Defending Left-Handed

Chapter 24

“Are you all right?” Princess Slithen asked as she saw Liriel was in deep thoughts. She got up from her bed. Liriel still was not responding to her.

She walked towards him and called. “Liriel.” She was happy that she woke up with him still in her room but she’s worried on how he looks right now. He was staring blankly on the air. She tapped his shoulder the reason for Liriel to look at her.

“You are awake,” he said; already out of his deep thoughts.

“Yeah, I called you several times but you were just staring blankly on the air. Are you all right? Or is that how you sleep?” Sliten laughed.

Liriel smiled at her. “Yeah, that is how I sleep.”

Slithen looked at the window. “What time is it? It looks like it’s already night time. Why don’t you take a rest now?”

Liriel stood up. “Are you sure?”

Slithen pause for a minute to think. She shook her head. “No…” She still could not shoo away the thoughts of the explosion that happened. She already saw a lot of attempts to the throne but she never experienced an attack that had hurt her, only now.

“All right,” Liriel sat back again.

“I already slept so I would be able to sleep again,” Princess Slithen said as she went back to her bed.

“All right, then let us just stare blankly on the air.”

“Is that why you were like that earlier? Is that how you are when you are bored?”

Liriel just nodded.

“Why don’t we play?”

“Play? We aren’t a children anymore, Slithen.”

Slithen stood up and got something from her drawer. “This is not a child’s game. It is applicable for adults.” She walked towards Liriel and sat on the floor in front of him. “Join me?”

“No.”

Slithen glared at him. “As your princess, I command you to join me.”

She smiled when she saw Liriel slowly joining her on the floor. “What game is that?”

“I usually play this with my ladies-in-waiting,” she said as she was shuffling cards. “This is the cards of truth. There are a set of questions here and we answer every question here even you did not pick the pack. If you decided not to answer it then you should do what the other person tells you to do.”

“So? This is much like truth and dare?”

“Yes but, there are already prepared questions in front and we should answer every question no matter who picks it up. And, the truths are only between us players. That’s why should only play this with people whom you trust the most so none of your most sensitive secret would come out. And, when someone answers the question, there should not be a follow up question.”

“Okay, you go first since this is your idea.”

Slithen flashed a big smile since she had missed playing with Liriel. She never thought he’d agree and by agreeing, it meant he trusted her.

“All right, I’ll go first,” she said as she picked a card. She gave the card to Liriel to read.

“If you could trade thoughts with someone for a day who would it be and why?”

“Trade thoughts with someone? Hmmmm, I must say I want to trade thoughts with someone marginalized. I know that they’re suffering on their state of lives right now but I really want to know what they are thinking, what they want, and more. And if I would be given a second chance to trade thought again with someone, I’ll choose you because I want to know your thoughts. I want to know you. Your turn, what about you?”

“I want to trade thoughts with the king. I want to understand why he did what he did.”

Slithen nodded. She’s now contemplating whether playing this game was a great idea. She faked a smile. “It’s now your turn to pick a card.”

Liriel picked a card and handed it to her.

Slithen read the card. “What is your greatest fear?”

Liriel smiled. “Honestly, it already happened. My parents dying.”

Slithen looked down. “I am sorry.”

“Your turn.”

“My fear is to be hated by someone I cared about the most.” Slithen picked another card and handed it to Liriel.

“Three things that make you sad right now.”

“What makes me sad right now are the country’s state, the relationship between the people and the monarchy, and someone. You?”

Liriel thought for a minute. He was sad about one thing right now. It was knowing that he was not his parents’ child. He had been living a lie for twenty years and all he wanted to do right now was to stop the time. He wanted to process what he just found out. He felt like he needed to take a break. He wanted to get away. He wanted to stop worrying. He wanted to stop thinking about everything. He just wanted to stop.

“Liriel?” Slithen called.

Liriel looked at her. “I am sorry. What is it again?”

“Three things that make you sad right now,” Slithen said in a worry because Liriel was staring blankly on the air again. He was not usually like this. He must be really thinking about something.

“I am sorry. I could not answer that. You could just give me something to do.”

What makes him sad? Slithen thought. There must be really something that makes him sad right now. Why could not he answer it? He must be going through something right now. She wanted to comfort him.

“Let me hug you,” Slithen said and it was a dare. Liriel could not say no.

Slithen moved near him and slowly wrapped around her arms to him. She wanted to ask why his sad right now but she did not want him to shoo her away. So she chose to stay quiet and just hugged him. She felt Liriel hugged back at her and he leaned to her more.

“I was called earlier while you were asleep. The higher rank knights roamed around everyone’s room because they thought there’s a traitor that helped the rebels get inside the palace without being notice and implanted the bomb. They were looking for hints. I was called when they found documents in my room and questioned me about those. It was about the properties owned by my parents that was transferred to me before they were killed. And they question me why was I not in the slums? Turns out that I was unadopted by my parents before everything happened. It turns out I am an orphan eversince.”

Slithen could feel the sadness from his voice. She hugged him tight. She did not know what to say. She could not understand what he feels because she was never on his shoes. He feels sorry for him. He has been through a lot and now this. He must have a lot on his mind. This was the first time that she saw Liriel being so vulnerable. He’s always so emotionless and stiff in front of her but right now, she could feel that his sad and he has been carrying a lot of burdens on his back.

She tapped his back to let him know that he’s not alone. “I am always here for you, Liriel. I am still your bestfriend.”