38 A Commoner’s Empathy

"Yes, thank you, Thea. I shall have my dinner here again," Yohana told Thea.

She had grown accustomed to eating alone in her room, even before taking on the role of Lady Runa. As an assassin, maintaining close relationships had always been risky and not something she could afford.

Thea nodded understandingly and left the room to fetch Yohana's meal. Yohana took a moment to reflect on the arrangement she had made with Henrie. While it may have seemed unconventional, it served a purpose for both of them.

By being Henrie's fiancee, Yohana would have the authority and protection she needed to defend herself against future offenses.

Additionally, Yohana knew that this arrangement would benefit Henrie as well. She had heard whispers of loyalists plotting to overthrow King Georg's leadership, and she understood the weight of the responsibility that fell upon Henrie's shoulders.

The engagement would serve as a deterrent to loyalists who might contemplate revolting against the royal family, as their beloved Princess Runa had already returned to the palace.

As she sat alone in her room, awaiting her meal, Yohana couldn't help but ponder the complexities of her new role and the challenges that lay ahead.

A short while later, Thea entered the room carrying the trays of food. To Yohana's surprise, their dinners consisted of the same menu - a bowl of soup and a piece of bread. It was a modest meal by palace standards, but Yohana had no complaints.

As Thea set the dishes on Yohana's table, she seemed fidgety, holding her own tray of food. Yohana could sense that Thea wanted something but was hesitant to ask. Despite the difference in their social status, one was a noblewoman, and the other was a commoner, Yohana understood the loneliness Thea must have felt.

With kindness in her voice, Yohana offered, "Would you like to have dinner with me?"

Thea's response was immediate and enthusiastic, as if she had been waiting for that invitation all along. Yohana had observed that Thea seemed to be isolated from the other servants, facing some form of ostracism within the palace walls.

Yohana's sleeping quarters were located in an antechamber adjacent to the servants' quarters. The walls between them were thin, allowing Yohana to overhear most of the conversations that took place among the servants, as long as they spoke in normal or loud voices.

Despite Thea's cheerful personality, Yohana rarely heard her voice among the bustling conversations in the servants' quarters. It was as if Thea's voice blended in with the multitude of voices, making it difficult for Yohana to pinpoint her presence.

There was one instance, however, when Yohana distinctively heard Thea's voice. Initially, it sounded like Thea was engaged in an argument with the other servants. As more servants joined in, Thea's voice gradually faded away.

"I can't help but feel sorry for you, my lady," Thea's voice finally emerged, expressing her concern. "As Prince Henrie's fiancee, shouldn't you be assigned a more suitable chamber? It's disheartening to see you in this damp and isolated wing, far away from the other residents."

Witnessing a commoner showing empathy toward a noblewoman was an uncommon sight. Yet, Yohana found it refreshing and appreciated Thea's straightforwardness amidst a world of facades. It was this genuine side of Thea that drew Yohana toward her, and she cherished their companionship.

***

"Your Highness, please wait!" a maid called out as she ran through the hallway.

"Your Highness!" another young lady, likely a lady-in-waiting, was also seen chasing someone in the hallway.

Yohana, accompanied by Thea, was stepping out of her room when she noticed the commotion. Thea quickly informed her about the identities of the women. Yohana had seen them before but was unaware of their specific roles.

The maid was Maxine, Princess Elke's personal maid, while the lady following her was Lady Lotti, Princess Elke's lady-in-waiting. Thea mentioned that Maxine was the only maid who didn't harbor hostility toward her.

Given the crowded hallway, Yohana decided to take an alternative route to reach the library. She opted to pass through the back garden, avoiding the swarm of people searching for Princess Elke.

As Yohana walked through the garden, she passed by a pavilion and heard a rustle emanating from behind it. Initially, she disregarded it, but a sudden thud captured her attention.

"What's that?" Yohana whispered.

Thea, sharing the same concern and confusion, shook her head. "It sounds like something heavy just fell."

"Could someone be injured?" Yohana speculated.

Both women hurried toward the pavilion, fearing that someone might have accidentally fallen and required immediate medical assistance. However, upon reaching the pavilion, they found it empty. Their footsteps echoed within the tall structure.

Just as they stepped out of the pavilion, Yohana heard another rustle. "It's coming from the backside!" she exclaimed, and quickly made her way toward the rear of the pavilion.

Luckily, nobody was hurt. Yohana breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Princess Elke, who was kicking pebbles while murmuring curses. Her skirt was dirty and torn in some places, and she had lost one of her shoes.

"Are you alright?" Yohana asked.

The princess remained silent. Thea glanced back toward the hallway and suggested, "Your Highness, everyone is looking for you. Shall I call them?"

"No!!" she refused, speaking quite loudly, before quickly covering her mouth and whispering, "Don't!"

Yohana quickly grasped the situation. Among all the princesses, Elke stood out as the most rebellious. Even during the royal ball, while sitting on the throne with her family, she appeared disinterested.

Her choice of attire was not approved by the palace, but she wore it nonetheless, defying the queen's orders.

With her blue eyes and blond hair, Elke shared some physical similarities with Henrie. Her heart-shaped face and the gap between her front teeth added a unique touch to her overall appearance. Additionally, the noticeable size difference between her right and left eyes made her even more distinct.

"Are you trying to escape from them?" Yohana confirmed the situation.

"Yes," Princess Elke answered weakly, her curly bangs falling across her face as she lowered her head, while her braided hair remained intact.

Thea glanced back and forth between Yohana and Princess Elke, unsure if she should comply with the princess's request. She knew it could cause trouble later on if Zara discovered that Thea hadn't helped Maxine and Lady Lotti find the princess.

In the end, Thea agreed with Yohana's decision to honor Princess Elke's wish and keep her location a secret.

As they walked away from the garden and climbed the stairs to the library on the second floor, Thea couldn't help but ask, "Why did you help her, My Lady? She's a troublemaker. You could get dragged into trouble if anyone finds out."

Yohana smiled at Thea and replied, "Then, we just have to make sure that no one finds out."

Seeing Thea's baffled expression, Yohana continued, "Life in the palace isn't suitable for everyone, Thea. There will always be those who feel out of place and suffocated."

Thea nodded, understanding the sentiment all too well.

"That's why it's important to give them space to breathe without putting pressure on them," Yohana concluded.

"I understand," Thea nodded.

The library was situated in the main building, accessible via the stairs in the south wing. Yohana ascended the stairs, entering the southern hall that led to the second floor to reach the Gallery Wing.

The Gallery Wing served as a vital passageway, connecting the southern and northern wings to the central building, and encompassing various parts of the palace complex, including the library.

Exuding elegance and meticulous craftsmanship, the Gallery Wing boasted graceful archways adorned with intricate decorations, showcasing the palace's opulent aesthetic.

As Yohana leisurely walked through the Gallery Wing, she was enthralled by the captivating displays of paintings, sculptures, and other exquisite works of art that adorned its walls.

The Gallery Wing boasted large windows that bathed the space in ample natural light, illuminating the area and casting a soft, ethereal glow throughout the passageway.

However, what truly fascinated Yohana was the absence of frames around the windows. Instead, they were open holes, offering unobstructed panoramic views of the palace's expansive gardens.

This design allowed Yohana to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and feel a seamless connection between the interior and the picturesque outdoor scenery.

She closed her eyes, immersing herself in the tranquility of the surroundings. When she reopened her eyes, her gaze was drawn to a grand carriage that had arrived at the palace courtyard.

A tall man stepped out of the carriage, dressed in dark attire. Yohana's eyes widened in astonishment as she recognized the familiar dark hair. The man carried a gleaming silver cane in one hand, while the other carefully placed a velvet hat upon his head.

"That's Fabian!" Yohana muttered under her breath, recognizing the tall figure from afar.

Abandoning her intention to visit the library, she quickly surveyed the area, calculating the fastest route to reach him: the stairs or the trellis of ivy vines that adorned the palace's exterior walls.

Opting for the latter as the swiftest solution, Yohana placed one foot on the window ledge, surprising Thea with her sudden and erratic move.

"My Lady, what are you doing?" Thea tried to pull Yohana back, but it was too late. Yohana had already positioned both feet on the ledge.

Yohana turned around and grasped the vines tightly, preparing to descend slowly and precisely. However, her grip slipped, and she ended up sliding uncontrollably until she landed in the bushes below.

Yohana quickly regained her composure and stood up, finding Fabian right in front of her, his gaze locked with hers. Minutes seemed to pass as they stared at each other, neither of them blinking. Finally, Fabian broke the silence with a smile and spoke, "It is really you."