Darkness.
It pressed in from all sides — heavy, suffocating.
The stone beneath Hellen's body was wet and cold.
Chains clinked faintly whenever he moved.
He had no idea how long he'd been down there.
Time blurred — minutes, hours, days — all the same shade of black.
His breath fogged in the chill.
Every heartbeat echoed in his ears like a reminder that he was still alive somehow… for now.
A faint light flickered beyond the bars — a torch.
Footsteps approached, soft but deliberate.
Hellen's eyes narrowed.
The door creaked open, and a girl stepped inside.
Her maid's uniform was simple, her black hair tied neatly back, face pale under the flickering light.
Even in the gloom, Hellen recognized her.
"…You are," he rasped, voice rough and dry.
Maid flinched slightly. "So You don't forget about me after all ?".
She knelt by the bars, lowering her voice. "I don't have long. My brother thinks I'm just bringing you food."
"Your brother," Hellen echoed, a faint, tired smile crossing his face. "Darius Vane… right?"
Before she could answer, the heavy thud of boots echoed down the hall.
Maid head snapped toward the sound. "He's here."
The dungeon door opened again — and Darius stepped inside, his armor gleaming in the dim light.
He halted when he saw Hellen, eyes narrowing at the sight of the blood and bruises on his body.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then, quietly — almost ashamed — he spoke.
"…You look worse than you did in the training grounds"
Hellen forced a weak smile. "Guess I'm not the hero type after all."
Maid bit her lip, glancing at her brother. "Cann't We help brother —"
Darius held up a hand, silencing her. Then he looked at Hellen again, steady, resolute.
"I didn't come to gloat," he said. "I came to offer you something."
Hellen raised and look at him. "what offer are you to talking about?"
Darius's inhale and then exhale air heavily then he say. "Freedom."
The single word hung in the air.
His sister stared at her brother in shock. "You're serious?"
"I am," Darius said, never taking his eyes off Hellen. "The guards on the west gate are loyal to me. I can get you out tonight — before dawn."
Hellen blinked slowly, processing the words. "…Why go far to help me?"
Darius's expression softened. "Because I watched you fight. You weren't a coward, and you didn't beg, even when the prince humiliated you. You didn't deserve this and it was my fault in the beginning If i don't invite you then."
His sister nodded. "We both know what the court's like. And it is not like you know this would happen ."
Hellen fell silent, his eyes shadowed.
Then, slowly, he shook his head.
"No," he said.
Maid stared at him. "What?"
"I'm can,t let you suffer you too" he said quietly. "If I do, you'll both be branded traitors. They'll take it out on you, on your family. You'll lose everything."
Darius stepped forward, voice tightening. "You don't understand, they're planning to—"
"I understand perfectly," Hellen interrupted, his tone calm but firm. "That's exactly why I can't let you."
Maid breath trembled. "But you'll die."
"Maybe," Hellen said softly. "But not at the cost of good people's who show me kindness in this new world."
Silence filled the cell. The torchlight wavered, flickering between them — three souls caught between duty, fear, and quiet respect.
Finally, Hellen looked up again.
"If you really want to help me… there's a organ color cat. Her name's Momo. She went missing after the ritual and then they arrested me. If you see her…"
He hesitated, a faint, wistful smile on his lips. "…Please look after her."
Darius blinked. "A cat?"
His sister eyes softened. "You're more worried about her than yourself…"
Hellen chuckled weakly. "She's braver than I am."
For a long moment, Darius just looked at him — this broken, kind fool of a man.
Then he gave a slow nod.
"…I'll find her," he said. "That, I promise."
His sister whispered, "You're really not going to leave?"
Hellen met her gaze. His eyes were tired, but calm.
"I'm done living and if this is the end so be it. Whatever happens next… I'll face it."
The siblings said nothing more.
Darius gave one last look, then turned toward the door.
"The world isn't kind to men like you," he said.
Hellen smiled faintly. "Then I'll just have to be kind enough for it."
The cell door shut behind them with a heavy clang.
Darkness returned — but for the first time, it didn't feel so empty.