The World Of Sally

Chapter Thirty-Three: An Oath

AFTER that day that the queen's loyal head maid was rejected harshly by the crown prince, the queen didn’t send anyone again. Sally was curious, but she doesn’t have the confidence to ask the crown prince about it. It’s clear as the day that the crown prince doesn’t like the queen.

‘Is it because of his mother?’ She wondered.

She’s been writing and organizing the papers since morning. Other than that, there’s a lot of invitation for her to categorize. She never thought that the crown prince is this busy. Attending political and other meetings, social gatherings, and reading a lot of documents are too much for a person. Somehow, she felt pity for him.

‘Can he even rest?’

She glanced at the empty table near the big window. The white curtain flows gently when the wind enters. The crown prince is out for business with other nobles and will be back in the late afternoon. She stood up and walked towards the window. It's already spring. The environment is lively once again. Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened and Anthony entered with a tray of tea and snacks.

“Oh, hello, Lady Esther. I can see that you’re very busy so I brought tea and snacks.”

“Thank you, Mr. Anthony.” She smiled at him and looked at the view outside again. Anthony noticed her silent anticipation while looking outside. He smiles and puts down the tray on the desk.

“The view is quite lovely.” He said.

“Yes, that is true.” Sally agreed with a bright smile.

“Would you like to take a walk in the garden? Roses are in full bloom today.” Anthony suggested.

“Ah, it’s a good idea but I have so much work today.”

“That is true, however, it is not so bad to relax sometimes.”

Sally looked at him. She was moved by his words. She smiled brightly at him.

“Yeah, you’re right, Mr. Anthony. Then after drinking tea, I’ll take a quick stroll outside.”

“Of course.”

After drinking tea, she closes the window in the office and went outside. She is walking in the garden and was fascinated by the flowers blooming radiantly.

‘Mr. Anthony is right. The flowers are very beautiful.’ She smiled sweetly while looking at the flowers. She touched the petal of the red rose and stared at it for a while. A lot of thoughts came into her mind, both the good and the bad.

“Do you like roses?” She was surprised and immediately faced the man who suddenly talked to her. He’s wearing the royal knight’s red uniform and had a white cape behind. He has a black military hat with the insignia of the royal elite knight squad. He’s big and intimidating but she can’t deny that the man is good-looking.

---

Captain Locksworth is walking in the garden when he saw a woman seriously staring at the red rose. Her black long hair is flowing behind her like black silk shining under the sun. She’s wearing a violet simple dress with a white flower embroider. Because of her pale skin, she looked like a ghost in broad daylight.

“Do you like flowers?” He asked suddenly. The woman was surprised and looked at him with wide eyes.

‘Why did I speak all of a sudden?’ He wondered. The woman seemed to recover and smiled at him.

“Who wouldn’t like flowers?” She chuckled.

“Some people don’t like flowers.” He answered and shrugged his shoulder.

“That’s true… Oh, good afternoon. Pardon my late greeting, Sir.”

“It's fine and it’s my fault for speaking to you all of a sudden… So, what is your answer, young lady? Do you like flowers?” He asked again.

“I do and I don’t.” She answered truthfully while looking at the flowers again.

“What kind of answer is that?” He asked while trying to understand her answer.

“It’s just as what I answered, Sir. I like flowers and I dislike them at the same time.”

“I still don’t understand.”

“It’s alright for you to not understand a thing or two. There’s always like that.” She chuckled.

“… You’re quite, unique.” He muttered. Sally understood what he meant behind those words but she only laughed at him.

‘This man, how dare he tell me I’m weird?’ She thought and shook her head.

“Anyway, is there anything I can do for you, Sir? Are you lost?” She asked him. The man laughed at her which she finds weird.

‘Is there something funny in what I said?’ She wondered while looking at him.

“I apologize. I am not mocking you, milady. It’s just, I worked here for a long time already, and to disappoint you, I am not lost.”

Sally forgot that the man is wearing a knight’s uniform. Her face turned red due to embarrassment.

“I, I apologize. I didn’t notice you’re wearing the elite knight’s uniform.” She muttered and forced herself to remain calm.

“It’s alright. I heard that you became the crown prince’s secretary.”

“Yes.”

“I am glad for you.”

“Thank you.”

“And I’m also glad that you’re smiling again.”

Sally gave him a puzzled look. He smiled at her and removed his hat showing his face. Sally’s eyes widen again in shock.

“I was one of the knights with the crown prince that night.” He said.

“Y-You’re, you’re Sir Kenneth Locksworth, the captain of the elite knight squad!” She covered her mouth in surprise and hurriedly bowed down. “I apologize! I talked casually in front of you, Sir! If I had noticed earlier I should have talked formally!” She added.

“There’s no need for that.” He shook his head and smiled. Sally was in a daze.

‘He’s really good-looking. If I’m correct, he already had a wife?’ She tried to recall but she failed.

“I’m sorry for your lost.” He suddenly said. Sally remained smiling in front of him.

“Thank you for telling me that, Sir.”

“Are you still sad?” He asked. She almost frowns at him, however, she stretched the corners of her mouth again and answers.

“I’m trying not to because if I remain sad, I’m afraid I won’t see the beauty of the flowers like what the butler described me earlier.”

Capt. Locksworth nodded.

“That’s good.” He said.

“I’m afraid I’m taking too much of your time, captain. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Ah, yes. It’s nice to talk with you lady,”

“My name is Sally Esther. It’s nice to meet you, Capt. Locksworth.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Lady Esther.”

Sally bowed at him before turning her back from him. The captain stared at her back and a vague image came into his mind.

“Have we met before?” He suddenly asked. Sally looked at him again both shock and puzzled, however, that expression vanished immediately and changed into a small smile.

“No, we haven’t.”

She turned her back once again and left him for good. She’s not sure why the captain asked that question to her but if he did, then, it would be both sad and troublesome for her.

She was walking to the hallway of the palace when she saw a familiar image staring at the painting hanging on the wall. She still looked beautiful as ever wearing a sky-blue dress. Her blue eyes went to her, slowly, it went wide as if it was shocking to see her. Sally calmly looked at her.

“Good afternoon, Lady Robia.” She greeted.

“… Good afternoon.”

“His highness is not here yet. Let me escort you in the drawing-room.”

“No… I am not here to see the crown prince.”

“I beg your pardon?” She asked in confusion.

“I am here because I want to see you, Ms. Esther.” She said. Sally blinked several times and was astounded by what she said.

‘She came to see me? Not for the crown prince? Why?’ She asked mentally.

“Can I have some of your time?”

Sally stared at her for a while and answered.

“Alright.”

---

Sally got permission from Anthony to go with Athena. They headed to a café near the palace. Both of them had tea served in front of them however no one pick it up and drink it. They were quiet and avoiding staring at each other. Not until Sally gave up.

“How are you, Lady Robia?” She asked to eradicate the awkward atmosphere between them. Sally was a little surprised but she still answered her.

“I’m fine. How about you?”

“I’m fine.” She answered abruptly without making eye contact.

Athena examined her. She noticed that she became thinner than before.

“… You can hate me if you want… But don’t ignore yourself.” She muttered. Finally, Sally’s silver eyes went to hers. “I heard what happened from brother… I’m sorry for your loss.” She added. Sally didn’t speak anything. She picked her tea and sipped it then she forces a smile.

“Thank you, Lady Robia.”

Athena’s eyes trembled to see her forcing a smile in front of her.

“Don’t be mistaken, milady. I am not mad at you. I’m just, disappointed.”

“I, I’m sorry, for leaving you.” Thankfully, she muttered the words she wanted to say to her. She’s been keeping it all to herself for a long time. Keeping it within herself is suffocating and disgusting. She was always bothered by those feelings every night.

“… Alright.”

Athena raised her head and looked at her with a surprised look on her face. Her blue eyes were quivering holding her cold gaze. Although she’s smiling, it’s not showing in her eyes. That’s when she realized;

‘She’s sad…’

“S-Sally…”

“Yes, it's fine now. You don’t have to feel the burden, Lady Robia, so, you can leave me alone now.”

“What?”

“You can leave me alone now. I’m fine, always fine.” She smiled brightly at her. “Ah, please don’t misunderstand, I am not mad at you. You can be at ease.” She added.

“Why? Why are you forgiving me so easily?” She asked with a trembling voice. Sally’s gaze became gentle towards her.

“… You need it.”

Athena’s eyes went wide and held her breath. Her eyes became watery but no tears fell from them. Sally stood up, bid goodbye, and left. Her tears start falling from her eyes. Her head is low and her hands trembling as she weeps silently. All of a sudden, someone offered her a handkerchief. She looked up and saw Ethan looking at her with worried eyes.

“Ethan…”

“I know you’re crying.” He sighed and wiped her tears away. “Did she make you cry?” He asked her.

“… No. I was crying because I was a bad friend for her.”

“You’re not bad.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re consoling me.” She frowned at him. He bends his knees to see her face. He caressed her cheek and smiled kindly at her.

“Of course not. What I’m trying to say is if you are bad then you wouldn’t put so much effort and courage to see her.”

“She said that she forgives me but she didn’t mean it. She said that because she saw me suffering over the guilt of leaving her behind.” She uttered with so much sadness. Ethan felt gloomy seeing her crying face as well.

“Then, would you like to explore the capital with me?” He asked and offered his hand. “Would you like to come with me? Milady?” He asked again.

Her wrecking heart became calm. She smiled at him and took his hand.

“Thank you, Ethan, for being here with me.” She said. Ethan only smiled and held her hand tighter.

“Of course. I’ll always be here for you.” He muttered.

---

The crown prince returned from his business with the nobles. He had a headache after hearing their fake compliments and concerns toward him.

‘Disgusting human beings.’ He thought. He turned around and saw Sally sleeping. She’s handling a quill in her hand and a paper in the other hand. He walked silently towards her and stared at her sleeping face. ‘She seemed exhausted. Did she eat lunch?’ It’s already dusk and dinner will be served soon however he doesn’t want to wake her up yet.

He found her sleeping face adorable.

Her eyes started flinching and it opened slowly. Their eyes met and it made her startled. She stood up and moved a few steps away from him.

“Y-Your highness! You’re back!” She muttered in shock.

“Did you finish your work?” He asked.

“Ah, yes, your highness. I apologize for sleeping inside your office. This won’t happen again.”

“Nonsense… Let’s go down and eat dinner.”

“Yes, your highness.”

Both of them left the room and head downstairs.

“How’s the palace?” He asked.

“Nothing happened much, your highness.”

“I see.”

“By the way, your highness, I already put the invitations on your desk.”

“Good, and, starting tomorrow, you will be coming with me to every meeting that I’ll attend in the future.” He said.

“Yes, your highness.”

“And, when I return, you should greet me.”

“Huh?”

“Do I need to repeat my words?” He asked in annoyance and glared at her. Sally flinched and her face turned pale.

“A-Ah, yes, your highness! Please forgive me! A-Anyway, w-welcome back!”

The crown prince looked at her then all of a sudden, he laughed loudly. Sally stared at him in confusion then she realizes what she said and her face turned red in embarrassment.

‘It’s a wrong greeting! I sounded like a housewife! What the heck!!!’

“I, I apologize, your highness! I was out of my mind! Please forgive me!” She apologized hysterically. The crown prince finally stopped laughing and look at her.

“I don’t know you’re quite bold, Ms. Esther.” He grinned. Her face became redder than before. She’s so embarrassed! How can she commit such a grave mistake! “Well, it’s not that bad. You can greet me like that from now on.” He said and continued walking. Sally watched his huge back.

‘Did the crown prince laughed like that before?’ She wondered and followed him.

After dinner, the crown prince went to his room. His smile remained on his face as he changed his clothes.

‘I never thought of laughing like that after she abandoned me.’ He thought. He lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling. The feeling of disgust from his encounter with the nobles vanished suddenly. ‘She doesn’t sound so bad…’ He thought and chuckled. He sat on the bed and looked at the wall.

The other side of the wall is Sally’s room. He stood up and walked out of his room. With his magic, he made himself invisible and entered her room. He immediately saw her on the bed, sleeping peacefully. He walked towards her silently and brushed her hair away from her face. Looking at her surprisingly makes him feel at peace. He can still remember her crying face after her grandmother died.

He doesn’t want to see her crying again.

‘I will not let anyone make you cry…’ He muttered in him, more on like an oath to himself.