Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 4: Racial discrimination

“Hey, Leui!” I heard the manager call when she saw me. “What the heck are you spacing out for?!” she asked. “I’m paying you, so move your body! Every second is paid, you know!” she yelled as she twisted my ear.

“Ow! Ow! That hurts!” I cried. That’s just the bad part of her. She’s a sadist and a slave driver. I thought about it and went to get the other customers’ orders. Well, everybody has their own flaws. I thought. That’s what humans are –

I stopped. ‘humans’? I thought as I looked around. I saw one of the ox-headed customers waving when he saw that I’m carrying his order. I smiled and went to him. What’s the difference? They just have different forms, but they’re like us, humans, too. I thought. “Here’s your order, sir – “ I said as I served his order.

I went back to the workers’ area when I stopped. “Ah.” I said and looked back. Oh, right. I thought. Why haven’t I seen a single human ever since I went here?

Stinky Flower Shop, the next day.

“Huh?” Mhir said when she went to visit the flower shop where I work every morning. I work at the Rogues’ Inn at night. “Are you an i***t?” she asked.

I frowned. I am smarter than her, obviously. I am a human. But, before I could speak, she spoke.

“This is the other races’ territory.” She said, “Humans don’t go near here because they know we resent them.” she explained.

“Huh?” I said and watered the dark hydrangea when it emitted an odor. “Isn’t this kingdom ruled by a human?” I asked.

She sighed and waved her hand. “Leui… how many years was it again that you’re living here?” she asked.

“Err…” I said as I thought. “About five?” I asked.

She hit my head. I cried and clutched my head, pouring the water, from the sprinkler I am holding, onto my body. I bathed for the second time this morning.

“You’re really an i***t!” Mhir said. I just glared at her as I wiped my face with my towel. She sighed and shrugged. “That’s just simple, you know? But for an i***t like you, of course it’s complicated – “ she cleared her throat and looked away when she saw I’m just looking at her. “Ehem.” She said, ``Listen very well, Leui.  This place is the other races’ center of trading. This is also where we deal with humans.” She said,

“’deal with humans’?” I asked. “Like, you’re beheading them in the central plaza – oww!” I cried when she hit me again.

“Wrong!” she said. “I meant, this is the only place other than their village where they could go near us – the other races.” She explained. “In short, they cannot set foot anywhere beyond this place.” she explained. “Well, not like they have to. They don’t even go near here… “ she muttered.

I stared at her, then the thick forest between here and the mountain where the human village is beyond it. “So you mean… beyond that – “ I said and pointed to the thick forest and the mountain. “ – is where the humans are living?” I asked.

She nodded. “Yes. Those treacherous humans – ah.” She said when she looked at me. She lowered her head. “Sorry.” She apologized. I just smiled and tapped her head. “Leui… I’ve done something horrible to you.” She said.

“Huh?” I said.

“Because – “ she said and lifted her now crying face. “ – I didn’t even take you to the place where you belong…” she said, sniffing. “Sorry… I’m really selfish. I’ve grown too close to you – a human, that I didn’t even notice I’m keeping you here, locking you here in this place – “ she gasped when I wiped her tears. “Leui. I’m sorry – “ she said and sobbed as she hugged me tight.

I groaned when I felt pain on my chest after her hard head hit me. I smiled as I bore the pain. “Don’t be.” I said as I patted her head. “At the very least, I’m happy here. I also have gotten used to living here.” I told her. “If there’ll be a point that I have to go there, then just let it come.” I said. “We’re not holding each other’s life, you know… it's fate that leads us to where we should go…” I explained.

“Leui…” she sniffed. “Why do you always sound so cool – oww!” she cried when I hit her head, only for me to hiss in pain when I felt my knuckle hit her thick skull as hard as a rock.

“You’re ruining the mood…” I said and sighed as I blew on my knuckle. I then took another pot to put it in the rack. “You want to visit the inn again tonight?” I asked and placed the empty pot that has multiple eyes on its side.

“Waaah!!!” she said, her eyes shining. “Hmm! Hmm!” she said, nodding. “Then, I’ll go now! Father gave me an errand to do!” she said and waved.

I waved back, watching her go away. I sighed. “She’s a nice, but twisted kid… and also a crybaby…” I sighed.

The pot blinked all of its eyes. I sighed and went inside to get more flower pots.