Chapter 4

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 . . .