The moment I stepped out of the underground cells, a familiar figure approached from the opposite end of the corridor. Darien moved with his usual disciplined stride before stopping several paces away and dropping to one knee. Behind him, two guards forced another man forward. The individual immediately collapsed onto the stone floor the moment they released him. His entire body was trembling, yet despite the obvious fear, there was still something stubborn in the way he held himself.
Darien bowed his head. "Your Highness, this is the individual who threw an object at you in the capital."
My eyes settled on the man. He looked younger than I expected. His clothes were plain, his face pale, and his hands shook so badly that it looked as though he might collapse at any moment. Yet even while kneeling before the Crown Princess of the kingdom, defiance clung stubbornly to his posture. It was almost impressive.
I stared at him quietly before asking, "Do you know why you are here?"
