After a while we approached the palace where I could finally rest, looking out I noticed that Altan and Chiru were standing out to greet us.

Stepping out the carriage I looked at the pouts on their faces.

“Why would you leave without us!” Chiru huffs while facing away from me, I giggle at his childness.

“You could have asked us too yanno” Altan pouts like a sad puppy. Luckily I asked Olive to pick up some gifts for everyone so they would forgive me.

“I had to get gifts for everyone, it would be cruel to take you with me and spoil it for everyone” I comment while smirking like a Ninja.

Olive walks over to them both before placing two boxes in front of them, in there contained two specially made daggers with protection jewels encrusted onto them.

“Okay, I’m sorry you're the best!” Chiru cheers while practicing with his new dagger. I watch as Altan walks over to me and pats my head.

“Thankyou” he mumbles, this makes me giggle. As I started to finally relax, I heard small noises coming from the carriage.

“I forgot!” I yelp while running towards it, they both look with confusion but soon drop their mouths open as they watch me excort this girl out.

I covered her head with the cape to make her feel safer and let her clasp onto my hand, even though she was taller than me.

“Amaris… who is this?” Altan comments, as I was about to answer I saw the small sparkle in Chiru’s eyes, he looked as if she was the most gorgeous thing he’s ever seen.

‘To many damn boys’

“I’ll explain later but right now I need to go” I huffed before rushing inside the palace while leaving a stunned Chiru behind.

As we made our way into a guest room I motioned her towards a seat to sit down on, I watched as she sat and brought her knees to her chest and had the cape still draped over her head.

I watched as some of the extra servants that do not watch over any royals came in being led by Olive.

“Greetings Princess” they all bow.

“Please leave the child in our care, we will take care of her” a girl comments, I nod but before I could turn to leave I felt a hand wrap around my arm. Looking in that direction I notice the poor girl rushed up to stop me from leaving her side.

“It’s okay, they won’t hurt you” I smiled towards her, but she still didn’t move from my arm.

‘Hmmm’

“Did you want me to stay with you?” I ask, to which she instantly nodded. I took her hand and led her to the open bath, we were followed by the servants. As I spoke to the girl and let her know what they will be doing, she relaxed more.

As I sat on the side I decided to look at the cards the women gave me, I still hadn’t been able to see them properly. Opening the purple shiny box, I pull out a number of cards. They all looked the same as the women but had different images and writing on them.

“Child, these cards hold a lot of energy” Hecate voice whispered in my head.

“Oh so now you can speak to me?” I mutter which causes the golden haired girl to cock her head in confusion.

“Since you used a lot of magic today, it made your mana level greater, so I can now connect to you like this, you should be happy to hear me” she comments, I huff at her response.

“So what are these cards?” I ask, as I was still confused.

“These are tarot cards, they connect to all spirits who are trying to tell you something. Think of something you wish to be answered and inject your energy into them and it will be answered” 

‘Hmmm think of something I’d liked to be answered’

‘Can I trust this girl?’ I thought as I imagined my energy flowing into the cards, now watching as the purple aura flowed around them a card fell out. I look and see three coins displayed with the words ‘three of pentacles’.

As I focused my energy into this card the words started to appear on the back. Learning, success, hard work pays off and more positive things.

‘I’m guessing she will work hard’

‘I need to learn how to read these cards properly’

As I decided to place the cards back into the box I noticed that they were finally done washing her. I looked up and saw she was in a light blue gown and her straight golden hair was dripping wet. I walked over and smiled at her brightly.

“That’s better! You look much healthier. How about we have some dinner?” I asked while holding out a hand, she grabbed it quickly and followed me back to the room.

I watched as the servants had a hard time picking out an outfit for her. I motioned them towards the deep blue coloured one to match her eyes and they paired this with the same coloured headband. I looked as they dressed her, she wasn’t dirty anymore and had glossy hair.

‘I’m glad she feels better’ 

As they finished I made my way over and took her hands into mine, she looked startled at first.

“Let’s go eat! You must be really hungry” I spoke while licking my lips, I was secretly listening to my stomach rumble for the past twenty minutes, she nodded quickly.

As we made our way through the halls with Olive following us closely, I noticed Aenon wasn’t around for once.

“Olive, where’s Aenon?” I asked, all though I didn’t mind the peace it was strange to not have this man following my every movement.

“He’s currently reporting back to the emperor, you did bring a stranger back into the castle princess. He had to be informed and they needed to question the slave trader” she answered while leading us into a smaller dining hall. I thought it would be easier for the girl to eat without getting overwhelmed by everyone.

I motioned towards a chair for her to sit down on, which she agreed. Sitting next to her we watched as the chefs brought out all kinds of fish and one of my favourite pieces of food here.

‘Sarmadakia’

I drool as I watch the plates of food cover up the table and quickly bow before filling my plate with all kinds of food. After a moment of greediness, I look and watch as the girl just sits and stares. She didn’t move an inch, even as the food lay out on the table.

“You should try these” I smiled as I filled her plate up with the Sarmadakia, she looked confused and even scared.

“I promised I would feed you and give you somewhere to sleep” I cocked my head to the side in a wait for her response.

“So please eat” I mumbled as my words grew sadder. She seemed shocked by my sudden saddened words, so she brought out her hand and started to eat the food I placed in front of her. I watched as her eyes lit up at the taste of the chef's cooking.

‘I’m glad’

As I dug into the food like an animal I completely forgot about her presence.

‘This food is just so amazing’.

After a while of eating I saw that she had finally got her fill, which I was happy about, as the servants took away the plates I decided to ask a question I’d been wanting to know.

“Do you have a name?” I ask, she drops her head before shaking it to say no.

“Can I give you a name?” I smile which makes her eyes look directly at me. Bestowing a name on someone is like giving them gold, they feel like a real person in the world, but sadly when you're a slave no one will give one to you. I watched her eyes light up at my comment which put me in thought.

‘Hmmmm’

After a moment of thinking, I finally figured out what she will be called.

“Because your eyes are so blue I wanted your name to match the beauty” I giggled towards her.

“Meena Ruka Bay” I smiled ear to ear, her eyes glistened at my words and before I knew it I watched as a small tear shed down her cheek. The only form of emotion she’s shown besides fear.

“Your name means deep blue, bright blue flower and sea front. You remind me of the ocean” I said now standing up and holding out a hand, she stared at the hand I extended.

“Let’s start your new life Meena”