Unwanted Meeting
984 Words
It was empty. We both sat down next to each other. Miss Bertha soon entered followed by Rai. They both looked at us as we sat in silence.
“Two waters, please, Miss Bertha.” I said and she immediately disappeared into the kitchen. She came out shortly and placed them in front of us. She disappeared once more.
Rai sat across from us. He crossed his arms and looked up at the ceiling. A habit of his when he tries to think of something to say but can’t figure out exactly how to say it.
“Just say it.” I tell him.
“How and why?”
“How? Well I, no we, found each other by chance.”
“And why?”
“Why what?”
“Why is she walking around the castle?”
“Because I said so.”
Rai scoffed at my response. “You know what would have happened if someone else had seen you two, right? You put her at risk man.”
“She’s fine. Dad’s busy with some stuff.”
“And? Doesn’t mean there aren’t guards more loyal to him than you that would easily, without a second thought apprehend her. What were you thinking?”
“I couldn’t just leave her in my room alone. You know guards go in there without my consent or me knowing. They would have seen her and I wouldn’t have been able to stop them.
“She shouldn’t be in the castle in the first place.”
“She had nowhere else to go. Plus she’s been living in the castle for awhile. I mean if she has gone unnoticed until now, then there’s no need for me to worry so much. Guards don’t do such a good job.”
“Listen man, you’re risking too much.”
“What exactly is he risking?” Said a low voice from behind us. Damn I knew that voice and this was exactly what Rai was talking about. I turned to look at him. He was standing there looking down at Lily. “I’ll say it again, what exactly are you risking, my boy?” He said once more without taking his eyes off of her.
“I was telling Rai that I might skip out of the party a little early. Rai was convincing me that if I get caught then the guards will drag me back. I’m risking that embarrassment and getting you mad. However, I was completely joking, but you know Rai. He takes everything I say seriously.” I responded.
“And she is?” He wouldn’t take his eyes off her.
I see Lily take a deep breath before turning and meeting the eyes of the intruder, “Hello. My name is Lily. Lily Rivers.”
“Rivers?” Lily nods her head in return. “I haven’t heard that name in a long time. Are you related to Mark Rivers?”
“Yes, sir. He was my father.”
“Your father? And Anabeth, she is your mother?”
“Yes, sir. Was.”
“Was? They’re both gone?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Sweetheart don’t call me sir.” He said as he kneeled down in front of her and took her hands. “How long have they been gone?”
“About 4 years.”
“And where have you been?”
“Here and there.”
“Your home?”
“Ummm..”
“Tell me, please.”
She thought for a moment. She glanced my way. I nodded then she answered, “Well, the stables right outside the castle was my last home, before that I slept in a small cave about a mile from the castle wall. It got cold so I moved somewhere warmer.” She looked my way before continuing, “Hay is soft too.”
I saw tears forming in his eyes as she spoke. The man I knew never showed any emotion. Nothing.
“Well, somehow, someway you made your way here.” He said smiling. He let go of her hands and disappeared into the kitchen. Moments later he walked back with a plate of fresh cookies and Miss Bertha following close behind. He set them on the table in front of Lily.
“Have some, please.” He said as he took a seat beside her.
“Oh, no I’m ok.”
“They’re the best around. Have one.” He said as he pushed the plate closer to her.
She poked my leg and motioned me to come closer to her. She brought her hand to my ear then whispered, “Am I gonna get in trouble if I have one?”
“No. Why would you think that?” I whispered back.
“Because I was just looking at them before and that lady called me a thief. I don’t wanna get in trouble.”
“Well, think of it like this: that man is that lady’s superior. He is basically the one in charge so everyone does what he says. So if he says it’s ok, then it’s ok. If I say it’s ok, then it’s ok.”
“Wait. Why?”
“Well, because he is-“
“Psst. Young lady, it’s not polite to whisper at the table and keep us all waiting to eat these delicious cookies.” He said.
“Oh, right, sorry.” She said in her regular voice as she reached for a cookie and took a small bite out of it.
“So?”
Her eyes widened as she chewed the small portion of the cookie. The corners of her mouth raised as she enjoyed the cookie. “Yummy. What are these called?”
“Cookies. You’ve never had a cookie?” Ask Rai.
I kicked him from under the table which brought on a glare from him. I gave him a look and he knew another word from him and I would hit him harder.
“No. I’ve never actually heard of them before. Or that hot metal box in that room where I saw them first.”
“The oven?” Rai said in disbelief which earned him another kick. An even harder one. He glared at me once more.
“Oven. Ok. My mom would cook over a fire in our old fireplace. We really didn’t have anything in that room. I guess mom just liked simple and basic.”
- Writer
