The commotion within the room, a blend of hushed whispers and the clatter of dropped vegetables disturbed Mara and Peter from their discussion, they heard the noise and decided to know what it is because they also have a big secret that they are very well much scared of having another ear hearing it.
"What's going on here?" Mara demanded immediately they walked out of the room, her voice sharp with concern. Obed, still kneeling on the floor, was busy gathering the scattered vegetables, his movements quick and efficient. He pretended not to hear her question, his head bowed as he carefully placed each piece back into the basket. The charade was transparent, a desperate attempt to deflect attention from the earlier conversation.
"My apologies, Princess," the maid offered, her voice laced with a tremor of fear. "It was just a small mishap between us. Nothing to be concerned about. I was simply going to put the basket away."
But the Princess, Mara, was already focused on Obed. Her gaze, sharp and curious, lingered on him, taking in every detail. It was the same instinctive reaction anyone would have when encountering an unfamiliar face in their own home.
"And who might you be?" Mara asked, her voice a low, melodious hum. Her eyes, though, held a flicker of recognition, a subtle connection she couldn't quite place. She saw a resemblance, a faint echo of her summer companion, Jane, in the boy's features. The similarity, however slight, was enough to pique her interest. Had Jane brought a new friend to the castle? Or was this someone entirely different?
If there hadn't been that hint of familiarity, Mara might have simply ignored Obed. After all, she had more pressing matters to attend to. But the connection, however slight, sparked a curiosity that she couldn't ignore.
The young maid, mid-sentence, abruptly fell silent. Her eyes darted between the Princess and Obed, her words caught in her throat. Mara's focused attention had shifted, drawing the maid's gaze away from Obed.
Obed, meeting Mara's inquisitive stare, felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. He knew he had to tread carefully. Any slip, any nervous twitch or misplaced word, would betray his knowledge of their earlier conversation. He forced himself to maintain his composure, his voice steady as he responded.
"Um... I'm Jane's sister," he said, choosing his words carefully. "I came to find her. I thought she might be with you." The statement, simple and innocent, rang a bell in Mara's mind. She glanced at her brother, Peter, seeking confirmation before turning back to Obed.
"You mean Jane is your sister?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. "Did you tell her you were coming? Or was this a surprise visit?"
Obed, caught off guard by the unexpected line of questioning, felt a flicker of confusion. "No, Princess," he replied, "it was sudden. My grandmother passed away, and I came to stay with my sister."
Mara's expression shifted, a hint of surprise crossing her features. The grandmother, Gara, was a figure of immense respect within the kingdom. Her voice, strong and resonant, carried an authority that commanded attention. Mara had hoped to leverage Gara's influence, her unwavering reputation, to her advantage.
Gara, a formidable female warrior who had fought alongside the King during the founding of Genesis Kingdom, was held in high esteem by the people. Her popularity rivaled even the King's, her name whispered with reverence in every corner of the kingdom.
"You mean, Gara is dead?" Mara asked, her voice tinged with a note of disbelief. Obed nodded, his eyes downcast.
Mara stood frozen, her mind reeling. The weight of Gara's passing settled upon her, a heavy cloak of sorrow. She knew Obed was alone now, adrift in a world that had suddenly lost its anchor. A pang of guilt pierced her heart, a sharp reminder of the sister he'd lost, the one she'd been forced to silence.
But regret was a fleeting emotion. Gara, in her unwavering loyalty to the King, would also never have supported Mara taking the throne no matter how hard she tries to convince her, So if she's alive, she could have still been an obstacle to her ambitions. 
But of there was a way she could manage to convince her then the people could have easily accepted her after being convinced by Gara. So however Mara couldn't bring herself to mourn her passing that much and so as she's not really regretting about Jane. After all, it was Jane's loyalty that had ultimately cost her life.
Yet, a sense of responsibility tugged at Mara's conscience. She couldn't simply abandon Obed, a young man now orphaned and vulnerable. Perhaps she could offer him a place in the castle, a temporary haven while he found his footing.
"Umm... I'm so sorry about your grandmother," Mara said, her voice laced with a carefully constructed sympathy. "She was a truly remarkable woman, a pillar of support for the House of Genesis and the kingdom itself. You're welcome here, in this family. Whenever you need anything, whenever you feel lost, you can come to me. You're welcome in the kingdom, in the palace. No one will ever harm you."
Obed, overwhelmed by Mara's unexpected kindness, felt a surge of relief. He had assumed Mara to be cold and calculating, a woman driven by ambition and power. But her words, laced with genuine concern, surprised him.
Perhaps there was more to her than met the eye. Maybe she wasn't the heartless tyrant he'd imagined. Maybe there was a flicker of compassion beneath her regal facade.
"Thank you, my Princess," Obed said, his voice thick with emotion. He bowed his head, his gratitude overflowing. The Princess's welcome was a lifeline, a beacon of hope in the midst of his grief. He had lost everything, his grandmother, his sense of security, his future. But Mara's offer, a promise of protection and belonging, filled him with a renewed sense of purpose.
He knew he had royal patronage now, not just for himself but for his sister as well. Gara's legacy, her unwavering dedication to the kingdom, would not be forgotten. He knew the King, had he been alive, would have done more to support them. But Mara's gesture, however unexpected, was a sign of hope, a promise of a brighter future.
"Don't worry, you don't have to thank me so much," Mara said, her gaze shifting to the other girl standing nearby. "My new serving girl will take you to your sister's apartment."
Obed's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "New serving girl?" he echoed, his mind racing. Did this mean his sister had been promoted? Or was something else going on? The last time he'd seen Jane, she'd been the Princess's personal serving girl, a close confidante. What had changed?
The Princess's kindness, her willingness to offer him shelter and support, hinted at a possible promotion for Jane. Perhaps she had been given new responsibilities, a chance to move up within the palace hierarchy. But he wouldn't be sure until he saw Jane and heard it from her own lips.
"Follow me," the new serving girl said, turning and starting down the hallway. Obed, with Cape trailing close behind, fell into step beside her.
"I'm Ruth," she introduced herself, her eyes bright and curious. Obed, without hesitation, reciprocated.
"Obed," he replied.
"It seems like this is your first time in the palace," Ruth said, her voice laced with amusement. "You don't even know the way to your sister's apartment. That's pretty bad, I must say."
Obed chuckled, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone. "You're right," he admitted. "This is my first day in the city not even the palace. I don't know anyone here, no friends, no contacts."
Ruth stopped abruptly, her gaze locking with Obed's. They stood there, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange, the weight of their shared moment hanging heavy in the air.
Ruth's gaze lingered on Obed, drawn to something captivating in his presence. He was handsome, with a rugged charm that hinted at a life lived outside the confines of the city walls. His eyes, a deep, soulful brown, held a depth that intrigued her. Without hesitation, she reached out, her hand extending towards him.
"Well, now you know me, and I know you," she said, her voice warm and inviting. "So, we can be friends, if you don't mind. I'm new in town too, and I don't have many friends either, just the Princess. I'd be glad to have you as a friend. What do you say?"
Obed, taken aback by her sudden warmth, smiled. He accepted her hand, his own calloused fingers gently closing around hers. "I'd be very glad to be your friend," he replied, sincerity radiating from his voice. "And I'm happy you want to be mine."
Ruth, her smile widening, nodded. "Okay then," she said, turning back to the hallway and continuing towards Jane's apartment. Obed followed close behind, his heart lighter than it had been in days.
"Here's your sister's apartment," Ruth announced, stopping in front of the door. "See you around!"
Obed, however, was not ready to let her go just yet. "Wait," he called out, a question forming on his lips. "It seems like you're a friend to my sister too?"
Ruth, her smile fading slightly, shook her head. "Not really," she said, her voice taking on a mysterious tone. Then, with a final wave, she turned and disappeared down the hallway.
Obed, left alone with a lingering sense of curiosity, shrugged off the unanswered question. He couldn't help but wonder how Ruth knew the way to Jane's apartment, but he decided it wasn't worth dwelling on. She was the Princess's new serving girl, after all, so it wasn't surprising she knew the layout of the palace. He raised his hand and knocked on the door, his anticipation mounting as he waited for Jane to open it.
The happiness bubbling in his chest made Obed's lips curve into a smile. It had been too long since he'd seen his sister, and he couldn't wait to feel her presence again. He knocked on the door, a rhythm of anticipation drumming against the wood. When there was no answer, his smile faltered. Could she be out?
He gently pushed the door open, finding it unlocked. "Jane...?" he called out softly, his voice echoing in the quiet apartment. He stepped inside, and the air caught in his throat. His breath hitched, a wave of disbelief washing over him. His eyes widened, taking in the scene before him. It was unlike anything he could have imagined.