Gab (3)
News spread about the sudden increase of refugees from towns and villages from the north. The capital was full of evacuees, and there were still long lines of people wanting to get inside the gate’s capital.

Lia heard her classmates talking in hushed tones about towns being pillaged by unnamed groups. It was not confirmed if it was Unknown or some other bandits. Those rogues were common in the north, ransacking towns and causing havoc.

A new fear rose from this. Now that the north was being terrorized, the supplies of rice and other crops were running out. Some people began hoarding food, expecting an upcoming country-wide hunger.

“It’s those people of Sallan!”

“They really shouldn’t have let them be independent!”

Lia felt indignant hearing those baseless rumors. People loved spreading false information without thinking about the people involved. No one knew what was happening up there. Yet, here they were, telling lies to anyone who would listen.

But there was a more pressing concern that needed her attention. With all the changes in the plot, she did not know how the female lead would be introduced. She kept an eye to any refugees she came across with. Better be ready anytime than take another surprise attack. Sometimes, she had a hunch that the world conspired against her so she would join the plot.

‘Well, I’ll join. But on my terms. And one of those terms is to live.’

She was caught up thinking about this when she realized that people were approaching their spot in the garden.

“So this is where you usually go, Gabriel.” A cold feminine voice rang behind Lia.

She looked back and instantly stiffened before remembering to bow and fixed her eyes on the ground. Of all people, it had to be the Queen.

Gab, who was talking to his plants, stood frozen. “Mo-mother.”

Lia made an audible gasp. Mother!? And wait, did she just call him Gabriel? She looked back at Gab, muddy-looking Gab. Of course, he was Prince Gabriel! Why did she not make the connection? She smacked her forehead a lot of times in her head. She even dared to pat his head!

“It seems like you don’t know,” the queen said amusingly.

That remark made Lia bow lower. She wished she could share the queen’s amusement, but all she ever got was cold sweat. “My apologies, Your Highness.” she turned to Gab — Prince Gabriel, “please pardon my indolence.”

Gab ran back to her. His eyes were silently pleading. “Does this mean you won’t play with me anymore? What about my plants? Didn’t you promise to help?”

Lia fought the urge to pat his head like the way she used to but she was not sure if that would help her keep her hands and not be chopped the next day. “I’m sure you would find a more suitable person for that, Your Majesty.”

Tears started pooling at Gab’s eyes. “Mother, you won’t punish Lia, right? She was helping me and playing with me.”

As much as Lia adored Gab, she wanted to cover his mouth right now and stop him from talking. The last thing she wanted to do was to stay longer under the Queen’s presence.

“It’s quite alright. Did you say your name was Lia?” Her beautiful phoenix eyes narrowed at Lia. There was a smile at her face, but her eyes were cold. Lia gulped and nodded.

“It was nice meeting you and I’ll be leaving Gabriel under your care. Don’t burden her too much.” The last one was for Gabriel. “But for now, you need to go with me. Your father needs you.”

They left, but not before Gab hugged Lia. When they were gone, Lia felt like all the energy in her body left her. She sat on the bench wearily and closed her eyes. Just as she thought she could finally rest, another voice sounded.

“It’s unbelievable how you would not recognize the prince,” Charlotte said.

Lia snapped her eyes open then narrowing them, “Why am I not surprised to see you. Are you spying on me?”

Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Norman is looking for you, he asked me to help him find you. Now, I’ve found you and delivered the message. I’m done with my part.” She turned to leave when an idea sparked at Lia.

“Wait, I need your help.”