Chapter 14: +Chapter 14+

There were at least ten guards at the gates, all positioned in a way that would make it practically impossible to get in or out unless you were authorized. And Mari didn’t have to try to go up the high walls to know that they were electric, so unless she had the ability to fly, it would be impossible to get over it.

The guards just took a look at the maids and nodded, opening a small side gate so all three could get through.

Mari held her breath as she walked through the gate, anxiety eating at her. She was terrified that they would suddenly stop her for no reason and prevent her from leaving but none of that happened. Instead, she was able to walk free.

The palace of the King of the South was a bit out of the way, sprawling woods surrounded it on all sides, a single road in and out. They would have to walk for a while to be able to order a cab but Mari didn’t know this.

She decided to stick with the maids for a bit longer while she tried to figure out what to do next. She couldn’t believe that she had been able to get this far, she was trembling with excitement and fear.

The maids in front ordered a cab after they had been walking for a while, making Mari slow to a stop. She had lost her phone and what little money she had in the fire that burnt down her apartment - she couldn’t believe that that had happened just this morning, it felt like weeks ago.

One of the maids seemed to notice the lost look in her eyes, “I haven’t seen you before, are you new here?” She turned to Mari just as she was about to step into the car.

Mari cleared her throat, “Y-Yes.”

“Then hop in! We’ll give you a ride out.” She invited with a bright smile. “It’s better this way because it’s cheaper, tomorrow’s ride is on you, okay?” She explained.

Mari smiled and nodded, although she knew that she wouldn’t be able to hold up her end of the bargain. She chose to sit in front because she didn’t want to have to hold a conversation with the two friendly maids, her disguise was very poor, and she couldn’t have them figuring her out now.

The maids must have guessed that she didn’t want to have a conversation and left her alone, whispering between themselves instead.

“Did you see King Kade?” One whispered.

“No,” Mari could hear the pout in her friend’s voice. “I was stationed to laundry all day, can you believe it?”

“Well, I saw him!”

“Luckyy! What was he like…” The second maid immediately fished for information.

Mari tuned them out, it wasn’t because she already knew what King Kade was like but that she didn’t want to hear anything about either King. She wasn’t so quick to forget them threatening her to fight Shadows or be killed even after she insisted that she wasn’t a witch.

She already knew enough, they were both cruel and dangerous to her.

The cab slowed down when it came to a turn, the road they were previously on, intersecting with one of the roads that led in and out of the capital.

“She’ll stop here,” One of the maids said from the back, causing the driver to park momentarily by the side of the road.

“Thanks!” Mari beamed, making a move to step out only to hesitate. “Also, sorry to bother you but I left my purse at the palace, could I borrow a few bucks to get home? I’ll pay you tomorrow.”

The maid that had stopped the driver thought nothing of this, reaching into the handbag she carried, “Sure thing, get home safe okay!”

Mari gratefully took the handful of ten dollar bills and waved them off, a grin on her face. As soon as they were out of sight, she stopped to carefully count the money she had acquired. It was forty dollars in total which was better than nothing.

She started off in the opposite direction, heading out of the capital. She took off the frilly cap on her head and tossed it into the bush on the side of the road, letting her hair down. Next, she took off the apron which met the same fate as the filly cap.

Without the apron and cap, the uniform actually looked decent which was a relief because she didn’t want to stand out. Mari carefully folded her money and tucked it inside her dress, picking up the pace.

She couldn’t believe it! She had worked so hard all her life just so that she would have a home and all it took to destroy everything was one bad event. It made her realize just how fickle things were, anything could be lost at any time.

It was also the reason she didn’t leave Wintree although she never fit in. She thought that all she needed were roots, that maybe her life would have some stability if she just stayed in one place. That sadly didn’t work out. Now she was more than willing to try somewhere new, she needed to find herself.

Mari stood at the side of the road after walking a sufficient distance from the outlet that led to King Lucien’s palace, planning to hitch-hike out of the capital. She fortunately didn’t have to wait very long because a car stopped for her in no time, the sleek black car slowing down as the driver rolled down their tinted windows.