We followed a distance away from Margo and Harold. I walked next to Benard, matching his pace. He seemed to be in no rush to go after Harold. 

“So what’s the deal between you and Margo,” he asked. 

“What do you mean,” I responded. I was unsure why he asked that question. I thought it was obvious. We were friends. I was her maid. She was technically my employer, the reason why I made money.

He shrugged, “I guess. You two seem close.”

I nodded, he was right. We were. 

He continued, “I just wasn’t sure what your relationship with each other is. It feels too close for just employer and employee.”

“We’ve known each other our entire lives. We grew up next to each other,” I interrupted. 

“So, sisters?”

“No. No. I don’t really see her as a sister.”

“Then, what do you see her as?”

I paused and pondered the thought. I didn’t know how to answer.

“Well. I guess. Someone I really care for.”

He laughed, “Well that much is obvious. So what are you going to do after the showing?”

“I’ll go wherever Margo goes.”

He stopped walking and stared into me. 

“You’ll be going with Margo?”

I nodded, “Yeah. I go where she goes. I promised her that. I promised her I would never leave her.”

He looked away from me and then back, “No one ever told you?”

I hated it when people did not speak things out. That they delayed the inevitable. Trying to keep something from me longer than they wanted. To ease their comfort. I hated the anticipation of answers. I was impatient. 

“Told me what,” I said my words a little harsher than I anticipated. 

“The maid,” he started, “or the butler. They don’t always go with them.  Depending on the situation, they may have to remain at their home while their Prince or Princess leaves.”

I blinked hard. He looked at me.

“You might have to stay in Akamore,” he clarified. He reached his hand out to me. I took a step back to avoid it.

Stay in Akamore?

“The head maid should have told you? Did she not?”

She didn’t tell me. Did she ever intend to tell me? Was she planning on me staying this entire time? Margo won’t be okay without me. What will she do when she finds out? 

What will I do? What will I do without Margo?

I felt my body shake and quiver at the thought of life without Margo. Maybe it was unhealthy, my obsession with Margo. But, the thought of no longer being by Margo’s side made me scared.

Benard held my shoulder and drew me out of my thoughts. He looked at me, his eyes narrowed. He brought me in for a hug and squeezed tightly. 

“It’ll be okay,” he whispered in my ear. I couldn’t help but feel it won’t. I want to push him away. Scream at him and tell him to never touch me again, but this hug was welcomed. It was warm and cozy. Tight too. His hug tightened. I could feel him hold in a sob. 

“Is this why Harold keeps pushing–”

“Yes,” Benard says. “He too is scared of losing his closest friend. Just like you and I.”