One More Step

Kyra and Anna passed the next couple of days peacefully. They would wake up and go downstairs to the kitchen to eat something and they would walk in the garden filled with countless flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Kyra was amazed. Indeed, it is not the same world. The vegetation seemed the same but still, she saw many things that were unexpected.

Later she spoke to Anna, whose parents traveled around and found out many different things.

The place is similar to Earth, but its actually called Caia. It had a similar society like on earth, so her guess is or the parallel universe or just world that progressed similarly.

On this planet, there are three main continents and multiple smaller islands that were converted into kingdoms. The biggest continent on Caia was Eluron, then Alion and the third was Salikun.

As the island kingdoms were numerous she didn't ask. But what was important is that they lived in Alion.

Her grandmother and mother came from Eluron. That place was famous for the abundance of food and people there were free of greed for power. So they looked down on those that acted mighty in front of them. Even if they lived aloof, they were quite powerful and no one dared to attack them.

But unfortunately, Anna had no idea what was the power that everyone was scared about.

The country she lived at the moment was Gong. The country integrated many smaller kingdoms over millennium so the Empire of Gong was created.

Now it was in hands of good and benevolent ruler that was famous for his good heart and an open mind. Unfortunately, there were always those that were against progress, and there were those that just wanted to create chaos. So the peace was just the reflection of teh sea but the streams and turmoil under the reflection are not seen by anyone outside.

Kyra was in wonder. How did Anna know so many things, but then remembered her parents must have been in contact with those in power. They heard things they should not have. What if...?

She shook her head as she looked at the relaxed expression Anna had. Her hands suddenly enveloped Anna's and she smiled at her brightly. ''Sister, let's live happily.''

Her words warmed Anna's heart and she nodded. ''Let's do that.''

Kyra stopped as she scratched her head. ''Anna, we are both young but strong. I am sure we can live good. Soon we will leave this place. Let's learn about basic things for survival. Lord Jung promised me that he will give us a small piece of land near the forest. We need to learn how to cultivate it so we can grow our own food. Let's find a gardener. I saw a beautiful vegetable garden in the outer corner of the park. Let's ask for advice.''

Anna's eyes shone as she heard her talking. ''You are right. Mother was worried that in the future I didn't know many things so she taught me a few things like simple cooking and preserves. But we never had a garden so maybe it is good to learn that as well. Who knows what is that good for.''

''Yes, and fresh vegetables out your own garden taste anyway the best. If we had to buy that and then go back from the market to our new home, wouldn't that bit of salad or vegetables go bad?'' Kyra was considering that there were no fridges invented, no gas, no electricity... Sigh, what is it different from the Earth in the 14-15th century? How will fresh vegetables survive a longer period of time? No wonder at that time many households planted their own vegetables.

Anna laughed. ''That is not the biggest problem. You can find ways to leave vegetables fresh, but to but them on the market makes no sense. They are too expensive for normal people like me and you.''

Kyra was stunned. But then remembered something. Even in her world the vegetables were mostly brought in or transported from somewhere else so the cost would add on. At the end, when you buy them in the store, the cost would be too much if you want to buy good quality or fresh ones.

Sometimes you would find cheaper ones, but they would be covered in all kinds of substances to prevail in their freshness. Not healthy at all.

Her cute stunned expression made Anna pinch her cheeks and laugh loudly. ''I planned to plant some vegetables for our use. Some we can eat fresh, some we can dry or preserve and the part we can go on the market and sell. Extra income is never bad. What do you think?''

Kyra turned around and her golden eyes shone with bright light. ''True. We need income as well. I know some other things. I know how to sew, embroider, paint and write. Your parents taught you probably more languages. I know few as grandmother taught me, we can use that as well to deal with smaller translations. I am sure we can live well. What do you think?''

Anna had to admit she completely forgot about that part. ''How foolish of me. Yes, we could take some paper translations at home. It's not paid abundantly, but we can survive on that. Then we can have a few chickens in our garden to add some meat and eggs and we can live comfortably.''

''Yes, and Lord Jung told me that the forest near our home never had big or dangerous animals. But there are all kinds of birds, small animals and wild plants. We can go there as well and catch a few rabbits. If we are lucky, of course. If not, let's just sometimes take a walk and gather some wild mushrooms.''

Anna nodded. ''Yes, mushrooms are delicious. We can eat some and some we can dry for winter. Luckily it a springtime so we can go plant everything on time and have enough food for winter. In winter we can take teh translations jobs or we can just read books and paint something.''

They laughed as they chatted not knowing that from the corner of the garden beautiful woman looked at them and smiled. ''Sigh, I would send them maids to help them, but I think if we do that, some things would be too much. The people from Eluron are prideful. If we sent them servants, we might make more trouble for those children. You know that Eluron is famous for its own rules. If these children take servants they might get in trouble with their own kind.''

The maid was curious. ''Mylady, I don't understand why?''

''There are stories that children after 10 are given the task to care about themselves for 5 years in wildness. Before that, the parents should have taught them how to survive. These two children are over 10 and that means that their parents have probably already given them some basic survival knowledge. If we meddle now, they might have problems with their own community later on. I am sure as now their community knows that they will live alone, they will put a watchful eye on them.''

The main maid looked at her with big eyes. ''Does that mean that they are safe in that case?''

''Yes. There must be some sort of people already set to check how their future growth will commence. As long they don't do any bad things and they pass all the tests, their future life might become better than anyone else. The only thing I can do for them is to give them a warning about those tests. I am forbidden to intrude, now they have to survive on their own. But as long no one tries to kill them, they have to fight all by themselves.'' She sighed deeply. Luckily, her father told her a long time ago about those practices.

''Is that reason why they are so dangerous?'' The maid shriveled a little bit.

Lady Wang shook her head. ''No, in that five years, most children fail and were just sent back home to live casual life. But those that pass the test, no matter boys or girls, will be given teachers of power. That is what is dangerous. Only those that pass will have the strength to learn that power. No one knows exactly who are the people with powers.''

She looked at the sky and felt cold. ''Long time ago one country sent spies to that country, they asked wrong questions and the majority of kings family and his army were killed in just one night. The story of their bloody parts of bodies spread over the capital city was soo horrendous that since then no one ever dared to ask questions.''

The maids looked at each other with a pale face. ''So scary. But how come people always talk about their friendliness and open hearts.''

Lady Wang smiled and then shook her head. ''If you lived in an absolutely safe country, wouldn't you be magnanimous as well? You have enough to live and no need to compete and some other person has not enough, wouldn't you give them?''

Little maid on her side shook her head. ''I wouldn't.''

Lady Wang looked at her and patted her head. ''Most people in our country wouldn't. Why? Because we grew up with the fear of betrayal, with fear of hunger, with fear of trust. They are different. They were taught to always have open hands to help others. It's their culture... Never mind. Let's find those children and explain to them about the tests. Or things could get awry.''

She turned around and gasped in shock. The two girls stood there with open mouth and looked at her. Kyra was the first to gather herself and slowly approached Lady Wang. She could see that she scared her so she felt sorry. Her head bowed own and then she looked up and smiled at her.

''I am truly sorry sacring you. We saw you standing here and talking to maids and we just wanted to give you greetings as we soon will leave this house. But after we heard the story about our home country we didn't dare to stop you. It was really not our intention to eardrop. It just happened...''She stepped back and held Anna's hand in the hope that they won't get punished.

The little maid looked at them and snapped. ''Didn't you plan to go to the garden?!''

Anna looked at her and pursed her lips. ''We did, but we forgot that we have new clothes on and wanted to change to old so we don't make these dirty, at that moment we saw you here...''

Kyra patted her hand and smiled at Lady Wang. ''We really didn't plan to bother you. From your last words, I could hear that you planned to tell us everything. I am grateful and will remember this forever. Considering that we won't anyway work in the garden today, it makes now anyway no sense to go and change clothes. Mylady, would you join us and walk to see fruits and vegetables?''

The main maid remembered that the Lady has to walk as much as possible so she looked at Lady Wang in urgency.

Lady Wang had to laugh at funny expression her maid made and just nodded. ''Sigh, I need to walk anyway. Let us see what we actually have in the garden. I was never there.''

Kyra had to nod. Of course, a young noble lady wouldn't nee dto dig in the garden. Not knowing how teh plants grow is no wonder for her. But wouldn't her white skin get harmed by the bright sunlight that shone today? She looked at her main maid and bowed in front of her. ''I am just a little child but may I ask you for a favor. I can see that ladies' face is to light for this sunshine. Do you have a hat or some umbrella for her? Just to protect her from too much sun.''

The maids looked at each other and had to admit she had right. The sunshine on this spring day shone really brightly. Lady just recovered from sickness. Her skin is not used to be outside anyway. The little maid looked at Kyra gratefully and quickly run back to the house to find her a sunhat.

When she came back, Kyra and Anna had to admit that the hat was beautiful and looked really amazing on Lady Wang.

''Beautiful!!!'' The two girls exclaimed while staring at the Lady Wang with big eyes, making her feel shy.

the main maid had to laugh at the Lady Wang's shyness and winked at her from the side, making her even shyer. ''Really beautiful. Her skin is soft like silk and ...'' She wanted to say more but was suddenly chased by lady Wang to be hit.

''Lady Wang I will not take back my words. Definitely. Even if I have to die a thousand deaths. '' The main maid smiled brightly as she hid behind the two little girls that stood there and looked at commotion.

''You and your tongue. I will cut it off and feed it to the dogs. Unruly.'' Even if she was shy and angry at the same time, Lady Wang didn't mean those words as she chased the maid she actually grew up with. She is the only one she can trust with her life. This kind of teasing from her was normal since they were small.

From the window of his office, Lod Jung saw the commotion and started to smile. ''This child makes even Lady Wang become relaxed that she showed her real face. It seems this is good as well. Hmmm, tonight I will eat some meat as it seems.'' Making his statement his hidden guards wanted to kill themselves or hit their heads. -Lord, you are so shamless.-