he gestured to the shelf.

"Which is your favorite?'' he asked her. A light smile graced his face.

"Well, I don't go around revealing my secrets to strangers, Sir-.'' Lilibeth paused, waiting for an answer.

"Well, I don't give my name to just anyone. A name holds value...importance.'' They stood in the candlelight, his leather shoes, and her fabric covered slippers nearly touching.

"Lilibeth.''

"Ero.''

"Like the Prince.''

''You could say that.'' They had leaned in with each word growing closer and closer. They could feel each others breath if they tried.

"I think this one is my favorite.'' Lilibeth reached her hand out to the shelf. Her finger graced the spine of a book; its leather rubbed against her finger as she traced, dipping against the indentation of the letters. Her eyes left his to see where her finger had landed. She had been here enough times. She knew this bookshelf by heart. Ero's eyes followed her hand. He reached for the book, pulling it off the shelf.

''The One Hundred New Tales? You've read this?'' Disbelief blasted from his eyes.

''Yes.'' Lilibeth tried to keep her voice from shaking. She hadn't meant that book. Her eyes darted to the book on the right of the empty space. The one about the princess being rescued only to end up rescuing the prince later on.

"And did you understand it?'' His voice deepened.

" Yes.'' Lilibeth took two steps closer to him. She knew the context of the book in his hands. It was the closest explanation of it she would ever get. She laced her hands behind her back, causing the bodice to tighten across her chest. Ero tried his best to keep his eyes centered on hers, but his eyes glanced down, noticing the movement.

"Are you mad?'' Ero's eyes darkened. He stepped closer, his hand twitching at his side.

"Are you going to pound it back into me?'' Lilibeth smiled at him after she quoted back one of the lines. Her eyes glanced up at his, curiosity and playfulness gleaming in them. She hadn't stopped thinking about him since the other night in the archway. The man from the archway. Ero chuckled. A deep, hearty laugh that sent tingles down her spine. Lilibeth felt her legs tighten. He took one more step.

"If you like, I could help you understand some of the books you had trouble with.'' Lilibeth felt his eyes touch her soul. And for a moment, she wanted his touch elsewhere.

Lilibeth nodded. She didn't trust her voice to not tremble if she spoke.

The door swung open.

'' I thought I saw light coming from this room. '' Sir Anthony barged in. He was wearing his usual smile. He opened his mouth to speak again when his eyes landed on Lilibeth's short stature being shielded by Ero. Lilibeth took a deep breath as she realized who it was.