I went down a long underground staircase until I reached a long corridor. The prison rooms were on one side of the corridor, and a wall with burning torches illuminated the other side. The floor was made of small, clean stones. There was a musty smell, but it wasn't that bad. I went to the end of the corridor, which meant I was at the last prison.
The holding cell was cold, its heavy stone walls blocking out most sounds. I untied the rope from the princess hands, then I led her inside prison room, there was a simple bed, a chair and a small room which was the bathroom.
I adjusted the scarf around my neck as I walked into the room with her and sat on the chair, while she sat on the bed. She was looking down all the time.
"Now, answer my questions," I start the conversation. "Why you're going to Ingocia?"
She lifted her chin, her eyes meeting mine. "You expect me to cooperate? That's bold of you."
"I expect you to be smart," I replied. Then I took a deep breath. "Listen, everything I do is to avoid war. I won't hurt you. We'll get our soldiers back through you. But Drayton's willingness to fight and his love of the land are well known." She kept looking straight into my eyes. "If you help me now, you might be able to prevent a war."
She let out a humorless laugh and finally replied. "Look who's talking. The people who destroyed an entire empire just for its land."
I shook my head. "You're wrong. I'm sure you know they're the ones who started invading us."
She let out a breath and looked to the left. "Whatever you're saying."
I crossed my arms, feeling strange. "Let me ask you a different question."
It's a question I feel the need to ask.
She looked at me. "What?"
I stood up and approached her and bent down until my face was close to hers. "Your face… It looks familiar. Who are you, really?"
For a moment, we stared at each other in silence.
With an expression mixed with shyness and annoyance, she tilted her head back and spoke. "W-what are you looking at exactly!?"
I replied. "Do you know me?" I paused. "When you heard my name, you became quiet…"
"I-it's not, but I simply gave up." she murmured.
I didn't like the shift in her tone. "If you have something to say, say it," I said.
She smiled faintly. "It won't matter now."
I looked at her for a moment and felt that she was tired, same thing for me. I hadn't slept well recently, and my head was hurting so much. Her name is Lily.
Lily...
Her name and her face are so familiar, it really hurts the head.
I believe I will know everything after taking some rest. As I turned to leave, her voice stopped me. "By the way Roy, can I ask you a question?"
I turned back, looking at her in waiting for what she will ask.
Her tone calmer. "You told me that you're doing everything to stop wars." she paused for a moment and broke our eyes contact. "Is this what you really want?"
What is this strange question all of a sudden? I leaned slightly against the doorframe, thinking... Then replied. "Yeah, I want peace."
She tilted her head slightly. "You didn't change." she murmured.
I didn't hear what she said, but I don't care. I'm too tired.
After closing the door, I said, "Get some rest. I'll be back tomorrow."
As I stood by the bars, I noticed she was shaking. The cell was cold.
Without saying a word, I unlocked the cell and stepped inside. Her eyes widened.
"What are you doing?" she asked suspiciously.
I sighed and pulled off my cloak. "You'll freeze here."
She said angrily. "I don't need your pity."
"It's not pity." I leaned closer. "Your death isn't for my benefit. Take it."
I draped it over her shoulders and she instinctively gripped the fabric.
She muttered, "It doesn't change anything."
I met her gaze. "Stay warm." Then finally turned to leave.
Outside, I stopped a guard. "Tell Daniel I didn't get anything useful. Let her rest—she might talk tomorrow."
The soldier nodded, and I returned to my quarter.
The moon was high when I finally dropped onto my bed. Andrew was still awake, sharpening his blade. After cleaning up and changing into fresh clothes. He was already on his bed, then he looked down at me as I sat in my bed.
"I heard they've already finished the second stage. It was a practical exam, and only twenty people were eliminated." He said with amusement. "I think the really strong ones remain now."
"Oh, right... a lot has happened," I replied. "But only twenty... that's nothing compared to the first stage."
"I know right." Andrew smirked. "Now enough of that. What's happened with that princess."
I put my hand over my face. "Nothing. I am tired..."
Andrew looked at me seriously. "Listen..."
I remained calm, waiting for what he would say.
"Did you see how she's looking at you... She's in love with you." He said keeping his look serious.
I shot him a glare, but he just laughed. "Andrew, please let me sleep."
Andrew's smirk faded. "Roy, if something's going on with her, you don't have to handle it alone. I'm here."
I appreciated his words but there's a question in my mind... Maybe Andrew does feel the same about her. "Andrew."
Andrew replied. "Tell me."
I put my hands on my face. "Do you feel anything strange about this princess, like a familiar feeling?"
Andrew took a moment before speaking. "Hmm... No, I feel perfectly normal."
I replied, "Then it's my own problem, I will handle it."
Andrew lay down on his bed and said, "You're tired, so rest a little."
I let sleep take me, wondering what I would see in my dream that night.
But that night, I literally dreamed of nothing.
By morning, the camp was alive with routine, soldiers training, blacksmith hammers striking metal, orders being shouted. But my focus was fractured, and my dreams were blurry.
I went through my routine, sharpening my sword, checking my gear, but my mind wasn't fully present. The training ground stretched wide and dry like a place close to the desert while at the same time, the cold wind tugged at my coat and the cloudy sky let in fragments of sunlight.
"Roy," Andrew called, pulling me from my thoughts. He tossed me a water bottle with a knowing smirk. "You've been distracted all morning. Thinking about a certain someone?"
I took a sip. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Right, right" he said, leaning against a pillar. "Do you want to race?"
"I don't feel like I want to, I think I'll check with the professor since it's a rest day." I muttered.
Andrew replied, "Oh the Professor, I really wanted to go but I promised Sophia I would train with her today, tell him I said hi." He just said that and walked off.