Part 9

While Celina started trudging towards the kitchen, to attend her morning duties, all the noises stopped, and everything went quiet. A strange stillness encompassed all at once, blanketed the hallway: no crickets chirping, no katydids singing, no nothing. Usually, the young woman didn't mind the silence, immensely enjoyed the solitude. She had always favoured being by herself with a book and no one in sight to disturb her but not this time.

This time, the maid knew it meant something else. Something different and strange. Unable to stop herself, she let her feet carry towards the open door that lead to the cave. Nothing was visible from the spot she stood, which clenched her stomach painfully.

"Oh lord," Celina begged between broken breaths while looking over the clock. Perhaps Beth would take pity on her soul and spare her to wander around one last time. Yet, no matter how many times she begged, the maid knew no one would feel sorry for her, no one would even care enough to listen as to why she escaped.

A shrill cry echoed behind the tall trees that kept the quiet cave hidden in the shadows, interrupting her trail of worries. It had been so mighty and deafening, she had to cover her ears with both her shaky hands. The walls of the living hall trembled with the powerful sound, and Celina lurched forward, eyes screwed shut as she felt her entire body tremble along with them; pure terror growing inside her, consuming her every thought. Who could that?

That sound wasn't human. Chills ran down her spine the more she thought about it. Every breath she took didn't seem to be enough; the maid felt like she was suffocating.

Red clouded her vision as she wobbled her way to the kitchen, closing the door behind her. Maybe she should ask Flora about it. If they were hiding something, Celina needed to know.

As soon as she's set one foot through the door an agonised, choked shout ricocheted through the entire castle. Again. This time it made her throat clog up. Crossing her arms, the eighteen-year-old tried to turn away, to ignore it, really she did, but as the sounds grew in strength, the sharp pain bashed at her resolve. All of five seconds. That's how it lasted before she stopped dead in her tracks, lost on what to do, or how to go about doing it.

"Flora?" She breathed, noticing her friends back to her, chopping the onions.

Flora simply hummed, acknowledging her presence with a curt nod before resuming her work. So she tried again, aware of Avery's eyes following her every movement. The maid was too worked up to care about it.

"I have a question."

Avery snorted from the table. "Not surprising."

They both ignored her.

"Flora why is there a cave outside of the castle? Does someone live inside?" Celina stood, facing her friend's side.

She noticed the way Flora visibly froze, the knife hanging in the air and hands clutching on to the onions. Slowly, she tilted her head and blinked at Celina. "That's not something you should worry about. Please get back to work."

"It's just a simple question, Flora. I promise to leave you alone after you answer it"

Avery glared at her from afar, her voice rising as she threw the washcloth on the table. A little harsh than necessary. "Don't you have work to do than explore the place? You are not a guest here, Celina. Just a maid and better act like one!"

"I could say the same for you" Celina huffed and stormed out the kitchen.

***

Celina has never seen a castle in her lifetime, but she didn't imagine one could be more nuanced than the Dark Palace. The manor sat proudly atop a green hill, gothic in style, spires and turrets pointing towards the sky. With the slowly rising sun shining off the hills, the place glistened, sparkling in the light.

It's impossible not to feel small looking up at Castle from near the cave, but she didn't come here to gawk. Remembering the task at hand, the maid followed the path away from the back entrance to the cave.

Flora and Avery had breakfast duties so she assumed no one would bother to look for her. At least not after the childish tantrum she threw in the kitchen. That's why Celina used the opportunity to escape—if got caught she knew how to spin a story and make it seem like she's taking a break.

It's cold out there. A thin layer of frost has settled on the top of the stone banister, and Celina noticed her breath mist in the air. Just the lace apron along with her skimpy tight clothes wasn't quite enough to protect her from the weather, and she was glad that she had the foresight to bring her overcoat along. Hypothermia was no joke.

Even though its no way passed on to future generations, her grandmother and aunt died of extreme hypothermia. She didn't want to take any chances.

The maid buried herself in the coat and pulled on the thick gloves. She'll have to remove them before returning inside — but propriety isn't worth losing two or three fingers to the weather. It's better, indeed, to behave slightly poorly whilst outside and maintain the continued use of all her extremities. It is a shame she didn't have gloves for her ears or the poor, chilled tip of her nose.

To make her story of taking a break more believable Celina carried a newspaper along with her.

The maid shuffled her weight slightly from side to side, anxious to stay warm, all the while hoping to avoid any unnecessary attention from inside. If she had been subtle enough in slipping away, then her absence shouldn't be noted for the next thirty minutes or so.

The plant life near the cave was unlike anything she's ever seen before. Ferns and snake-like vines looped off the trees; the low drone of insects filled the air. Damp, yellow moss clings to every surface, making the path slippery.

She moved over a little, concealing herself between trees to make her way.

"Good Morning"

"Jesus Christ, what –" She jumped, her heart in her throat once more, threatening to break out of her flesh. It's the – it's him, looking as impeccable as always and her mind was racing so much that she only realised after a few moments that Prince Javier was returning her stare.

Her breath caught in her lungs at the sight of the handsome young Prince, standing tall and refined, even in his loose shirt and vest, no jacket in sight. He's not wearing a top hat, freeing his long, chocolate brown curls to hang loosely around his face. The maid fought down a shudder as those emerald green eyes bore into hers, and Celina couldn't hold the gaze, had to look away. For her sanity.

How did he know where to find her?

Celina swallowed thickly and tried to calm her pulse, to no avail. She gave up figuring out and instead bowed her head down. "Y-Your Highness"

"Apologies, once again," The Prince cleared his throat, adjusting the coat he was wearing. The fabric rustled, it looked heavy and expensive. "I didn't mean to startle you. Although that's all, I have been doing lately."

"Forgive me. I was engaged elsewhere." Celina clutched her hands together, crushing the paper in between and feeling heat crawl her neck.

"May I know what business do you have here?"

Blushing she raised the newspaper in the air. "Reading"

The Prince played along. "Anything interesting?"

Her head shot up so quickly that she could feel her neck crack. Lifting her head, she peered at the young Prince who looked so pale it's almost white, contrasting with elegant clothes he draped himself in. Also, his eyes kept shifting towards the cave behind her. It took Celina another moment to realise what he meant, and she glanced down at the papers in her arms, then up again, and swallowed, regaining some calmness.

It appeared as if he was about to catch her lies. And a that's the last things she wanted.

"That depends on what you would consider interesting," The maid said politely, face devoid of any emotion. "There has been an assassination attempt on the Queen. It made the front page."

He furrowed his brows, squinting at the paper before shrugging. "Isn't there always an attempt?"

Her brows shot up at that. The Prince definitely had a keen understanding of the things going around. There's that. She won't be able to keep up the charade any longer.

Celina nodded her head. "That's true. Oh and there's also—"

"You cannot be here" Javier cut her off abruptly. "This place is forbidden. Am I clear?"

She inhaled sharply, trying to stay calm, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest and the sudden tightness in her lungs that was undoubtedly only stemming from the cold. Not from his stare.

"Celina?"

The maid whimpered. "Y-Yes"

***