The Outcast

Chapter 12

November 30th.

Abel's POV

The week proved to be going so agonizingly slow and it started getting to me. Standing in one spot and staring at a brick wall for hours on end wasn't the most interesting job. The only entertaining part of my day was watching the sunset with Elizabeth.

We've become quite close in just a matter of three months. Who would've known huh, a peasant like me befriending the princess of our country, it was pretty abnormal.

Elizabeth, however, was such a genuine person. Unlike other royalties and nobles she had no problem talking to me or even becoming my friend, she didn't mock or scorn me or make me feel any less than she was, she was honest and true, and overall just a great person. I couldn't help but be drawn to her, how could anyone not?

"What's got you smiling like a fool." I snapped out of my train of thought at the sudden appearance of Helga. It was then that I remembered where I was. It was a Saturday and I was out in the fields helping Helga with some stuff but mostly to get some sun. I've been cooped up in the castle for far too long. Some fresh air was well needed.

"Oh nothing much, did you finish unloading the baskets?" I asked not really wanting to delve into what I was thinking about earlier. How embarrassing.

She smiled. "Yup we have one more trip and we'll be done for the day." She said. I nodded and waited for her to hop into the wagon before I tugged at the horse's reins. We jerked forward as the horse galloped off down the dirt road.

We had been riding for about five minutes before Helga spoke. "Sooo..." she trailed off. I glanced at her and gave her a warm smile.

"Sooo what?" I asked.

"Why did you choose to work at the castle? I mean, there are plenty of jobs back in the town right?" She asked tilting her head in curiosity. I froze. I pondered on the best way I could answer that question. It seemed as if she realized my slight discomfort. "If it's a touchy subject I understand Abel, I'm sorry for aski-"

"No it's fine," I said waving her off, I smiled reassuringly. "It is a bit of a touchy subject but I don't mind talking to you about it. I mostly came here for the money if I'm being honest." I chuckled. "I was uh very poor and ...uh my parents and I never really got along when I was younger....well, my father and I. And as I grew older the atmosphere of my old home became more and more...sickening so my mom put me in an orphanage, that's where I lived for most of my life. It wasn't great there either. I was mostly bullied but that was something to be expected." I paused and let out a small chuckle, somehow finding the past events a bit funny.

I glanced at Helga and groaned internally when I saw the pity slowly creeping unto her face. I looked away. I didn't want anyone pitying me.

I cleared my throat before continuing. "Long story short I came here to get some money and possibly start a brand new life for myself." I sighed and raked my hand through my hair.

Helga smiled sadly. "Do you miss them? Your parents I mean." She asked. I nodded without a single thought.

"I do, I really miss my mother. She was nothing but loving towards me, as what is expected from a mother. I don't really remember much from my earlier years but I'll never forget the times where she would hold me tight when I was sad, and sing to me, it made me feel like everything would be okay....It was warm. My father on the other hand, I can't say the same for him. It wasn't easy having him as a father. And I remember always longing to be accepted by him, to just mean something to him...but his mind was made up and in a way I understood why he felt the way he did." I finished. Helga opened her mouth to reply but the wagon jerked to a stop, she clutched unto the edge to regain her balance so she wouldn't fall off.