Once they had finished up their meal, Judith and Tsai sank into their mats and drifted comfortably into sleep. Well, Tsai drifted comfortably into sleep, but Judith was still tittering on the edge of sleep.
She was wondering if there was anything she could do right now that was more important, a force of habit, because throughout her life, she had never had a time to sit idly by, or sleep idly by. She was always doing one thing or the other.
But after thinking it through thoroughly, she found that there really wasn't anything else to do. At least not until Qui Lin needed Judith's assistance.
Judith knew she should take this opportunity and rest, because she had a very long night ahead of her, and she needed all the rest she could get. So she could prep her mind and body for the ordeal to come.
This leisure time was a blessing, and Judith was not going to waste it.
Normally, as Qui Lin's personal maid, Judith was supposed to always be by her side, like a personal assistant. But because Qui Lin was mostly a solitary person, she didn't like people hovering around her for extended periods of time.
Which was why she never had a personal maid up until she was forced to.
Judith knew what being a personal maid meant. She was willing to spend all day with Qui Lin and then use up all her night on other important things, depriving herself of sleep every now and then, but for a worth while reason.
Though Judith knew the kind of person Qui Lin was, and how she dismissed the original protagonist of the novel multiple times, she wasn't sure the same outcome would befall her because at the time, she didn't know she was Sarah.
She was willing to go through the struggle if it meant achieving her goals. Besides, she had been mostly sleep deprived her whole life, so what else was new?
But as fate would have it, she would be getting a lot of leisure time on her hands to do the things she set out to do. This leisure time was something Judith really needed, especially because she was going to deviate a bit from the story, to give herself a minor advantage in a challenge to come.
Not wanting to think any further, Judith let out a yawn and shut her eyes. In an instant, she fell out of consciousness and was welcomed into dreamland.
***
The night had come rather fast, Judith didn't even realize that she and Tsai had slept the whole day away. By the time they had awoken, it was already eight in the evening. The white Phoenix had already graced the night's sky with its gently light, and everyone in the castle were getting ready to turn in for the night.
Also, Qui Lin did not send for her even once.
Sitting by the fire, which was now warming up their room and heating up their cooking pot in preparation for dinner, Judith thought on going out right now. But, she was afraid Qui Lin would ask of her last minute.
She thought of going to see Qui Lin, ask if she needed anything and make sure she was not going to be disturbed for the rest of the night. But she was afraid that if Qui Lin saw her, even though she didn't have anything in mind, she would instantly find something for Judith to do, and keep her up all night.
But she couldn't just sit here and wait for hours to ensure Qui Lin did not need her. Time was of the essence, she had to head outside the castle as fast as possible and hurry back to the castle before the Phoenix rose, so she could tend to Qui Lin's needs.
Being late was not an option, and worst, being discovered that she left the castle was not even a thought. If anyone were to find out, she would be dead, period.
She had to be careful, very careful.
With that thought, the decision was made. Judith got up sighing and turned to Tsai when she had fully erected herself.
"I'll be going to check on Lady Qui Lin, feel free to have dinner and go to bed without me. There's a chance I won't be coming back tonight." Judith said, before turning to the pot which was being heated up by the fire.
"Okay." Tsai had responded, as she saw Judith looking at somberly at the pot. She wanted to ask if Judith could wait a little longer for their meal to be ready, but knowing full well it wouldn't be done anytime soon, she held her tongue.
After a monumental effort, Judith finally peeled her sights away from the pot and placed it on the door. Not wanting to waste anymore time, Judith made her way toward the door, thankful that the meal had reached the stage where sweet scenting vapors wouldn't be escaping the pot and attacking her nose.
But that still didn't change the fact that she was hungry. Feeling her demeanor fall, she grabbed onto the door handle, when suddenly, Tsai's voice called out, "Wait."
Turning to Tsai, Judith watched her get up her mat, rush into the kitchen and emerge with something in her hands.
When she reached Judith, she had stretched out her hands, which were holding onto a loaf of bread.
"I saw this amidst the provision's Qui Lin provided for us. I think it accidentally fell in though, but I'm didn't see the need to tell anyone that." Tsai said with a smile.
Dazed for a few moments, Judith looked at the bread for a while. Taking the bread into her hands, Judith continued to look at the loaf for several seconds, before turning back to Tsai.
Holding the loaf in her hands, Judith smiled deeply. She felt a sudden warmth in her heart by Tsai's kind gesture.
"I've uh, never really had a lot of people caring for me. So, thank you." Judith said, a genuine gratitude in her heart.
Hearing this, Tsai smiled and bent her head to the side like a cat. Which caused Judith to chuckle.
"I'll get going." Judith said, then made to leave before stopping and turning back to Tsai. "Oh and, please lock the door. Also don't open it for anyone that isn't me. Okay?" Judith had said to Tsai.
"O...okay." Tsai responded, not sure of Judith's worries. She wondered who in such a mighty castle would break into a maid's room to steal anything. But while she thought this,, Judith had her mind fixated on the looks one of the Councilmen was giving Tsai, after they couldn't get Judith.
Not wanting to alarm Tsai, Judith just left it at that and finally exited the room.