The woods were very quiet this time of the night except for the sound of the crickets in the background, their cricketing chorusing in the dark and accentuating the occasional shriek or rustle in some thicket. In stark contrast was the city. At the palace, it was as if there was always a feast.
Nancy sat quietly in her place at the large dining table where everyone was jolly and alive with conversation. Her aunt sensed her displeasure but just decided to let it go supposing she missed her friends.
When dinner hours were over and everyone was retiring to their bed chambers, Nancy hid around a corner. A stone-throw away was Esmeralda’s bedroom chambers.
Esmeralda came from the other passage reading a letter. She never suspected that she was being watched so she went straight to unlock he
