Marlowe held her heart in her throat as she made her way to the beautiful garden of the Royal Castle.
Her movement was stiff, especially when she came across any servant on the way.
Which proved how terrified she was.
Somewhere in her heart she was glad and exhilarated by the tutor's lateness. Atleast it will give her time to get herself prepared for the woman's negative and demeaning words.
The fresh scent of floral nature hit her as she arrived in the open air of the enthralling atmosphere.
The picturesque environment immediately brought calmness to her tumultuous heart.
A subtle smile unconsciously made its way on her lips, as she took slow steps further.
The view got her delighted by all the blossoming flowers and so much color.
She loves colors.
"I can bring you some refreshment. Will you like that, Your Majesty?" the voice of Merkin earned her attention.
Marlowe thought of rejecting it, but she recalled that she hadn't had breakfast yet.
She wanted to be as early to arrive at the garden, to avoid mishaps.
"Mmm, I'll like something light, please," she requested, unable to hide her smile.
"I'll be right back, Your Majesty," Merkin replied before bowing and turning away.
Marlowe headed to the patio she and Eleazar had shared on their last encounter.
She took a seat and delved into the sweet breeze that seemed to blow away her worries.
All of a sudden, a slight grimace marred her face.
There was this creepy feeling she was getting…as if someone was watching her.
Tension rose in her guts as she veered around, her eyes scanned behind the mild bushes but there was nothing suspect-able there.
It fluttered normally, being blown by the wind.
With her brows knitted in uncertainty, she returned her attention to her veneer. But that feeling was still there. She tilted her head to the side thinking she must be imagining things.
At that moment, Merkin arrived with a tray of meals in her hands.
Marlowe's eyes lit up, forgetting about the little discomfort she was feeling seconds ago as her stomach made a grumble.
She bit her lip to stiffle and embarrassed look—her habbit, lucky that Merkin had not heard it.
"Here it is, Your Majesty, the cook sent her regards, she was asking when next you'll pay a visit to the kitchen again," Merkin told with a lively expression.
"Oh," Marlowe muttered with a shy smile.
She didn't really think they would like her, though.
Merkin was about to remove the lids covering the meal, but Marlowe beat her to it and she bit back a chuckle.
She was used to the Queen's unlazy nature.
Marlowe's mouth watered by the sight of steaming venison and white bread.
In the Castle, she had eaten numerous luxurious meals that she didn't have the privilege to as a commoner.
A lot that made her eyes go wide in surprise.
But she was not complaining of her life back then as a local, she was undeniably satisfied with the fish and bread she'd have every morning.
In total fact, she desire her old life than this.
"What's wrong, Your Majesty?" seeing the sadness permeating through her, Merkin questioned.
"It's nothing," Marlowe forced a smile as she shook her head sideways to wade off the maids' worry.
But it appeared she was not buying it.
She spied reluctance and struggle in the maid's countenance before she spoke up, "I know it's not right to say this…but you can speak to me about anything that's bothering Her Majesty, I don't know if I'll be of help, but I'll try." she said with so much difficulty.
In a way, Marlowe plainly looked at her.
She didn't say a word for a while and just gaped at her with only surprise in her eyes.
Merkin who was getting nervous by every passing second of Marlowe's wordless stare, immediately fell on her knees with her head lowered in fright.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, please forgive my impertinence. I know it's not my job to ask to share personal problems with you, but the job of your ladies-in-waiting. Since one hasn't been assigned yet, I thought I could be of help. I'm sorry, please don't punish me," she immediately blabbered without a pause.
Astonished by her behavior, Marlowe blinked.
She was just surprised that the maid offered to share her emotional burden, and she knew it was sincere.
She had never had a friend; thus her reaction earlier.
She didn't know it was punishable for a maid to have a friendship bond with a Royal.
She just learnt that now.
"Oh no, please stand," coming back to her senses, she immediately stood and held Merkin's shoulder to raise her.
What made her think she'd punish her?
She didn't even know how to kill an ant.
As ordered, and with Marlowe's help, Merkin rose to her feet, but still with her head buried low.
Fearing the maid will begin to distance herself, Marlowe instantly tried to form words to pacify the situation.
"I won't punish you. I'll never do that," she assured.
It was silent at first with only the shrubs scrubbing against each other.
"I just…miss home," Marlowe fessed up.
"My family, I miss them,"
Merkin slowly rose her head to the sad tone she heard in the Queen's voice.
"Her Majesty is feeling home sick?" she softly inquired.
"Yes," Marlowe curtly responded.
Merkin mummed her lips before she spouted, "Perhaps, after the official dinner with the Royal family, you can make a request to Lord Zethan to go visit your family, Your Majesty," she suggested with the thought to be of help.
"Lord Zethan?" Marlowe uttered, inquisitively.
"Yes, he's in charge of the Castle in place of the King. He has the power of the King himself in the Royal Castle."
Marlowe was astonished, she didn't know he held that much power.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yeah, even the King's mother respects him,"
"That's shocking," Marlowe muttered with her mouth agape.
"Your Majesty!" Merkin instantly called with a sudden glee in her voice.
Yanking her out of her daze with a jolt.
Looking at her with questioning eyes, Marlowe patiently awaited what she wanted to say—It didn't take long.
"You can send a letter to your family, that'll be better," Merkin suggested.
"I can do that?" she asked with a tinge of expectancy in her tone.
"Yes, Your Majesty, you can," she nodded.
Marlowe was ecstatic. For the first time since she was unwillingly taken into the castle, a wide smile graced her beautiful face.
Out of excitement, she hurriedly ate her meal, and spent some time in the garden before leaving for her class with Merkin when she heard the tutor had arrived.
It seems her premonition was wrong this time, and Merkin was right.
The summoning of all members of the Royal family was already on, and she was sure they were all with the King's mother right now. The thought brought a certain kind of freedom to her.
On the way to her class, she was all smiles and responded to all the servants greetings cheerfully without being tense about their identity.
Her happiness knew no bounds and it infected Merkin who was accompanying behind her.
But unknown to Marlowe, her smile froze when she spotted the figure they were approaching, and it seemed Marlowe hadn't noticed it, but it was too late when all of a sudden, Marlowe made a mistake in her strides, stepping on her gown as she went struggling forward.
To her horror, Marlowe fell right into the arms of doom.