❝Hreathoire❞

Chapter 18

"Oh my God, I've missed you guys."

"We miss the air. We miss bathing." Sienna walked backwards, almost tripping but Grace caught her and giggled. Even until now, Grace still has her tiny comb to fix her fringe.

"Well, you can go to the bathroom later." I say. It's almost like nothing bad happened now that the color returned in their skins. They seem to be the same. Vibrant.

"I so want to drink a clean water. After all those days drinking water that smelled like wizz." Ivan said, imitating an action of vomiting.

"Ew," I rolled my eyes, chuckling. I placed my hand around Amelia on my left and Ria on my right. "It's good that many portions of the food are given to us. We cook a lot, serving half of the foods to the royal family but they eat like a stuffed child so the remaining plus the other half we eat. All of us. Men and women servants."

When we reached the door, I opened it. The chambers deemed unwelcoming now it has new occupiers. All the women servants stepped back, maybe muttering now there are men to be residing in this women's chambers. The air in me became shallow as I stepped forward, pulling them inside.

"Pleasantries," The headmaid appeared out of nowhere, made me remember that she also has a magical ability. She gave Nathan pieces of paper he passed along the others. "These will be your tasks. Do not dawdle as you pass along with your days. The Queen has given you the chance to be free, do not disappoint her." She walked nearer, daunting. "Or you will be shoved back to that prison. Without food. Nor water."

I can hear their chest drop with the burden of the headmaid's voice.

"Yes, ma'am."

When she walked away, we reached for the staircase. Amelia inched nearer and whispered to me.

"I wish I could pierce their eyes."

"They look like ghosts." Ria also said, hopeful she wouldn't be heard.

When they opened the door, I suddenly thought of Lilith so I can't help but tell them about her. That not all of the servants here are forbidding. Are like them with judging eyes and never silent mouths.

"I have a friend. Her name is Lilith but... she's not well now."

They didn't seem to hear it for they were busy exploring my small room that could maybe fit all of us. Perhaps, my voice became small. Small with the fear and worry of what's happening with Lilith. I did not dare repeat it again. How I wish she could be here and they can all be friends.

"I'm so happy we can be together again."

Ria walked towards me and I embraced her. The others followed. Water starts to pool in my eyes, my heart cloaked by the warmth of their embrace. We pulled away when we heard Jamison chortle.

"Maybe tomorrow or later we can already plan our escape. Go to that main tower you went to and see the view so we can have an idea about the path. The path to that dark forest."

Nathan say, patting my shoulder. It's been so long since he's in contact with me. Since that party in his house. Since the evilry of Brianna.

And I missed him so much yet dudgeon bubbled inside me as the words he said resonated. Escape. I almost forgot that we need to escape from here.

That I must leave something precious.

Someone.

"Have you been to many places in the castle already?" My senses awoke with Ivan's snap.

"Maybe just a few."

"Did something bad happen to you?" Nathan asked, his face of concern. He's still as handsome as the first day I fell for him. But my attraction has faded. It's all now just a fondness for a friend. A memory.