44 Chapter 44 - Small Talk

Snow POV:

After having finished the simple meal, I decided it's time to leave this room. My wounds have healed to a sufficient degree and I feel like I've gained a bit of strength back.

Walking over to the door Aisha had used previously, I look at the doorknob. Knob. Balancing on one leg, I reach up and carve out the doorknob from the door using a claw. Not in the mood for this.

The door opens inward, so I used my tail to poke out the carved doorknob and pull the door open using the hole created. I doubt I particularly need to be on guard, but I stay alert regardless.

Walking out of my room, I find myself in a small stone hallway with two doors on either side and one door at the end. Each door except for the one at the end of the hallway looks to open outward, so it can be assumed they are similar rooms to the one I came from.

Approaching the door at the end of the hallway, I perform the same carving and pulling procedure. I'm greeted with the eyes of 2 guards and a spiral staircase. Whether they are stunned to see me or have some kind of unknown orders, they simply stare as they sheath the weapons they had drawn.

Finally finding 2 people at the same time, I get one to say to the other, "Tell the Princess I'd like to see her."

Satisfied for now, I leave them behind and walk back to my room. I had originally intended to just brute force my way out, but decided against it in the end. It would have been a rash decision with possible grave consequences.

Halfway back down the hallway, I hear one of the guards leave up the staircase.

Making my way back into the room I've been in for the last few days, I don't even bother to check what's behind the two unexplored doors. Hopping onto the bed, I get into a meditative position. I need strength and power. Slacking off now would be deadly.

Aisha POV:

It's still sore. Looking at myself in the mirror, I gently rub the fading scar on my chest. The royal physicians have been doing excellent work. A near-fatal poisoned wound was healed within only a few days and I've been told even the scar will be gone soon.

Disrupted from my thoughts, there's a knock at my bedroom door and a guard speaks, "Princess, the beast has woken up and requested your presence."

Frowning lightly at the blatant hostility in the guard's voice, I let it pass. Many of my personal guard died and I myself was wounded in the defense of Snow. It's natural they hold some grudges.

Pulling my dress up, I don't bother to reply and open the door roughly. The guard stumbles as he shuffles out of the way. Hmph, he should trip over himself and bust his head open.

After making my way to the secret underground rooms, I pause and stare at the damaged door. The doorknob have been removed. What?

Running lightly, I hurry down the hallway and see that Snow's room also has the doorknob missing. Bursting through the door, I see Snow laying on the bed perfectly still like a statue. She's safe I think.

Approaching slowly, I take a good look at her. All her visible wounds have closed and in their place are slightly discolored and misshapen scales. The wounds to her wings are nothing more than off-white pin-points now.

While I was observing her, she opened her eyes and is now staring at me like usual. Everytime she looks at me, I get chills down my spine and my scalp tingles. I feel like prey being stared down by a predator, but I also feel like all my secrets are exposed before her. It's very unsettling, though I've mostly gotten used to it.

"A guard informed me that you wanted to see me? I apologize for leaving you by yourself, but I felt that maybe you'd like time to yourself to heal after what happened." I let her know.

Those silver eyes continue to stare directly into my own green ones. Not a ripple goes through them as I remember, yet again, that she can't speak on her own. Stupid stupid. I was so used to her having that maid by her side that I keep forgetting.

"Ill be right back!" I exclaim as I run back down the hallway.

Finding the 2 guards I had posted here, I ask how she managed to inform them that she'd like to see me. Learning that she was able to even use one of these 6th Rank guards to speak, I have him come back with me so that Snow can properly communicate.

"I brought back the guard you to..." I started to inform her, but the guard interrupts in monotone, "I want to leave."

Seeing the silvery white flash of her eyes, I know that was Snow and not the guard speaking.

"Now is not exactly a great time to leave. Assassins had infiltrated the castle grounds and my father is furious for many reasons. He may even try to find fault with you. That courtyard... meant much more to him than Dillan did." I patiently inform her.

A painful half minute of silence later is broken by the guard's voice, "I'm leaving. Either you help me or you stand in my way."

Thinking about it, I don't have much choice and reply, "I understand. I'll help you... Where will you be heading?"

"Saint Adrian from Pure Spirit Academy invited me to study at his academy. I plan to head there and study while waiting for my mother to come for me," she has the guard say.

Ancestor Adrian invited her? She should be safe under his watch. Oh right! Dillan is gone! Perhaps I can study at the academy like I've always wanted?

"I've decided on one condition! If I help you leave, I want to go with you to the academy!" I excitedly tell her and lay down my condition.

After a few moments, "Fine."

Snow POV:

I remembered that I now have a debt to the girl. A debt that will be extremely hard to repay. Letting her do as she pleases will at least take the edge off.