THE SHIELD THAT HURTS

Am I dead, yet still alive in this miserable world? God, please, I must be dead. These were the desperate thoughts of a young girl named Naehi, who stood lost in conversation with herself. The turmoil in her mind stemmed from an incident that had occurred just days before, leaving her questioning her very existence. "What does it mean to be dead and rise again in paradise?" Naehi wondered aloud. "Or can there be a place like this in the world?" She gazed up, and her eyes widened in awe as she beheld a majestic king's palace for the first time. "Eiii, what on earth...?" Naehi's voice trailed off as she struggled to comprehend the grandeur before her. "How can such a beautiful mansion exist?" Just then, a voice pierced the air from behind her. "My daughter, you are not dead. And this is not what it means to be in paradise." The voice was laced with a mix of sadness and resignation. "I understand you must be blindfolded, and surely, you have not seen such beautiful nature ever in your life. But your being here accidentally is just ironic—from the frying pan to the fire. I wish you were dead during the escape rather than ending up here." Naehi spun around, her eyes wide with shock. She was about to initiate a conversation when a maid, dressed in palace attire, approached them. The maid bowed low and addressed the woman who had spoken to Naehi. "My lady, the king requests a tea brewed by your hands." The woman nodded, her expression unreadable, as Naehi watched, still reeling from the unexpected turn of events. Naehi's brow furrowed in confusion. "How could you say such a thing—that I'd be better off dead than to end up in this beautiful and mighty palace?" She turned to the young maid who had just delivered a message to Lady Nahum. "Excuse me," Naehi called out. The maid turned back, her eyes courteous. "Yes, ma'am? Please, what is it?" "What is the name of that woman?" Naehi asked, nodding toward Lady Nahum. The maid replied, "She's my lady, ma'am." Naehi felt a pang of curiosity at the maid's deferential tone. "What is her name, and who is she?" Naehi pressed. The maid's eyes dropped slightly before she answered, "The person you pointed out, ma'am—she's my lady, as I said earlier. Her name is Lady Nahum, and she's the highest-ranking maid in the palace. She oversees and controls all the maids, and she's been given the title of Palace Maid Controller." Naehi's sigh was barely audible. She turned to the maid with a pleading expression. "Could you please help me deliver a message to Lady Nahum? I would love to meet and have a conversation with her." Before the maid departed, Naehi asked, "What's your name, by the way?" "I'm Anne, ma'am," the maid replied with a gentle smile. Naehi returned the smile. "I'm Naehi. Thank you, Anne. I appreciate your help." As soon as Anne observed that Lady Nahum had finished brewing the tea for the king, she approached her and recounted Naehi's request. Lady Nahum's expression softened into a gentle smile. "This young girl really needs my help," Lady Nahum murmured to herself. "I also wish to talk to her more about her life." Her eyes seemed to cloud over, filled with a deep empathy. "I pity her for the life she's had to endure since childhood, only to end up here in the palace." "Is she still at the palace entrance?" Lady Nahum asked, her gaze drifting toward the entrance. Anne nodded. "Yes, my lady." Lady Nahum's attention returned to Anne. "Please, Anne, monitor the palace kitchen for the rest of the day. I won't be returning until tomorrow." Anne curtsied. "As you wish, my lady. Goodbye." With a quiet nod, Lady Nahum departed, leaving Anne to wonder about the unexpected turn of events. Lady Nahum exited the palace, carrying a plate of steaming porridge, with the intention of sharing it with Naehi. She had already made up her mind to adopt the young girl and provide her with a comfortable home in her chamber residence, which was conveniently located near the palace. As Lady Nahum stepped out, her eyes scanned the area, searching for Naehi. Similarly, Naehi had been waiting anxiously, and her eyes lit up as she spotted Lady Nahum approaching. Naehi's gaze fell upon the plate of food in Lady Nahum's hands, and her curiosity was piqued. "Follow me," Lady Nahum instructed Naehi, after a brief greeting. They walked in silence, arriving at Lady Nahum's cozy chamber. Lady Nahum lit the candles, illuminating the modest yet comfortable space. Naehi's eyes widened as she took in her surroundings, memories of her difficult past flooding her mind. A lone tear escaped, which she hastily wiped away, hoping to conceal her emotions from Lady Nahum. Lady Nahum approached Naehi, holding out the plate of porridge. The aroma wafting from the dish was heavenly, and Naehi's face lit up with excitement. She had never tasted porridge before, only catching glimpses of it in her past. Lady Nahum noticed the eagerness in Naehi's eyes and smiled inwardly, anticipating her reaction to the grilled fish she had also prepared. Lady Nahum had intentionally prepared a generous amount of food, knowing that Naehi would relish the opportunity to try the delicacies typically reserved for the palace. As Naehi's eyes landed on the grilled fish, her excitement became impossible to contain. Lady Nahum, on the other hand, only tasted a small portion of the porridge, as she was known to have a modest appetite due to her ongoing health struggles. Naehi devoured the food, savoring each bite, and Lady Nahum watched with a warm smile, pleased to see the young girl enjoying her meal. Unbeknownst to Naehi, Lady Nahum had been quietly observing her, her heart filled with compassion and a deep desire to provide Naehi with the care and love she deserved. As Naehi finished her meal, she noticed Lady Nahum was no longer in the room. She rose from her seat, curiosity getting the better of her, and searched the adjacent rooms. Unable to find Lady Nahum indoors, Naehi stepped outside into the night. The starry sky twinkled above, casting a magical glow over the surroundings. Naehi's eyes adjusted to the darkness, and she spotted Lady Nahum sitting on a bench, lost in thought. Naehi approached her quietly, not wanting to disturb the peaceful atmosphere. As she sat down beside Lady Nahum, Naehi rested her head on the older woman's shoulder, feeling an unexpected sense of comfort and security. The silence between them was palpable, yet reassuring. After a few minutes, Lady Nahum broke the silence, her voice gentle. "Naehi, did you enjoy the food?" Naehi lifted her head, a soft smile spreading across her face. "If there's a word stronger than 'enjoyed,' I'd use it, Lady Nahum." Lady Nahum's eyes sparkled with delight. "I'm happy you did, Naehi. Now, I'd love to hear your story. Tell me about your life, child." Naehi took a deep breath, and the words began to flow. She recounted the hardships, the humiliation, and the frustration she had endured. She shared the pain of watching her mother die, and the emptiness that followed. As Naehi spoke, Lady Nahum listened intently, her expression a mix of empathy and sorrow. When Naehi's voice cracked, and tears began to fall, Lady Nahum enveloped her in a warm hug. "I'm so sorry, Naehi," Lady Nahum whispered. "You deserve all the love in the world, and I promise to be a mother to you. I'll show you what love means, and that it truly exists. You'll never be hurt again, not while I'm by your side." As the night wore on, Naehi felt a weight lift off her shoulders. For the first time in her life, she felt seen, heard, and loved. As the stars began to fade, Lady Nahum gently guided Naehi back inside. Together, they retired to their chambers, the promise of a new beginning hanging softly in the air. Story continues.........