Athoos soon came back to her kingdom, somehow she was in a good mood. She came in humming a tune. She was so busy humming that she forgot about keeping it down as if someone caught her, god knows what they would do if they find out she went out without permission. But of course, that is what happened,
???: Went somewhere Athoos?
Athoos stopped in her tracks, she now remembered that she was supposed to keep it low and not get caught. She turned around to see Tabitha, the head of the servants in the castle. Athoos froze right on her spot, as Tabitha used to beat and torture Athoos when she was younger. Tabitha came closer to Athoos.
Tabitha: Where were you? Huh, pest? Do you think this is your mama's home, where you can freely roam about and go wherever you want without asking? Oh! sorry, my bad, you don't have a mama.
Tabitha started laughing loudly. Listening to her laugh, other maids came towards the sound too and surrounded Athoos. Athoos knew what was coming and accepted her fate. Someone kicked her from behind and she fell to the ground, then all the maids surrounding Athoos started kicking her. Athoos endured it, she was used to it and waited for it to end. Just then all the maids suddenly started floating in the air. All of them were screaming and shouting as if they were in pain. Athoos was confused, this had never happened before. She looked to her left and saw a tall figure with glowing red eyes, and their hand extended as if they were the one responsible for what was happening. The figure came closer and into the light.
Queen: You imbeciles don't learn do you? How dare you cause a ruckus and causing noise in MY corridor
Queen slowly closed her hand into a fist as if squeezing something. The more she did the squeezing gesture the more the maids screamed in pain. It was painful to watch. Athoos couldn't bear seeing someone being tortured because of her. Athoos pounced on Queen's hand and,
Athoos: Queen, please forgive them, it was all my fault, if you want you can punish me.
Queen looked at Athoos then at the floating maids. She put them all down and finally rested her hand. She flicked away the Athoos who was still holding her hand. She took out a handkerchief and cleaned her hands as if her hand got dirty because Athoos touched her. Queen looked at all the maids, her eyes glowing red. All the maids trembled in fear.
Queen: Next time I catch you fighting in my corridors, I'll send all of you to another dimension to suffer for all eternity.
All of them nodded and ran away quickly. Athoos was still on the side, injured. Queen didn't even look at her and turned around to leave when she was interrupted by Athoos.
Athoos: My Queen, many thanks, for protecting this lowly creature.
Queen turned around to look at Athoos.
Queen: Bold of you to think I did it for you, I did that because I don't like my slumber getting interrupted or people fighting in my corridors and by the way yes, you are a lowly creature, thank goodness you know something. Now that I've woken up, go ahead and make me my breakfast.
Athoos: Yes, My Queen.
Athoos, badly injured, somehow got up and made her way to the dungeon. She put ointments on her wounds and areas that were hurting. She was still not able to walk properly but managed to reach the cooking chamber. She cooked the meal and put it in the utensils. She made her way to the Queen's resting chamber and knocked on the door.
Queen: Come in, took you long enough.
Athoos entered the chamber and put the food on the table.
Queen: What took you so long ?!
Athoos: Queen.....I-
Queen: Ugh, you are so useless.
Queen turned her face around and saw all the injuries Athoos had.
Queen: Oh, so you have a new excuse now, that you are injured.
Athoos: No, My Queen, it's not like that....
Queen just stared at Athoos. Athoos looked down as their gaze met.
Queen: Open the second drawer to your left.
Athoos opened the drawer and found a bottle of ointment. She took it out and looked at the Queen in confusion.
Athoos: My Queen, not disregarding your kindness, but I already have a bottle of ointment in the dungeon.
Queen: You really think this is a normal ointment? Apply a little on your wound then.
Athoos took out some ointment and applied it to her wound. A few moments later, her wound started fading and disappearing. Athoos was shocked to see this happening.
Athoos: Thank you, My Queen, this servant would not forget you kindness.
Queen: Athoos! Stop assuming this is my kindness, I'm doing this because I don't wanna see that 'give me sympathy' look on your face, it's disgusting and dirty. Also, I don't want you to have any excuses to skip work or be late at performing daily duties and tasks. Now then, why are you still standing there, get out of my sight.
Athoos: Yes, My Queen.
Athoos left the chamber with a smile on her face. She thought this was Queen's way of showing true kindness. She went to a secluded corner of the castle, applied the ointment to her wounds, and waited for them to heal. Fully healed, Athoos was ready to get back to work again. Her heart of gold, already forgave the maids beating, Queen's harsh words, and everything bad that happened, just because one good thing happened to her. She spent the rest of the day completing her tasks and duties.
****Aeras****
Aeras was back at the castle. Went for a bath, changed his clothes, ate food, and was finally ready to sleep. But before that, he went to have a chat with his father,
Aeras: Father me, and Eisen made progress today, Mr. Kwik said we got faster than before.
Aileen: Great! I guess Eisen really is a worthy candidate.
Aeras: Father just like you and uncle Hue, we both are like brothers too.
Aileen: Haha, Hue.....has always been there for me, through everything, so naturally we became best of friends.
Aeras went silent and looked at his father for a moment.
Aeras: Can I ask something about mother?
Aileen: Yes, absolutely.
Aeras: What was she like?
Aileen: she was brave, strong, was outstanding at using the Ruu, you know she is the only one who was able to impress Mr. Kwik.
Aeras: Really!!
Aileen: Yes, it was as if she was flying, she was so fast that even Mr. Kwik wouldn't be able to keep up.
Aeras: Was she.....a Queen training under Mr. Kwik?
Aileen looked at Aeras before speaking up. He hesitated to speak in the beginning but finally spoke up.
Aileen: She was....one of my General Candidate and My General.
Aeras: Oh.My.God!!! Really? How did this happen?
Aileen: It just happened, I fell for her when I saw what she was capable of, she was a rare case of Ruu deviation.
Aeras: Ruu.....Deviation?
Aileen: Yes, that means her Ruu was much higher in intensity than a Royal.
Aeras: Even more than you?
Aileen: Yes, even more than me, I couldn't keep up with her, ever. She was THAT fast. How could I not fall for her?
Aeras: Was she.....beautiful?
Aileen: Yes! Very! She had long, fluttering brown hair, Erlian golden eyes, she was tall and slim...Ah, she was a sight to behold. She was charming, she shone brighter than the sun. I remember once, she was proposed by the prince of Kynd kingdom to be his Queen.
Aeras: What did she say then.
Aileen: She said she already had someone in her heart and refused him. The poor guy seemed really sad after that.
Aeras: Hmmm...I guess she had you in her heart haha.
Aileen: Yeah she did. After she became my General and I became the King, I confessed my feelings for her, I wasn't sure if she had feelings for me but then guess what, she said she had feelings for me for a long time too. And we soon got married. Our marriage was frowned upon but not by many since she was worthy of being a Queen. She was loved by the people of the kingdom. She had all the qualities a Queen should possess, not to mention she was one of the most powerful Ruu users to have ever lived. But our marriage didn't last long since.....
Aeras: Yeah, you don't need to say painful stuff, I understand.
Aileen: Thanks son, for understanding.
Aeras: Of course father...but if she was so great, why doesn't anyone talk about her? Why aren't there any pictures of her in the castle?
Aileen just looked at Aeras as he didn't know what to say. He thought for a moment before answering.
Aileen: Because I ordered it a long time ago, to not mention her or keep her pictures around. Slowly as time passed, people forgot about your mother, it's only natural that they forgot about her, I mean....20 years have passed since then.
Aeras: So... only uncle, you and I remember her?
Aileen: Not only us.....some other people remember her faintly or think she was a legend. It's laughable how quickly people forget.
Aeras: I would've loved to see her, even if just through a picture. But I respect your choice too father. Looking at her must be painful.
Aileen smiled at Aeras, nodding in agreement.
Aileen: Aeras, go and sleep now, it's getting late now. Tomorrow is a special day, remember?
Aeras: Yes father, but that is exactly why I can't sleep, but, ok, I'll try to.
Aeras exited the room leaving Aileen alone.
Aileen: Should I...tell him?
****End Chapter 6****