The Lunch

I sat in my chambers sitting at my desk, the weight feeling never-ending ever since it started. There's a quiet knock. I stand and open the door to find the girl, Maricey, looking elsewhere while having a food cart in front of her.

"Is this my lunch?"

She nods and waits for my approval.

"It's okay. I will take it. Would you like to talk?"

"I can't. Mrs. Bestlong is very persistent in having me back."

"I am sure she would understand if I needed you for a couple of minutes. Come," I reply.

I pull the cart towards me and roll it beside my desk. I stand there and write a letter to Mrs. Bestlong to explain why I needed her. I wrote how I was having issues moving my desk and I asked if she could help. I am most definite that she would not question her then and if so, I would find out.

"How has your day been so far?" I ask. I pull my desk's chair out and gesture for her to sit in it.

She does so and I pour myself a glass of water while she answers. "It's another long day," she replies honestly.

I tilt my head and sip on my water. "What do you mean?"

"My days are filled with nothingness. I barely am allowed to talk to anyone. Mrs. Bestlong is terrible," she vents then she gasps and puts her hand over her mouth. "Oh my. I didn't mean to say that out loud."

"I told you, secrets are safe with me."

She sighs and slouches. She holds her head in her hands. "I am always tired. She works me till midnight. What am I supposed to do? I have to do it."

"Are you able to be adopted?"

She looks up at me for a long time. I swallow the last bit of water and fill my cup again.

"You would have to ask the King."

"Okay then. I have plenty of money to provide for you, Maricey."

"You don't know me."

"I know enough that I would not mind taking you as my own."

"She says I'm too much to take care of. That's why she makes me do so much."

I sigh. "Where is the King now?"

"In the dining room because it is lunch but the army is in there."

"It might take me a few days."

"You don't have to, really."

"You are in exhaustion, Maricey. I use to have children. Taking you in would be good for me."

Her eyes widened. "Where are they now?"

I frown as I get up and take the lid off the plate of lunch. "They are gone," I answer after picking a few of the orange pieces from it and eating little bits. "Perhaps I should take you shopping."

"Why? I have plenty of clothes."

"It is the type of shopping you would enjoy."

"Oh," she nods, understanding. Then, she stands and gives me a polite smile. "You must eat before your food gets cold. I will retrieve it later on but I must go now or she will be looking for me."

I smile but it falls when I realize she can't see me. I stand and open the door for her.

"Goodbye, ma'am."

"It is Tanda."

"Then goodbye Tanda," she bows her head slightly.

"Goodbye Maricey."

I watch her walk with her head bowed and her steps are quick down the darkened hallway. I step back inside my room and eat only a little before drinking more water. I go back to reading but at that exact moment, I felt exhausted. Something I am not accustomed to feeling. I stride to my bed and lay down, falling into the deepest sleep I have had in a very long time.