I called the servant and told him I wanted to see Tia.
The servant looked at me with frightened eyes and led the way.
What kind of person was Dan noctain to make others fear him this much?
We reached a part of the underground palace that seemed a little dark and I saw one of the knights guarding the prison.
The guard bowed and saluted respectfully, a look of contempt on his face, and pointed to where Tia was.
Tia...
I felt something squeeze in my chest when I saw her.
She was sitting behind bars... alive.
She didn't realize that, in a future that hadn't happened yet... she died for me.
Unbeknownst to her, that alone... made me want to scream.
"Tia..." I said softly.
She raised her head quickly, seemingly surprised by my tone.
"Oh, young master... have you come to see what submission looks like from behind bars? Or to see the result of your aristocratic temperament?
She said these words without changing her expression, as if being behind bars meant nothing to her.
The knight was out of earshot, and the servant was gone.
"Tia, I need to talk to you about something. I know what I'm about to say is strange, but you're the only one I can trust.
Tia looked at me for a moment, shock faintly in her eyes, but she didn't show anything on her face. It's like she's reading what's behind my gaze, waiting for me to speak.
"Tia... there's something important... something I wouldn't have believed myself."
She steps forward, her gaze more serious now.
"I'm listening."
I opened my mouth... I wanted to say, "I went back in time." I wanted to tell her about the attack, about her death, about the blood, about the pain...
But...
Something... stifled my voice.
It felt cold... heavy... like the air itself was frozen in my throat.
As if the idea of saying what happened was forbidden. Not just a fear... but a restriction.
My hands shook, my heart raced.
I tried again.
"I... I knew something... something horrible."
Tia looks on with some concern.
"Young master? You're sweating... are you okay?"
I nodded slowly.
"I... I can't explain. Not now. Maybe not ever. But believe me, everything I do from now on... is to save my life... and yours."
She looked at me for a moment, then sighed.
"You talk like you're carrying the world on your shoulders. Well... I won't ask any more questions. Just... don't be alone in this, sir. You are no longer alone.
I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure after that awkward moment of silence.
"Tia... I can't tell you everything, but... I need you to believe me."
She stared at me intently, not mocking this time, but seriously waiting.
"I'm being sent to a meeting with the family elders in two days... but I know I won't make it."
"What?"
"Someone will try to kill me on the way. Assassins... sent to get rid of me before the meeting. One of the family elders ordered it."
Tia paused, a look of disbelief on her face, but she didn't interrupt me.
"Don't ask me how I know. Just... believe me. It's not a guess. It's certainty."
Tia looks at me with eyes of disbelief, "One of the elders...?"
"I know it sounds impossible... but I need you with me, what should I do?"
"What about the young lady?"
"I told her, but of course she didn't believe me, so you're my last hope."
Tia looks long and says, "You're different… not the person you used to be."
I reply with a sad smile.
"Yeah... maybe I'm someone else now. But... this person doesn't want to die."