Chapter 22

Nalani was satisfied with there plan going smoothly. She was sneaked out of the castle in disguise and rode back in where everyone could see her. Atleast then, there won't be rumours to distort the King's image or her own. She was in bliss when she pulled it off. Of course there were doubts in her mind that someone might see her but all that cleared up when she successful came back in the palace, or so she thought.

As she smiled at her accomplishment near the servants entrance, she didn't the notice the stranger looking at her with interest.

"So you were here all along...." a voice said out loud as the stranger looked at Nalani.

Nalani jumped at the strangers voice. She thought she was alone. She turned to look at the stranger who scared her. He was shabby looking but you could still see the handsomeness behind all the dirt. He was dressed very simply. Perhaps he worked in the castle .

The man seemed unfamiliar to her. She has met most of the servants who work at the castle but she was yet to meet him. Was he a new hire?

" Do you work here?" She asked

" Yes, I have seen you around " he answered casually

" I have never seen you before" she commented

" Probably because I work in the dungeons. We don't usually come on this side of the castle often" he lied easily.

Nalani and the stranger stared at each other. Each trying to assess the other. Each trying to figure out what was the others motive. A standstill.

" What is your name?" She asked, suspicious of this man who came from no where.

" My name is Noah and you are Nalani, right?"

" How do you know my name?" Her brows arched.

" People have been talking about you in the castle. They have been wondering where you have been. You are the most famous servant right now" he said with a hint of knowledge.

" I went to visit a sick family member" she recited the lie

" Mmmh, okay" he agreed but they both knew she was lying.

" Where in the castle do you work again?"

" I work in the dungeons"

" Dungeons?? What do you mean by dungeons"

" Exactly what I said, dungeons"

Nalani was intrigued by where their conversation was going. She didn't have any knowledge of a dungeon. This was news to her. What do they even do down there?

" I didn't know there is a dungeon in this castle"

" Me too, until I was assigned there. And they are more than one, I think"

" Tell me more about this supposed dungeons.." shrieked Nalani

" I will, another time. Right now I have to go back to work and so do you"

" Aaarhh.. how annoying. Anyway it was nice to meet you Noah. I'll get going now" waved Nalani before she walked away.

Noah didn't think that he would get to meet Nalani this early. He started working in the castle just two days ago. He was an impatient man and he needed information. He was tired of depending on others to bring him what he needs. So he used his connections to get a shitty job at the castle .

Technically he doesn't do anything. He is what you refer to as a ghost worker. He was put in the records but he never actually works there. All he does is roam around the castle collecting as much information as he can before he has to go back home.

He does sleep in the servants quarters to avoid any suspicion. It would be very suspicious if he only appears during the day and disappears at night. He fully emersed himself in his character and embraced his new life .

As he walked away, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of relationship was there between Nalani and the king. And why was she in castle while everyone thought she was away. What was going on?

Nalani hurried through the corridors to her room. She didn't trust the guy she just met and she didn't know if she should tell the King or not. What if he didn't see anything? What if she was simply overthinking? She would only put the guy in trouble with the King.

The King is thorough, he would investigate if she told him anything. So she decided perhaps it was better to keep this piece of information to herself. She tried opening the door to her room but it was closed. She didn't have her keys, as she had left them in her room last time.

" Kellen! Kellen! Open up!!!" She knocked loudly on the door.

" A second please" Kellen yelled.

Not long after Kellen opened the door for Nalani. When she saw Nalani she immediately pulled her in for a hug.

" Where have you been? I was so worried about you" She asked as she held onto Nalani tightly.

" Can we talk inside please" suggested Nalani.

" Oh , yea, sorry ,I was alittle carried away"

Kellen released Nalani and they both walked in their room. Nalani locked the door behind her. The conversation they were about to have was top secret, no one should hear of it .

Nalani sat on her bed and patted the spot next to her . Kellen settled next to her.

" Where were you? I was so worried when you didn't come back"

" I was not feeling well"

" So they lied when they said you went to see your family"

" Yes"

" I knew it. You don't have any family, so I kept wondering what they meant by that"

" I knew you would be suspicious but there was no other way. I was somewhere I couldn't send any messages to you. I hope you understand "

" It's okay, I am relieved that you are back and healthy "

Nalani felt guilty for lying to her friend. She was her friend, her best friend. They have been through so much together, why should she lie to her. Perhaps telling her the truth will ease the guilt she felt .

" I was in the castle" blurted out Nalani

" What? What do you mean?" Kellen's eyes narrowed.

" Technically I didn't go anywhere, I was in the castle the whole time" she said looking down, she was afraid of seeing her friends disapproving expression.

" Please explain, without the metaphors "

" You can't tell anyone about this Kellen " she suddenly grabbed Kellen's hand.

Seeing the determination on Nalani's face Kellen agreed .

" Go ahead, I won't say anything "

" I was in the King's chambers "

" King's chambers? Why would you be there?"

" I fainted in the King's chambers, so he called a doctor and kept me there to rest and recover "

" The king?" Kellen asked

" Yes the king "

" King Ambrose?"

" How many Kings do we have? Focus Kellen "

"I .. this is very hard to believe..."

" I know but it's the truth. The King has been taking care of me for the last few days"

" Wow. I am so shocked right now "

" I know right, Imagine if it was you and you woke up in the King's chambers,"

" I would be terrified " Kellen shuddered at the thought

" I was so scared too. I kept trying to leave and he kept blackmailing me, so I had to stay"

" Who would have thought the King could be so warm hearted "

" Hey, don't look at me, I was surprised too. I couldn't believe it, yet it was happening to me"

" You are lucky . I have never heard of the King taking care of anyone. "

" I know, I know and that's why it's driving crazy"

" Maybe he is into you"

" Into me? What do you mean?*

" I mean the King likes you, you idiot"

" Ha! Ha!  That is funny and not true" refused Nalani

" How do you know?"

" I just do"

" I think he does. Anyway that's just my opinion"

" A lame opinion" grumbled Nalani.

" I have to go do some things, please rest. I will come to check on you later"

Kellen left Nalani in their room to run some errands. Nalani got in bed with thoughts of their conversation still disturbing her .

" Was Kellen right?" She wondered " No..no she can't be" she later dismissed those thoughts and took a nap.

Heidi was going to the bathroom when she saw Nalani. She hasn't seen her in a while so she was curious as to her sudden disappearance. She didn't believe the lame reason they were given by Mrs Smith. No one gets a leave of absence so easily in the castle.

That made everything about this case suspicious. She followed Nalani to her room but maintaining a good distance. She watched Kellen opening the door and letting Nalani in. Once they were inside Heidi went closer to the door

The walls of the servant quarters were very thin. You could easily hear what is happening in a room from the outside. She stopped at their door and brought her ear closer to the door to listen to their conversation.

" Where were you?" Were the first words she heard.

She could hear them clearly from the outside. And based on their relationship, Heidi knew she will be very enlightened by the time they finished their conversation.