Chapter 7

In the next few days, Nalani spent her time getting her things in order. She knew that once you start working at the castle you'll have to also reside there. It was a live in maid situation. She had to deal with her lease for the room she has been calling home. The landlord was nice enough to allow her to move without objection.

She also had to say goodbye to her friend Kellen. To be honest she has been stalling, she didn't want to say goodbye to Kellen, who was like a sister to her. After hours of deliberation and alot of going back and forth ,she requested Sir Carl a huge favour. She wanted Kellen to join her in her new adventures in the Castle. She didn't trust anyone else there and she didn't want to be lonely.

Surprisingly enough Sir Carl accepted quickly. She wondered why she was so afraid to ask in the first place. Sir Carl was her father's best friend and technically her guardian in the castle, so it is very likely he would want her to be as comfortable as possible.

Yesterday Nalani sold all her produce to other market salers at throw away prices. They wouldn't have bought them otherwise. She was relieved that she atleast got a fraction of her money back. She bought some powder for her face, lotion and some earrings. She was about to live in the castle and she didn't know what to expect.

Everyone who has been in the castle say the same thing, it is an expensive and elegant place. She didn't want to look like the odd one out . She also bought a few new dresses as the old ones were too worn out to be worn in a majestic castle. She has never been ashamed of her life or her possessions but she wanted to treat herself too.

Was there a better way to treat yourself than buying new clothes? She wondered what the castle will be like. Will she like it or will she despise every minute of it? Either way she will survive long enough to bring those who betrayed her father to justice. She will make sure of it.

All her affairs were in order except one. She had to convince Kellen to accompany her to the castle. She hadn't thought of a strategy yet but she will try her very best to convince her friend. She walked from her house to Kellen's house . She purposely went in the evening when Kellen was back from the market.

She knocked on the door and waited.

" Who is it" yelled Kellen from inside

" It's me, Nalani. Open up"

She heard footsteps come closer to the door before it was opened. A tired looking Kellen was on the other side. She looked awfully tired. What happened today?

" What's wrong?" Asked a concerned Nalani

" Come in. I will explain as we drink some tea" she huffed

Nalani removed her shoes and walked in. Kellen's room was simple but larger than Nalani's. There was a small bed at the corner, a table with two chairs. She sat on one of the chairs while Kellen went ahead to make tea. After she was done she joined Nalani on the table.

" Could you please tell me what is wrong. My stomach is in knots" complained Nalani

" It was a long day"

" How so? Tell me everything"

" First the taxes were increased, we have to pay more for us to sell at the market"

" What!"

" Yea, money is tight already but with this additional tax I don't know how we can survive. I might as well pack up and accept marriage " she sighed

" Your business is not doing that well?"

" Frankly no, I can barely pay my debts , my room, eat and buy more stock for my business "

Nalani wondered if this new tax was heaven sent. She wondered if she should take advantage of her friend's financial state or lack thereof.

" Don't get married now , you have struggled for too long to give up now"

" What am I supposed to do Nalani? Tell me " her voice broke.

Nalani could feel the desperation in Kellen's voice and it was desperation she has felt so many times. She didn't want to see her friend suffer and she definitely didn't want to see her get married for money. She would be damned before she accepted that.

" I have a solution for you but you have to be open minded " Nalani tested the waters.

" What? You want me to become a prostitute" she said in disbelief " I would rather die"

" Are you crazy! I would never suggest such a thing" she retorted

" So what do you mean by being open minded?"

" I meant open minded in things like maybe.....moving"

" Moving?"

" Yes, moving. Would you consider moving somewhere else ?"

" Nalani...."

" I will be with you the entire time. Don't worry "

" But, Florrin is my home, it's where I work"

" I know but, look, we are barely surviving right now. Maybe we should try elsewhere "

" I know you Nalani, you never mention something unless you have a plan. What place are you speaking of?"

" The castle" Nalani whispered

" What???!" Kellen chocked on her tea

" I have two job offers in the castle and I want you to come with me"

" I...I don't know" said a hesitant Kellen

" What else would we be doing here? Barely surviving. I can't do that Kellen. At least at the castle we will have a steady income , a place to stay for free and free food"

" But it's in the castle"

" So? It's a good place as any" shrugged Nalani

" What if we meet the cruel King?"

" We won't. I will make sure we get assigned chores far away from him. I promise. Please come with me"

"I...I"

" Don't make me do this alone Kellen, you are like a sister to me. I don't want to leave you here alone"

" Fine, you have convinced me. So what do we do now?"

" We have a day to prepare before we go to the castle. Someone will come to pick us up "

" That soon?"

" Yes, we don't want to miss this golden opportunity "

" Fine, I will sell my things or give them away, whatever works. I will be ready by then"

" I am so happy we will be going together. When things get overwhelming we will have each other "

" Right"

" I have to go. Be prepared for the day after tomorrow. You can sleep in my house tomorrow so that we leave together "

" That is a good idea"

With that the two friends parted ways. Both in a hurry to deal with their lives.

The day to the leave for the castle arrived faster than they would have wanted. Yet they were prepared to face whatever was to come. Sir Carl stayed true to his words as a carriage came to pick them up mid morning. It was not very fancy but neither was it shabby.

The coach man was a young boy in his teens called Manie. He was kind and polite, something the two girls don't experience too often. Most of the men they have talked to were always rude or flirty, always one between the two but Manie was just polite. If these were the kind of people that worked at the castle, the two would fit in perfectly.

The half a day journey to the castle began. The two women's gaze were focused out of the window. They have never been to this side of the country, most people haven't. The forest was thick but beautiful. They could hear birds chirping and other animal noises they couldn't identify yet.

They were mesmerized by the view. There ride was silent for a few hours before Manie started giving them an idea of how the castle is.

" When you get to the castle, don't look at people at a higher station than you in the eye"

" Why?" Both women asked at the same time

" It is seen as a challenge as well as disrespect"

"Ohh"

"The Castle is a great place to work if you know your place. Don't talk unless you are spoken too. This is the most important rule "

" So I can't talk?"

" You can talk but only when you are answering a question. If you want to say yes just nod your head"

" What if I say yes?"

" Some people don't mind but some are sticklers to the rules. So be careful "

" You make working at the castle sound terrifying "

" So sorry if I am doing that. It is not on purpose. You will love it, I am sure of it"

He smiled.

Kellen returned his smile but Nalani was worried. What if she forgets about the rules? Then what will happen to her and her friend. Maybe going to the castle was not a good idea . However how else was she supposed to meet the king who condemned her father to death. A few rules will not make her loose her opportunity to get vengeance.

The road was smooth as soon as they sported the castle walls. The walls protecting the castle seemed to go as high as the skies. The gates were made of wood but not just any wood, the good kind. They stopped outside the gates and Manie showed them his documents. They quickly searched the carriage before the gates were opened.

Manie directed the horse forward towards the servants quarters. The field was filled with green grass that went for miles.  The trees were well kept and trimmed in different shapes. There carriage moved forward until they could see a massive fountain near the entrance to the castle but then they took a left turn.

They finally stopped at the servants area. The area was filled with people performing various jobs. Some women were washing clothes, will others were sorting vegetables, others were folding dry clothes. Some men were carrying in big sacks into the castle while others chopped wood. Manie helped them out of the carriage and the two women observed everyone in wonder.

A woman came towards them as soon as Manie waved his hand. She was big bodied and looked older. From her appearance and that of Manie, she appeared to be his mother. Although the girls could be wrong .

" Manie, you are finally here" said the woman.

" I told you I will be alright"

" You know I always get scared when you leave. "

" Mom stop embarrassing me" he blushed

" I will always embarrass you, I am your mother. I can do whatever I want" she laughed

When the two women joined in the laughter, she took her gaze off her son and stared at the two women.

" I don't think this two will survive here"