The city of Muir was bustling with people. Maru had been in the capital before. However, it was never this lively. There must be a festival or something going on, she thought.
"Maru!" yelled Haru as he made his way toward her. Maru watched him as he slipped by people to stop in front of her. "They're ready to slip us into the castle through a secret passage way. We don't want to bring attention to ourselves quite yet." Haru said as he motioned for Maru to follow him. "Come on this way." The two moved quickly through the crowd and down a back alley. Haru came to a stop in front of a small wooden door that looked worn and hardly used. There was no handle on the side facing them. He tapped on it three times. The small door opened. However, there was no one on the other side. Haru led the way through the door that closed on its own behind Maru. The room, if you could even call it that because it was so small, was dark and damp. "This way." he said as he grabbed her hand to lead her through.
There was more sound and light as they moved further into the castle. Soon, they arrived in what looked to be the kitchen. It was huge and had workers moving fast but flawlessly. They seemed to be preparing a feast.
"We need to get moving! Lady Kyomi has returned, and we need to make a good impression for the king! Everything must be perfect! Not a single dish leaves this kitchen without my approval!" said a woman. She must be the head of the kitchen, thought Maru. The woman was big in size and red in the face. As soon as Maru was thinking this, the lady's eyes landed on her. "You, you must be new here. Here, take these dishes and start washing them! We have no time for standing about!" said the lady as she shoved a bunch of dishes into Maru's arms. Maru looked around to see that Haru was nowhere beside her. Her curiosity of what was going on had caused her to lose him. "Come on now! Chop chop, let's get a move on! I don't know where you worked in the castle before, but in here we move with purpose!" said the head of the kitchen, shoving Maru toward the sink. Maru did not know how to object, so she just did as the lady said. Quickly, she powered through all the dishes that made their way to her. Her experience from one of her old part-time jobs as a dishwasher at a high-end restaurant was really coming through for her right now. "Now there we go! You're very efficient! Seems we might be able to make a good worker out of you yet!" she said, giving Maru a big slap on the back. Maru could not help but smile. Even at her jobs in the real world, she was never complemented no matter how good she performed her jobs.
"Stop!!" a voice boomed in the kitchen. Everyone turned to see who had given the order. The head of the kitchen looked like she was going to turn even more red.
"Now, General Yu! I know you rank higher than I do. In the kitchen, however, I am the general and..." The big lady stopped as Haru pulled her aside and whispered in her ear. General Yu?? Maru thought but then remembered she had never asked for Haru's real name. All color from the big lady's face seemed to drain out as she turned pale. Her eyes landed on Maru again. "My...my...why didn't you say anything!!" The woman grabbed the clean dishes out of Maru's hands and passed them off to another girl. Haru took this opportunity to grab Maru's hand. "What are you all looking at!? Back to work!" she then followed Haru and Maru out of the kitchen and shut the door behind her. "My Lady! Why didn't you stop me! I'm so sorry! You may have my head for my mistake!" said the lady as she dropped to the ground in a bow. Maru grabbed the lady's arms and pulled her back up.
"Stop! There's no need for that! And I can tell quite well that it would be my loss to take the life of my best chef. Then what would I eat? I'm sure no one's cooking in the whole kingdom could compare to yours!" exclaimed Maru. Now, the lady blushed.
"Oh my lady, you flatter me so! I...I don't deserve such praise! Especially after my grave mist..." began the lady.
"Now, enough of that. The short time in your kitchen was more than enough for me to tell it was in the most capable hands. Keep up the good work!" said Maru as she flashed the woman a beautiful smile. The head chef stared in awe at her. Haru grabbed Maru's hand.
"We need to move before more staff find out, my lady." he said as he pulled her away. Maru waved and smiled at the lady.
"She's a lot different than I imagined. What a sweetheart...well, no matter back to it. Can't disappoint her." said the head chef as she opened the door to the kitchen. "Now I'm gone only for a couple of seconds, and you're all slacking! Let's get a move on!"
Haru led Maru through the castle as fast as he could. They soon arrived in front of a big door. Haru opened the door and popped his head in. Then he waved her in. The room was again huge. Maru was positive that she could fit her whole apartment in it twice. It was so clean. Everything was done in light green and white. It was simple but beautiful. There was a large doorway with sliding doors. Maru slid them open. It opened up to a small private garden. So beautiful, thought Maru.
"Your servants haven't been appointed yet miss, so I'll stay with you for now.." said Haru. She shook her head.
"I don't want any. If I'm forced to have anyone, I want it to be you, Har... General Yu." she said quickly.
"My...my lady, you need servants. I can't dress you or bathe.." he began, but she quickly cut him off.
"I think I can handle that well enough on my own! I don't need women around me constantly. You and Takeshi are the only ones I trust, and I don't want anyone else! That way, there is less of a chance of someone trying to kill me off. I'm still going to have those that try. But less access." she said as she sat down on the bench in the garden.
"I'll talk to the king about it, my lady." answered Yu. Again, Maru shook her head at him.
"No, I'll be the one to talk to him. I will not be one to hide behind the words of another." said Maru as she stared at the flowers moving in the breeze. "Also, enough with the my lady. I told you before not to do that. I understand that things have changed now. In public, I'll allow it, but not when we're in private."
"I understand and won't do it again." he said with a bow of his head. A sigh escaped Maru's lips. There was a knock at the door. General Yu made his way to the door. There was some inaudible talking between him and another person. Then the door closed, and the general made his way back to her. "The king wishes to see you now. There are new clothes for you in the bedroom." he said as he pointed to the room.
"No. Let's not waste any more time. I'll change when we come back." she said as she stood up. She began to follow Yu to the door but stopped as she went by the mirror. The concealment spell. She quickly removed it and then followed him out of the room. The king's room was a lot closer than she expected. Yu knocked on the grand door, and the two were ushered in. A man stood by the window with a cup in his hand. His long silver blonde hair shimmered from the sunlight coming through the window. His figure was tall and slender. It was clear that he was mainly muscle. "I've brought Princess Kyomi to you, my lord." said Yu as he bowed and went to one knee. The man turned toward them with such grace that it was clear he was not human.
"Thank you, General Yu. You have brought my daughter home safely, and for that, you shall be rewarded heavily." said the king. Maru stared at his face. She could not believe her eyes. That face!!! Maru moved backward a bit. How could this be???? This man, who was he??? His face was the one from the drawing she was given when she was small. It was her father's face!