She cannot contain her happiness.
Jacky was hopping and dancing off the beat when I told her that Liam allowed me to stay at the lodge for a month. And aside from that, Liam will accompany me to the repair shop.
He didn't agree wholeheartedly when I told him about my cam getting fix but I was able to convinced him after a few more try.
''I promise to listen to anything you say moving forward.'' I raised my other hand up to the heavens.
''Anything I say?'' He smirked meaningfully. I think that condition pushed him to join me tomorrow.
''Y-yes, anything you say.'' I faked a smile but deep inside me, I am already thinking on how to counter my promise. Well, I only promised to listen, obeying is yet another topic. He-he.
''Okay. Then make sure to be prepared by 7am. I'll come------''
''7am? Isn't that a little too early?'' I whimpered.
''You don't have the right to protest, missy. Either you wake up early or we won't be going anymore. You choose.''
''What a heartless guy!'' I scoffed at the idea. Well, I should start listening to him right now.
He toured me around the village for three hours. He showed me the few places which are safe and which are not; places I should not step into. Later did I realize how small this village is.
He showed me a lot of places but I must be honest that I couldn't retain all the information in my brain all at once. I can't even remember the roads and alleys that we trekked. Yeah, that's how dumb I am. Tsk!
Kidding. Not dumb, but I am bad at directions. I can easily get lost but once I got used to it then it wouldn't be a problem.
I'm in awe all throughout the ride. Not because I could see beautiful scenery but my tour guide was simply amazing as he speaks. He can essentially entertain if he wants to. And I could say that he is a great speaker. All I did was listen to him and say nothing at all, except some ''Oh, wow, nice'' and the likes. I was just enjoying the moment with him since I find it rare for him to start a conversation--- with me, of course.
I could only watch him behind as he speaks. But I am definitely enjoying. I didn't even notice that we are already at the top of a mountain.
''Look.'' He pointed his finger in the east direction.
I did follow his finger then I yelped at the beautiful scene before my eyes. I didn't know that a mountain so high exist in this town where you can see the whole kingdom.
''Wow!'' My jaw dropped as my eyes widened in disbelief. ''Is this how the whole kingdom looks like as a whole?'' I asked since I could see a glorious castle in a far distance.
''Yes. This is the kingdom of Allen and it's composed of six regions.'' Then he started pointing out the regions one by one. That's the time I realized that this kingdom has somewhat a bias description. the royal city, the merchant region, the noble town and what not, then the city of the poor-- the town where I am residing at right now.
I could judge which town is richer and more advanced when it comes to economy base on Liam's descriptions. What I only thought was a kingdom not modernized yet but as I look on it in a deeper sense, my perspective changed in an instant. I was confined in an underdeveloped area and my judgments were confined limitedly as well.
''I was told that you've into all the places of the kingdom, is it true?'' I suddenly faced the man who was looking directly at the castle.
''Not all, only some.'' He replied without looking at me. His eyes were seemingly glued where the palace was.
''I want to meet the king.'' I demanded. Then he finally looked at me with a mocking gaze. ''Liam, I'm serious.''
But then again, he flipped his finger on my forehead. ''Will you stop spouting nonsensical ideas.'' He chuckled.
''Hey!'' I bellowed while my hand caresses the spot he struck. ''I'm serious! Why do you keep on disregarding my propositions, huh?''
''Because it's too impossible!'' Once again, his negativity strikes. ''You need to have an appointment with the king or better yet say, a high position in the government before you get an appointment with the royals.'' He explained. ''If not, then death will strike you before you even enter the palace gates.''
I shivered a little. D-Death...?
''You mean only nobles or people with royal blood can see the king?''
''Yes.''
''That's totally unfair!''
''Laws exist for a reason, remember that.''
Well, what he said was partly true since not everyone could see nor talk to the president in my country either. But at least, he is doing something to address the issues of his own country and newspaper articles, televisions and social media sites exist to be a tool to voice the people's thoughts. Though it is being used to harass the president most of the time.
I couldn't rebut any further but it doesn't change the fact that I still want to have an audience with the king himself. Ah, thrilling!
''If there's a will, there's a way." I sarcastically smiled. "And I will make it happen…. With your help, of course… please." I stared at his eyes with perseverance. Then he looked at me sternly. His eyes were seemingly scrutinizing my soul.
''It will be a long journey.''
''I can manage. And I promise that I won't do anything that will cause you trouble.''
"But you and your outrageous plan is already causing me such trouble." Liam murmured but Yana couldn't seem to hear it.
"Did you say something?"
"Ah, nothing.'' He deeply sighed before facing me. "If you really want to have an audience with the King, my friend might be able to help you. but we have to go to the capital city where he resides."
"Well, anytime!" I suddenly felt excited.
"The journey is a long one. Normal journey will take you two months or more --- IF, we don't rest."
''Eh?'' I suddenly fazed. Did he mean we could reach the palace in two months or more if we travel 24/7? So if we rest at night then that would double the time. I was caressing my jaw in deep thought.
''And sojourners are also susceptible to dangerous thieves along the way.'' He added.
''I'm expecting rocky and bumpy roads along the way. A journey without any challenges are not a journey at all.'' I smiled as I speak. ''But I will be fine, I've been there than that a million times already. Besides, if we don't take the risk then who will?''
''Tsk! You talk too much, woman.'' He spun around and climb at his horse. "It's getting late; you need to go back to the lodge now.'' He just shrugged off my proposition just like that. Esh! How preposterous!
*****
''I told you, brother Liam is a good man.'' Jacky grinned meaningfully as she sat at the edge of my bed. I had just shared how Liam rescued me earlier but she's reacting as if it was a big deal.
"Yeah, yeah… he is not that bad, I must say." I smiled when I thought of how he made my heart fluttered earlier. Dang! Can we have more moments like this one on the days to come? I silently wished within. He-he
**Jacky might be celebrating for Yana's extended stay but someone behind the door was clenching her teeth in annoyance. Now she's plotting on how to get rid of the foreigner.
''Well then, I don't have any choice but to execute my plans.'' She gritted her teeth as she treks the hallway. "Just so you wait, my Liam… I will get rid of her for you." Then she cursed within her.