Chapter 54

"Ma'am," the girl began. "I was told to bring these items to the bathing chamber."

"Oh thank you." Jaysa spoke as she reached out for the basket.

"Ma'am," the maid almost squeaked out. "You shouldn't –"

"Its fine, plus it's not me taking the bath." Jaysa spoke. She put her index finger over her lips as to tell her to stay quiet. The maid not knowing what Jaysa was up to and handed the basket over to the Queen. She bowed and walked away.

Jaysa entered the bathing chambers again. She looked around for the small stool she was advised to sit on during her bathing times. She found it in the corner on the left side of the room. Walking over, she grabbed the small stool and headed over to the girl who was still soaking in the water.

"Please get out of the water and sit here." Jaysa spoke as she sat down the small stool on the floor. The girl complied as she got out of the water and walked over where Jaysa was and sat on the stool. Jaysa pulled out some soap and began to wash the young girl's body. While doing this, Jaysa began small talk. "What's your name?" The girl was quiet for a while before speaking out.

"It's Madison." She finally replied.

"That's a pretty name." Jaysa spoke as she massaged Madison scalp. If she was a cat, she would be purring right now. Jaysa giggled to herself. "So how old are you?"

"I'm 14." The girl spoke.

"So have you worked in the castle your whole life?"

"My mother was a servant here." Madison replied.

"Does she still working in the castle?" Madison shook her head.

"No, she's dead." Jaysa stopped what she was doing. It stung her heart because she knew that feeling.

"I'm sorry." Jaysa spoke again. "How did she pass away; my I ask?"

"She fell ill." Madison spoke quietly.

"Did your father help out with medication?" Jaysa asked.

"My father died before I was born."

Wow, she thought. This poor girl lost both of her parents and she's still so young. Jaysa continued on cleaning the young girl. "So when did your mother pass?"

"Last year." She spoke.

"I'm sorry." Jaysa said. "I lost my mom when I was 14 as well, plus my father passed away in the war several years ago when I was little. So I do understand what you're going through." Jaysa made Madison arch her head backwards as she used an extra bucket, she found with the stool, to dump water on the girl's hair, washing out the soap. Jaysa ran her fingers to the girl's clean hair.

"I have a question to ask you." Madison spoke. Jaysa just hummed to her letting her know she could continue. "Why did you save me?" Jaysa looked at the girl's face that was still arched backwards.

"Why ask something like that?" Jaysa spoke as she turned to set the bucket down. "Wouldn't anyone?"

"No," Madison spoke quickly. "No one helps anyone in this castle." Jaysa's heart sank she could not see the girls face anymore, but she could tell she was in pain from the tone of her voice.

"That man," Jaysa started. "What happened?" Madison stayed quiet. "If you don't want to talk about –"

"That man lied." Madison yelled. "He said that he would help my mother if I did some things for him." Jaysa turned Madison around to look at her.

"What are you talking about?" Her eyes locked on the girls stare once. "What did he make you do?" Madison sniffed a little before talking.

"When my mother first fell ill, that man came to me and told me that he would pay for my mother's medicine if I did what he said."

"How old were you when that happened?" Jaysa asked.

"12." She spoke. "He was very nice at first. He didn't ask for much. He just wanted me to clean his room, weapons, boots, and his clothes. That was all." She spoke. "The only thing I thought was weird was he wouldn't let me see my mother during that time."

"What do you think was going on?" Jaysa asked.

"I can tell you what he was not doing, helping my mother." Madison spoke. "He never wanted to help my mother. He just wanted an obedient slave. He used my mother as leverage to have me do whatever he asked."

"When did you find out what he was really doing?" Madison kept her eyes on Jaysa as she spoke.

"I snuck out to see my mother and that's when I realized that she was worse than when I left. I asked her about the medication and she told me it was all a lie. I was 13 at that time. It wasn't very long until the man found out about me seeing my mother. He whipped me really bad." Madison touched the sides of her back.

"Did he ever rape you?" Jaysa questioned. Madison shook her head.

"He never touched me like that. Earlier though, I wouldn't be surprised if that was what he was planning on doing." Madison spoke. "I have seen how these guards have been treating the girls. So I'm really happy that you saved me –" Madison was suddenly pulled into Jaysa's embrace. Jaysa knew about the feeling of loss. The girl was almost exactly like her. They both shared the same path. Madison reached out a hand to touch Jaysa's arm. They both had similar scars that lingered on their hearts. Jaysa pulled back from the girl and spoke.

"We should get you dried off and get you dressed." Madison nodded. She stood up and Jaysa handed the towel that came in the basket to Madison. She dried herself off and Jaysa helped Madison with her hair. Next Jaysa passed a robe to Madison, who put it on and tied the sash. "Let's go." Jaysa spoke. Madison nodded again