Portable blue coolers were stack up at the gray wall. Waters, perspiring on each container, fell on the ground, leaving a small pool on the floor.
The palace's depot was empty of other goods on a late evening.
"Are all of these?" Barn gulped.
"Yes," Duke Emil clasped his hand behind his back. "they are."
Food ingredients--- vegetables, fruits, meats, and spices--- were scheduled to be delivered every other day--- during daytime.
Anyone from the kitchen could inspect if the delivered goods were correct--- fresh with the right weight.
But there was one good that would only be delivered during the night--- even the frequency of its delivery varies.
Duke Emil and Barn began to inspect the delivered goods one by one.
Barn was carrying a cloth on his side.
"This batch is abundant." Duke Emil observed. "Many families are mourning as I speak." There was sadness in his eyes.
Barn did not hear Duke Emil, he reached out for the topmost cooler. He placed it on the ground and wiped its exterior. Barn, who cannot wait for Duke Emil's instruction, opened the box.
Cold fog wafted on his face, carrying with it the scent of his favorite food.
As the fog became clear, it revealed the box half filled with ice cubes. Barn shoved the cubes of ice aside--- revealing a wrinkly organ. A drop of drool escaped from his mouth, falling inside the box. He immediately wiped the side of his mouth, hoping that the Duke did not see it.
Barn observed the brain--- bloody and pinkish. "They're…they're fresh." His knuckles protruded as he gripped the side of the container, it took all his will power not to grab and eat it.
Duke Emil sauntered beside Barn. "They once had a name, a family… a story." He closed the lid on Barn's face. "Please treat them with respect."
"Yyyessss…Of course, my grace." Barn swallowed as he stood up--- his knees, weak.
"If you look at the right side of the boxes," Duke Emil instructed to Barn. "there will be a brief background for each good."
Barn peeked on the side and saw a bond paper covered in a plastic. "It's here." It indicated the gender, the age, the reason of death, its previous profession, and a brief family background. "Female, twenty-six, childbirth, nursery teacher, newlywed."
"Categorize them according to each royal's preferences." Duke Emil carried the cooler to the side, separating it from others. "This one is for the Queen."
Barn nodded, grateful that he did not eat it.
"Some royal's preferences are rarer than others. Well, if there is an instance that a batch will not have what they want… they would have to satisfy themselves with what is available."
Barn began to categorize each box alone as Duke Emil observed him--- to supervise him and to see if he was doing the right thing.
Before Barn, the chief attendant was a perishable, trusting the previous chief with the job of inspecting these goods was out of the question. Barn, as a cured attendant, can now take the job from Duke Emil--- he just had to make sure that he will not eat any of them.
After categorizing, they labeled each brain--- so the night chef would know who they are for. They transported the blue containers, by using trolley carts, from the depot to the night kitchen. They then filled the night freezers with each brain covered in plastic wrapper.
"You basically repeat this process every delivery." Duke Emil reminded Barn.
The freezers that had been empty for a few days were now filled. This actually became a blessing to Barn, because thankfully, Princess Alyssa did not see anything she was not supposed to see. Or else, Barn's punishment---deprivation from dinner for a night--- would have been much worst--- he would have probably ended up with a severed head.
"This is what Princess Alyssa should have seen." Duke Emil scanned the freezer.
Barn's eyes widened. "That would have been a disaster." He closed the freezer.
Duke Emil pressed a hand on Barn's shoulder. "As someone who cares for the Princess, you know she deserves to know the truth."
"Yyesss, but…" Barn gulped. "the Queen."
"Even a Queen is not always right."
"Duke Emil!" Barn whispered. "Someone might hear."
Duke Emil laughed. "If I am not allowed to state my opinion, or you for the matter, then something must change. Don't you agree?"
"I…" Barn did not want to lose his dinner again by doing--- or saying--- things that would displease the Queen.
Duke Emil smiled. After hearing that Princess Alyssa stood up for the attendants in front of the Queen, he was proud. Out of the six head of the royal houses, Emil was the only one who praised Princess Alyssa's behavior--- earning a few disapproving looks from his fellow royals.
"Fear is when you stand still and trample those below you. Courage is when you step down and embrace them." Emil reminded Barn. "Both are powerful, but one is much superior than the other."
***
Alyssa arrived at the mess patio earlier than usual, her mother and the King was not even here yet. Only very few royals were on site, enjoying their morning coffee. She was glad that she woke up early, she had a lot of seat to choose from--- so she can avoid sitting next to gossipers and mockers.
One royal in particular spotted her arrival, Duke Emil lifted a finger in the air, beckoning her to come.
Alyssa turned to her side, making sure she was the one being addressed, nobody was beside her except for Eli. She pointed to herself, asking if she was the one being addressed to.
Duke Emil nodded.
Alyssa walked towards him, having no idea why she was being called. "Good morning, Duke Emil." Alyssa greeted.
"Good Morning, Princess." Duke Emil pulled out the chair beside him. "Here, seat with me, it's been a long time since we had a chat."
"Sure," Alyssa was suspicious with the sudden invitation, but she did not mind sitting next to him, Duke Emil might be outspoken with his views, but he had never talked badly of Alyssa before.
Duke Emil raised a finger in the air, calling for an attendant.
Maya approached the Duke and stood beside him.
"Can we get the Princess a cup of coffee?" Duke Emil looked at Maya in the eye. "And please add milk and a cube of sugar."
"Actually," Alyssa interrupted. "can you make that two cubes of sugar?"
"Of course, Princess." Maya smiled.
"That will be all, thank you." Duke Emil acknowledged Maya.
Maya left the two royals alone to prepare the requested drink.
"You might be wondering why I wanted to talk to you," Duke Emil took a sip of his coffee. "This might come as a surprise to you, but I admire you for taking the side of your attendant." He looked at Eli, tipping his chin in acknowledgement.
"Well," Alyssa was flustered, she did not expect to be reprimanded, but it never crossed her mind that she would be complimented. "they did nothing wrong."
'I was wrong.' Alyssa broke the rules.
"Don't believe in what the other royals say behind you back." Duke Emil placed a hand on her shoulder. "They are cowards."
Alyssa blinked due to Duke Emil's strong words, even she would not dare to call other royals cowards.
Duke Emil firmed his grip on her shoulder, wanting to make a point. "You are the brave one, for confronting your mother. For doing what is right, thank you."
Alyssa blinked. "Thank you, for seeing it that way." She did not know what else to say.
Maya arrived with a cup of freshly brewed coffee--- with milk and two cubes of sugar of course--- and placed it in front of Alyssa.
"Thank you… what is your name?" Duke Emil asked the attendant.
"Maya, your grace." She bowed curtly.
Duke Emil's eyes widened, recognizing the name. "You are the other one the Princess defended." Duke Emil regarded Maya with fresh eyes. "Good, good."
Maya bowed curtly and left them alone.
The breeze fluttered the leaves around them--- the wind was a little colder than yesterday.
Alyssa controlled herself not to rub her bare arms.
"Even when you were younger, I knew you would understand," Duke Emil took the last sip of his coffee. "The perishables…" Duke Emil shook his head. "I hate using that word....Our people, our people should be treated with the same rights and respect as we do."
Alyssa agreed with Duke Emil's beliefs, but her mother taught her otherwise. She is the Princess of the Kingdom of Nowar, sole heir to the throne. When she was born, her destiny was to be different from others--- to rule over them.
"Those cowards, they are afraid if our people would know who we really are." Duke Emil said more to himself.
"What do you mean?"
The royals were staring to arrive one by one.
"There are truths you don't know, Princess Alyssa." Duke Emil lowered his voice. "Truths your own mother is hiding from you."
A few royals sat at their table.
"What truths?"
"I may be outspoken, but I abide by the rules, our law." A few royals sat at their table--- disgust was on their faces as they saw the Princess. "But no rules are unbreakable, you have the right to know." Duke Emil scanned the area, checking if there was someone listening. "If you want to know the truth, then let me know." He whispered.
Alyssa was about to say something when she was interrupted.
"Good morning, Princess." A royal, who was sitting in front of her greeted. "Where are your friends?" The table laughed at the insult.
Friends, meaning the perishables.
Alyssa fisted her hand under the table. "You insignificant---"
"Where are your manners?" Duke Emil defended Alyssa. "Unfortunately, manners are not the only thing short from you." Duke Emil was intending to the man's short frame.
The whole table laughed.
"You have no right to insult the house of Vis." The three young men stood, ready to pounce at Duke Emil.
"No insult was made," Duke Emil rested his chin on his hand. "only the truth was told."
The three young men were ready to crawl on the table, reaching for Duke Emil---when a hand stopped them.
One glare from Ziloh stopped them on their attempt.
"What's happening in here?" Kiva arrived at Alyssa's side, with her hands on her hips. "Shoo, shoo. Princess Alyssa has no time for midgets like you."
The three royals fumed with anger, but Ziloh's loud tap on the table stopped them from launching.
"Come, let's not talk to these freaks." One of them said, as they went away to seat on another table.
"Brain dead," Kiva sat beside Alyssa. "I think there's nothing left for them in here." Kiva pointed on her head.
Ziloh sat in front of Alyssa, staring at her.
"They have problems with me, obviously." Alyssa observed.
"Don't worry, Princess Alyssa." Duke Emil reassured her. "I'm on your side, and I don't think I'm the only one."
Alyssa turned and smiled to her best friend. "I know." Then she glared at Ziloh.
***
There was one piece on the chess board Ziloh cannot control--- it was Alyssa.
Alyssa arrived at the mess patio early--- and left early too.
Ziloh, not really eating anything, left when Alyssa departed.
Despite of leaving at the same time, Ziloh arrived faster than Alyssa and was waiting at her door.
He felt her before he saw her.
Ziloh smirked. "The savior of the perishables." Ziloh mockingly bowed to Alyssa.
Alyssa rolled her eyes at Ziloh
Ziloh glared at Elion before following and entering her room.
Alyssa was sitting at the round table--- a huge book was in front of her.
"Don't favor them too much." Ziloh sat beside Alyssa. "Be careful with this one, he's hiding something, and it's stinking." He glared at Eli.
"He can hear you," Alyssa opened the huge book. "you know that."
Ziloh grabbed the side of her chair and turned her, facing him. "You and him alone in you room," Ziloh stared into Alyssa's eyes. "it bothers me after all."
"He can see you too." Alyssa stared back.
"But," Ziloh smirked. "as long as this" He pointed at her heart. "beats only for me, I'll try not to mind."
Alyssa shook her head. "I'm busy I'm reading something."
"What are you reading?" Ziloh peeked through the book, their cheeks touching.
"Fantasy, vampires…" Alyssa turned a page. "Kiva's favorite."
Ziloh's smile faltered, recognizing the book. "Who says it's a fantasy?" He took the book and closed it to read the runes on its spine, confirming his thoughts. "It's a history."
Ziloh knew the story well, it was his story.
"Stop playing with me," Alyssa took the book from him. "vampires don't exist."
There was a second of silence.
"You're right." Ziloh fumbled through her hair. "They don't exist."
"Aliiiiiiiii!" Kiva opened the door with a bang, hitting Eli on the face. "What are you doing? Are you busy?"
Kiva was left alone in the mess patio, finishing her meal. But she ran to Alyssa's room as soon as she was full.
"Just reading, but I'm getting tired to finish it," Alyssa slid the huge book to Kiva. "Can you finish it for me instead?"
"Why?" Kiva flipped through the pages, reading random passages.
"Duchess Poppy wanted me to read it, but I think it suits you better."
"His hair was as black as night and his eyes were brighter than blood..." Kiva was mumbling through a paragraph as her head snapped back to Ziloh. "This is the book that I've been looking for."
"Right, maybe the missing vampire book in your collection."
"Can I really keep this?"
"Yes, please. It just consumes space in here."
"Thanks." Kiva sat at the other side Alyssa, placing the book on the table with a thud.
"I want to ask something." Alyssa bit the inside of her mouth. "Something's bothering me lately."
"What?" Kiva sat closer to Alyssa, tilting her head to the side. "Ask me."
Ziloh lifted a brow.
"After the ceremony, when you're turned…what is the truth that you discovered?"
Kiva's eyes wavered.
Kiva, who was excited to be at Alyssa's room, suddenly stood up.
Ziloh smirked, was about to say something, but Kiva covered his mouth.
"So… I'm just gonna read this in my room." Kiva turned around. "I think father was looking for us." She dragged Ziloh, clutching him by the neck, and ran outside.
Once again, with one question, huge walls were built, Alyssa was an outsider.
But there are no walls that cannot be broken.