All I could do was nod my head, following her as we walked through the hallway. I could hear murmurs of guards whispering to themselves, with some even giving me weird looks, but I ignored them, focusing on the maid.
We finally arrived at my room after several stairs. We entered, and I was welcomed by a beautiful smell of lovely fragrance all over the room. The beauty of the room was of royal standards.
"Welcome, ma, to your room," the maid said. "I am also your personal maid. Whatever you want, I am available to help you with it."
I just nodded with a faded smile.
"I prepared dinner; I could bring it for you to eat if you are hungry?" the maid asked curiously.
I could sense she needed an answer from me, as my silence was beginning to surprise her. I rushed out my notepad and wrote, "I am mute." I showed it to her.
"Oh, so sorry, ma," the maid said, her face folding in pity.
The maid's expression changed from curiosity to sympathy, and she nodded slowly. "I'll make sure to communicate with you through writing from now on," she said, her voice soft and gentle.
She walked over to a small table in the corner of the room and picked up a piece of paper and a pen. "Use this so you wouldn't waste you notepad Is there anything you need or would like to eat?" she asked, looking at me expectantly.
I took the pen and paper from her and began to write. "I'm hungry," I wrote. "What options do I have?"
The maid's face lit up with a smile as she read my message. "We have a variety of dishes prepared for you," she said. "Would you like me to bring you some soup, or perhaps some roasted meat?"
I thought for a moment before responding. "I'll have the soup with not too meat," I wrote.
The maid nodded and headed towards the door. "I'll be right back with your dinner," she said.
As she left the room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. Despite the strange and intimidating surroundings, the maid's kindness and understanding had made me feel slightly more at ease.
I began to pace around the room, as I couldn't help but keep admiring the room, rubbing my tummy with a big smile on my face. Finally, I was where I was treated with love and care, and my unborn child would be treated happily.
The door cracked open, breaking my thoughts, as it was the maid coming in with a stack of food on her head. "Good thing the soup is still hot; try to eat," the maid said, dropping the food on the table.
I sat quickly, rushing the food, with as much as I could swallow. "It looks like you must be very hungry," the maid said, chuckling.
But all I could do was nod, emptying the bowl in no time, staring at the maid as I licked my lips from the stain of the food left on it.
"Do you still want more?" the maid asked, with a surprised look.
I hesitated for a while, thinking if I would nod or shake my head.
From the way you are looking at me with a confused look, you are scared," the maid said, shaking her head with laughter.
I turned away from her direction in a shameful look.
"Don't worry, don't be scared or ashamed," the maid said. "I would get you another one; I could sense your journey was a stressful one."
The maid carried the empty bowl in front of her as she headed out.
As the maid left the room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards her. She had been kind and understanding, and had even sensed my hunger and stress. I felt a pang of shame for being so hungry and devouring the food so quickly, but the maid's words had put me at ease.
I sat back in my chair, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. I looked around the room again, taking in the luxurious furnishings and the comfortable bed. I felt grateful to be in such a beautiful and comfortable place, and I knew that I would be well taken care of here.
The maid returned with another bowl of food, and I smiled at her in gratitude. "Thank you," I wrote on a piece of paper, handing it to her.
The maid smiled and nodded, setting the bowl down in front of me. "You're welcome, ma," she said. "Eat and rest well. You must be exhausted from your journey."
I nodded, feeling a sense of fatigue wash over me. I began to eat again, savoring the delicious flavors and textures of the food. As I ate, I felt my eyelids growing heavy, and I knew that I would soon be asleep.
As I finished my second bowl of food, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. The maid, noticing my fatigue, helped me to my feet and guided me to the bed.
"Rest now, ma," she said, pulling back the covers and helping me to lie down. "You must be very tired from your journey."
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I lay down on the soft, comfortable bed. The maid pulled the covers up over me and smiled.
"Sleep well, ma," she said. "I'll be back to check on you later."
Just when she was about leaving I held her hand....