Emerelda slowly head her way to the table, the morning sunlight seeping through the windows of the cottage. The sunlight made some parts of Emmet's hair lighter than his dark shade. He was reading the news paper as usual, his spectacles low at the bridge of his nose. He was sipping a dark substance within the mug he was holding. The smell of it was clearly coffee.
The table was prepared with food every morning from Emmett. She suspects that he heads out for the night to sleep wherever it was, and return back from the market with breakfast for her. She then realized how the situation was…she was practically almost a held detained. No, she tried not to think of it like that. In fact, she was glad Emmet had a place to go and left her be. Perhaps he thought he was doing the right thing.
Emmett looks up, "Read this." He instructs seriously, clearly the alcohol drained from him.
Emerelda speeds up her pace and took the paper from him. She scans through on what he was reading and stops. The title ahead of her read, "Prince funereal held at Garlin's center, and more information on the missing Princess."
Once she was done she sat down and clenched onto the paper and tried focusing on her breathing. The words kept repeating in her head.
"His royal highness, Prince Floyd of Garlin was found dead officially on April fifth, killed by the Midnight Assassin. After finally confirming it was indeed the Midnight Assassin's kill, the King kept silent as he feared the city to grow into panic. Finally he had announced it to the public with a ceremony held in honor for the fallen Royal Member of Garlin. The ceremony would be held on May 14 at noon located at the Golden Gates of Garlin Cemetery.
The Princess missing, disappearing, or some speculates, running away, after the Prince death was cleared from his Majesty. He had also made a public announcement that the Princess was assigned to be escorted and evacuate Garlin. The location where she was sent was not mention due to privacy and security of the Princess. The Princess of Garlin is not in Garlin, and confirmed she is safe out of the city.
May the Prince rest in peace and may the taker of his death perish in hell."
"That's four days from now." Emerelda whispers staring dazed at the window.
"Yes." Emmett said softly.
"I…I want to go."
"Emerelda-"
She turned to him, "I want to go." She repeats.
Emmett stared for a good minute, "Okay," he said.
She nods looking back dazed at the window.
"Does…does your Father know you had left the care of those to take you wherever it was?"
She nods, "I told him I'll leave, and this was a simple easy idea. He was going to send me to Scotland with some relatives."
"I see. Well that's an advantage for us." He took a loud sip of his coffee, "Now, let's focus on today's task."
She blinks and focuses her attention back at him, "Should we arm ourselves?"
"Of course," he took off his glasses, "We would be surrounded with those who are the enemies of the king. I'm sure they would be carrying a weapon or two."
"That would make sense." She crossed her legs, "In terms of leaving, how we would get out?"
Emmett crossed his arms and leaned back on his chair, "Two things could happen today. One, we could move around in disguise and listen as much as we could without getting caught. Or two, we end up being caught and have to make a run for it."
Emerelda crossed her own arms, "I'm aware, on which both situations could happen in various ways."
"Good," Emmett nods his head, "Therefore you should be cautious of all times. Don't jump into action or try to seek revenge right there and then. We might not be in the same room majority of times. If something was to go wrong, and we are separated, leave without me."
She frowns, "'Leave without you?'" she repeats, "And what would be of you? Are you going to leave without me?"
Emmett's gold eyes turned hard, "No, I wouldn't. I have the gift of speed, so I'll most likely either try to find you, or let them follow me instead."
She sighs, "Alright. I hope this all goes smoothly. We caused enough trouble throughout the city in the dark."
"I can only agree," he picked up his cup and the paper, "Eat up, we leave in a few hours."
She looked at the table full of fresh fruits, fresh bread, and pastry. Emerelda didn't feel like to eat, nor was it the first time she felt this way. She also wondered what Emmett would do with the unfinished food, or where he got his money from.
There was more. The fine dresses he had got for her, and the change of different clothing almost every other day. The material closely compared of the materials she wore back at the Palace. Not many can afford such expensive of the highest materials sent from outside of Garlin. Each shop they had entered, Emerelda now realized that it was in fact one of the top ones in the city. Not to mention the carriage he had brought, and the horses he had pet before riding.
Emmett was someone who was keeping his status low here in Garlin, but for how long?
She took the empty cup on the table and let herself pour some tea form the china teapot, "Emmett, I was wondering," she starts.
"Uh oh, I'm scared of that statement when coming from you."
She rolled her eyes and poured the golden steaming drink into her cup, "Do you remember anything after we left from the café?" She looks at him from the side and saw his eyes still, not reading anything, only staring at the paper in front of him.
"An odd question considering the fact I was practically drunk." He answers without looking at her.
"You insisted that you would be able to remember," she slightly grins, "Are you perhaps a little embarrassed of what you have done?"
He laughs and shook his head, "Whatever I have done last night I apologize. That wasn't something you should have seen." His voice was trying hard to stay light, as he clenched onto the paper he was holding.
Emerelda took a long sip of her tea, "I suggest you to not drink again."
Emmett grins and looks up from the news paper, "I promise I'll try not to."
Emerelda stood rigid. The butler walked around her expecting her the same way he had done with Emmett. They were in the large kitchen of Mr. Thomas's family mansion. The walls had tiles, with two large gas stoves, two large farm house sinks and a large counter at the center with running maids and cooks.
The butler was a tall man, a shaven face, black and white suit, and a stern face. He had black hair that was graying. His eyes were a dark brown, glaring at her. Mr. Smith was his name.
She kept her head high as he observed her and finally stopped. He crossed his hands behind his back and nods, "Maid."
She let go of a breath she never knew she held.
His eyes went to Emmett, "Servant. You'll pass the food back and forth serving the guests."
Emmett also sighed.
Both of them didn't want kitchen duty.
When they arrived, Mr. Thomas quickly introduced them to the workers of the manor, and told us that his butler would assign us roles. Meaning Mr. Thomas was not in charge of us, and would not suggest to his butler to keep them out of the kitchen.
The butler clapped his gloved hands and a maid stumbles next to him. She was a small thing, with brown hair tied behind her black bonnet and delicate dark blue eyes. She looked up at the tall butler and squeaked a "Yes, Sir?" She asked in a soft voice.
"Clarisse, get this young lady into her uniform. You, boy, come with me." He walks away and Emerelda glanced once at Emmett who shrugs.
"This way," says Clarisse.
Emerelda followed her out of the kitchen. They walked past the large double doors into the hallway on the third floor. The manor was busy as guests were going to arrive soon for dinner. It was only appropriate Mr. Thomas to host them with excellent host manners.
The manor was built ages ago as most manors. Most manors are owned by nobles, or Apostles of the King. And manors are now upgraded to today's home fashion. Heavy curtains, dark wallpapers, and long carpets that ran at the center of the hallways.
Clarisse was smaller than she was, and Emerelda was known to be petite. She walked with a fast pace, her hands clasps tightly together in front of her. She reminded Emerelda like a mouse. She was a cute little young one, most likely younger then she was. It would be hard to forget her.
"Um, Ma'am, may I ask you a question?"
Emerelda tilts her head, "Yes?"
Her dark eyes looked curious as she looked up at her, "Are you a runaway noble?"
Emerelda almost stops walking, "I beg your pardon?"
"Oh, well you see…" she hesitates, "Your appearance and attitude. You have quite the high status tainted on you."
Emerelda stops walking, took a long look at her, and then burst into laughter. Clarisse stood confused and a bit in shock. She had her hands close to her chest staring at Emerelda with concern.
Once Emerelda was done, she wiped a tear, "Oh my, I haven't laughed this hard from a long time."
Clarisse blinks, "What have I done to make you laugh so hard?"
She chuckles, "I can't fool you now can I? Considering the fact you were surrounded with those who hold a high status around you. Those in it would even not realize there was something 'tainted' on us. I supposed that is what makes us different from everyone."
Clarisse took a step back, "It was very obvious. You and the young man back there stood still with heads high, and a serious face that seemed fixed on your features. You didn't flinch or reacted with fear as Mr. Smith checked both of you. This made every one suspect that you guys were not from…well…our status I supposed you would say."
Emerelda raised her eyebrows, "And yet at the end of the day, we are one of Gods finest creation. Status or not, we are one."
Clarisse was shocked again, as if she never heard such words coming out of someone before, no, someone who was like Emerelda and Emmett, those with fortunes.
"Y-yes, that is true of course."
Emerelda leans close to her, "Would you want to know where I come from?" She nods, "It's a secret, promise not to tell anyone with your life?" another nod that seemed a little hesitant she wanted to even listen. "I'm Princess Emerelda of Garlin."
Clarisse gasps, "So you both are not Mary and John?"
Emerelda waves a hand, "Those are names Mr. Thomas made up on the spot when he introduced."
Her eyes were large, she had a pale hand on her mouth still surprised, "Is the young man, John or not your lover?"
Emerelda smirks, "In fact he is."
Another gasp, "A runaway Princess who is in love!" she exclaims.
"Yes," she looks left and right as most servants didn't pay much attention to them, "Promise me you won't tell anyone?"
She nods her head up and down, "You have my word, your highness." She whispers.