Chapter 17 #2
Aza doesn’t miss Jahar quickly slipping the woman some coin; however, when they begin to leave the market, and no one else is looking any longer. She smiles, delighted.
“Can I offer you lunch?” Abasi’s voice pulls her out of her thoughts of Jahar.
“Um… why yes, that sounds lovely.”
He nods his head, and they make their way back into the castle.
Lunch was surprisingly uneventful. There was very little talking, just a brief discussion of the items offered at the market and what caught Aza’s eye.
Before taking her leave for her room, Aza asked if she could explore more of the castle while he was busy with kingly things. He agreed as long as she was accompanied by at least one of his service members, which she agreed to.
Aza returned to her room with more questions than she had left with, and, with still no response from her father, she was growing increasingly anxious. Aza tried to pass the time by tending to her new plants, reading, and sketching in her notepad.
Finally, when Aza felt like she couldn’t take the anticipation any longer, her father’s response arrived. Aza tore the letter open immediately.
Dear Amiaza,
Although I hear your concerns, it would be far too disrespectful of us for you to leave early.
We have extended this courtesy to every other suitor you have visited, many of whom not seeming to you to be the right fit either.
This king and his empire have an abundance of resources they can offer our kingdom and people, so I implore you to finish your stay.
Try to learn a little more about him and his empire.
Maybe everything is a misunderstanding. You must remember that we do things very differently in our kingdom, so what may not seem correct to you may just be how other areas of our world conduct things.
It is also far safer for you to stay there while I dispatch soldiers to meet you in the Amunis Empire to accompany you home.
Aza didn’t even finish reading the letter before she crumbles it up and throws it on the floor.
“This is bullshit!” Aza swore.
“Princess,” Jahar coos.
“I don’t want to hear it. I’m tired. Tired of this place. Tired of being disrespected. And tired of people not believing me or undervaluing what I have to say.”
“Princess,”
“No!” Aza shouts before taking a deep breath, “I… I just need a minute.”
Jahar bows and leaves her room. Aza returned to her bed, staring out the window, endless questions spinning through her head.
She finally decides that if she is stuck here a few more days, this is her chance to do more digging and try to find some answers.
Maybe she could find out what happened to Julie’s son.
She had high doubts that she could, but she could at least try.
Aza makes her way to the front door and steps out.
Jahar and Ramsee are standing there. Aza tells Jahar that she would like him to accompany her on a stroll through the castle.
Ramsee reminds her that the King said she needs to be accompanied by one of Abasi’s servants and that he will go to locate one.
Aza rolls her eyes in annoyance, for she was going to forget that little detail on her walk, but that plan obviously went out the window quickly.
So, they waited for them to return, and when a tall, lanky man in metal armor showed up, they began their walk through the castle.
Aza planned to question people throughout the castle discreetly to gather information. The servants seemed skittish and not up for talking. The servicemen all seemed like statues, not responding to her conversations. Aza was starting to feel defeated until her escort spoke up.
She wasn’t expecting his voice to sound so young. She couldn’t see much of what he looked like under his metal helmet and mask. But based on the sound of his voice, she guessed he couldn’t be much older than a mere teenager.
What was up with this kingdom using children so young?
“Don’t take it personally, miss. The servants and guards are trained to remain silent and in their place.”
“Oh. I guess I’m just not used to that. I speak to my guards and servants every day, and I encourage them to express themselves.”
“Well, that’s kind of you, miss. I’m afraid we’re not afforded the same luxury, but being a serviceman is still an honor. It saved my life, it did.” The boy is practically whispering.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I really shouldn’t say much.”
“It’s alright. It's just us. I won’t spread anything around.”
“Where I come from, people are always hungry and sick. Becoming a serviceman took me out of that environment, and now I have better access to medicine, food, and a more comfortable and warm bed.”
“I’m sorry to hear you had to endure that. What was the name of your city? I would love to do what I can to help those still there.”
“Oh, miss, that’s alright.” He assures.
“Is your family still there? Your mother?” Aza asks, feeling bad that she’s playing on his basic natures to get more information out of him, but she keeps reminding herself that she’s doing what she must to figure out what is happening here.
The young man’s face went pale, and he stuttered out, “Y-yes.” Aza saw hesitation flicker in his eyes before he responded, “It’s called Vencrest. But please miss, you didn’t hear anything from me.” He begs.
Aza places a finger over her lips and nods in reassurance.
“Just to be safe, what are some of the names of other poor cities that need aid?”
He calculates again before shakingly sighing and answering, “To name a few—Jordale, Lanford, and Reville. They’re very poor, with sickness ravaging through, and food is scarce."
Aza nodded in silent thanks and made another mental note about how afraid the people here seem to be of answering questions or having any ill-spoken words of the empire.
“I appreciate all you have done for me today. I would now like to return to my room.”
“Of course, Princess.”
They accompany her back to her room, where she takes her leave to grab a notebook and jot down all that she has learned so far.