6 Where Secrets Are Kept

"You are surprisingly recovering fast, Young Miss." Dr. Henry Herrera beamed after seeing the results of my physical and mental examinations.

I'm still preoccupied by what happened before I went back inside. Is he fine? Who are those intruders? I thought this area is secured?

I also looked at the results of my health statistics on his computer monitor. I don't really understand it but it states the percentage of my stability.

"Is this something I should be grateful of? Because I'm still alive and well?" I bluntly spoke. I know this sounds disrespectful but did they respect me first? Always no. "I knew about my grandfather who went rampage after being unable to control the labyrinth. Will I also end up like him?"

"Now, now, you're starting to get curious." The doctor awkwardly adjusted his spectacles. "It's true that the labyrinth is not fully developed when the former president first tested for it. He was rash in his actions given his not so normal body condition and thus, he experienced complications. As for you, Young Miss, you are young and capable. I admit I was surprised when I saw you still well and now getting used after seven years."

"My father's term is ending. Will I be set free after all this?"

What will happen after his presidency ends? I'm sure he will push through the political dynasty. I have no cousins nor siblings that could follow his political tracks. But then... he proposed about the engagement between the Caraville's heir and I. But our talk did not end well. I remembered not agreeing to his terms and he forced the labyrinth inside me. When I got my consciousness back, he was nowhere in the room. I wonder what happened.

"I don't think so. The labyrinth is at its peak of success. Everyone is after it, whether with good intentions or bad motives. And if they learn about how dangerous it is, even for your family and yourself, they will try all means to turn the tables and use the labyrinth to destroy you. That's why as much as possible, you use it very often in your own advantage."

His last words remained in my head even after I decided to sleep that night.

The next day, the first thing that comes to my senses is the frightful attack last night. Is Jesther alright?

I immediately took a bath and went out of my room. I even encountered the handmaiden on my way down the stairs.

"Uh, Young Miss. I'm about to bring your breakfast to your room." She shyly bowed her head slightly.

"You can put it on the dining table. I'm eating with all of you." I remarked.

Before she could even realize what I said, I made my way out of the house.

I need to talk to that man or else what happened last night will add on the suspicions I have for him. I turned and went at the back of the house, where a small quarter has taken place.

Slowly, I clicked the handle and opened the door. I carefully took a peek inside.

"What are you doing?"

His voice is low and husky, like he just woke up. I held my chest because I was taken aback. It's like he knew I'm coming and he's preparing for it.

But there's no turning back. I felt ashamed and my cheeks are hot but I set my thoughts aside.

"You..." I got inside his quarter and closed the door behind me. He's sitting on a single bunk with his disheveled hair, as always, and an untidy necktie hanging loosely on his collar, three buttons of his long sleeve polo down. "You don't sleep inside?"

"What about it?" He lazily asked while I drifted my gaze from him to the other corners of the room. Surprisingly, everything is neatly arranged.

"I'm just asking... and chec-king." I almost stuttered in front of him!

"I should be the one asking you. Are you fine?" His expression changed, but still too vague to read.

"I'm fine. I was checked by the family doctor last night."

He nodded and then we were swallowed by silence. It took me some time to speak up again.

"Who are those guys?" I directed my point. I'm still wondering how they sounded so certain in bringing me here yet last night...

"I don't know either. Don't mind it." He shook his head like he's now dismissing me.

"Don't mind it? Can you hear yourself? You're almost a dead fry last night!" I admit I was, and am worried. But hearing him not even scared about it is beyond my comprehension. He's the only one guarding us, and their security check did not guarantee our safety!

Again, he did not respond.

"You're not thinking of keeping it a secret to the Presidential Team, aren't you?"

"It's not a secret. You saw it. I have no idea how those people got here but I certainly won't let intruders hurt any of you." He simply said. "Rest assured, I will let your father know."

And with that, he dismissed me.

"Come with us in the dining. We'll have a breakfast." I did not hear him approved nor disagreed but I hope he will.

"Good morning, Young Miss. Did you sleep well last night?" Candice greeted me.

"Yeah, I guess." I gestured her to eat with me. And as I expected, Jesther did not show up. Such a headache.

"What am I supposed to do now, Candice? I don't know what kind of recovery are they trying to give me but I'm now fine. Do we really have to stay here for weeks? I don't understand!" I complained while she's eating beside me.

"Don't you like it here? I mean, this is a new environment. And I think you need this kind of escapade to unwind. When we go back to the palace, no one knows what will happen."

"You call this an escapade? This is just another prison!" I shook my head.

"But you can do anything you want, Young Miss. Now that you're far from your father's sight." She eyed me warily while drinking a glass of juice.

That got me thinking. She's right. I may be able to do something I can't do when I'm in the palace. All I need to consider is Jesther. I think I need to act nicer around him so I can smell him closely.

"You're right. Let's talk after this."

We quickly finished our breakfast and went to the office.

"What is our bodyguard currently doing?" I asked.

"I think he's on the rooftop, fixing something, Miss Claudia."

I nodded.

"I'm just wondering..." I stared at my assistant. "The doctor told me about his findings. He said I'm capable of moving with accordance to the labyrinth. You think I can, sort of, control it? My compatibility with it has been proved now that it has been seven years since the start of installment."

"It does not seem impossible, Miss." Candice stood and went to the bookshelves. She scanned the books and finally took a dense one from the shelf. "This is a history book and it covers your grandfather's reign."

"Is there some information regarding the labyrinth?" I asked while she's busy scanning the book entitled Sober Reign.

"I have no idea, Miss. But let's see." She flipped the pages. "Former President Julius Carbonel has taken down several private firms and illegal enterprises during his dominion."

All because of the labyrinth within him.

"He was dead and cold right after he lost his power and position... and the labyrinth was passed on to your father." She stated what's written on the book. Those stories were all posted in almost all articles and tabloids.

"All this time, people have been inquiring about the labyrinth." I said while staring at an empty space.

"Have you heard about the Guarran Incident, Miss Claudia?" She suddenly asked and shut the book closed. It piqued my interest and I became so attentive.

It has been a while.

"I haven't. But I know the place!" My heart pounded because it brings back memories. "My grandfather used to take me to Guarra when I was a kid."

"Do you have any idea why? Or what was his purpose of going there?" Candice curiously asked.

"I don't. I was just six that time. But we went there several times." I tried to remember what happened years ago. "It was very far from civilization... and there were old buildings, ranches, and forests. Grandpa usually leaves me waiting at the old lobby because he said it's too dangerous outside and even at the floor where he went."

Candice nodded at that. "So he had some business with the Guarran people."

"I guess so."

"They are known for their research and experimentations." She added.

"I... didn't know that."

"Aside from that, Young Miss..." she eyed me confusely. "The Guarran incident was ordered by your father. It's kinda contradicting."

"What do you mean? What happened? I know nothing about that." I lowered down my voice as follow up questions are lining up in my head.

"This has been kept a secret and the government shut the media down from speaking about it." She started. "You have no idea but I'm sure the labyrinth has. You may have known about it during your electronic state."

"If that's the case, then there's no way for me to get a hold of those information." I'm always forgetting about what I did right after the labyrinth is discharged from me. Not even a single information remains. How surprising. It's surreal and out of this world!

"Unless you can somehow manage to control it, no?" She suggested.

"That is my current plan. But I lost interest in it. I don't know how and if it is possible."

"You will eventually learn how to do it, Young Miss. In due time."

"When is the due time? It's been past seven years and I still have no recollection about my electronic self! My life is now like a puzzle with lost pieces because of that."

Candice stared at me with pity. I can see it. "The only way to complete the puzzle is to control the only thing where secrets are kept."

But how? I don't know.

If only I can, then I will be able to smell Jesther's hidden agenda.