CH 202

Chapter 202 – Hungry Children

“How did this happen?”

“It seems like the villagers that were collecting wood left this here and went out. If you could please what for a moment, we’ll unblock the road soon”.

“Is there no other path?”

“No, my Queen. This is the only road heading towards the Villa, so…”

The commander looked increasingly nervous. He had stopped the Royal procession in the middle of the road and was now making the Queen wait, which meant he’d most likely be heavily reprimanded upon his return.

Rihannan simply nodded her head.

“Well, that’s fine, too. I wasn’t feeling very good, so I wanted to rest anyways. Let me out of the carriage. I want to breath fresh air”.

“Really, my Queen?”

The commander’s face lit up. When Rihannan got down from her vehicle, he put down a heavy blanket in the grass and led Rihannan there. He even covered her with a shawl, while another soldier quickly went off to bring her some tea.

“If you need anything else, please let us know”.

“I will, thank you”.

While the soldiers were struggling to remove the tree trunks, Rihannan peacefully enjoyed the autumn view surrounding her. The sky was clear, as though dollops of white paint had been smeared across a blue canvas. As Rihannan was admiring the seemingly never ending extension of the mountain chains and the river below the sky, she quickly noticed some kids hiding behind the trees, looking at her.

They looked like kids from the nearby village. They had unkept curly, dry hair.

Rihannan made a gesture with her hand.

“Could you please come closer? I’ll give you something to eat.”

The kids did not approach her. They looked at the armed guards surrounding Rihannan and quickly hid behind the trees again. Rihannan looked at her guards and gave them an order.

“Bring some of the food that’s been packed for the Queen Mother.”

“Eh? But…”

The guard quickly shut his mouth. They were wondering whether the food that’s been carefully packed for the Queen Mother could be shared with filthy children like these.

“If the Queen Mother finds out that some starving children ate to their heart’s content, I’m sure she’ll be delighted. Also, the children seem scared of all of you, so please retreat a little.”

“Understood.”

With the Queen’s orders, the guards had no choice but to comply and step back. Soon, the perfectly baked bread, rare fruits, sweet cakes and other precious, expensive foods were placed on the picnic blanket. The kids were salivating from their hideout in the trees.

“It’s alright. Come and take some.”

Hearing this, the kids quickly sprang towards the food. Rihannan felt a little uncomfortable as she looked at them stuffing their mouths with whatever they could get a hold of with their dirty hands.

The nearby village was inhabited by people who lived from wood-cutting and agriculture. She knew the locals here didn’t have a wealthy lifestyle, but she didn’t expect them to live this badly. If these children were hungry, then their parents were most definitely even hungrier.

Therefore, Rihannan felt ashamed when she realized how ignorant she was. She grew up with parents who showered her with love and infinite resources all her life, so she could not comprehend the difficulties these people were going through.

“Take your time to eat. There’s plenty for everybody.”

With those words, a young girl smiled happily. She looked around ten years old. Rihannan reached out and wiped the dirt in her cheeks, making her smile even more while she was busy putting more food into her mouth.

“What are you all doing here?”

“We are playing.”

“What are you playing at?”

“We are catching bunnies.”

A kid mumbled a reply enthusiastically with food in his mouth, making Rihannan laugh. Memories of her childhood flooded her mind. She could remember playing with her other cousins, who were similar to Dimi, running around and hunting rabbits.

“Did you catch any?”

The boy quickly shook his head, his expression turning sour.

“No. They were so fast it was hard to catch them.”

“Are you trying to catch them with your bare hands? Of course, they’ll be too fast for you.”

“Then, how do you catch them?”

“Try using baskets.”

A noble lady was giving them instructions on how to catch rabbits. The kids looked at Rihannan, their eyes wide with astonishment.

“Baskets? How?”

“Place a basket upside down with a stick. Then, put some food inside, under the basket. If you tie a cord around the stick and wait in a nearby bush. Pull the cord as soon as a rabbit comes inside the basket and you’ll trap it.”

“Oh, we caught some birds like that. Does it also work with rabbits?”

“Of course. My cousins and I used to hunt rabbits like that.”

“Then, let’s try it your way next time,  big sister!”

The girl next to the boy elbowed him. “Don’t call her sister, you are being rude!”

“Then, how should I call her?”

“You have to call her Lady”

“But calling her lady is too weird! You usually call old grumpy women “lady”!

The kids were quite confused on how to address Rihannan. In the meantime, Rihannan was laughing out loud, something she hadn’t done in a while.

“You may call me however you like, lady or sister. But, personally, I’d rather you call me sister.”

After exchanging words for a while, the children’s eating speed slowed down considerably. As they had filled their stomachs to their heart’s content, the food quickly made them drowsy. Rihannan packed the rest of the food and gave it to them.

“Here. Take this and share it with your families.”

“Thank you!”

Their voices were louder than before, perhaps because they weren’t hungry anymore. Rihannan chuckled. Then, the young girl gave Rihannan a folded piece of paper.

“What is this?”

“Well, actually, a while ago a man told me to give this to you, sister.”

“A man?”

“Yes. We were waiting for the chance to give you this.”

That’s why they were waiting nearby, just for a chance to approach her? Rihannan opened the letter, curious. She couldn’t even guess who’d possibly try to contact her this way.

Ria loves bunnies’ plump behinds! But there’s nothing more delicious in this world than rabbit meat. Yum, yum, delicious!