The Castle

Both brother and sister were sitting at the table. The room was dim but the little bit of evening sun’s light was still helping the room be seen by eyes. The girl looked around her surroundings to make sure that the room was still not dark but she couldn’t help but feel a bit of restlessness inside her. Her hand’s grip tightened around the mug from which she had taken a drink a minute ago;

‘’I need some light.’’

It was the girl who had spoken up and the boy who was thinking hard got pulled back to reality by her voice and saw her tightening grip on her mug. He stood up at once and took a little while to light the lantern. The minute its light spread the room, her shoulder visibly relaxed and she again took a sip from the half-filled mug;

‘’ you know we can get anyone, literally anyone to do this job. You don’t have to do this.’’

The boy’s desperate voice whispered to her while she let go of the mug and crossed her arms, fixing her sharp gaze at him;

‘’ We need to keep everyone safe.’’

She said in a strict ordering voice while the boy's head drooped in resignation. Then again he raised his head and said with determination;

‘’ and I need to keep you safe.’’

She didn’t respond to that and ignored him thinking the million thoughts that were going through her head;

‘’what would you do if you snap?’’

He asked a small smile making its way to his face while a confused expression was visible on her face by that question;

‘’what?’

She asked with disbelief;

‘’ you know if you snap from rage. Everyone knows you will hang anyone's feet first if they dare to question you.’’

He said now a full grin making its way to his face while she huffed out a sigh of disbelief;

‘’I can follow the rules.’’

She said with clear determination on her face and she gave him a look to dare him to say otherwise;

‘’ sure you can.’’

He answered and stood up making his chair creak in protest;

‘’what would you do if they say Olivia take off my coat.’’

He said mockingly while gesturing to his old coat. Olivia stood up, went to his brother, and said while taking off his coat;

‘’ I will say yes madam and going to do it.’’

Olivia also smiled at her brother. Both of them enjoyed mimicking the people in the castle. Olivia knew well how these superior-positioned people behaved but still, she enjoyed playing along with her brother’s imagination. Her brother was younger than her and yet had a lot to learn as Olivia believed;

‘’And what if they say Olivia you are too slow.’’

Olivia laughed at that taking the coat in her arms;

‘’ I will say I apologize for the inconvenience madam.’’

It was then the realization started to dawn on Olivia. Her younger brother Ryan knew little to nothing about the castle but she knew and she also knew that the last line she just said was the one she would have to say if she became the servant of someone superior but that cannot happen, they will have to ask her permission for that so that has a low chance. Her brother noticing her sister’s expression turn serious said just then;

‘’I will be there for you every evening outside the castle. If you ever feel that this has become too much for you. I will bring you back home.’’

Olivia looked at her brother’s serious face and knew he was far from lying. Olivia wanted to take her brother with her because a week without him was too much. They have gone through the hardships of life together but she also knew he needed to be where he was and look after everyone.