Defending Left-Handed

Chapter 17

“Thank you for treating us with kindness,” Slithen said as she bowed.

She already saw what the farmers were struggling about. Although, she still needs to research on what help could she possibly offer. She still need to read a lot of books.

“No problem, sweetie. It’s actually good to have visitors sometimes, isn’t it hon?” Tom’s mother asked while looking at her husband.

“Of course. You two should come back here sometimes.”

Slithen smiled. “I will surely will.” She’s sure she’ll get back in the farm to help them.

“Let us go, Slithen,” Liriel called. Both Tom and he were just waiting for her to bid goodbye to the farm people.

Slithen nodded and went inside the calash. Liriel and Tom followed. Slithen and Tom waved their hands goodbye as the calash started to move.

“That was fun,” Slithen honestly admitted.

Tom bowed and smiled. “I am glad that you had fun, your highness,” he said in a whisper so the driver could not hear him.

“So next up is the port, right?” Slithen asked.

Both Tom and Liriel nodded. They still have a long way to go because the port was on the other side. They still have to get back to the city to get to the port.

After a few minutes of drive, they got back in the city. The sky were already starting to get dim. The sun was about to set and the moon was to rise.

“I think it’s best for us to just stop by the house and go tomorrow at the port. It’s already dark,” Tom suggested. “is it okay for you, your highness? It could be dangerous in the dark.”

Slithen thought for a minute and eventually nodded. “Right. It’s okay. It’s better if you, two, should take a rest as well since you helped in carrying heavy things earlier.”

When they arrived in the city, they walked for a few minutes to arrive to the house that they were staying. Slithen went inside hers while the knights sat outside. They wanted to make sure that Slithen could sleep without any fear that someone might break in.

Liriel knocked on her door which Slithen immediately open. “What is it?”

“Do you want some hot chocolate? Or a hot bath? We can boil some water for you,” he offered.

Slithen smiled but shook her head. “No, it’s all right. I just want the two of you to take a rest. Can you do that?”

Tom nodded and stood up.

“Thank you,” Slithen said as she saw Tom already walking towards the house they were staying. She looked at Liriel who was still standing outside her door. “Are you not going?”

Liriel went back to his seat. “Do not mind me.”

Slithen slowly nodded and closed the door. After she arrived, she immediately pulled out her journals and listed the things that she saw on the farm. She could not bring her journal around since it that spark confusion and she did not want it to be lost accidentally. All of her thoughts and feelings were written inside the journal.

After a few minutes, Liriel saw a lightning up the sky. There’s a loud sound that immediately followed. Liriel could slowly hear rain droplets.

When Slithen heard the sound and the rain she immediately pulled herself on a corner. She stayed away from the door or the window. She covered herself herl covering her eyes.

Liriel stood up and knocked on the door. He knew Slithen was afraid of thunder. She always gets restless when it’s raining. Liriel continued to knock on the door. “This is Liriel. I’ll help you.”

After Liriel said that he heard a slow foot steps walking toward his direction. The door slowly opened and it revealed Slithen who was trembling. She looked like she was about to cry. Liriel entered the room and hugged her to make her feel like she’s not alone. He tapped her back several times.

“Just take a breath. Breathe in,” Liriel said and the princess followed. The princess closed her eyes and inhaled. “Breathe out,” them she exhaled. That continued for how many minutes until Liriel noticed that the princess was no longer shaky. He removed himself from the hug. “Are you okay now?”

Princess Slithen thought for a moment and then nodded. She could still her body was shaking but it was not like earlier.

Liriel helped her sat on the couch. He looked at the window and the rain was starting to stop.

“Thank you,” Slithen said. Evensince they were a child, it was always Liriel who could calm hear down when she had panic attacks. He really knew how to handle her. Liriel was in front of her and holding her hands. She could not look at him so she looked down. She felt that the fifteen years old Liriel was in front of her. She could feel that he cares.

Liriel disheveled her hair. “No worries. You should now sleep. I’ll stay here by your side.”

Slithen could feel that her cheeks burn. Why was Liriel was so inconsistent? He was serious and then eventually he’s sweet. Liriel helped her lay down on the couch. He stood up and walked inside a room to get some pillow and blanket. He put the pillow underneath Slithen’s head and then wrapped her with blanket. He then tapped Slithen’s arms several times. Becausee Slithen felt comfortable, she was not able to notice that she already slept. Liriel stood up and walked outside. She could not stay with her while she was sleeping. Tom might look for him and saw of them both together. He just was outside, near the window so he could just immediately see the princess.

When it was already morning, Slithen could not tell whether Liriel already sleep. He was beside her when she woke up but he’s already awake.

“Did you sleep? Why are you so up early?” she asked.

“I slept,” Liriel answered. He indeed sleep but for just 2 hours.

“Oh, glad to hear that.” Slithen sat down from laying. She stood up and grabbed a straw bagm

“What is that for?” Liriel asked.

“I was not able to wake up early, yesterday. I could not let Tom shop again. He deserves some rest.”

Liriel stood up. “I’ll go with you.”

They walked out and started walking to head to the market. When they arrived, Liriel looked at Slithen. “What do you want to eat?” he asked.

Slithen looked around to check what were the available food in the market.

“Chicken?” she asked as she saw a chicken displayed on one of the stall. Liriel nodded and walked towards there to buy the chicken. Liriel lead the walk. He both some spices which she would not think of buying if she’s the only one buying some food.

When they already finished, they started walking back towards the house they were staying but they stopped on there tracks when they saw children lining. “Why are they lining?” she asked.

“Today is the annual dominant hand test for the children. If one of them will get caught of using their left hamd. They’ll be immediately killed.”