Chapter 16: The grave mistake.

The next day we stepped out of the inn with our cloaks on and Gemma leading as an elder who a taken us in her care.

"Laila," For once, Merilyn took the name after being reminded countless times. "I think we should go to the market first. As outsiders, the markets would attract us the most."

Gemma nodded peaking back from her shoulder, silently agreeing.

"Alright then," I smiled at Merilyn, "Let us shop first."

We chose to go to the main market and I saw the walls of. . .

"I think we made a mistake," I am an idiot. How could I not realise this sooner?!

"What, your highness?" Merilyn whispered into my ear suddenly making me jump. "Sorry," she stepped back.

"What is wrong?"

Whenever I studied the notes and diaries given to me I have memorized them before my sisters which eventually led me to believe that I was smart as compared to them. Here I was in the world outside the palace world and I realise that I wasn't as smart as I had initially thought.

I could never be more wrong.

When someone looks at the maps it is afternoon assume that their journey would comprise of a day or two but that is a white lie.

Lethoris was just not three days away and in fact, it was very much far from where we started at least the heart of Lethoris was and that was where the king resided.

"Do you that wall?" I point to the walls of what seemed like a castle to which both of my companions nodded. "That is a fort built for protection. What we want is the palace which is in the heart of the country and we are very much far from it." Shame washed over me as I said, "I apologize for misleading the two of you."

Merilyn looked torn whereas my older companion looked proud of me. .?

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked her she looked at me like I have achieved something great whereas I had failed at it.

She smiled even more before saying, "You said that you have failed, your highness but on the other hand, you have realised that beyond the palace walls lies the world that needs great intellect." She seemed like a proud mother to me now. "It is only a grown-up and matured mind that can realise that they have made a mistake."

I had no words after what she said. I don't think my mind is making sense enough because I had made a grave mistake and that only made us lose time. The last night that we spent here sleeping, we could have been closer to lethoris.

"Don't do this to me!" We heard a yell and don't to the direction only to say a petrified woman yelling at a man who was dragging her. "Please! Stop!" She cried but no one heard her.

"Should we not help her?" Merilyn turned to me and I glanced at her.

"Yes, we sh—"

"I would advise against that." Gemma spoke up interrupting me, "If the people that are residing here are not helping her then I believe we as outsiders should stay away from the matter."

"But she needs help!" I argued and rose my finger up to point at her but Gemma hurriedly put my hand down and stare at me with shock in her eyes.

"Your highness needs to understand that we cannot solve others matters if it does not directly concern us." She softly chided and looked away at the girl being dragged into a building. "You just need to understand if you are going to be a Queen one day, certain matters that will leave be because they do not affect our lives and our Kingdom."

"But. . ." Merilyn muttered as she and I both glanced at the woman. "What if he was an abductor?"

Gemma smiled sadly, "Would you rather get abducted yourself?"

The question had I and Marilyn look at each other. We knew the answer to that question and once again shame washed down on us. We did not want to be abducted.

"Whoever that man was, I'd not think he was an abductor. If he was, the soldiers would have stopped him." Gemma then held our hands, "Why don't we eat something delicious? I am sure that it would lift spirits."

I let her pull me to the vendor and for the last time glanced at the habitation that the girl was taken to.

It was important for me to know where it was and remember it because tonight I was coming here after both of my companions fell asleep.