I've prepared the things I would need for my stay at the east and I've been suppressing my urge to use incantation to call Antoneth. I know that I have duties to perform there but I don't feel like going because of that maniac and also because of what happened to her. Will she be okay? If I can only refuse, I wouldn't go. I hear a knock on my door and I immediately respond.
"Who is it?" I asked. It's rare to have visitor around this time. Could it be Antoneth? No way.
"It's me Julia." She said. It's been a while since I last saw her. She became busy since I became the crown princess and withdraw her as my servant. I open the door and saw maiden Julia holding some big boxes. She's wearing her favorite dark blue short sleeve dress with white end folds and wristbands specially made for her. It's her limiter. She's a werewolf and as a werewolf they are much stronger than humans. Therefore they need to have limiters. All servants and soldiers are supplied by the center capital or also known as Nexus through auctions. Limiters are designed based on the country's preference and since maiden Julia was a pack leader she was given 2 wristband limiters.
She was my servant ever since birth before I met Antoneth and her dark brown hair is still up like a bun just like before. She'd been working here for more than thirty years yet she maintained her figure. I'm amaze that she's still strong and even looks younger. Maybe that's what a werefolf gene is.
"What's that? Isn't that heavy?" I asked. She give me the boxes and I place it on the table. It is indeed heavy but she carry it like nothing. How I wish I have that strength. I can't even carry it the way she did with one hand. It started few months ago. I start to feel sleepy more often than usual, seems like my energy is being drained by my work load.
"These are the food that I made for you." She said. She cook for me when I was young and still cook for me from time to time. She's a great cook. I love it and I do appreciate her concern but this is too much. I don't know if I can carry it all the way to the east.
"You don't have to do this Maiden Julia." I insisted. I'll be on my own. I don't know if I'll consume it. My appetite got worse these days.
"I know you have a very delicate preference when it comes to food." She smirk. She's still the same. She's one of the trusted servant of my deceased mother.
"You really know me." I smiled. I guess I can't give it back then.
"I just drop by to give this to you my dear." She hold my hand. "I'm sorry I can't walk you to the door. I still have things to do." She always act like I'll be gone for too long. I'll just be gone for a while yet she made me bring all this stuff just like the old days. Maybe she see my mother in me.
"It's okay." I pat her shoulder. "I'll give you something when I get back." She deserves to have one after all this time. "Promise."
"You don't have to your majesty." She insisted. I know she don't like gifts but when it comes from me she accept and treasure it. I still see all my gifts in her room when I come visit her.
"You can't say no I'm the princess remember." I said
"Oh.. you little." I give a small laugh and she smiled. "Fine. Just take care of yourself and don't barge in with other peoples problem, got that?" She warned. She'll always be very protective.
"Don't worry I won't." I said but I can't promise that. Her alarm rings and she get her pocket clock from the packet of her apron. She's an become an important person to me. I never got the chance to see my mother and maiden Julia fills that void in me and took care of me like her own. I'm very thankful for that. It's just that I never cared to understand her intentions before because I'm blinded by the pressure of being a princess until I met Antoneth.
"Oh dear. I need to get back to work." She use a tickler to check her schedule just like before. "Are you sure you don't need any help?" She asked as she trun to look at me. Others might say she's a disgrace as a servant because she's not troubled by my superiority but I'm the one who told her to relax around me. I like it that way.
"Yes. Actually I'm finish." I said.
"Okay. I'll get going." She said and smiled. "Always be careful my dear princess."
"Okay." I smiled and close the door as soon as she's gone.
I'll be gone for a while and Antoneth won't be with me. I'll be on my own. it's a little refreshing. I could be the only royal who travel without an entourage. That's fulfilling. I'll be free for the time being.
The servants carry my things and place them in the carriage. Actually I can use the car but the king is the one who use it frequently. I get into the carriage and enjoy the sunset. The express train is under maintenance today I have to travel for about four days by sea. We arrived at the port and they put my luggage down. They stay with me and carry it until I get inside my room.
"Thanks for your hard work." I said.
"Your most welcome princess Odella." They said. As they leave I close the door and fix my things. I'm here alone in this room. It's a little huge for one person. I look around the room. There's a fridge and food on the shelves. Speaking of food. I get the box that maiden Julia gave me and open it. It's a variety of my favorite food. I finished a box and I'm so full. I think I need a walk. I get my key and then go for a walk as the south country fade before my eyes. So far no one recognized me from this attire. A black sleeveless shirt and brown shorts with my raven coat of course. I'll pretty much enjoy this for some time before I go back to reality. I walk around the ship and enjoy the wind. It's a little refreshing. I look at the sky and saw the stars more brighter than from the window of my bedroom.
"Hey you!" Someone called. I turn to see where it came from. "Yes you with the cloak." I look around and no one is wearing a cloak except me. She's indeed referring to me.
"Yes." I give a smile as I look at her. "How may I help you?" I don't think this will end well. Did she recognize me? No! That can't be it. She talk rudely which means she doesn't know who I am.
"Let's go over there." She point over the corner and I followed her. She ruined the ambiance but I guess a little something like this isn't bad at all. I can't let others see me. They might recognize me.
"What do you want?" I asked. She's wearing a black sleeveless shirt and tights with denim camisole.
"I know you're rich. That coat you're wearing was made from a very delicate material." She's right. I just bought this three days ago.
"And?" I said. I guess she's a bandit. I don't think she's alone.
"I'll make this easy. Give me everything you have including that coat and everything will be fine." She said. So this is a hold up. I'm not even scared and it's not good to see a woman doing this. I don't think she have any chances of winning. She get her knife. This is getting interesting.
"What if I don't want to?" She looks irritated raising her brow at me.
"Then I don't have a choice." She said. She looked hesitant. Maybe she has her reasons.
"I'm not scared." I smiled and that made her mad. Even though she's taller and look stronger than me, her stance is too poor. I'll get this over ahead of time.
"You're done. Clay do it." She called and someone from behind grab my arm and point a knife on my neck. They're fast but very easy. I've been dealing with people like this from time to time due to my family affairs that's why I ask Antoneth to train me.
"Is that the only thing you can do? I'm not impressed at all." I push the guy to loose his balance and use my elbow to attack his vital points. He fell to the ground and look at me curiously. "Don't worry your not yet dead. You'll just stay like that for a while." I glance at my watch as the woman run towards me with her knife. I dodge and tackle her. She lost her balance and the knife slip from her hand. She hit her head on the ground and became unconscious.
"P-please spare us." the guy plead as he saw what happen. I thought this trip would be smooth and easy. Anyways, they can keep me company for a couple of days.
She was sleeping soundly as I sip my cup of tea. I welcome her and her brother in my room. I don't mind having guests. I ask her brother if they are the only bandits in this ship and he immediately told me everything because he's still scared from what happend earlier. I learned that they belong to the group called Olympus Cove and they are both new to this line of work. They were assigned to rob female nobles and ordinary travellers. If the chief liked the female noble she will be kidnapped and they'll ask the family for ransom while on the other hand young ordinary female travellers are kept and force to prostitution at the black market trading. This is serious than I thought. He said that his older sister insist in joining the group instead of being a prostitute even though she don't like what they're doing. I'm sorry maiden Julia I got myself into something I can't just let go.
TO BE CONTINUED