Renee
514 Words
Alina
It was a long night after continuously talking, smiling and complimenting people. I was done. Standing in that room I realised, there was no one I know. It was the most alone I had ever felt. It frightened me. I had no one. Telling litzia I was sick I excused myself and went to my room,which somehow didn't even feel my own. It felt like someone else's room, someone else's life. This was not who I was supposed to be,wasting my life in petty squabbles with Meena. I wished it was different. Before I realised, I began to cry. "Alina, are you alright? " asked Renee. What was she doing here. I quickly cleaned my mouth with the stall and said"just a little sick, I guess". She didn't seem to believe me, but decided not ask any further questions. She gave me a glass of water and sat beside me and said "you will be fine,it will be alright. Soon this would feel like home". She seemed really wise. I instinctively rested my head on her shoulder and it oddly felt like this is where head belonged. "Tell me about home and your family." I told her about my mom, brother and dad. She laughed at the anecdotes and really seemed to enjoy them. Her company felt oddly soothing. "I hate him, the emperor, he's an arrogant piece of s**t". She suddenly stood up and looked at me with vexation. "You don't get to say that about the emperor, He is a good man." I was eighteen when married off to his general Siddiqui. He had to leave for war, King's order. He died in the Battlefield. I became a widow within a week of my wedding. My family refused to take me back. I was supposed to go with the other widows. I was supposed to live a life of misery. The emperor brought me to pink Palace and married me, gave me the respect equal to queen Meena. He didn't touch me and said he wouldn't dare till I asked him to. He is the best of the men. "I was shocked. I didn't know what to say. So I didn't. Renee obviously respected and adored the Emperor. Maybe he did have a heart. He cared for everyone but her. Next morning I went to Renee's quarters and apologised. Renee smiled and said" do you want a tour of the pink Palace. " I nodded, I loved her company. and together we strolled the pink Palace. It took a week to see every part of the pink palace. I loved the library. It felt like it had a million of books. Renee asked" do you know how to read"." Ofcourse" I replied perplexed at her question.
"will... Will you teach me how to read?" asked Renee. I was silent for a minute I didn't believe what to say. Renee couldn't read. Then I remembered women in Arga were not taught to read. Library was set up for young princes. I smiled and said" it would be my pleasure. "and Renee laughed.
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