Leon's Sister

Aria woke up feeling sore all over her body. The furniture she had slept on had not been friendly and welcoming, contrary to the cozy king-sized bed she was used to in the palace. And for once, she missed her normal lifestyle in the palace but remembered the situation she had left there. She was worried for her father. How would he take the news of her missing? Probably knights would be poured all over the capital and beyond to search for her. But the council would place a bounty on her.

Putting the bad thoughts at the back of her mind, Aria threw the blankets away and she now got a good look at her temporary bedroom. It was simple but classic. The furniture in the room comprised of a table and two rocking chairs.

"You woke up?" Aria looked in the direction of the voice and Lylla stood there leaning on the door frame while flashing a smile at the princess. When Aria could not reply, Lylla made her way through the room holding a pair of sandals.

"Wear this. It will be easier to walk with compared to those heels,"she said pointing at Aria's heels that lay at the far end of the room.

Aria slipped her feet into the sandals and they felt somehow light and comfortable compared to the shoes she was used to. She had never worn sandals her whole life and her first experience felt really good.

"Thank you," was all she could say.

"Let me fetch your breakfast," Lylla exited the room leaving Aria alone. Aria looked around the room searching for nothing in particular. She continued surveying her surroundings until her sight landed on a manly figure standing by the door.

"Good morning your highness," Leon greeted her as he stood there with an apple on one hand and a knife in the other."I hope you slept well."

"Yes. I slept really well thanks to this cozy bed," Aria said sarcastically tapping the makeshift bed she sat on.

"Well. That's the best we could provide for you." Leon took a bite of the apple in his hand while strolling in the room. He paused for a moment and looked outside the window before he made a statement.

"Information has it that you are missing in the palace. Knights, by the order of the king, have been scattered all over the capital looking for you," he paused before turning to Aria," I think you should go back before things get out of hand."Aria just sat there contemplating on what Leon had just said.

How could she head back to the palace when she knew her life was at stake here? Who knows what the council had in store for her? She would definitely be accused of treason for trying to run away from judgment. That meant a quick death for her. She was not ready to die yet.

"I am not going back to that place. At least not until things have settled down. I will just lie low and clear my name for now."She said with determination.

"Your wish is my command," Leon said before taking a bite of his apple, "I will now leave you in the capable hands of my sister. I hope you enjoy your stay here."

"And where exactly are you going? What if they know that you took part in my escape?" Aria asked him worried for his safety.

"I have gone to the capital to keep my eyes and ears on the ground."He took his sword and paused by the door," and about my safety, don't worry princess. I have some few tricks up my sleeve." He flashed that devilish smile again before disappearing from Aria's sight. Aria breathed heavily and hoped that he would be fine.

A few minutes later, Lylla came with a clean set of clothes and a tray. She put the tray on the table and handed the princess the clothes."Wear these after you are done with your breakfast." Aria nodded knowingly at her before turning her attention to the food on the table. What exactly were those things? It looked like unleavened bread but more like oatmeal.

Lylla saw the confusion on the princess's face but she understood her." Look, princess. I know this is not what you are used to eating but I can assure you it is good stuff. I can take a bite if you still doubt."

"I don't think that is necessary. I will just eat it." Lylla smiled at the princess knowingly. Aria took the food while Lylla poured her a cup of tea. She eyed the food before taking in a final breath and took a bite.

Aria closed her eyes expecting the worst taste ever to form in her mouth. But instead, a sweet sensation filled her mouth making her wild delicacies form in her mind. What exactly was this thing? She took one more bite and before Lylla finished pouring the tea for her, she had already cleared the plate.

"Take this princess and...."Lylla said turning to give the tea to Aria but paused mid way astonished by the princess's appetite. Aria looked down embarrassed by her eating behavior. Such behavior could not be expected from a princess.

"It's okay. I can get you more." Aria did not protest as her glands were asking for more. Lylla handed her the cup of tea before exiting to get more of those pieces of stuff. Aria didn't even know the name of the food.

Shortly after, Lylla came in with more of those things and they both ate them while chatting happily. Aria liked how Lylla was open-minded and she always spoke her mind. The most intriguing thing is that she rarely referred to her as a princess or royalty. Aria liked this version of her though.

Aria took the cup of tea placed on the table and inhaled its scent. This tea had a good scent. It smelled like spices. What about the taste? Aria took a sip and her eyes widened in exhilaration.

"Your tea tastes good," she complimented," what did you use to make it?"

"Just some herbs that help to relax the body and reduce fatigue."And it was true. Aria's body felt relaxed and the fatigue she had earlier from sleeping on the makeshift bed disappeared. She found the tea sweet and couldn't help but ask for more.

After taking a shower and wearing comfortable clothes, Lylla took Aria outside to take a look at her new temporary home. Once outside, Aria's eyes widened as she drank in the natural beauty she didn't know ever existed. This place was the definition of paradise. A lively chatter of birds in the trees surrounding the house and intermittent crowing of roosters filled the air. From where the house was located, one could have a bird's eye view of the capital and it looked beautiful under the morning sunlight. It was too good to be true.

Flowers of different colors and scents beautified the compound adding on the good fresh air to the place. This place beat their palace garden in every aspect. And for the first time in her life, Aria experienced a rare atmosphere of tranquility and serenity she had never known existed.