[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: LINE WITHOUT A HOOK~ RICKY MONTGOMERY]
As evening drew near, the carriages that left Morado earlier in the morning stopped to camp for the night so as to continued
their journey the following day. Inside one of the tents, a young girl arranged a bed properly, adding more candles to the small stand.
"All done," Axilla dusted her hands on her dress when she was through with setting the room. They had not been able to get an inn, so they improvised camping just outside someone’s farm.
Larel laid the baby who was already sleeping, "I’ve told you, Axilla, you don’t have to do all these. You’re no longer a maid." The young woman said, not that she was not grateful. In fact, she was happy that Axilla had decided to join them during the journey, even though she was yet to know the actual reason why Axilla left the palace.
"I’m not doing it as a maid, I’m doing it as your younger sister or friend?" Axilla replied.
"Thank you so much. You can sleep here with us; there’s enough space. Cortez would be joining us tomorrow, but he is just to give me something for our parents. I’ll continue on my own after that," Larel informed, going to join Labre on the bed.
Axilla bit her lips; the young master was going to come tomorrow but not to follow them in their journey? Okay. That’s wasn’t a problem; after all, she did not leave the palace because of him. The young girl nodded, assuring herself.
"Get some sleep, Axilla; our journey tomorrow would be rough," Larel called the girl who was still standing at the same position like she was deep in thought.
"Oh yes, a great night to you, Lady Larel," Axilla wished her, going to rest on the other corner of the tent.
Morning arrived quickly; the travelers packed up and continued with their journey. They had not gone very far when another carriage stopped in front of them.
Axilla’s heart kept pounding when their carriage stopped; it would definitely be the young master, she thought. How was she supposed to act in front of him? She arranged her gown, removing the crinkles at the end.
"Lady Larel," a young man appeared in front of the carriage window.
"Where is Cortez?" Larel asked the young man who was also dressed like a merchant.
"He asked me to give these to you; he wasn’t able to come out this morning. Last night was a little hectic for him." The young man commented, his eyes stopping at the young girl sitting at the other side of the carriage.
Larel reached out to take what the young man was giving her. Then she twitched her lips, "A hectic night? Cortez really needs to settle down with a wife and have children." She said, checking out what was wrapped in the box.
Axilla couldn’t help but eavesdrop in the conversation; a hectic night? Does that mean the young master was doing what she saw him doing that night, and Lady Larel knew about his lifestyle? She couldn’t help but wonder.
The young man who had come as a messenger rubbed his hair, "Heheh, I understand Chief Cortez; it’s not easy to find a wife on this road journey. But I think I’ve found mine. Is that your sister sitting with you? Lady Larel." He inquired, giving a small knowing smile to Axilla.
Larel followed the man’s eyesight and saw it was on Axilla. And she couldn’t help but smile; it seems the bright flower was already getting attention to herself.
"Have you found interest in my sister?" Larel asked, moving back so that the young man would get a good view of Axilla.
Axilla removed her face, looking at her shoes. It was the first time a man was wooing her, and she felt very shy. She didn’t know how to react with all the attention.
"If she’s not yet taken by any man as a wife, I would love to try my luck." The man replied, rubbing his hair gently to reveal his neatly permed hair.
Larel watched as Axilla tried to avoid the conversation, and she smiled, "Well, my sister is not looking to be taken as someone’s wife yet, but she’s looking for where to work."
Axilla raised her face to look at Larel; what was this she was saying about work. She nudged Lady Larel gently.
Larel leaned closer, whispering to Axilla; she said, "You need to start your own life right? You need money then," she winked.
"Oh, where to work? Nice! If she can read and write, I have a spot in my crew; we need someone trustworthy who can keep an inventory of the goods. The pay is nice, and it comes with accommodation." The young man pressed on; he didn’t want to miss the opportunity of getting closer to the young woman he had eyes on.
Larel shifted her gaze to Axilla then back at the man, "Yes, she can read and write properly. When can she start work then?"
"As soon as possible, I can take her with me if that’s not a problem." The young man named William chimed.
Larel nodded her head slowly, "Let me talk to her then," she closed the carriage window and faced Axilla.
"What do you think? Do you wish to work with him? I know the young lad; he works with Cortez, he just got his own crew only recently. He is from a simple but reputable family and it’s even better Cortez would be there to supervise you. If is too much for you, I can send him away; you’ll continue with me to my place." Larel suggested, giving the girl the option, letting her know she was not being pushed away, but at the same time, Larel wanted her to really experience life without being chaperoned or serving anyone.
Axilla gave it a thought; it was either to start her own life as an inventory officer, where she could use her writing and reading skills. It sounded like fun to earn her living and depend on herself. Then there was the second option, to follow Lady Larel around and continue the life she was used to. Not like there was anything wrong with it, but was that why she had left the palace?
"Lady Larel, I want to go out and start a life on my own, but I’m scared. I don’t know anyone out there, not a family. How will I survive?" Axilla revealed her fears.
Larel understood exactly what the girl was talking about, "if anyone should understand you, then that’s me. I was just a young woman when I learned that my parents accepted marriage with the then queen dowager. I was to be married to a man I knew nothing about; do you know how scared I was? I had nobody; I felt like I would be swallowed if I made a wrong move. But then I survived; I made mistakes yes, but I also learned from them." Larel spoke to the young girl.
Axilla pressed her palms together, "I- let me go with the man." She whispered, her will still shaken. She was unsure where her decision would lead her, but she wouldn’t know if she never tried.
"And if you ever feel overwhelmed, you have me and Queen Kitanna to return to. Don’t ever think you are alone." Larel assured the girl.
After a short conversation between Larel and the young man William, Axilla dropped from her carriage; she watched as Larel’s carriage continued with their journey.
Something inside her wanted to run after them, at the same time she was excited for the new life which now awaits her.
"Milady, whenever you are ready," William, who was so excited to have a fair beautiful lady on board, bowed like a gentleman.
Axilla bit her lips, hesitating for a while before stepping inside the carriage that would lead her to a new life altogether.
"Heavenly king, please protect me," Axilla muttered.