Chương 2: Escape (2)
She walked in awe as she came across the buzzing town and the market. She had never seen a town so lively yet she still worried of vampires. She had seen Aunt Camille sink her fangs into some of the maids hands while drawing out blood and she wouldn't want to go through that, it didn't help that she knew some vampires drink directly from the neck of their prey. She shivered at the thought of it while she stopped in front of a stall with edibles in display. She was too hungry to go further and she settled for the honey coated bun before her, her jaw almost touched the ground when she enquired about the price, 'are things this costly here or is there an occasion going on' she pondered while she stared hungrily at the buns.
"Young lady, please step aside for others if you're not purchasing the item" the seller said drawing the attention of people around to her while snapping her out of her own thoughts. The others looked warily at her because they had thought it was a male standing before the stall, Anna noticed the attention before realising that the drape which she had used to covered her hair and part of her face had slid off to the side. She quickly put the scarf over her head and took the buns handing the seller some coins before she exited the scene in haste.
"What a strange person" the man murmured as he retreated back into his stall.
Anna walked looking back and forth from the piece of paper which she held to the road which lay in front of her as though she was holding a map and trying to decipher it. She sighed in frustration because earlier before embarking on her trip, she didn't think of how to reach the palace after getting to the town. She turned on her heels and made her way back to meet the man at the stall.
"What is it you want this time around this time around young lady or is the buns not to your liking?" The man asked on seeing her return with a look of confusion on her face coupled with the fact that she had taken only few bites from the snack.
"Ahh No, this is the best I've had in a while" Anna smiled nervously while looking for a proper way to phrase her question so she won't seem lost.
"What is it then, you want more?" The seller asked in growing annoyance which barely reflected in his eyes.
Annalise not being used to speaking outdoors or interactions like this inhaled deeply and said, "I am heading to the palace but I can't seem to find my way, can you help me please?"
"The palace?" The man asked although he heard her well, he scrutinised her with his eyes which held unmouthed questions in them.
"Take the local carriage at the next junction which is not too far from here, though its final stop isn't the palace but a mini village across the town, that is the only carriage which you'll find going towards that destination."
"Thank you so much sir" Annalise smiled politely with a slight bow in respect.
"Usually, people visiting the palace go in their own carriages. I'm not sure why a young lady dressed as you are is heading towards the palace, I won't be prying either. Here's one more honey coated buns, you can take it", The man offered with a smile which didn't reach his eyes but seemed sincere. Annalise stretched out her hand to collect the item with a surprised face, she stared at the snack before raising her face to meet the old man's eyes.
"Thank you, I really do appreciate and I hope I can repay this kindness one day", she said with a smiled before offering a deep bow.
"Safe trip child" were the words she heard from the man as she departed for the junction.
She made it to the carriage as the last passenger on board, and they set out as the weather was quick changing and most passengers were traders who had purchased items to sell in retail back in their small villages before nightfall.
The carriage stopped right after passing the palace as it was considered rude for a local carriage to park right in front of the palace. Annalise stepped down looking around not minding that the carriage stopped her some feet away from her destination, she came to stand in front of the tall gates, wondering why the pathways around seemed deserted with few carriages passing by and no sight of houses with people living in them.
She knocked on the gates as quietly as she could hoping to be heard by someone who would let her in. She tapped lightly again this time praying internally as it would soon be nightfall, she didn't plan on spending the night outside. She heaved a sigh of relief when she heard someone turn the lock from the other side, one look at the guard and she had turned apprehensive. She bit her lips cursing internally because she hadn't rehearsed what to say and now her mind was blank.
"Merina" she blurted the first thing which came to her mind which had the guard raise an eyebrow. "Merina Quinton, I'm looking for Merina Quinton," she gave a smile riddled with uneasiness.
"And you are?" The guard inquiried.
"Her daughter," she replied which had the guard look closely at her to discover she was actually a female. He stared at her before letting her in to stand at the side of the gate near his work post, he would have left her outside to look for whoever she mentioned if he hadn't noticed her gender. Strangers especially males who come looking for workers in the palace are kept outside for security reasons until the intended person is found, he called a maid walking towards the servants quarters, whispering something to her before sending her off.
Twenty minutes had passed with no sign of anyone who looked like her mother, she was worried and nervous, the guard standing not so far from where she stood worsened the situation as he looked like someone ready to pounce on her or chase her out of the palace if the person she told the name wasn't found. She bit her into her nails out of habit trying to curb the fear and take in the beautiful edifice in front of her.
Staring deep in to the forest from the balcony of his room with a glass of whiskey which held a mild scent of blood twirling in his hand, he looked out for any unusual movement which had turned a habit these past few days. He was already used to looking over his back without leaving it unguarded, it was a trait he had acquired from his mother unfortunately the woman didn't last long. He smiled at the irony, his lips tasting the liquor which tasted like the memories he wished to erase from his mind. He glanced at the gate when he heard a light tap on it followed by another. He watched the guard open the gates to let in a slender looking young man, his eyes returned to the forest scenery in front of him before sensing something wrong. It was very rare for a male to continuous bite their nails out in the open like this and he casted his look back to the stranger before zeroing on the face and it hit him, this wasn't a male but a female! What's with that attire she's putting on and what was she thinking?
And just as he was about to take in more of this appearance someone came from the inside hugging her knowingly and from the conversation which he could hear clearly as a pure vampire that he is, this was her mother.
Annalise eyes turned watery when she saw her mother approaching, no words were exchanged in the first minute as they hugged each other.
"How have you been mama?" Annalise broke the silence, unshed tears threatening to fall.
"I'm doing fine my dear, come let's go inside" Her mother replied before turning to the guard to say, "She's with me" Her mother led her inside while Anna took her time to look all over the place which she hadn't done earlier while immersed in worry. She stared at the statues and fountain situated right in front of the palace, she loved artworks and artefacts like this. Other servants passed a quick glance at her before heading their way, mostly because of her attire while questioning in their minds who she was to have to the head servant bring her in. "Annalise dear, this is my room and you'll be staying with me for the meantime. It's been so long" Her mother said kissing a part of her head before helping her offload her baggage.
"Now you know you can't wear those fancy dresses parading the compound, I'll get you something more in league" and Annalise just had to look at her mother in admiration not minding the change of life style. She saw her mother as a strong woman for taking up this type of job after their father's demise having nothing left for her since her husband's sister had insisted on acquiring all the assets her brother had after his death in the guise of training her niece right.
"Of course I have no problem with that mama, by the way, where is my little brother, Vincent?" Anna smiled in contentment and eagerness.
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