章 19: Different worlds (2)

"Thomas," Annalise sighed. "Why is it that the first thing to come to your mind is me killing someone? How could you think that of me?"

"I think that because I know you well. Are you having a hard time finding friends? We are nothing like these people therefore it is hard for us to make friendships. It is odd to see how much they care about status here. So many rules," Thomas shook his head. He found that the people here cared about foolish things and felt the need to always flaunt their wealth.

"There are too many rules," Annalise agreed with Thomas. It was hard enough to remember what she had to address everyone as. "It is not hard for me to make friends. I've surprisingly made a few friends who accept me as I am. They are fun to be around. There are just a few maids who I will never be able to get along with."

Annalise wasn't concerned with the fact she could not make everyone like her. There were so many personalities in the Callahan household so everyone formed small groups of friends, but for the most part, tried to get along with each other when they were working.

"Accept you as you are? Have you told them where you truly come from?"

"Of course not. They would want me to be rotting in a cell if they knew. They accept the Annalise they think they know and I enjoy spending time with them. I didn't think I would be so close to anyone, but I am enjoying it. While it lasts," Annalise added as all good things had to come to an end here in Ashborne for her.

"I hope you stay focused on why we are here. I do not want you getting caught up in being a maid for long and getting too attached to the people you are friends with. They will not care for you if your identity is revealed. I can't help thinking about how angry your father would be if he ever found out where you've run off to. You've placed yourself right in the home of one of our greatest enemies," said Thomas.

It was more dangerous for Annalise to be here than for him because of who her father is.

"It has its good and bad sides to me being so near to him," Annalise replied, not using Rafael's name so no one they walked by could know who they spoke of. They did not need to be questioned about speaking about Rafael and the border. "I am close enough to kill him if needed."

"Do you think you could take him alone?" Thomas asked, worried about Annalise going up against a skilled Knight.

There was no denying Rafael's skills that led him to have countless victories. He remembered hearing the stories about Rafael's father going up against Annalise's father. Surely the man taught his son well. It was by some luck that Rafael was never sent to the border yet as he and his knights would tip the favor to the King's side.

"I would try and should I ever need your help, I would send you a letter first. We are free to talk here," Annalise sat down under a tree that was far out of the way from where people were passing. It was a small grassy place that would lead them into thick trees.

"Do you miss home? I do-"

"You can return whenever you are ready. It is not fair that you have followed me here where it is dangerous. You've put your life in danger to follow me here and whenever you feel like it is not safe or you desperately miss home, please return. This is a reckless plan where one of us can die," Annalise said, hugging her legs.

The people here in Ashbourne viewed her people as barbarians simply because they lived differently and did not wish to follow the King's rule. All the fancy titles and displays of wealth were unnecessary to Annalise's home where they preferred to live life with little to no rules for how someone should act.

The two sides had always fought for many years when a King wanted more control over the border and now King Tobias was continuing the task of trying to get her people to bow to him. Annalise wished to be alone with the King for only a minute to get rid of him. The kingdom would be unsettled by the loss of their King and give her people a good opportunity to strike.

It was by some luck that Queen Hazel had not yet given the kingdom an heir so Annalise and her people would not have to worry about another tyrant King trying to take control of their land just yet.

"I wish to return home and see if everyone is alright, but I cannot leave you alone. You are reckless when you are left alone. You must act like the people here if you do not want to be caught and have to fight your way out. You are skilled, but you are surrounded by knights and might not be able to get out on your own. You must act like all the other maids," said Thomas.

"I know, but it isn't easy to get used to how things are done here. There is so much to learn. We are learning years' worth of their lifestyle in only a month. It isn't easy when there are rules and then they bend those rules to their liking. I will start working on blending in by being a good maid and holding my tongue-"

"Ha!" Thomas released a chuckle and covered his mouth with his hands when Annalise glared at him. It was impossible for her to keep quiet. She was always outspoken for as long as he knew her.

"Seeing you doubt me makes me want to prove you wrong even more. I will hold my tongue. I will not speak to Rafael or his mother as I please and I will be kind to all the other maids. I will not have bad thoughts about Mavis," Annalise said, but she knew the last one would take some time. "I will not be viewed as a strange woman. I will fall in line with everyone," Annalise promised.

Thomas folded his lips as he didn't see that happening anytime soon, but he had to give Annalise the benefit of the doubt. This concerned her people so she would try her hardest to blend in and be like the people here. "Blend in, but don't let their ways change you," he said,

"I won't. There's nothing about life here to make me want to change who I am. Once we are finished here, we can both go back to being ourselves. I need to rest," Annalise said, falling to the side to lay on Thomas's lap. "Why do maids have so much work to do in one day? They need to be given more praise for their work. Wake me up in one hour, Thomas. I cannot spend my day off lazing around. I need to train and head back to the market. Read this while I rest," she handed him a letter.

Thomas looked down at Annalise lying on his lap with her eyes closed. "I will keep watch to make sure no one bothers you," he said, putting his hands to his sides so he would not disturb her. "Are you sure my lap is-"

"Stop being so shy and read the letter, Thomas."