"Lady Hailey. You're still awake? It's also past midnight…" the guard who was on standby near the door was surprised to see the lady walking out the room.
Ria blushed for she thought that everyone would be sleep by now. And even if she sneaks out, no one would know. Yet, looks like it wasn't the case.
"Uh. Actually, I'm hungry so I was thinking of finding some food," she said in an almost a whisper so not to let the other imperial guards. Yet, ironically, the guard replied in a louder unrestrained voice; enough to be heard by the other.
"My lady. if you want, I can ask some servant to deliver a food in your room if you can still endure your hunger-"
"Shhhh!" she hushed him, putting her index finger of her lips but it was of no use anymore. The guards who were on the hallway chuckled at her, finding her actions cute.
It's because they never witness any ladies sneaked out in the rooms at midnight just to find food.
The guard who was talking to Ria also felt embarrassed that he just exposed the lady who now was firmly closing her eyes. 'Was she angry at me?' he was worried.
"Please forgive me, my lady. I didn't mean to…to…" he was halted when he heard her giggle lightly. It was too surprising how sweet and child-like it is.
"It's fine. Besides, it's my fault too. Can you show me the way to the kitchen? We don't need to bother anyone anymore just because of me. if that's fine for you."
'Goddess…' it's what the guard thought as he flushed. Though this lady was of unknown origin, she acts like of noble birth.
"I-it's…it's fine for me, my lady. please follow me."
***
"This is it, my lady. I will wait outside. If you're done or you need anything else, just call me."
"Thank you."
As Ria entered the kitchen, she was welcomed by the staffs who unlike what she had seen above the ship, had wore old and faded clothing. She also noticed that their heads were bowing too low and their hands were clasped together firmly.
'They are nervous,' she thought and sighed.
"We are told that you're visiting the kitchen, Lady Ria. Apologies if we cannot provide you a decent place to have a meal-"
"Please rise… please rise." Ria hold the old woman who spoke who seems to be the head of the kitchen to help her rise. And this caused the servants to be stunned and surprised.
"M-my lady. Please keep distance from us. we don't deserve you. you might get dirty if you touch us!" the woman anxiously said as she stepped back.
This surprised Ria even more. As the silence grew, the more the servant's nervousness grow too. they were expecting that they offended the lady. however, when she holds the head of kitchen's arm again and help her rise, they couldn't help but gasp.
"Please don't say that. Besides, I also don't know where I came from…"
"But lady. Unlike us you have his majesty's grace. And we, we don't even have the chance to climb on the higher floor of this ship…"
Hearing this, Ria's heart couldn't help but ache. Looking at their weary faces and bowing heads was breaking her heart. She didn't know why but she sympathized them. Was it because she's one of them in her forgotten life?
Seeing the sadness in Lady Ria's face, the kitchen head, Mira, bowed again to her. "I'm sorry if I made you feel bad, my lady. You're a kind and beautiful lady and we just didn't expect that someone like you who was loved by his majesty will be so humble. Please take a seat in the seat we prepared. We'll just warm the foods and serve you soon."
"Thank you." hearing this, their hearts warmed even more. Though servants in the kingdom of Rian weren't treated as bad just like in other kingdoms, the gap between them and the nobles were still too high and far. And being appreciated by others was rare.
Ria sat silently on the table they prepared; thinking of the situation of the people here. Until a little girl approached her. she was holding a tray of tea sets.
"MY lady. Please have a tea while my mother prepares your meal," her little voice uttered as she poured a tea on one of the cups.
"Thank you! is your mother the head of the cook?" Ria asked and the girl nodded. She seemed nervous but also curious as she looked at her. thus, she patted her hair and smiled. "Little girl. What is you name? can you tell me?"
With the friendly and sweet tone she used, the little girl seemed to loosened up a bit. She smiled wide too when she answered. "My lady! I am named Lilac. It's because the lilac flowers bloom when I was born!"
"Lilac. A pretty name. I hope I would remember what my name is…"
"My lady. isn't your name Ria?" the curiosity was beaming on Lilac's cute large eyes.
Ria shook her head. "Nah. The king gave me that name. but I don't remember my real name…"
The little girl's eyes followed the lady's graceful movements; holding the cup and sipping on the tea like as if her mind was far away.
"My lady. You're like the beautiful lady in my mom's story."
"Uh-" ria was almost chocked by the tea she was drinking at the innocent's girl's remark. "Really? Who's that beautiful lady then? can you tell me more about it?"
"Yes, my lady!" again, Lilac was excited. "My mom said that she was so beautiful. Like a goddess that descended from the heavens. She also said that the kings of this world will love her. hmm… I think my mother called her… 'the enchantress'…"
"The enchantress?" Ria wondered but before she could asked more anbout it, Lilac's mom suddenly walked in and grabbed her daughter to kneel.
"Please forgive my daughter's impudence, my lady! she knew nothing so she keeps spouting nonsense…"
"Please get up, Lilac's mom. She was just telling me a story. You don't need to be afraid," Ria said which only made the old lady doubt.
Yet, when she looked at her face, it was clear that the lady has no idea what the story was about. And who the woman that was compared to her was.
"T-thank you for your benevolence, my lady," she stuttered and gestured Lilac to hide in their room.
She thought she could breath freely now but then, Lady Ria suddenly spoke. "Wait."
Ria walked towards Lilac and knelt to be on level to her. She wanted to be sure. Holding the girl's arm, she raised her sleeves and her face lose color when she saw it. Red festering marks.
***
"You mean, Lilac isn't the only one with this disease?"
"Y-you may not know, my lady, but there are a lot of cases like this today in our kingdom. Especially on us, slaves… P-please forgive us. Please don't tell anyone or else…or else…"
"Or else what?" Ria asked but then, no one answered. The servants who were kneeling on the floor just exchanged looks. She sensed no one will ever speak.
Standing up, Ria was sure she had decided. "Take me to where they are."
"Y-you mean the sick s-slaves, my lady?!" all of them panicked. But as the lady looked at them, they knew she was serious.
***
"Your majesty! Your majesty! Bad news! Lady Ria is missing!"
"WHAT?!"