" I don't want to jump in a stream, just to try, how to swim... I don't want to misinterpret anything, but it hurts now... This brief relief has started clenching around my heart, making it harder and harder to breathe. If I jump in the river now... I will let myself sink down the deepest abyss... To feel the solitude where I will not be able to judge myself. For I guess, I am needing you like oxygen now. Yes... You have become a necessity."
---
"Sara?
Did the father say when he will return?
He has been gone for two days now."
I asked my attending maid, as even I had become curious.
He left the mansion, the night we arrived from the royal palace, and hasn't returned since then.
My maid looked at me in shock... Almost in horror.
" My lady..."
A look of disbelief and an expression that says, "For real?"
Well... How am I supposed to know anything when I am not allowed to step outside of this room except with Father... And it is not like anyone discusses with me what is happening outside nor am I allowed in the library.
" Know your place Sara. And just reply as you should. "
I warned in a calm voice... Not like I could have done anything if she didn't but nonetheless, she has been a maid who has shown me the minimum respect I deserve as her master...
She looked away as she lowered her head.
" My lady... The whole Kingdom is in chaos. The Emperor declared war against the kingdom, the morning after the banquet.
All nobilities have been called to the Palace... To discuss on the situation.
Though the Emperor has settled his army on the border, he hasn't attacked the kingdom yet and negotiations are in progress.
They have reported that the emperor has demanded the heads of our royalty and of some nobles as well. he has declared that he has no intentions of starting a war, where many soldiers and citizens will lose their lives and families.
Today is already the third day and no response has been given from our side... Since, all the borders are closed and the Trade has stopped, the kingdom has already suffered quite a lot.
But, the King and all the nobility are against the demands of the Emperor, and there is news that they will declare full war for the dignity of the Kingdom... And this is why the Baron has not been able to return home."
Sara finished, and I could tell by her body language that she was against the decision of the patriarchy. Her body trembled as she talked of the war...
" But Sara... How can the Emperor break the treaty signed between the Empire and the kingdom?
Do you know anything about it?"
Well... The situation has become quite ironic. And I... Who has been locked in this room, didn't even know what was happening in the outside world.
How pitiful...
" My lady... The Emperor claimed that the current Monarch and his government are involved in treason against the Empire and have currently taken the third empress hostage..."
" What?!... "
In my shock... I suddenly gasped and asked.
" What do you mean by that statement just now...Sara? "
I went up to where she was standing and put both my hands on her shoulders. Whole looking into her eyes,.
I lightly jerked her and her eyes avoided mine in discomfort.
" Wh-Which statement my lady...''
Sara asked with hesitation as she fidgeted with her hands... Clearly looking nervous.
Of course, even I would be... If a person who used to never speak, starts questioning this much.
And with such emphasis.
" About his third empress?... I mean.. wasn't he a single man?
Knowing his reputation?"
"No-no my lady... Though he has never shown interest in any woman... Two princesses sent by the neighboring Empires were declared as the Empresses by the church... It became the talk of the year my lady...
How the emperor hasn't married any of them yet, they are declared his fiancées and to that are even given the title of Empresses...
Not only that my lady... His Highness' secretary manages these affairs, and recently, the seventh concubine from a neighboring kingdom arrived at the Palace.
She was marked the most beautiful lady of her kingdom yet... Even she failed to grab His Highness' attention.
This is why the talk of the third empress, who made the Emperor declare war against a kingdom has travelled across the empire and the neighborhoods...
Also, this lady and her position, both were kept secret by the Emperor..."
Mu hands loosened there grip on her shoulders and lightly slid down... Lifeless.
My heart sank and my legs became week...
How ironic it is...
Sara hesitated before giving me a hand and supporting me to sit on a nearby chair.
My throat became sore and a hard limp grew just above my vocal cords...
It had starting hurting more... With each recall of her words... The pain travelled from my chest to both my arms.. towards my jaw...and finally the tears blurred my vision.
I took a long deep breath.
" Being me the news paper..."
I barely whispered to Sara.
She bowed straightly in deniel.
" My lady please forgive me... But we are not allowed to bring you anything without Baron's permission and the last time you asked for news paper-"
" Stop-stop... I know... Just leave."
I cut her mid sentence and gestured with my hand as I told her to leave...
Yes, how can I forget, what he had said about not being allowed to learn anything...
That trash... My breathing became uneven and as I tried to sink in everything that Sara had told me... And accept how delusional I had become just because he had helped me and because I was locked again in this room for almost three days now and had nothing else to think of....the door my room slammed open and Sara rushed in with a flabbergasted expression.
With her walked in the head maid who had brought six more maids with her.
How blatantly rude as usual...
" You must make haste.
..My lady the King has called all the Ladies around your age to the Palace."