Chapter 62: A trip to the past II
The question lingered in the air.
Florence lowered her gaze respectfully, carefully arranging her thoughts before speaking.
One wrong answer could place both her and the sleeping child in danger.
"Your Royal Majesty," she began softly, "my name is Florence."
Her voice echoed faintly within the vast throne room.
"I was staying with the little girl’s mother when vampires attacked our village." She said telling the Queen half truth.
The Queen remained silent.
Her violet eyes never left Florence’s face.
Encouraged by the lack of interruption, Florence continued.
"The attack happened unexpectedly. Houses were destroyed and many people were killed."
The memories did not belong entirely to her.
Yet enough tragedies had occurred throughout her long life that sorrow came easily to her voice.
"When everything ended, we became separated. I escaped with the child, but I no longer know where her mother is."
She tightened her hold around Saline.
"I have nowhere to return to. While searching for shelter, I became lost."
Florence allowed a brief pause before adding quietly,
"And somehow, we ended up here."
Silence followed.
The throne room seemed to grow even larger beneath the weight of the Queen’s scrutiny.
Florence felt every second stretch endlessly.
Then, without warning, the Queen rose from her throne.
The movement was elegant.
Graceful.
Powerful.
Every one present immediately lowered their heads.
Even the guards straightened.
The Queen descended the steps slowly, her dark velvet gown sweeping across the polished marble floor behind her.
Her long black hair shimmered beneath the chandelier light like flowing silk.
Florence resisted the urge to tense.
The Queen stopped directly before them.
Close enough that Florence could see the faint gold embroidery decorating her sleeves.
For a moment, the Queen simply observed the sleeping child.
Then her hand lifted.
Long elegant fingers brushed gently against Saline’s white hair.
The Queen’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"This color is unusual."
Florence’s heart skipped.
Only for a moment.
Then she forced herself to smile.
"It’s an illness, Your Majesty."
The Queen looked at her.
Florence continued before suspicion could form.
"The child was born with ordinary hair."
A lie.
"Her condition appeared several years ago... around when she was born."
Another lie.
"The healers believe it is a rare sickness."
The Queen remained expressionless.
Fortunately, Florence had told lies for far longer than most kingdoms had existed.
"The medicine helps."
She carefully brushed a hand over Saline’s head.
"After treatment, the color usually becomes darker again."
The Queen hummed thoughtfully.
Whether she believed the explanation or not remained impossible to determine.
After several moments, she withdrew her hand.
Then she turned.
"Kaelion."
The name echoed through the chamber.
Florence looked up just in time to see the blue-eyed guard step forward.
His black hair shifted slightly as he bowed.
"My Queen."
Kaelion.
The name suited him.
Strong, elegant and beautiful.
The Queen regarded him calmly.
"You discovered them."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You will be responsible for their accommodations."
Kaelion nodded immediately.
"It will be done."
The Queen then shifted her attention back toward Florence.
For the first time, a faint smile touched her lips.
Though it carried more calculation than warmth.
"You claim to have nowhere to go."
Florence bowed her head.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Then you shall remain here."
Surprise flickered through Florence.
The Queen continued before she could speak.
"We have no shortage of servants."
Florence’s stomach tightened.
"You will work as a maid within the palace."
The declaration left no room for negotiation.
Not that Florence intended to refuse.
Having a roof over their heads was already more mercy than she had expected.
"You honor me, Your Majesty."
The Queen waved a hand dismissively.
The gesture clearly signaled the end of the audience.
"Take them away."
Kaelion stepped forward immediately.
Florence rose carefully while keeping Saline secure in her arms.
As she turned to leave, she felt the Queen’s gaze linger on them.
Watching and thinking critically.
The sensation remained until the throne room doors closed behind them.
Neither Florence nor Kaelion spoke while walking through the palace corridors.
The silence stretched comfortably.
Or perhaps awkwardly.
Florence wasn’t entirely sure.
Sunlight streamed through enormous windows while servants moved quietly about their duties.
Several stared curiously at the unfamiliar woman carrying a sleeping child.
Kaelion ignored them.
Eventually they reached a quieter wing of the palace.
He stopped before a wooden door and pushed it open.
The room beyond was modest but comfortable.
A small bed.
A table.
A wardrobe.
Most importantly, safety.
For now.
"You’ll stay here."
His voice remained calm and cold that felt like he was always commanding people.
Florence nodded.
"Thank you."
Kaelion offered a short nod in return.
Then turned to leave.
For a brief moment, however, he paused at the doorway.
His blue eyes flickered toward the sleeping child.
Then toward Florence.
Something thoughtful crossed his expression.
Gone almost immediately.
Without another word, he walked away.
The door closed behind him.
Leaving Florence alone.
At last.
Only then did she allow herself to exhale.
The tension she had carried since entering the hidden kingdom slowly left her shoulders.
Carefully, she placed Saline upon the bed.
The child barely stirred.
Florence sat beside her.
Watching her as she slept, they had survived another day.
Yet danger still surrounded them.
Most of all, the Queen worried her.
There had been intelligence behind those violet eyes.
Far too much intelligence.
If anyone discovered who Saline truly was...or both of them.
Florence didn’t wish to imagine the consequences.
Night eventually arrived.
The palace fell silent.
Moonlight filtered through the curtains while the hidden kingdom slept.
Only then did Florence finally move.
She approached the bed carrying a small silver vial.
Inside rested a dark liquid.
One she had prepared long ago.
For emergencies like that .. thankfully Lysandra had taught her a lot.
It would have been a disaster if she hadn’t.
Carefully, she lifted the sleeping child’s head.
Saline stirred slightly.
"Mmm..."
"It’s alright, little one."
Florence’s voice softened.
The child trusted her completely.
Without resistance, Saline swallowed the liquid.
Moments passed.
Nothing happened.
Then slowly...
the brilliant white strands began changing.
Color spread through them like ink through water.
White became grey.
Grey became brown.
Until finally, black hair rested against the pillow.
Ordinary and Safe.
Florence brushed her fingers through the transformed strands.
Relief flooded her chest.
At least now they would attract less attention.
The next morning arrived beneath brilliant sunlight.
Birdsong drifted through the open window.
Saline woke first.
The little girl sat upright immediately before looking around in confusion.
Her eyes widened.
"This isn’t the cave."
Florence smiled.
"No."
The child blinked.
Then blinked again.
"Did we move?"
"We did."
Saline considered that.
Then her attention landed on her reflection in a nearby mirror.
The little girl froze.
Her small hands immediately grabbed her hair.
"What happened?"
Florence had expected the reaction.
"I changed you hair color, dear."
Saline looked delighted.
"How did you do it?"
"For now... it’s a secret." Florence winked at her.
The child grinned proudly.
Then climbed off the bed and hurried toward the window.
Excitement immediately replaced confusion.
"So we live here now?"
Florence joined her.
Outside, palace servants moved through gardens filled with colorful flowers.
The hidden kingdom looked just as beautiful beneath daylight as it had yesterday.
"Perhaps for a little while."
Saline seemed perfectly satisfied with that answer.
The little girl placed both hands against the glass.
"There’s so many people."
"There are."
"Do they all live here?"
"Most of them."
Saline nodded thoughtfully.
Then she turned toward Florence.
A bright smile appeared on her face.
"Then we’re part of everybody now."
The innocent declaration struck something deep within Florence’s chest.
For a moment she could only stare.
Part of everybody.
If only life were that simple.
If only they could truly belong somewhere.
Florence forced a smile and opened her arms.
Saline immediately ran into them.
The woman hugged her tightly.
Protectively.
Because no matter how peaceful this place seemed...
Florence could not shake the feeling that their arrival had disturbed something.
And somewhere inside the palace...
someone was already beginning to ask questions.
