Chapter 5 - Chapter 5

Layla sighed as she washed her body. After her audience with the king, she regretted every moment. All she wanted was freedom, so she could search for death. But things changed when her brother's life was on the line.

"Layla! Are you done?" Liam knocked on her bathroom door.

"almost".

The king was kind enough to provide her with a room in the palace. Liam and Lucas's room on either side of her.

"Come on out. I brought many dishes." Liam chirped.

Layla smiled. And frowned.' you idiot. Your life is on the line, how can you be so happy?'

" if you don't come out, I am coming in. I have a hunch that you don't know how to bath" Liam said.

"N-no I am fine. I am coming out" Layla pulled herself from the bath tub. She dried herself and changed into her bathrobe.

"You sure can't wait, huh?" She peeked out at Liam.

Liam smiled sheepishly.

"Go on out. I have to change"

Liam just stared at her.

"Brother?"

"You are kicking me out" Liam pouted.

"i am not. I will change and call you back"

Liam grumbled and went out. Layla stepped out. It was decent room. A bed in one corner and a closet in other. A little study space and some old toys.

She looked at the maroon frock that had golden flowers embroided across its front. She changed into them and opened the door for her brother.

She caught him leaning his ear. "What are you eavesdropping for? It's not like I have company"

"Nothing. Just made sure that you weren't crying?" He shrugged.

"Come on in" Layla rolled her eyes at his comment. "you look beautiful!!" Liam exclaimed at her. The maroon frock complimented her light skin ,her skin glowed under the sunlight.

She saw meat and vegetables in the table beside her bed. "is that for me?" Layla 's eyes sparkled.

"yes" Liam smiled. His brown bangs slightly covered his green eyes.

Layla looked at the meal again. She hadn't had a proper meal ever since she was born.

"JOIN ME!" Layla pulled Liam with her to the bed. She pulled a meat piece toward her lips, just when she was about to devour it, the door opened.

"Layla! I want you at my room!"

Layla stopped. The meat floating in between the fork and her lips.

"Father! When am I supposed to meet?" Layla tried to hide her frustration.

"now!" and he closed the door. Layla pouted at the meat.

"its alright! Just munch on! A bite won't do any harm!" Liam winked.

Layla chuckled and gobbled it down. She slowly chewed on the meat as she made her way toward her father's room. Liam closely following behind.

Layla knocked on the door. "come in"

Layla swallowed the sweet delicious meat and the flavour danced in her tongue. She stepped in. His room was extravagant and bigger than hers. She knew it could fit like 3 rooms of hers.

"Let's have lunch, shall we?"

________

The dining room was filled with servants. Some male, mostly female. Layla was caught up in admiring the lighting that she bumped into someone.

She looked up to meet dark blue eyes,his brownish black hair covering over his eyes.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to" She apologised.

He glared at her. Layla wished she could escape.

"Lucas, what are you doing here?" Liam appeared behind her. Layla looked up again. Lucas, her second brother. She heard a lot about him from Liam but this is the first time meeting him. And to be honest, he was handsome just like Liam.

"Hi, nice to meet you. I am Layla. Honoured to be in your presence" Layla bit her tongue on how she sounded. She never knew she would sound formally like this. All those times reading novels in her past life paid off.

"You!" Lucas scoffed. He leaned closer. His lips almost brushing her pinna, "Be glad you have powers. Or I would be the first one to kill you!"

Layla flinched more at the contact than at the threat.

"What was that?" Liam asked.

Layla shrugged,calming her nerves. They made their way to the dining table. It was a simple round table with three chairs. Layla stared at it, where wa she supposed to sit.

"You are not part of our family. So I guess you are not invited" William smirked at her

"however, you are our guest. Its an honor to have his highness's lapdog for a feast. Bring a chair and put it next to mine" He called out for the servant while staring at Layla.

Layla gripped the hem of her dress. She scoffed internally.

Liam pulled her hand and gripped it. She knows Liam hated how she was treated but he can't speak against his father, can he?

Layla gripped his hand in return and smiled. "Alright let's dig on" her father announced as they sat.

Layla ignored the stares as she munched on the meat. She was starved and tortured food comes first than she will plan on what she should do.

"Layla, I warn you. Be good to his majesty. Don't think of betraying him. You have no one except Liam. You don't want to lose him, don't you?"

Layla scoffed. "Father. Thank you so much. I am honored to be warned by you. And thank you for reminding how precious I am to you" she replied sarcastically.

William was baffled at her tone. How could she?

Layla realised she went out of the line. Her cover might have been blown away. How could a 10 year old who had no experience in the outer world know about sarcasm?. Layla was drowned in her thoughts until she heard a chuckle. It was barely a whisper but she caught on. It was Lucas. She stared at him. A smile was plastered on his face. Is she mistaken? Did he find her funny?

"it's not father, it's captain. It's not Liam, it's sir Liam for you." William snarled.

"as you wish, captain." Layla turned her attention back to William.

"You shall start you training after a week. The king was kind enough for you to rest before a hardcore training. Till then, get to know the kingdom. Liam shall accompany you" William then proceeded to munch on.

"Thank you captain for your concern. I am grateful to his majesty for the care. I am honored that sir Liam is accompanying me" Layla covered her frustration with a chirpy tone. She has to act more like a 10 year old. she doesn't want to return to the dungeons just because she acts mature.

Liam looked at her. Layla ignored him.

____________

"You don't want to call me brother?" Liam asked Layla. She could imagine two puppy ears drooping on either side of his head.

"No sir Liam. I want to call you my brother and announce it to the whole world how amazing you are. But I am afraid it would cause you trouble. Not everyone sees me the way you do, sir Liam" Layla replied.

"Call me brother when we are alone, then."

"Sorry, sir Liam. I can't defy the captain's order."

"Well then, this is your senior's order" Liam glared at her. That minute, she felt a familiarity with Liam but she couldn't point it out.

"as you wish, brother"


"where do you wanna go first? This kingdom is a big place" Liam started walking along the corridor, Layla closely following behind.

"The library, brother. I want to learn more about the kingdom. That way I can be more useful"

"Alright. Go on straight and take a left. Wait there for me, I will catch up" Liam told her.

She saw him walk in the opposite direction.

_______

"You! Who allowed you in this kingdom?"The guard pushed Layla away. After Liam left, she made her way to the library as Liam instructed. But the guard wouldn't budge and won't allow her.

Layla felt her back hit someone.

"Why would you push her like that?" the person behind her shouted.

"Sir liam-" She got cut off by surprise.

"Lucas?"