12 No Safety Net

The bed chamber doors were opened within a moment causing the girl to jump in fright!

"The prince has given permission for you to leave the chambers my lady! I was thinking you'd enjoy a stroll around the palace?"

Isabella had a huge grin upon her face making herself look a couple years younger.

Mia chuckled and sat up from the window making her way to the servant. She quickly glanced at Ryder who remained on the floor. Shrugging, she continued to her maid.

"I really prefer you call me by my name. I'm not use to titles Isabella."

Isabella ignored her statement as she looked at Mia with great interest. The girl seemed to look even more delicate today. The blonde hair was braided to the side showing off her smooth shoulders. Isabella could see how the prince found the mistress beautiful. It wasn't just her looks, but also Mia's modesty that added to her charm. She was pure to the eye.

"Well, would you like to take a stroll through the garden?"

Mia flinched remembering the scene that just occurred outside the window. It was wise to stay away from that area of the castle. Lerrin had given her a cold look which made her shiver. He had definitely seen her watching.

"Actually, I'd rather go somewhere where it's less occupied. Is there a place here where it's quiet and undisturbed?"

Isabella didn't find Mia's request unusual. However, Amelia thought she should try to scope out her surroundings in order to find easy passages away from the palace. If she could make it so no one saw her, she would have a better chance on not getting caught.

Isabella nodded directing Amelia to follow as she started walking down the corridor.

"I think I know just the place!" She hummed.

Because their walking pace was slower, Mia was able to identify and memorize the direction they took. She didn't want to feel like she was in a maze again.

While watching her surroundings, she couldn't help but notice all of the women painted.

"Who are all of these women?"

"The Emperors concubines."

"Does this not bother the Empress?" Mia couldn't help but ask.

Isabella started to chuckle. "The Emperor never took a wife. He has stated that he does not wish to share his power."

Isabella looked at the mistress curious how the young woman did not know much of her own nation. "My Lady, why is it that you don't know all the customs of the Emperor?"

Mia tilted her head thinking about how to answer. She grew up on the end of the empire where her family managed a small farm. They paid their taxes and often greeted people in the nearby village, but her family kept to themselves. They wanted Amelia to not see the wickedness of the empire. Although she knew her empire was strong, she was taught at a young age how the royals and nobles were power hungry. To avoid unhappiness, she should avoid that lifestyle at all costs.

"My family wanted life to be more simple. My mother believed if I was far away from corruption that I could experience a peaceful life. We tried to stay out of politics knowing the basics. But it seems that no one can be completely immune to what happens around them."

"They were trying to give you a good life. They sound like good people."

Mia grimaced remembering the last few memories she had of her father. He was no longer the man he use to be, or at least the man she remembered. The once clean shaven jolly man had turned heartless. He spent all his money on alcohol and was barely recognizable.

"Did I say something wrong mistress?" Worry etched across Isabellas face. She never meant to upset Amelia.

"It's fine. I just miss my parents. But they don't exist any longer.."

"Oh my Lady! I am so sorry for your loss!"

Giving Isabella a small smile, Mia nodded. She technically didn't have her parents anymore. Even though her father was very much alive, his fatherly love had died the moment her mother left this earth.

On the end of the corridors, some servants were busy gossiping loudly to notice the two walking.

"Did you hear that the blonde girl is still alive? The one who is the new concubine of Prince Titus." A short maid began speaking.

"I find that as shocking as the poisoning last night!" Chuckled one.

"I wonder if they meant to poison Prince Cessl. He wasn't much competition compared to the others."

"They are saying it wasn't meant for him. They are suspecting his concubine was suppose to administer the poison to someone else but still had residue on her hands. It seems she killed her benefactor and herself from her own stupidity."

"What happens to the rest of his Harlem?"

"I don't know. They are probably going to become homeless and kicked out of the palace tonight. Unless other brothers decide to take them in."

Amelia frowned at the news. If the poisoning was meant for a different prince, she wondered who it was suppose to kill?

She also couldn't believe that these women were going to lose everything since their prince had died. They probably were so use to a noblewoman lifestyle at this point. Did they not have a safety net?

"So they lose their status?" Amelia questioned.

"Their status is based on their prince. Since he is dead, they don't have anything. They aren't anything."

"That's terrible Isabella. Having to depend on someone else makes a person very vulnerable. Those poor women all have to try their best to keep their men happy just to survive. Nothing is out of love. But they will be thrown away like trash without anyone noticing!" Taking a deep breathe, Mia continued her rampage. "They say we are high in status, but we mean nothing. I'd at least think that the prince would have set up a way for them to be taken care of. He obviously had no feelings for their well-being. In fact, the emperor has no care toward his citizens whatsoever!"

"Amelia, calm down!"

"No! I'm going to die here Isabella! This place is far too corrupt for me! I can't do this life! I wish to leave!"

Isabella noticed how Mia started to become angry with the news, but there were too many servants around. If it got out that she acted this way, she could be in serious trouble.

Quickly, she pulled Amelia to the side of the hall holding her hand on the girls mouth.

"Listen child, you have to be careful how you speak! This is the most dangerous place in the empire. You must keep your mouth shut when you become upset! I wish I could help you, but right now you need to remain silent."

Mia nodded her head pulling Isabella's hand off her mouth. Isabella looked around the hall to see if anyone notice the girls outburst. If anyone saw her just now, she would be in a must worse fate.

But luck seemed to be on their side since no one was around. She presumed the maids had already left the corridor.

"You wish to help me?" Mia whispered looking at her attendant.

"Of course child. I actually care for you and don't wish you unhappiness." Isabella sighed giving Mia a concerned look. This child was not happy.

Amelia kept her eyes on Isabella debating on asking a question that could have serious consequences.

"Help me escape this predicament. Please help me get away from this place."

Isabella scrunched her nose. "You want to run away?"

Slowly, Amelia nodded her head while a tear escaped her eye.

"I don't think I am the right person to-"

"Please.. I don't belong here. All I've seen is death so far. And it's making me wait for my own depressing outcome." Mia's voice started to croak. She was holding back sobs begging for her only friends help.

Isabella looked to her left and right checking to see if anyone was eavesdropping to this conversation.

"Say I decide to help you Mistress, which doesn't mean I will! The emperors palace is too secure. You'd have to wait till you get to Prince Titus' estate. You'd have a better chance of not getting captured."

Amelia felt hope bursting through! She couldn't believe she had a chance to finally start anew. But could she last till then? Would Titus keep her alive till they left for his manor?

"So you'll help me?"

Isabella nodded but had a grim expression. What Mia was asking could cost her her own life. But Isabella was older and had lived a basic life so she wasn't as worried about the consequences. She couldn't imagine watching this child suffer anymore. From the beginning, Amelia had been depressed. Although she had a feeling that the prince would not kill the girl, she realized the dangerous situation the child was in.

"But for now, you must act the part of a concubine. You can not act like this in the public eye. Especially here Amelia!"

Although Isabella was scolding Mia on her outburst, she felt comforted by the friend in front of her. She finally felt relief wash over her.

However, the girls failed to notice someone listening intently to their conversation.