It had been several weeks later since Abigail tried to run away from Mr. Lingo's home. It felt like a repeat addition for when she attempted to do that at other's homes.
She didn't know what else to do, or say at this point. Perhaps, in the end Mr. Lingo had started to grow on her. She found herself not wishing to leave his side.
He had been a kind old man for the most part, strict in some areas, but more of a father figure than other men. Abby even started to look like her former self, back in her younger youth.
It was odd at first, but while she was cleaning the living space she could hear trumpets. In the distance, the sounds of crowds swarming outside and down the streets.
Abby slowly shifting her head and gaze towards the outside. Approaching the window, as she tried to get a glimpse of what was going on.
All she could see was bypasses of fellow soldiers and other commoners headed in a certain direction. It wasn't unusual now, Abby thought to herself, simply because she was now in the city.
It was often accustom at this point to notice fancy clothes and items headed to the castle. Abby would unlock the front door and look outside to get a better view.
Seeing wagons and other fellow people making their way down to the north gate. She pierced her eyes on women whom looked eager to make their way down as well.
Out of simple curiosity Abigail would place down the broom and proceed to look back. She knew Mr. Lingo had stepped out for a while, not knowing when he'd be back.
It wouldn't hurt to take a break she thought.
Without another thought, she would close the door behind her and proceed to walk with the crowd. Not knowing what she'd run into— but she always allowed her curiosity to get the better of her.
Eventually, they had arrived near the north gate, and from what Abby could see, was an entire army marching inside the city. It didn't look like the same soldiers that His Majesty had.
Instead these looked like an entirely different army, and had different banners up. They continued to march in, while a fancy wagon with shades blocking whomever was inside it.
People looked in awe at the exterior of the wagon, all while guards on horses blocked the wagon from all sides. Abby arched a brow, and noticed people waving and flaunting their arms.
It was as if someone highly important had come to visit. Unfortunately, Abigail wasn't too big on the important people. She only knew the stories about His majesty and that was it.
She had no idea other wealthy and powerful people came to visit Scaleton city let alone travel with such luxurious treasures. Abigail really didn't know what the fuse was about, and why so many people were interested.
She sighed.
Becoming rather overwhelmed with the whole idea, and could hear women murmuring about who could be within the wagon. They sounded like they already knew, and could start to blush.
Abigail rolled her eyes at the thought, as she slowly started to turn heel. However, a faint noise caught her attention, it was faint— but loud enough that it was soothing.
For a moment or two she thought she was hearing things, with the crowd being as loud as it was. All the shoving and screaming, and consistent chatter.
Abby pushed through the crowd trying to step away from it all. Although in doing so, she proceed to get a better listen into what she had heard earlier on.
The sounds grew louder and were like sweet notes within her earlobe. She had never heard of something so peaceful, yet was filled with pain and sorrow.
Abigail looked around from corner to corner, trying to find the source of it. Though every which way she looked, she couldn't find who was playing those notes.
It wasn't until she turned to the west that — the noise she was hearing, sounded like it was coming from there. Turning around to see if anyone was paying attention, she proceeded to head in that direction.
.
.
.
It wasn't loud before Abigail reached the point where she could hear the music crystal clear. So clear in fact she could hear every single note being played.
It was like a symphony in her head, all the notes perfectly composed and arranged that it echoed off beautifully. Abby had never heard something so vibrate and full of emotions.
She continued to look around, noticing that she was rather somewhat close to the castle walls. However, she noticed guards standing post at a nearby gate.
She didn't wish to get any closer, but as she continued to try and see who was playing, her eyes slowly started to look up. Immediately her orbs widened at the sight.
Noticing His Majesty on his balcony with what appeared to be some type of instrument. His fingers gently gliding across the strings, and flicking the other strings as he played.
He had nothing in front of him, as his eyelids were closed. It was like as if he could see what he was playing within his mind and would do it.
Abby watched in astonishment, as His majesty continued to play the loving noise before it reached its climax. In all her weeks she's been here, and for what was now some months, she never knew His majesty balcony was visible to see.
You had to travel to the west side deep within close castle area somewhat. Around a rather back —- way side of some homes, but there it was nevertheless.
It was almost surreal, that Abigail hadn't noticed she couldn't even move. She was locked within the distance between them. It was as if his notes were speaking to her.
His majesty had finished his piece, and slowed down before reaching the end. With the air in his lungs he would sigh deeply, before opening his eyelids.
Embracing the notes he played, as he had played the same song again and again. To what end, Abby had no idea— but for him— it was as if he was trying to feel a different emotion.
Though every single time he had played that song, the same emotions always arise within him. It was as if nothing he did satisfied him in the least.
Eventually, his majesty would slowly rise to his feet stepping away from his chair. His personal maid would take his bow along with the instrument and place it back.
Though in doing so, Abigail would slowly realizing that His majesty would notice her. His orbs shifting down to look at the woman below.
Which made Abigail fumble and quickly turn around in embarrassment. She stood there with her back turned against him. Not knowing rather to run or to hide or to wave.
She didn't know rather to pretend like she wasn't looking at all, and do something with her hands. Perhaps, acting as if she was simply taking a stroll, which she didn't know if that was the smart choice.
His majesty noticing that she had kept her back to him, although he had already caught her. Although oddly enough, he couldn't help but find it to be rather amusing, to say the least.
He would gradually move closer towards his balcony ledge, and lean his hands against it. Staring down at her awaiting for her to turn around.
Sure enough, Abigail would inhale sharply giving herself a pep talk before proceeding to clear her throat and glance up briefly at him, wondering only if he had simply walked off.
However, once she had realized that he hadn't walked off and once she had turned around again to look up. The two now would make awkward eye contact.
Noticing he had locked eyes with her, it made Abby instead of turning around again, briefly stare back at him. The two keeping eye contact for a moment or two.
Instantly Abby felt her heart racing, not out of fear, but out of something else. She could feel her inside warming up, as his gleaming eyes pierced her core like when they danced.
Suddenly the tension between them became too overwhelming for her, but she couldn't bear to move first.
It wasn't until a faint sound calling out to the king, that he would shift his gaze towards someone who entered his chambers. After looking at them, and briefly back at Abigail, His majesty would proceed to walk away from the balcony altogether.
In that instance that came her the relief and yet the disappointment all in one setting. She couldn't help but thank the god's that someone else got his attention.
However, she also couldn't help but feel on the inside sadden by it as well. It was as if apart of her didn't want him to walk away, as she found his presence to be rather pleasing.
In the end though, the army that had once walked through the city would end up behind the castle walls. Which indicated that they were there to meet with the king himself.
Which explains why His majesty left the balcony early on. Abigail thought to herself, as she proceeded to head back to Mr. Lingo's home.
Her mind wandering with many questions and thoughts that was beginning to plague her so. It was becoming a distraction as she found herself standing still in the middle of the road.
Several people passing her, some eyeing her thinking she was awkward and strange. While others admired her beauty and whispered amongst themselves about it.
.
.
.
Soon though Abby had found her way back home and Mr. Lingo was already home. Noticing that she had been gone for a while — he could hear the sounds of her entering in.
" ... Well, I suppose you had a good time in the city.... " He questioned.
Abby turning in his direction, as she placed down the bucket she was holding on the table.
" .... I — uh... yeah... yeah something like that. " She shrugged off with a tone.
" That is good— you are warming up to this place nicely.... But soon you shall be having to warm up to something new. " He remarked.
Abby shifting her gaze to him briefly, before walking over towards the kitchen and grabbing the plates for the table. Conflicted on how to respond to his remark, she said nothing.
Although, he could pick up what Abigail was feeling even without her remarks.
" .... I know you're curious my child... no need to be so silent about it. " He told her.
Abigail would sigh before making the table for them both and clearing her throat. Trying to find words to speak was difficult, as her mind was still on the king a bit.
" .... I — well, I just— I don't know what you mean by that... what are you trying to tell me exactly... ? "
Mr. Lingo would eventually start to walk over to the dinner table, his hand guiding him to his usual spot that he sits in. Abigail assisting him somewhat by pulling out his chair for him.
" ... I am saying that you and I shall be living in the castle come tomorrow. " He told her upfront.
Abigail in a sudden shock would drop the glass within her hand almost instantly. The sound shattering the entire floor, as Abby would keep her eyes on Lingo.
Lingo hearing the glass break, would turn his blind gaze towards her direction.
" ..... What... ? " Abby said in a speechless tone.
The silence growing louder between them before Abby started to question again.
" I mean... why? ... how— " She was trying to say before Lingo intervened.
" The decision was mines to make... the royal court are in need of my services yet again.... and I told them I am getting advanced in my years.. " Mr. Lingo begin to explain to her.
" .... You don't expect an old man like me to make it from here and to the castle every day to work do you? "
Abigail orbs dilated back and forth, stumbling over her own thoughts and coughing a bit to ease the confusion between them.
" ... Well.. no, but why do I.. " She was trying to once again ask before Lingo spoke once more.
" I will not leave a young woman like yourself — alone and unsupervised... you are now my responsibility as I've told you this before child.. "
" You will stay with me... at the castle.... and you shall help me with my work and if the royal court shall need you— you will work for them... " He added.
Abigail was once again left with nothing to say, she felt too much all at once. Although, the most powerful emotion was panic and fear.
" .... Trust me my dear.... It is better to work for the castle than inside the city.... A young woman such as yourself... shall find no better job.. " He explained to her.
Abigail knew all too well what that meant for her. She could either simply follow what Mr. Lingo was telling her, or once again follow in her mother's footsteps and work at brothels.
She didn't have a lot of options at her youthful age, and since she was becoming attached to Mr. Lingo she couldn't bear to leave him alone.
Abigail nodded briefly before stiffing up herself and holding back tears that tried to form inside her eyes. Clearing her throat once more before speaking to him.
" .... Okay... I'll do it... " She would tell him in reply.
Abby didn't know what to expect come tomorrow, but she only could pray to the God's that this wouldn't become a grave mistake.