Defending Left-Handed

Chapter 12

“Do you still love?” That was the question princess Slithen asked as they were about to go out outside the cave. He did not feel anything when she asked that. He did not feel his heart skipped a beat when ever she’s around. His feelings right now was very different when he was still fifteen years old.

He could answer her that he no longer loved her. He could answer her that those feelings he had fifteen years ago where no longer there.

“Let’s go,” Liriel said instead of answering. He removed his knight’s uniform and he was only left with white. He placed it on the top of the princess shoulder so she would not be able to expose herself from other people who could they could walked pass through.

Princess Slithen nodded and did not insist to get the answer that she want to hear. She already knew what and with that, she should distance herself to him now. She should set some boundaries. She would no longer act like he was the fifteen years old Liriel that she knew.

When they arrived at the palace, everyone was looking at them. They were both soaking wet and she has Liriel’s uniform. She did not know how fast could the news travelled when she saw the queen walking towards her.

“What happened?!”

The princess looked at Liriel and he bowed to the queen. I removed Liriel’s uniform and handed it to him. “You can go now and change for dry clothes, Liriel,” I ordered with my calm voice.

Liriel nodded and started walking towards his room here in the palace. “This is my fault. I saw a cave and I accidentally slipped. He told me not to go but I insisted. I fell to the water. He helped me get off.”

The queen looked at her intensely and walked towards the princess room. When they got inside, the lrincess already knew what would happen.

“Why did you went inside that cave?! You did not think of the consequence, Slithen. Something dangerous could happen to you and it did happen. How could you be so reckless?!”

“I am sorry, mom. I will not do it again.”

The queen massaged her temples due to frustration. The queen sighed. “Change into new clothes or you’ll get sick.”

Slithen nodded as her mother left her room. She immediately collapsed to the floor. Her visions were becoming a blur. She touched her face and she could feel water running down her cheeks. Why am I crying? She asked to herself. She could feel her heart ached.

She stood up and brought herself to her bathroom. She immediately submerged herself without removing her clothes.

From the outside, she could hear a thunder rumbling. It was raining and without that she was no longer able to contain her feelings.

~•~

Liriel was looking outside by the window. He looked how the sun shifted to moon. He looked at the clock hanged on the wall. It was already two in the morning. He stood up and wore a light jacket to protect himself from the cold.

With the cave that the princess found, the man could go there and fetch some water. All he had to do now was to look for food. The palace was still quiet. Some guards were roaming the area but he walked with confidence since the knights knew him. Being the princess’s knight was an advantage to him, he realized. He was transferred to stay in the palace. He could freely roam around. Liriel laughed. He did not know if the King was planning something for him that’s why he was keeping him at reach or he was just purely dumb.

As he reached the kitchen, he immediately went inside. There were no knights in the area since who would thought that someone from the palace would steal some food. He went to the cellar because that was where most stocks were stored.

A sack of rice greeted him as he entered. Fortunately, it was already opened. He took off his jacket and used that to store the rice. He scooped enough amount that the kitchen maids would not notice. He then grabbed a block of cheeses since there were a pile of it, stacked at one another. There’s milk but he could not bring some since he did not have any container and it would go bad if it was not stored properly. He did not know if the man who he made a deal with has an area to stored it properly. He also grabbed a dried fish. Royals don’t eat dried fish. Maybe it was for the maids. When Liriel decided that he already loot enough food he went outside through the window. It was easier than to go through the door and have a risk of being seen by the roaming knights inside the palace.

He immediately went to the forest. The man said that he’s just always around and he would come to him. He placed the food on the ground and sat on a big boulder. What if he doesn’t come? He asked to himself. He did not have enough time to wait for him. By five, he needs to get ready for the princess’s agenda.

“You come,” a voice said. A man emerged from the dark.

Liriel stood up to look at him. “I have the food that I promised. There’s also a cave near the palace. You could sneak in and fetch some water there. I can assure you that it’s safe there. There’s no knight roaming around the area. Will you trust me now?”

The man chuckled. “Not too fast, kid. You could not gain my trust with only this. I need a map for the palace. I hope you could get me that.”

The man picked up the food and left him. A map. The palace’s map could be in the library but it must be in a secure area where no one could have an access off. I am a knight but I am still new to be entrusted to know about the hidden secret passage. He knew there’s a secret passage inside the palace. Slithen already mentioned that to him but he did not go with her when she invited him to go around. He regretted the decision he had to this today. He could have use it now.