Clandestine

4: I Think I Have Quite The Talent

I am not sure how I ended up here, but oh do I hate it.

The only thing that gave light to me was the realization that I wasn't in the palace grounds nor am I in the capital. I was somehow safe. Maybe safe wasn't the best term I could come up with but it's better than having to think of a prison's description instead.

A while ago, I stood in front of the fancy mirror in the room's bathing chambers, watching my reflection on the mirror as water trickled down my face after washing it in desperate attempt to wake my nerves up.

My black hair draped over my shoulders and I looked quite terrible with the dark circles around the eyes that screamed 'I haven't slept properly in days, and I just got shot by a tranquilizing arrow and somehow ended up in a Prince’s nest!'.

My lips are chapped, my weight visibly went down, and my tan skin was a little paler, like it's winter. Which is kind of bad because it's autumn.

Then after sitting down to contemplate by the marble floors in the same room for exactly seven minutes, I gathered my wits and decided to do something that's definitely not wise. Do I hate risks? Yes. Was I about to do a suicide mission? Yes again. It's absurd. As if I didn't swore to be extra careful just the other day.

Presently, I sneaked carefully, not bothering to fully close the heavy door to not make a single sound.

I walked only once I made sure that there are no maids around. The whole hall was vacant when I peeked through the door, earlier. I'm glad it didn't change.

I'm not sure either how I managed to calmly stride across the long hallway, but if I'm on the edge, I'd just wish that I can get lucky and make my way out using my ability. I know it's sick to wish that I can find someone to sense danger from just to see their future and use it against them--but I have no other choice if I'm not letting go of my plan.

I have already gone this far.

“I heard that the prince was summoned by the General commander.” My eyes widened when I saw two silhouettes of maids walking around holding baskets of fabric. I immediately hid behind the wall.

“Ha. It's probably about the Bavel key.”

“The 'Bavellis' key. Don't call it Bavel key, Bavel doesn't exist anymore. They're just a lowly duchy now.”

Great! Here we go again!

I curled my fist as I waited patiently for them to enter the room so I can proceed leaving, because I'd really like to.

Hearing how they speak about the kingdom I grew up in as a child isn't exactly pleasing. Even if they are right.

When I finally cannot hear the sound of their soles clicking against the carpet floor anymore, I walked straight to the stairs. I descended it swiftly and without noise.

Somehow, my heart was racing as much as how it raced when I was out to find the Labyrinth key. I had succeeded on getting my hands on it before, how is this any different? If anything, it should be easier since I don't have anything to claim! My only goal is to leave.

I reached another floor. The place is astoundingly quiet. If my intuition is correct, it's still morning. Too late for breakfast but not for lunch. The maids are probably preparing in the kitchen and only few are working on the rest of the house.

But I shouldn't underestimate it with the way I can see the layout. Keiran probably owns this place. I don't think a prince would possess a place that's not full with servants. Especially that I hear rumors about how kind the emperor is and how he cherishes his family.

I was about to walk straight into a hall to descend another stair when I heard feminine voices. Yet again, they're talking about the Labyrinth key. I hid beside a post where a wall covered me enough. My eyes were busy analyzing what direction they may go into when I almost hit a porcelain vase.

A quadruple f**k!

I whispered a curse in panic and with my shaky hands, I attempted to hold it in place.

“What use does the Prince have for such clothing? Perhaps it's for a possible found betrothed?” a curious voice bounced on the wide walls.

“We are not to judge. Just do as he says and put all the dresses on the guestroom. Be careful and you'll wake up that what you said is all around as a rumor!” They walked to the direction of the room where I had left from.

I sticked myself to a wall when they passed by me and I turned away the second they were out of my sight. My insides felt like churning and being thrown into a pit of boiling garbage. I have to get to the other side of the halls.

The anxiety of accidentally touching displays and being caught would make me possess another ability, to produce beads of sweat thick enough to turn into solid and be sold as pearls in a jeweler’s shop. I have never been this anxious again.

I ran fast, albeit silently and reached the end of the hall.

Oh gods. Oh gods.Oh gods.

Swallowing, I looked back at the halls and passed a glance on the window. I can't afford to alert anyone of my presence.

Nervously, I took a glimpse on the windows, and back to the stairs that lead one floor down again. The idea of exiting the place through it was devouring me.

Whatever now! I shut my eyes, screw it! I have no room to complain. Come what may!

I stepped on the railings right after making my way out from the window, using my hands to find support as I leaned against the surface of molded stone.

The wind pushed my hair and hood when I went outside. I looked down to see how high I still was. Gathering the tiny pieces of courage and gluing it all together, I started climbing down the railings.

I climbed and stepped down for each balcony on two floors. But the height isn't the issue, my hands are!

Desperately trying to calm down, I attempted to fix the series of heavy breathing escaping from my lips.

I was practically swinging in air from a height that can kill me when I drop. I tried to reach the railing of the balcony under me. I gritted my teeth when I felt like my hand is about to slip. Before it can, I fortunately landed on the lower balcony with my body complete and no extra bones from a fracture. I no longer can count the number of times I cursed in mind.

I catched my breath, holding my knees as I pant when I landed. I am never doing that again!

“Hah...” I coughed, heart racing so hard that it physically hurt.

This is absolutely hell.

After a few seconds of resting, I peeked on the glass pane. There were no people around. Maybe I can start here and go down sneakily again. Climbing down per balconies is just like choosing death itself for someone like me.

I held my hood in place and entered. Very carefully, I closed the pane trying to lessen the creaking sound it makes.

“Is somebody there?”

I flinched and immediately opened the nearest door and locked myself in.

The guy who asked was slender and old. He is probably a butler of someone, maybe a guest. I'm not interested to know. I just want to get out!

As for me, it's lucky that I entered a storage room for cleaning facilities and supplies. I reached for the seemingly rope and pulled it. Immediately, the bulb lit up.

I shook the dust off my shoulders and sat down to rest again right after closing the bulb. I am so disoriented. Thinking about my situation makes me nauseous.

At least my training for months paid off. I just didn't know that I have to use it immediately after doing so once again! The hell that key is putting me through is just indescribable.

I went out when there's no noises. The hall is quite long but I just have to endure this for two more floors and I can already exit this damn place. I'd just have to climb the barrier around this estate if I cannot find a hole somewhere in the walls. I'm doing everything to leave.

I'll escape no matter what.

Descending the stairs again, I stopped and hid behind another wall.

Across the room, there was the slender old man again. I'm guessing he was giving out orders to the three servants in front of him.

There's a painting near me and I used its metal frame to see the reflection of the people. They were about to leave when the man suddenly looked at my direction.

I flinched, almost gasping out loud. Covering my mouth with both hands, I held my breath as he started getting closer.

Fuck, what do I do?

He walked closer and closer and all that I thought of was that I am going to get caught.

I shut my eyes closed as I wished for a miracle.

“Sir Herio!” As if I was heard by the heavens, someone called him. “Can you please check this?” A maid came running, holding a box to show.

He turned around and just left me, immediately checking what the maid brought.

I took the opportunity and immediately descended the floor. I soon ate my words about not stepping on the balconies because that's exactly what I did just to dodge the maids on the ground floor and guards up on the huge front door.

I sighed out loud when I finally got out. Jumping from the lowest balcony, I landed on a tolerable bunch of bushes.

Groaning, I slid my sleeve to check the scratches I obtained from jumping. My head hurt, and my thirst only became more evident.

I panted, leaning my head against the wall to rest. Even just for a few minutes. Right after, I opened my eyes and searched for exit points.

I was greeted by the sight of a lawn in the back of the estate and a huge space of path that I assume is made for walks. The sun is in its peak, it's not very bright because of the storm yesterday, but it's bright enough for me to click to my senses.

I peeked again.

It's now or never.

The guards on the outside were all gathered up in one place. I think they're also given new orders. I took the chance to run as fast as I can and exit the gates.

When I stepped outside, just then did I alarmed the guards and heard how the dogs barked. Just like how it usually is, I ran endlessly until I was sure that the guards didn't bother to chase me to the end.

“Oh god..” I catched my breath for the n-th time, holding the top of my hood to not let it be blown by the breeze. I glanced back as I crouched down to avoid their eyes, and just then I saw no one was following me.

I did it again!

With shaking knees, a small relieved smile crept into my lips as I thought. It seems that I have a talent for sneaking.

---

I opened my pouch and gathered a handful of coins as I handed it to a pair of skinny fingers, now reddish and swelling with the long trip.

“Thank you! Take care, Madam!” The coachman slightly bowed while holding his hat and strapped the coins on his waist.

I nodded tiredly and he took the cue to whip the horse lead as he continued to drive his wagon.

I looked up. The sky was already turning orange as if rose water spilled. It's been a few hours since I escaped. The trip was quite long.

I was lucky again. Just then when I escaped the prince's manor, a wagon stopped by. I begged for him to bring me to the borders of Bavel. Luckily, he got persuaded with the few coins I have left.

I was stuck with the discomfort due to the posture I endured for a long time trying to fit myself on the small space in addition to the constant inhalation and irritation that the hay on the back of the wagon caused me. It's incredibly uncomfortable but beggars can't be choosers. It's the only way I can leave fast.

But now that I'm here, I think I'm regretting it.

I am far from the main border of the empire, which is my goal. Northwest from the Mezocal empire is where I lived with my family before I came here.

I don't have a single idea where I can find the house of my former maid. She was my second mother, and I had full trust that if she saw me like this, despite how I was seen, she would definitely take care of me. That is for sure.

However, I cannot rely on anyone. I can only depend on myself in this circumstances. For now, I have to get home...I can start plotting how I'll get my hands on the key again when I'm there. I'm going to get it back, no matter what it takes--just not now. The goal is to go home and go home alone. Even if I'll receive a handful of serious, angry lectures about how useless my ambition is and weeks of sleeping on the stables once they see me again, I'd gladly take it.

I shook off the remaining lines of hay on my coat, as I directed myself to think of anything else but home because it gets sad real fast whenever I do so. Not because of the homesickness, but because of so many other things.

The problem is even if I start traveling from this point to reach my home, it would take me a rough one month and two weeks considering the lack of transportation, food, and the region's season.

But it's not like the home I would supposedly return to would care, at least not if I kept the fact that I went to our kingdom shut from them.

So what exactly should I do now that I am just exhausted, I don't have coins, I am hungry and I am lost?

“Oh! What will you have?”

In hopes of having even little food, I went in front of a stall selling corn cobs.

I looked at what she's grilling and pointed the uncooked smallest corn on the side.

“Can I get this?”

Seemingly confused, the lady looked at me. I dropped my head to avoid eye contact, as well as to hide the mark on my forehead.

“Forgive me..You want to get this?” She pointed it too. “It's what I give to the dogs to feed them! What use do you have for it?” She exclaimed, not considering the thought that I'm in front of a food stall to I don't know! Maybe consume it?

“I merely think that that's the rightful amount for what I can afford.” I whispered. She narrowed her eyes.

“Would this be enough for that?” I raised my hand containing the last few coins with me and placed it on the wooden table of hers.

I sighed when her expression settled, became indifferent.

Her face turned into a frown and she looked at me in disgust when she saw that I don't have enough. “No it's not.” she voiced out her words with incredible hostility on her face. “Go find a meal somewhere else, leave!”

There it is again, same faces whenever realization drops. I don't see the reason why they must be so incredibly rude, albeit I've already expected her reaction. She stated that she can give it for free to the dogs, but get mad when I offered for it? What a disgusting logic.

I bet that she thought I'm a noble undercover, as it's actually quite common for some nobles to dress in disguise. She talked politely in hopes that I'd reveal myself as one and come to reward her. Although there's nothing wrong with that, there is definitely something wrong with shifting attitudes just because of someone's status. And the stupid actual nobles like that, because they're so glorified.

“Hurry up now!” She spat.

“Hurry up now.” I mocked silently, scoffing like a feather.

I was collecting my coins that I placed to get it back without a single complaint (if you don't count the silent ones) when she started shouting again. “I said leave, hurry up now! If you can't afford this, go away!” She aggressively slammed her hand, that the coins bounced and most of them fell into the ground. “This isn't charity, lassie!”

Pursing my lips to stop myself from saying something to the hag, I was left secretly rolling my eyes. It's absolutely useless to argue. I've learnt my lesson. But all the saints know how hard I felt the urge to stop myself from doing something unsightly. I dropped to fish out the coins from the ground, a bit tainted with mud. They're not much but they're still currency, and I'm most definitely not in the place to afford leaving them.

I stood up, was about to turn around and leave when someone from behind me held my shoulder with one hand and settled a pouch of coins in the table.

“I think she heard you the first time.”

Surprised, I looked back to see, only to drown in horror upon realizing who it was.

“You were quite loud.” He flashed a smile then pushed the pouch. “Would this be enough for three of that?” The familiar dark windswept brown hair and amber eyes appeared before me. My body went cold.

“Huh?” The vendor and I were just as shocked. “Oh...W-well it's more than enough, Sir.” Her hostile face softened, her hands rubbed off her apron and she even stuttered just because she realized he's a noble. It angered me.

“Then I'll take it for us. Please hurry. We're quite hungry.” He tapped his two fingers on my shoulder, shooting a friendly smile.

“Y-yes!” She scrambled to get what Keiran ordered.

I was just frozen in place. If it's possible, I have already muttered all the curses in existence in my mind. The vendor chose the best cobs she could find, and generously showered the ingredients she sprayed into the corns. I ran out of words to say.

It looks like I do have the talent for sneaking--but there's another thing I overlooked.

I also have a talent for getting f*****g caught.