8 Marty’s Toy

Another day without Marty again! For Emmy, it felt like the whole world was crumbling down. He was the reason she was there and though he had asked her to stay it didn't make sense without him. Emmy took a stroll to the compound and then met Butler. His name was Robert and he was also very friendly just like the rest. “How are you doing, Emmy? I hope you are enjoying your stay here and no one is giving you a hard time!” He said. He was older and was always looking out for her. “I have been okay. You guys are awesome. And by the way, where is Marty? I have been looking for him for some time now. Do you know where he is?” Emmy asked. Robert smiled and reminded her that her friend was a very busy man and had to be sent by his father. He also mentioned that he had been a Highlander and that he had a group of young men he used to manage; men who protected the borders when war and conflicts arose. “His prowess is an asset to all of us and we are glad to have him but also he has a good heart. His biggest desire is to protect his people, including you and me!” He said and the praises made Emmy smile. She admired him even more but her joy was short-lived when someone she had not met before approached her. “What are you doing wasting time like that? Is that what you have been employed to do; to gossip and pass the time? Come on, get yourself busy!” She roared “My name is Emmy, and I am…” Emmy tried to speak but was rudely interrupted by the lady. “Haven't you asked about the rules here? We don't shake hands! Or do you want to make me sick with those dirty hands? Go get yourself cleaned before you give me those hands!” Her tone was the worst she had heard in her life. Even her stepmother was not that loud and rude. “I'm sorry, Lady Rosa, but she is not one of us. She is Marty's guest.” The mention of Marty made her go quiet for a moment and then she laughed at Emmy. “You are the disabled girl. What did he promise to give you, pretty?” she was sarcastic and Emmy didn't have the words to tell her. She went quiet. “Pleasure to meet you, Lady Rosa,” she said and then walked away. For a moment she felt lost and couldn't understand why she had been left by Marty there all by herself. “I don't belong here but he does. How on Earth does he expect me to be okay living here without him?” she said to herself, “I was his guest!” She cried in front of Robert. “Of course, you are his guest and you know he adores you. It's only that he has to attend to family matters as well. The queen you all know is not his real mother. Marty lost his mother at a tender age and he has to impress both his parents otherwise he will not get the recognition he deserves. You know what happens with stepmothers and stepchildren. It's not the best life but he has to show his father he is capable. Please understand him and ignore the woman. Marty will be back once he is done with his work. He will come back here and as usual, he will be glad to find you still here waiting for him, cheer up!” Robert explained. Emmy was shocked to learn they were more like the same and that Marty had only been acting strong for her. In a real sense, he had lost his mother tragically and had his struggles too. Marty was not the only child and for that reason, he always tried to impress and that's why he was in the woods trying to calm his crazy self and become a better version of himself. Though his father always assured him that he cared about him, there were times he was distant and focused on his wife and son. The son; Marty's brother, was a stepbrother, they shared a father but had different mothers. Though Marty adored him it was not the same for his brother and his mum and that bothered Marty a lot. The things he had gone through made him have a different outlook on life and he became a very considerate person. Marty hated watching people suffer and always went out of his way to ensure that he helped in any way he could and that's how he saved Emmy. It was not for her to repay him in the future, he just wanted to help. “That's why he came to help me!” She brightened up and all the insults that Lady Rosa had used on her became nothing. She was more convinced that even if there was one rude person in the promises, it didn’t necessarily mean that the other good people had ceased to exist. Days passed as she continued to wait for Marty but it was getting harder every day as Rosa reminded her that she was not supposed to be there. “He is taking advantage of you, I am sure you know that. Once he is bored he will kick you out and you will go back to the trash that you belong to!” she said. The words cut deep like a knife. “You are lying. He is a good man. Marty is a good man!” Emmy defended Marty. “What did he lie to you? You should know better. For someone like you, there is nothing much that life can offer you other than pain. It is not our fault that you are disabled!” she was spitting hurtful words. “I am not disabled!” Emmy fought back. “Of course, you are not disabled useless girl! You should get a life!” she roared and then walked away. Emmy went back to her room and started packing her things. She wanted to go back to her house and die there instead of facing all the humiliation she was getting from Rosa. Emmy left her room but before she could get to the gate, she bumped into Marty. “Where are you going? Don’t tell me I overstayed and you became impatient!” he stated jokingly but Emmy was not interested. He begged her to go back to the room she was coming from and they would talk over everything calmly. Emmy was hesitant but eventually, she agreed to go back to the room. Marty went to report to his father first then proceeded to his room and change but on his way, he bumped into Rosa talking to his father about Emmy and he eavesdropped. “Why is she still here? She should leave? What value is she bringing here?” Rosa asked. “No, I can’t just kick her out. She is Marty’s friend and I know once Marty is ready, he will talk about it but right now, I just have to give him time. He has a lot of work right now!” Marty’s father said. Marty slowly opened the door and Rosa moved away from his father… “I hope you have been well. I am really tired and would like to take a nap first and then come back later to brief you about my visitor!” he said and his father looked away. “No son, there is no pressure. Tell me how did the meeting go?” He asked. “Perfect, there is nothing to worry about now. I beg to take my leave now.” He said and his father agreed. Marty didn’t even acknowledge Rosa. He walked straight to his room to find out what had just happened that made Emmy want to leave. Upon arrival, “I know what you want to say, I know they already asked you to kick me out. I will leave without a fight, Marty,” Emma said resignedly. “I have said it before, and I will say again, you are here to stay and if anyone feels otherwise, he or she should leave instead!” he said loudly and the words encouraged Emmy. “Really, you would do that for me? I am intrigued,” she said shyly. “I would do a lot more for you. I thought you knew that already,” he added. “I am going to take a shower, I will be back shortly. You better get ready to see a side of me you have never seen,” he continued. It was like he had bigger plans for her. Emmy was excited! She watched him leave and could not help but admire him. Thoughts crowded her mind and she knew she had to defend herself against Rosa otherwise she was going to have a hard time in the palace. “She can’t put me down, not again!” Emmy muttered. Deep inside, she was addressing Rosa. “Yes, you should not let her!” her mind screamed reminding her to be strong. But just how courageous was she to fight someone as tough as Rosa? It was a battle of who was going to win the prince’s heart. Something that was not for the faint hearted!