Chapter 23 23
The cell gate was locked, but given the lock used, it didn't look like destroying it would be a hassle, so I searched for something thick and used it to start hitting the padlock. At some point, I even grabbed my footwear and slammed the thick sole onto the padlock.
For hours, I was busy hitting the padlock with all sorts of things that I saw in there with me, aiming to break free and sneak out of the prison yard. I was going to steal some food from the kitchen, and it didn't matter how many times I would get lost.
How could they not check up on me for five days? Even the Dragon Sovereign, whom I had a deal with, was acting as though he had forgotten about me. If I died there, they would be so happy, yet my brother, who was still a captive in the fae's hand, would be lonely in this world. Ofelia would regret the stress and risk she took in coming after me here, so I just needed to act out of bounds for once.
When I felt the padlock had become loose, it resulted in hitting the door itself backwards, so it broke free by itself. I slammed my foot and fist several times until it got weak and opened wide before me.
A heavy breath left through my lips. I stared at the open entrance with my palms transfixed on my waist. I really did it, now I have to worry about finding the kitchen, because I already knew the way out.
It was dark, so I believed the prison warders wouldn't see me leaving. I was weak, so sensing a fae passing by should be something they couldn't do.
I began leaving the prison building, having in my mind the ways that Orrifin took on that day he took me out and we trekked. It was as though I knew that this kinda thing could happen and insisted that we trekked despite how far it was.
Fortunately, I didn't come across any guards until I stepped out of the building. They must have thought how weak I was and would be unable to escape, or maybe they were on night break to resume soon.
‘What if I'm caught?’ The idea struck my mind, and I shook my head. How could I have such a thing in mind after successfully leaving the cell? I should be thinking of how to reach the kitchen now. ‘But they could see me leaving.’
Ahh! I needed to sort something out. Like, changing up my attire or whatever. So the first idea I got was repacking my hair, which I did immediately. I also stripped and reformed the long dress into a skirt and a blouse. Although it was kinda difficult to walk faster with it, I doubted they would find out I was the one with how I now looked.
Finally feeling satisfied with how I dressed, I began leaving, walking faster and making my way towards the main gate that would take me outside. I didn't fail to walk like I owned the whole place, instead of looking scared, and the guards there seemed to be more interested in what they were eating instead of checking on who was leaving.
I had finally left through the gate when someone touched my shoulder, causing my heart to drop into my belly. “Get us more liver before you switch roles,” the man said behind me, and I simply nodded before continuing.
Oh, goddess mother, they thought I was a servant in the castle. So I would get their liver when returning? How would I know which of the meats was liver? This was something I rarely ate in the human land.
I walked ahead until I reached a two-way route, and then recognised where Orrifin took that day, so I took the other, hoping that it would for sure get me to the castle.
Minutes later, I found myself standing before a massive building, the castle, and so many servants were parading by at that time of night. Since the guards didn't get to know who I was, I thought the servants wouldn't either, so I reached out to one of them, putting on a smile and a slight bow. “Hey, could you direct me to the kitchen? I got a message from there.”
She took a good look at me and shrugged, “Follow me! That's where I'm going.”
A lump suddenly formed in my throat. She was going there? Would it still work out as I had just lied?
I didn't realise the lady had walked away until she called me out, "Aren't you coming?” I shuddered, then bowed and began reaching her.
Together, we reached the kitchen, and when she dropped the bowl she was holding, she whispered to me, “This is the kitchen, and the chief chef should be in there.” Then she began leaving, and that seemed like a relief to me.
I reached towards the entrance and peeped, and indeed, there were more than three people in there, so it wasn't yet time for me. I waited at the corner for what felt like eternity before I heard them say to each other as they were climbing down the short stairs, “I need a massage tonight, or maybe a long sleep. But my salary is along the line and I'm not getting my leave anytime soon.” one of the ladies said while pulling off the gloves she wore and dropping them on the pavement.
The other chipped in, “If you're too tired, why not request it? Dragon Sovereign would surely grant it.”
“But you won't get any other until the year ends.”
As they discussed, they left, and I thought I was beginning to regain my hope.
Soon, they all vanished from the compound, and I came forth from my hiding place. The door was shut, so I hoped it wasn't locked, but I was so unfortunate when I found out it had been locked with a padlock.
I checked on the window, and that was the part that seemed open, but I would need to reposition to be able to climb over.
This was my only time to get this. Even if it was the last part of the dinner, I had to get some, so I didn't hesitate to redress and climb over the window. I checked all the pots, and they were washed off, until I finally saw a covered plate kept aside, so I grabbed it, and it was indeed a meal.
Climbing over the window with the plate of food would be so difficult, so I shifted towards the door, leaned on it and began gobbling up the meal. I didn't realise how untasty it was as it was a dragon's meal, but all I needed was to feel alright again.
I was done and was drinking from the jug when a sound came from the door as though someone was unlocking the padlock. Then came their voice from outside, “Are you sure you left it there, or did it fall off along the way?”
“I have to check and be sure!” the lady at the door answered while unlocking the door.
Quickly, I dropped the jug and then began looking around for where to hide myself. But the kitchen was something else. There was nowhere to hide.
If I had known, I would have tried to get away with the meal, even if I had to drink from my bathroom again.
As it was, I would be caught, and they wouldn't spare my life for messing up again.