Sybil Park
Maybe I need to trust my daughter. She has desires in life that will help her to continue on her path. I will trust her, I will trust her ability. I wish she could succeed on her journey even if it will take a lot of time. I know that after the journey we will live in peace and Vishton can now come back to us.
“T-thank you, General! I mean vashda, General! Hebeias vashda, General! ” My eyes widened when she said the word Hebeias vashda which means ‘thank you very much’. Thank you for teaching me—where did she get that word?
"Where did you learn hebeias vashda, Daughter?" I approached Maze.
“I heard it from the people of Xida Palacios. They are always saying ‘hebeias vasha’ then I found out that vashda is ‘thank you’ because you told me so, Mother. So I realized that hebeias vashda might mean 'thank you very much.'” She beamed.
“Look at your daughter's ability, Sybil. She knows how to use logic! I wouldn't be surprised if I spent just a month teaching your daughter to master the Normesian language and she’s already great at reading and writing. ” The general's voice was full of joy and he obviously hoped that I would allow him to do what he wanted.
“I agree with your offer, General. Just promise me that I will see Maximaze alive after the trial.” I brought my daughter closer to me.
"I can promise that, Sybil, but I can't promise that she won't be hurt during the trial," he said. Although I knew Maximaze’s heart might shatter because of the trial, I just wanted her to be able to study. I wanted her to experience what I had never experienced.
I went to the kitchen to serve our food for this afternoon. I overheard the general and Maximaze’s conversation.
"Maze, what do you want?" I heard the general's question.
“General, I want a peaceful home for our family so that we can live happily together. Mother said that this house isn’t ours but from His Lordship so I want to have our own house. I would prefer to live near the forest or perhaps near the river because nature gives me peace and I love it. When Father comes home from his journey, he will surely love the surroundings since Mother said they both love peace.”
I smiled at what she said. A peaceful home with my family—I wanted that too. Vishton will surely love the surroundings, that’s what Maze said and I agree. It would be a sweet surprise for Vishton when he finally got out of jail if only we could afford a house near the river. The thing is, will he really come back?
IT’S BEEN DAYS since Cladius started teaching my daughter. He never stopped teaching Maze until she finally mastered reading. Then, Cladius taught her to write. At first, Maximaze’s handwriting was not clear. It was crooked and unreadable.
As time passed, my daughter’s handwriting got even better. It’s clear and clean.
Since she learned how to write, she never stopped writing her name on her paper as if she was writing a novel. Also, she started to love reading novels, poems, and etcetera.
Now, she needed to learn Normesian since every book and every page of Normous’ law was written in the Normesian Language. She had to learn that language so that she could read the content of the law because it’s important. Another thing, history books were also written in Normesian. History was important to learn especially for people who were in high society.
However, since the general wasn’t interested in books, he needed to buy books for Maximaze. It cost more than a thousand silver coins since books were expensive and only high society members could afford it.
Cladius also sent a letter to His Lordship to get us out of His lordship’s tyranny. Cladius did his best for us to have our rights back. If His Lordship will approve Cladius’ plea, then Maximaze and I will be no longer slaves. I can say that everything has changed since Cladius came back to us. He treasured our friendship and so did his friendship with Vishton.
On the other hand, Maze tried to study because she knew it was a blessing. Most of the citizens of Normous were unable to study, especially those who were among the lowest levels.
"Mother." I looked at Maze. She was lying on the bed next to me. Her face was so gentle, I will never get tired of looking at it.
"Mm-mmm?” I stroked her hair.
"It's getting harder and harder to study," she admitted. “ Please don’t misunderstand me. I did not say I would give up. I don't want to waste the opportunity given to me. ” I breathed a sigh of relief at what she said. I thought she would give up so easily.
“I'm just wondering, Mother . . . I haven't seen my father in a long time. He has been gone since I was born. Mother, is his journey that important? ” I was immediately stunned. I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to tell her the truth and I found it hard to lie when she’s like this.
"Yes, Daughter." I chose to lie because I was afraid that she would suddenly change when I told the truth. I told her that Vishton was on a journey and it would be troublesome if I said something that would surely oppose the idea of the lie I imprinted in her mind.
Maximaze sighed and stared out the window where the beautiful sky can be seen. There I saw the marvellous formation of stars.
"Mother, if I ever see him, will he consider me as his child?" I couldn't speak, I just stared at her. "Does he know me as his daughter?" Maze remained staring out the window. She seems like she was lost in the stygian.
Vishton knew Maze, he just didn't know his daughter's name. "What if all my dreams about my father suddenly shattered?" Silence reigned for a moment. My eyes were moist. “Is Father here, Mother? Is he watching how hard I work to see him. ” H-he's not here, Maze, he’s not here.
"I grew up without him by my side, can I still feel the love of a father?" My tears immediately flowed at what my daughter was saying.
It's just a word. There were no tears on her face yet I can already feel the pain she has. “I hope he sees me. I hope he can hear me . . . I want him to come home.” She lowered her gaze.
If only Vishton hadn’t left, he would have been here with us. I'm sure he'll be happy with his daughter. So what if that day, he chose us? Would it still be like this?
“I always wanted to see my father. Know what character he has, but I felt like he chose the journey more than us, Mother.” Her tears started to fall down to her cheeks.
I hate to think about it but I can never change the fact that Vishton chose to be heroic and save his friend rather than to stay with us.
"G-good evening, my mother." I can’t say it was a good night. It’s your fault, Vishton. You should’ve chosen us.
The next morning, General Claudius welcomed us with a smile, as if he had some good news to say. “Sybil, His Lordship agreed to release you from his hands. It means you are free! You are no longer slaves, Sybil! ”
He immediately took us to his palace and prepared food for us. We’re free, we’re no longer slaves of the baron! However, we’re still not at the highest level of civilization but I would rather not ask about that. Recently, I just found out that it’s dangerous to be part of high society. The freedom we attained was enough.
To be continued . . .
Chapter 5Sybil ParkI suddenly remembered that Maze will leave my side one day for the trial. I was nervous for her because I might never see her smiles again. I want her to be safe so that we can live peacefully together after the journey. It's completely fine if she's not the chosen Death Judge. I just want her to come home safely after the journey.“I will show you your rooms later after this. I'm sure you'll like it. ” The general smiled. "You will stay here temporarily while your little palace is still under construction."After we finished eating, Cladius toured us inside his palace. It was beautiful, luxurious, and well made, hands up to the engineer who did this. It’s not impossible for a nob
Sybil Park"Mother, are you sure we're going to Twaechon?" Maze touched my clothes while looking at me.“Yes, Maze. You said you want to learn embroidery. In Twaechon, you’ll learn a lot about embroidery.”The servants of the palace came in here in the dining room to put the foods on the table. They also prepared our glasses and filled them with orange juice.We started to eat as soon as everything was already prepared. Today, I just tasted a delicious ramen. I was eager to eat but my other two companions seemed even more eager to taste the food.And because Maze and Cladius were eager, they immediately finished their meals and asked for another bowl of ra
Sybil Park“Now, tell us. Why do you plan to poison the general?” Maximaze was gravely glaring at Leonardo. I couldn’t believe that Leo still managed to smile wickedly."What if I don't say?" He laughed. “I used young loquat leaves to poison the general because I don’t plan to kill him. I only need a moment to steal some of his wealth while he’s ill. Once the general found out that some of his wealth went missing, it will be a chance for me to blame it all on your mother.” My heart started to beat faster when he gazed at me with the sharp look in his eyes."So . . . you’ve chosen death—”“Maze!” Cladius interrupted her.“L-let her, My
Sybil ParkThis was just a part of our so-called Fuji tactic. Only the three of us knew about the Fuji tactic. The tactic was effective especially when it’s snowing or perhaps it’s fall season. The trap was invisible because it was covered with snow.The guards immediately arrived. All of them were breathless and were drenched in sweat. One of them groaned. “That thief is so fast!”“Sir, the thief you are after fell in this pit. We can help you lift him up to punish him,” I said.They were relieved after hearing what I said. Of course, the three of us helped the guards to lift up the culprit because the guards were obviously tired. Few minutes later, the culprit was finally in the hands of the guards and the eunuch finall
Sybil Park“I’m hungry, Vishton!” Cladius interrupted Vishton. “So now, let’s go to my hut and eat!” He ran away, and so did Vishton.While they were running away, I was left behind, so Cladius yelled at me, "hey! Hurry up, Sybil! The one who’ll be last to enter the hut will treat the squad a delicious ramen!” I had no choice but to run. I don’t want to treat these two boys especially when I had no money with me!“YES, I still remember . . .” I lowered the tone of my voice, while smiling and looking at nowhere. It’s quite fun to reminisce nice memories from the past, especially if Vishton and Cladius was part of that memory. “. . . and until now, I can still remember that absurd tactic we invented when we were young.”Cladius chuckled. “As far as I can remember, it’s the Fuji tactic you’re saying isn’t it?” He sighed. “I wo
Sybil Park“I said . . .” Shin’s voice was trembling. She flinched at Maximaze and grinned.Someone hit her on her head. "That’s a kid, Shin. Control your temper." I realized that it was Hanneul who hit Shin. “Let’s talk somewhere else. I have tea for you. ” Then the two of them left.I glanced at Cladius. He watched the two of them walk away with that strange look in his eyes. I felt like he’s wary about the two of them.I watched Maximaze eat hamburgers. Her mouth was full but she still managed to smile.“Mother, do you like to eat some?" Maze asked.I shook my head. She smiled. I stroked her hair.
Maximaze ParkAfter we visited Twaechon, we headed straight to my uncle’s manor.Uncle immediately ordered the servants to get dinner ready. I went up to my room and changed my clothes then I went down to eat.“Oh, Maze. Sit down,” Mother said. I followed what she said and ate."We're going to do something tomorrow, Maze," said my uncle."General, what are we going to do?" I asked."We will have training starting tomorrow..""For what, General?"“It’s a rehearsal that will surely help you in the future. Running fast is one of the things we’ll do tomorrow.
Maximaze ParkHe raised an eyebrow at me. “Noble, can you let me finish my statement first?”"Oh, pardon me, Sir.” I lowered my gaze.“He wants you to go to a certain place where you can start your training.”I gazed at him and frowned. “Huh? Where? Will you escort me there, Sir?”“I’m afraid I cannot escort you there, Noble.”I frowned even more. “Then how could I get there?”“The general ordered me to give this to you.” He handed me a paper. I looked at it and realized that it’s a map. “Since you received enough lessons and bee