They didn't come across anyone and very soon found themselves on the 4th floor staring down a spacious and luxurious hallway, the red carpet complemented the cream coloured walls and as they tiptoed carefully towards a large door at the end of the corridor, King noticed the not so subtle increase in gold statues and pictures.
Once they reached the door they had arrived at a sort of crossroads of hallways with similar ones stretching off to both the left and the right. However they would not be progressing further as Kayla signalled for him to approach the gold handle of the gate-like door all while donning an excited smile.
"this is it, the pantry's on the other side of this door. We gotta be quiet though, there might be people inside since the Kitchen is connected to it"
"O- okay" King felt a pang of nervosity in his chest and his blood began pumping faster around is body as he pictured a scene in which they open the door only to be met with groups of people waiting for him, he imagined the looks of disgust and disdain on their faces as they grabbed him and took him away. Suddenly he didn't feel like going through with this anymore.
Kayla, noticing the hesitation on his face proceeded to grab the handle and shove open the door. A delicious, mouth watering aroma was immediately let loose and collided with Kurtis' nose causing him to drool and gulp in anticipation as his stomach rumbled aggressively. he remembered that he hadn't eaten today yet and that he would probably be given the same stale bread, gruel and water as always, but here he was presented with an opportunity to devour real food and the distant memory of what chicken tasted like sold him.
He subconsciously found himself drifting towards the partly opened doorway, momentarily forgetting the possible danger. Kayla smiled and followed behind him before he could lose himself in hunger and get caught.
Inside was the single most beautiful sight King had seen since his rebirth. An extremely large room, the ceiling barely visible and lit with a bunch of glowing floating lights, but the main attraction was the uncountable amount of food. From the impossible amount of fridges and freezers over ten metres tall to the shelves filled to the brim with bread, fruit, vegetables, the cabinets boasting rows of refreshments from plain ice-cold water to expensive wine.
For the third time today Kurtis' stomach made known its discomfort as it let out a loud rumble that echoed throughout the pantry.
"Well hurry up then, we never know when someone might walk in on us so eat as much as you want as quick as you can, I'll keep a look out" said Kayla
King did not need to be told twice, he instantly began to drift towards the nearest fridge wondering how the food on the highest shelves were accessed but then remembered the presence of magic in this world and put it down to that.
Inside the fridge were rows of cheese, sausages, yogurt, cake and bread. Without delay he began to stuff himself.
*****
20 minutes later and King had cleared out the bottom half of one of the large fridges, having climbed to reach some of the higher shelves and lay on is back with his belly heaving up and down slowly and a satisfied smile on is face.
It was a real testament to how much food a single fridge in here contained as King ad devoured enough food to feed a family of over 20 for a whole week. As he sat there, for the first time in his second life with a full stomach and surrounded by wrappers and food packaging's, Kayla ran up hurriedly and grabbed him by the arm before shoving him behind the very same fridge he had just raided.
"Wh-What are you doing?!" protested King
"Shshshsh!!" hissed Kayla "There are people here! Stay out of sight and be quiet if you don't want to get caught!"
As if on cue Kurtis began to hear footsteps as well as muffled voices approaching.
"Its so sad" (person one/P1)
"Yh, you can say that again"(person two/P2)
"Its unfortunate, I really liked her as well" (person three/P3)
"She was so beautiful, guess the Queen was right to be wary of her" chuckle (P2)
King felt a heavy sense of dread takeover every fibre of his being.
"Yes but to think the King would stoop so low as to rape such a fair young maiden -simply shocking" (P1)
"That's just how it is, he's the king and a strong mage, he can essentially do as he pleases. She realistically had no chance of escaping it, she should've gotten a new job a while back when his clear interest in her was still in the early stages" (P2)
"How can you say that despite knowing her situation? I couldn't sleep all night with her screams sounding throughout the place, poor girl" (P1)
"Now she's got no more freedom, nothing more then a toy for him to use. Let's just hope he at least gives her a funeral... poor Viera...."(P3)
With that the voices faded off in the direction of the Kitchens.
"...." a profound silence consumed the area as King slowly digested what he had just heard while Kayla wore a face of pained regret.
A single tear snaked its way down Kings cheeks but before the floodgates could open Kayla grabbed his shoulders and shook him to grab his attention.
"Look Kay, I know what we just overheard is hard for you to accept but you can't just break down here, not just yet. If the servants are already starting coming here than that must mean Ruben and Victor are close to finishing there training session and will be heading here very soon, we gotta get out of her before they arrive. Okay?"
King's eyes were unfocused and dim as he nodded slightly to show he had heard her.
Kayla grabbed his wrist and began to run, retracing their steps all the way up the stairs, along the numerous hallways until they had eventually arrived back at the attic door.
Once back in the gloomy and bleak attic, Kurtis broke down. The atmosphere in the room took a depressing turn as it was soon filled with the helpless wailing of a broken boy who had lost a friend- no a sister.
Kayla sat there helplessly as he cried.
Memories of her warm smile mixed with the memories of all the times she would complain about the way she was looked at and approached berated his weak mind as the onslaught of tears continued while he sat hunched over and helpless on his grimy bed.
All the times she told him she loved him.
All the times she would give him some of her food.
He felt as if he was already beginning to forget the feeling of her warm embrace, her soft skin and beautiful arms that would not hesitate to wrap him up in a tight hug despite all the rashes and spots she would contract from it.
The tears would not stop.
His body was convulsing and twitching.
Her smile.
Her soft voice.
Her non judgemental caring eyes.
Kayla finally moved, she approached King and tentatively wrapped him in a loose hug. It was much appreciated as King shifted to properly embrace her, weeping desperately he whispered "Thankyou... Thanks for everything"
Viera, unsure whether he was talking to her or the memory of Viera, let loose a slight snort of sadness and responded "Anytime King..."