“See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?” Ali said while we were walking out of the Castle. Damn. I almost forgot about her presence. I felt embarrassed that she had to hear those words from an adult, worse, from a King.
I did not utter a word. I don’t know what to say. But I felt appeased when she reached out and held my hand. Seconds later and my forehead creased. It occurred to me only now that this was her second time holding me. If she could touch me like this, it only meant that she was not a spirit. For her to do this without being seen and heard only indicated that she was surrounded by a very strong magic.
Ali’s eyes were so honest that I could see right through her heart with just a glance. But aside from those eyes, everything else about her was a mystery.
“You will be okay, Mister Sormont. Maybe not today. But for sure, one day, you will be,” she said in a soft voice as if she could understand what I was going through.
“And where did you learn that?”
Ali shrugged. “I heard my Uncle said that to my Mommy when she was going through a difficult time. I saved it in my head just in case I meet someone who needs to hear those words.”
And she was right. I needed to hear those words desperately. “I like you, kid. Your parents raised you so well.”
“Of course. I have the best parents in the whole world. And Mister Sormont?”
“Hmm?”
“I like you, too, you know. I like you so much. I can’t even explain it in words.”
I stopped walking and turned to face the child. Her neck must have hurt because she was looking up at me for a while now, but she was not showing it. Hope and so much positivity were visible in her eyes and it took my breath away. It was as if she was really happy that she was by my side and it overwhelmed me. Suddenly, I was not sure anymore if I can bear to send her to someone else.
I have only met her a few minutes ago but she had already brought out so many emotions inside me. And the feeling that holding her warm hand brought me was too great to be expressed in words. All I knew was that it managed to soothe my heart in the simplest way I never thought possible.
“Why do you talk like that? How could you like a person you only met today? You shouldn’t like just anyone.” I smiled a little. “You are too good for my ego, kiddo.”
“You are not just anyone, Mister Sormont. I am telling the truth. I may have only met you today but I’ve heard about you so many times before that I feel like I know you already.”
That would be such a lame pick-up line if that would come from a boy. “You like me even after what I said to my parents? I thought you would be disappointed again considering how much you scolded me back there.”
“I just didn’t want you and your parents to end up hurting each other more. The three of you looked sad. If you would leave without explaining your side, they are not the only ones who will get hurt. You, too.”
“And how do you know that?”
“Because you are a good man. You will only end up worrying about them more wherever you go. Besides, you were only being honest, Mister Sormont. Mommy said it was wrong to judge a person especially when we don’t know what they are going through that’s why I won’t judge you. I will pray that you and your family will be okay one day, Mister Sormont. I will not stop praying for it. Be strong. I will be cheering for you.”
I felt a huge lump on my throat. Ali was the most talkative kid I have ever known. But I must admit, her words really meant so much to me today. If she did not barge inside my office today, I would not have acted out and I would not have come up with this silly idea to leave my cage. I owe this freedom to her. Her presence gave me an excuse to leave.
I have no idea who was her God, it must be her ancestors, too. Nevertheless, I was grateful to know that there was someone as little as her who was praying for me and my family.
“Thank you, Ali. You made me feel better.”
“You are welcome, Mister Sormont. I’m really glad that I was able to help you somehow.”
Ali pinched my hand as if she was trying to comfort me. She did not let go of my hand until we rode the carriage. And I was glad. Because I did not want to let go of her little hand either.

WE WERE not able to go out of the Castle right away when I noticed that there were long lines of people waiting at the gate. The ones who needed help were lined up in one corner. Some of them were even carrying their sick child on their backs. While the other Armethians also lined up in another corner for a different reason. They were waiting for the Castle staff to give entry passes to hundreds of people who will be allowed to witness my wedding at the royal cathedral.
When I could no longer endure it, I told the coachman to stop the carriage. There was suddenly an epidemic that hit Arameth last week. If only the preparations for the wedding was not finished yet, I would have wanted to postpone the wedding until the epidemic was over, until we are sure that the people’s condition were better. The doctors still haven’t found the cure for the virus. All they could do for the meantime was to use a spell to lessen the patients’ pain.