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"Did you give her a bed bath already?" The trashman asked the imperial maids in the room.
"Yes, your Majesty. We also washed the Princess's hair." Replied the imperial maid as she bowed.
"Very well. Ezra, pick her up and take her to the imperial office. I need to have a word with her. Alone." The trash man demanded as he walked out of the room.
"Princess, are you okay?! What happened? Why were you in the woods?! Are you hurt anywhere? The imperial doctor came to check on you. He said you were fine. The guards found one of your bracelet charms in the woods. That is how we were able to find you. Oh, thank the Giodivonian gods that you are safe and sound." Ezra said as he carried me out of the room.
"Princess. What do you remember? We assumed someone might have kidnapped you. You were found in the woods by a burned-out campfire. Princess, I know you are shocked and confused right now. But we need you to explain to the emperor what you saw or heard, Okay?" Hansol explained in a worried tone.
I slowly nodded without a response.
We finally arrived at the imperial office. Ezra placed me on the chair and left. Well, this is awkward. They all think I was kidnapped. Would I get killed if I said I was trying to run away? It is not a crime to run away. It's not like I was running away with the imperial stamp or Imperial emerald jewel.
"How… do you feel? Does anything hurt?" Questioned the trashman in a low voice.
I looked at him out of curiosity. His face expressed a bit of concern and awkwardness. I can tell this is uncomfortable for him. He looks like he is expressing genuine concern for me. I looked at my trembling hands. What do I do? Do I tell him the truth?
"I… ahh... Ezra and Hansol were… worried. Last night, we came to the conclusion that you were...kidnapped. We all searched for you all night. Luckily, I was the one to find you. If you wish to not speak of this situation just yet and need time to recollect your thoughts, I respect your decision. But… I need to know who did this. They need to pay for kidnapping and committing treason to the imperial name." His voice was calm, yet he paused on certain words and looked deep in thought as he spoke. It was as if he was trying to be considerate with his wording.
"I was not kidnapped." I said in a low voice.
"Then… How? Did you…" He paused. His facial expression was emotionless.
"I ran away. I ran away because I do not want to be here anymore. You hate me. I know you do. I wanted to go back to my tower. That's why I left. I feel safe there." I responded.
"That… tower… was taken down when you moved to the emerald palace. You had no right to run away like that." He replied in a calm tone.
"Why?! Why did you destroy it?! I liked it there! I liked it there a lot more than I like being here with you! Why am I even here?! You should have left me in the woods!" I yelled with tears in my eyes.
"... We all searched high and low for you. We all did not rest until you were found. If I hated you… If I truly hated you… ugh... forget it. Just reflect on what I am telling you. Since no one is capable of protecting you, You will be staying with me until I find suitable guards."
"I...I do not want to stay with…"
"Enough, Amara. I am exhausted. I do not have the energy to argue with a child. Bless the Giodivonians for keeping you safe and returning. I owe them a sacrifice. Ezra, Come in and have the child fed." He said in a low, tired voice.
Ezra came in and picked me up.
"You know Princess; his majesty was the one that found you. He led the search party for you. Hundreds of guards, soldiers, and knights were at the search party last night. We are blessed to have found you. I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation with his majesty, but I know you ran away. While we searched for your room, I saw your bag. His majesty would have been devastated if he knew you ran away because of him. Princess, It is times like this where you have to be an adult and more mature. What you did last night caused a lot of problems. Everyone in the emerald palace was in question. Hansol and I had to convince his majesty not to execute Marina and the maids because of this. Please, for your sake and the others- do not do this again. His majesty was so worried that he prayed to the Giodivonian gods. That's a big deal, you know." Ezra explained.
I laid my head on his shoulder as he continued to carry me.
"Im sorry, uncle Ezra. I… was so sad with daddy yesterday that I just wanted to go back home to the tower. I miss it so much that I wanted to go back. I remember it being in the woods, but… I got lost. I didn't mean to cause so many problems. Is...Marina okay? Can I see her?" I began to cry.
"Princess, his majesty fired Marina last night. She will no longer work for the imperial family along with everyone else who worked in the emerald palace. You will get a new nanny once his majesty has approved Marina's replacement." Ezra said with concern.
"W...what?! Why?! Why is Marina gone?! Was it because I ran away?!" I cried out loud in confusion.
"Well...yes, Princess. It is everyone's job to make sure you are safe and sound. They all failed to keep you safe. This was the best method instead of…"
"I want to see daddy! I want to see daddy! Please, uncle!" I cried, and I struggled around in his arms.
"Princess, please. Calm down. Let's eat and have dessert. That will calm you down a bit. We can talk to him later. Okay?"
"P...please, uncle Ezra. It… it is all my fault. I miss Marina! Please!"
Ezra sighed and nodded. He walked back to the imperial office and knocked on the door.
"Your Majesty, the princess wants to have a word with you." Ezra said as he opened the door.
"I will be waiting outside the door. Please call me when you are ready." Ezra said as he closed the door.
The trashman glanced at me and looked back at his paperwork.