Chapter 80 Orgah is not to be trusted.
Amarien's POV
I lead Jana down the passageway, signalling to her multiple times not to make a sound. Jana didn't seem convinced, she looked around the dimly lit passage with scepticism and hesitated several times.
"Where are we going, Amarien?! We could get in trouble!" Jana said with loud whispers.
I quickly covered her mouth with my palm. "Ssshhh!" I said.
It's a new month now, and Orgah's kindness has proven to be consistent and sustainable to me. Yet, anytime she leads me down that passageway alone, my heart aches for the numerous concubines outside who have barely gotten enough to eat and a warm, soft sheet to sleep on.
The nunnery is a far cry from the palace. The environment was hostile; there is no vanity here, and we are treated as prisoners for performing our duty to the emperor.
I know Orgah said she doesn't trust anyone, and I should, too. But Jana has proven to be a good friend to me over the past few months, so I'm doing this on her behalf.
She has not just rescued me from the monstrous pranks of the concubines here; she has also defended me against their onslaught in the room.
One day, I heard Velmira and her crew had marked my bed, and they plan to sneak into my dorm to finish off what they couldn't months ago.
There have been rumours that Queen Catherine is willing to give a bounty on the Concubine who kills me. I tried hard not to think of it, but while I was unconscious of these troubles weaving their way into my life, Jana was there.
She warned me not to return to the dorm that night and find a way to avoid Velmira so she can be pacified.
I did. And behold, when I returned to my bed it was tattered and torn apart after weeks. They must have thought they would crawl up on me in the night and stab me multiple times.
The thought of it all made me shiver. I thought of my baby's life. My baby, who is now nine months, would be out any moment. It's a miracle that I've escaped anyone noticing. And as I led Jana down the passage, I decided to tell Orgah about the baby. If she helped me so far, she might be sensitive enough to help with the baby.
We got into the room, and Jana's eyes widened so much I felt they would pop out.
"Foood…!" she said, saliva dripping down her mouth. I chuckled as she lunged at the table and began studying her mouth.
"Where did Orgah get all this food?" Jana said, with a mouthful of food.
I shrugged and joined her. "She never answers my questions."
"She's very mysterious."
"She's kind," I said as I chewed on the roasted duck dipped in honey sauce.
"We don't even get to eat this type of food in the palace except there's a banquet. This is the type of food for an Emperor!" Jana chuckled happily, digging in.
My baby kicked, and I gave a soft groan of discomfort. Jana stopped and looked at me, worried in her eyes.
I quickly smile. "I'm alright. My back still aches from the new bed given to me."
After Velmira and friends destroyed my bed, I was handed a new one, which is by far worse than the first.
Jana nodded. "It must have been quite uncomfortable for the baby."
My eyes widened and I froze. I shook.
"What baby?" I smiled, hoping to downplay any form of seriousness in Jana's voice.
Jana was quiet for a moment; she focused only on her food. But I kept my eyes on her as if pleading to the gods that I hadn't exposed myself and my baby.
"I know you're pregnant, Amarien." She said again. This time, she turned to look at me. "The first day you lay on my bed and got close enough, I thought your stomach gave a swell because you had all these fancy things to eat." Her eyes lowered to the big tunic I always had on, "But I noticed the swelling is even bigger today, and you haven't gotten anything to eat."
Silence filled the room. A tense silence.
Is she going to tell? Will she let Nun Argo know about it? The image of Gina curling on the dirt, screaming for her life and her child as she was whipped to death flashed through my mind.
I shivered.
"Don't tell Orgah about the baby." Jana continued ominously.
"Why?" I said, unable to come up with any lie to defend myself.
"Because I know that baby isn't just anyone's child. It belongs to the Emperor." Jana's gaze returns to her food. But she wasn't eating this time; she seemed to have lost her appetite just like me.
"It could be your ticket out of here, or it could bring you the greatest misfortune if Queen Catherine finds out…"
"I don't intend to let Daevir…the Emperor know about the child…" I quickly cut in, tears beaming in my eyes. "I want to keep the child. Why should I tell a man who threw me here and never looked back?" Anger blazed in my voice, but I comported myself.
Jana studied me for a moment and then her gaze returned to her food.
"In that case, Orgah will be the last person to tell. All Nuns serve the Emperor and his Queen. Don't be carried away by the kindness she shows you; no one gives anything for nothing, Amarien. You should have learnt that long ago."
Her words struck my heart. Could it be that Orgah has a plan contrived by Catherine? With the rumours of Catherine out to get me here, I won't be surprised if anyone sells their souls to earn her approval and rewards.
My heart began palpitating in my chest, and I suddenly looked down at the food with suspicion.
I lean in to Jana, terrified of my life and that I'd lose my baby. "It's only a matter of weeks, maybe days, before Nun Argo will learn of my baby. I'm desperate, Jana. I need to find a way out of here."
Jana quickly rested her hand on mine. "You know I always have a solution. Relax, Amarien, I'll help you."
How? My mind shines through numerous possibilities.
Jana shrugged, "I have my ways," she said mysteriously. "All you need to do is stay calm, Amarien. You'll be out of here in no time. And whatever Orgah is out to accomplish will fail."
I rested my arm on my raging heart, stilling myself.
Jana's eyes narrowed on the bracelet on my wrist. "Nice bracelet. Where did you get it from?"
Quickly, I tucked my hands away avoiding her eyes, and I told her Orgah gave me. Jana looked at me with disbelief, but she was too fascinated with the food before her to proceed any further.
There is a way out, Amarien. Call Theron!
I quickly pushed the thought out of my mind. Why should I take this way out when I have Jana?
I know I can trust her.