Respect still paid, I’d like to think.
Mid-skip, distracted by the movements of the servants to the right, I didn’t see the woman rounding the corner to my left at the same time I did. We collided, and instinctively, my hands fixed on her arms, holding them down. A training responseRavinder ingrained in me. Take control of my opponent long enough to assess their weapons and intent.
When my eyes fell upon the face of my beautiful sister, I relaxed my grip and pulled her into a hug. “Tu!”
She bristled while I squeezed the air from her lungs with my bear-like hold, but brought her arms around me, too. “Hi Ro,” she said.
I pulled back, saying, “Nora’s dress looked absolutely stunning, Tu. And sly work dressing me to match. I think a few ladies of the court held jealous smiles that their froufrou dresses didn’t mimic the queen’s style.” This gig was something Tula had dreamed of for years, another reason I’d keep my unpermitted payments to minimal kitchenware and things that could fit in my palm.
She tried to shake off the ego-boosted smile I gave her. “The pattern idea came from another dress she wore to the engagement announcement. It wasn’t difficult to replicate.”
“Stop,” I scolded, tucking a loose blonde curl behind her ear. “She looks absolutely incredible, andyoudid that. Quite scandalous actually, but I’m sure you’ve set a new fashion principle going forward. People will travel from all across Myelle to come have a dress made by the one and only Tula Collins. Goodbye to drowning in ball gowns, and hello to a sexy, form-fitting fashion revolution!”
The attempt to bite away her smile told me how much she would actually love that.
“Dad would be so proud of you,” I said, dampening the good spirits of the conversation while a tidal wave of grief and reverence washed over us both.
She nodded. “I want to say the same for you, but…” Her gaze darted towards my now bulky handheld purse before meeting my eyes again.
Well shit. I knew when we’d collided she’d heard the trinkets jingling together. Even if she hadn’t, I think she knew me well enough.
“Hey, Dad encouraged it sometimes,” I defended lightheartedly while working to dam up any further reflection on the matter.
“Yeah, only when you stole the quill from the taxman’s pocket before he could record that Dad was short that year.”
His chuckle echoed in my mind as I recalled the way he’d scooped me in his arms and spun after the tax collector left with irritation lines sullying his face. That teddy bear of a man never held anger when I’d get myself into trouble.
Deep down, I knew he’d wished I’d find a straight and narrow path, like Tula. But after what he and mom had gone through, fleeing from their homeland due to fear of their vicious ruler, I knew my calling in life was for something different than just accepting how things were. Somewhere inside, I think he knew it too, which was why he never punished me like he admittedly should have. Behind Tula’s back, he’d say, “Just make sure you’re good enough that you don’t get caught, Chirp.”
My smile returned, thinking of the fond nickname. What I wouldn’t give to hear it one last time.
“Not staying for the reception?” Tula changed the subject.
I sighed. “No, I’ve got some stuff to do before I go, and I’d prefer to leave while the sun is still out. Better to scope anyone trailing behind that way.”
I saw the worry shine in her eyes, though she did her best to hide it. She didn’t like the path I’d chosen. I’m sure neither of us would be able to count how many times she’d begged me to stay, offering to support me, either supplying me quarters within the castle or in the small city within the castle walls. She’d insisted her salary could afford it, but there was a freedom I craved that could never be found by staying in one place.
“The world calls to me, Tu, and I have to answer.” I leaned in, pressing a kiss to her cheek. Despite being younger, I stood a few inches taller. She looked up at me with the beautiful brown eyes of our father.
“Just…tryto stay out of trouble?” It’s the only middle ground she could offer, never full acceptance.
“You know I do my best.” I twirled around her shoulder, letting her continue toward the reception.
I, on the other hand, had a few stops to make.
With a bit of a sad sigh, I left my sister’s beautiful dress on the bed in the castle suite I’d been allowed to stay in. There was no point taking it with me. I donned my brown leather riding pants, and cream-colored long-sleeve blouse that tapered at my wrists and cinched with a drawstring under my bust that created ruffled pleats flowing over my midsection before tossing on my dark cloak and heading for South Harbor. My chestnut steed, Asperion, jabbered to himself about the busyness of the city, and all the smells that he found overwhelming.
We continued past Sunvale until we hit the slums of South Harbor. Asperion hated the smell of fish, so I secured his reins to a tree a few blocks away from the market. Since the last time I’d visited this town, before our kick-ass market battle, there were noticeably less homeless citizens scattered throughout the street.
Heading to a popular hub where the less privileged gathered during the day to wait for the soup kitchen to open, I approached half a dozen people lingering on the outskirts of the market. I dispersed a couple gold-plated utensils that’d been delivered to my suite with every meal. The serving staff never asked for me toreturn them and kept sending new sets. Clearly, they’d wanted me to take them. Less dishes for them to clean, so win-win.
The displaced citizens showered me with gratitude, but I didn’t need their thanks.
I couldn’t stand to see suffering, and there was an endless supply. In a small corner in the depths of my soul, I’d always heard a faint whisper that I needed to do something big. What specifically, I wasn’t sure, but witnessing the state of the world, it was evident there was work to be done.
One of the little boys got so excited to see the castle symbol of lions on his spoon that he ran off in delight to show his friends.
Unfortunately for me, one of his friends happened to be a guardsman on duty. While Nora and Nick had made strides to remove corrupt soldiers from their charge, I still wasn’t technically on the right side of the law—though I was sure the new King and Queen wouldn’t allow me to rot behind bars for something so trivial. But the little boy’s pointed finger targeted me in my gray cloak, already an oddity in the warming weather, and I’d rather not spoil the castle celebrations by requesting bail.
