The dry leaves from the tree branches as it stood tall in the verse field. A boy stood in front of the tree, its shade hovering over his head.
Amilek had his hands crossed in front of him as he gazed deep at the tree branches as if waiting for someone. Today he clocked six years old, but his mother had forgotten his birthday. He was not offended, just lonely.
Micah was walking towards the tree with a book in her hand; she had formed a habit of reading under the tree at the back of the palace field. Her green gown rubbed the grass as she made her way to where Amilek was.
"What are you doing here?" She asked rather pensively. Amilek still had his hand crossed in front of him, gazing at the tree; he didn't spare Micah a glance.
"What do you see me doing?" He questioned bluntly.
"Gazing at a tree." Micah said, sitting on the grass under the tree, her gown spreading out. She opened the book in her hand and began to read it.
"Sometimes knowledge can't be found only in a book. What if the writer had a wrong perspective?" Amilek's mouth rings wisdom, even at a young age.
Micah knew better than to argue with a child, so she was quiet. She opened the book in front of her and then fixed her gaze on it.
"You will be betrayed." Amilek said and then finally turned to look at her. Micah's eyes twitched, but she refused to return his gaze. He was always like this, being all creepy around her.
Amilek placed his hands on her shoulder, an electric current ran through his veins, and his eyes shut out, the pupils turning completely white. It was only for a split second, when his spirit had returned back to his body; even he was petrified.
He didn't like what was happening to him; he thought he was cursed. He had tried to explain this to his mother, but she simply has no time to spare. She looked on him like a child, not knowing he was more than that.
Micah retracted her gaze from her book when she felt Amilek's hand on her shoulder. She didn't say a word to him; after scanning him for a while, she redrew her gaze and fixed it on the book again.
Amilek's green eyes were cold, his brown hair curling up on his head.
"Making a deal with a cunning queen is like selling your soul to the devil."
His words were so direct, and it made Micah freeze.
"What…what did you say?" Micah raised her gaze, her eyes now penetrating his with inching curiosity.
Amilek didn't bother to reiterate his words; he too was in shock. When he had touched Micah's shoulder, his spirit had left him, simply venturing into her head and seeing the past. Micah's discussion with Jazell.
"I asked a question! Micah slowly rose to her feet. How does he know these things?
"Are you spying on me? Because if you are, that is totally wrong." She said from behind him.
"Just a few moments ago you were ignorant of my words; what has changed?" Amilek played dumb.
Micah realized she was being too anxious, maybe for no reason at all. For all she cared, Amilek's words couldn't have been referring to her discussion with Jazell; it wasn't even possible…these were her thoughts.
"Why are you always creepy around me? Micah was now relaxed; she closed the book in her hand as both of them began to walk side by side on the field, their shoes hidden beneath the grasses.
Amilek was silent for a while. His reticence was simply unnerving.
"I am comfortable around you; I do not know why. But I am just being myself; I am not like this around others…even when with my mother." His words stunned Micah as she thought about them for a while.
"In simple tense, you like me."
"Admire! Amilek corrected firmly.
Micah nodded curtly before crossing her hand behind her back.
"Why? If I may ask." She focuses her gaze on the path in front of her.
"Any queen that was courageous enough to want to survive in this harem should be admired. Even a queen of low birth." His words stung Micah's heart, but he was speaking facts.
Micah became quiet, refusing to say a word.
"Have I offended you? He peered into her eyes with innocence.
"Should I answer that question? Micah was deeply hurting.
"Why let the words of a child hurt you?
"You do not speak like a child, Amilek. That's the only thing that hurts the most. If a child thinks like this, then I must only wonder what people say behind my back.
"You shouldn't care about what people say." Amilek stopped walking and then turned to face Micah.
"Tell me more." Micah mused sarcastically, rolling her eyes between.
"You are more than you see yourself. Others see this, but you don't." Amilek said, turning away, and he started walking, side by side with Micah. From afar they looked like mother and son.
"How do you know all these things?" Micah could only wonder, but now she felt the need to ask.
"I listen, less talking. Know your sources and their authenticity, and you will be just fine."
"Why do you read so many books?" Amilek questioned.
"It is the only thing I feel I will be good at; at least people would value me if I had knowledge to give.
"So you read because you care about what people think of you." Amulek's words were as sharp as blades.
"You are lucky you are the son of a queen." Micah said with apparent annoyance. Why was he harsh with words?
"And you are fortunate you have found someone like me, who can knock some sense into you. Can I tell you something?" Amilek lowered his tone when he said the last sentence.
Micah nodded, giving him a go-ahead.
"Read only at your own cost, for your own good, not to impress others. There will come a time when others might search for you in order to seek your knowledge on crucial matters; if you read just to impress, you are likely to forget certain things."
Micah smiled wearily…
"Your mother is a lucky woman." She said it and then crouched down in front of Amilek.
She removed a ring from her finger and then wore it on his thumb before placing a kiss on his forehead.
"More blessings to you on your special day." She was actually wishing him a happy birthday.
"How do you know today is my…"
"I heard your mother discussing it." Micah said, rising to her feet.
"So she did remember." Amilek sighed.
"Why would she forget in the first place? You are precious to her." Micah replied.
"My mother is on her way here."
"How can you possibly know that?" Micah said, raising her gaze, she looked around and saw no one.
"I just know." He answered.
They discussed for a while, laughing and talking as though they had known each other for years.
After a while, minutes later, Racheal was seen walking up to them, escorted by two guards. Green eyes unswerving, brown curly hair bouncing on her shoulders, dropping down to her back.
"Queen Racheal, I send my greetings." Micah said when Racheal drew nearer.
Racheal feigned a smile, then darted her eyes to her little boy.
"Amilek…come to me." She said, and Amilek gazed at Micah; she reassured him with a smile. He then walked up to his mother.
"You are becoming quite attached to my son." Racheal said, rubbing Amilek's curly hair.
"He is simply lovable, quite a young lad with a bright future." Micah commented.
"Should I be worried?" Racheal questioned a serious countenance etched in her face.
"Not at all, I have no intentions of hurting him."
"I would have believed those words if you hadn't tried to kill him or threatened him with a knife months ago, and you didn't seem fit to apologize."
Micah now understood her lack of common logic. If indeed she had made up for that incident, she would have had a queen as a friend a long time ago. It always slipped her mind to apologize, or rather, she was shy.
Micah looked down at her entwined hands, then smacked her lips before raising her gaze. It was as if when she raised her gaze, something possessed her, a rebellious aura.
"Queen Racheal, I will pay you a visit at your chamber later, and then we can exchange words." Micah replied courteously. Then walked past Racheal, but not before glancing at Amilek and sending a smile.
"What is wrong with talking right now?" Racheal questioned coldly, not turning to face Micah. She felt challenged.
Micah kept walking away but replied.
"We will talk at my own convenience."
Racheal heard her say that, and then silence followed.
"Amilek, haven't I warned you to stay away from other queens? She turned to her son with a countenance filled with dismay.
"She is different, Mother." Amilek answered boldly.
"Amilek, the grass is always greener on the other side. No one can be trusted; I am telling you this, and I want you to remember these very words."
"Understood." Amilek simply replied.
Racheal's gaze finally softened.
"Let's go inside; I had a small feast prepared to celebrate your birthday." She said, taking Amilek's hand in hers.
"I remember vividly that you do not like celebrating my birthday, Mother. It was the same day Father perished."
Racheal's strong mask fell off her face, and her eyes became moist with tears.
"Amilek, it's not like that…" Racheal's voice was hoarse as a maid passed her a napkin, and she dabbed the tears on her lashes.
"I know you love me, Mother, but I want you to know that what is dead is dead. Death is not a redeemer."