Fugitive's Refuge

The sound of approaching footsteps echoed downstairs, the ominous click of shoes on the cold stone floor drawing nearer with every step. Astelle's heart raced as panic surged through her.Frantically, she rushed to a closet, the only piece of furniture in the small room aside from the bed. It was roughly attached to a damp stone wall, and she knew it wasn't much of a hiding place, but it was all she had.She swung open the door and sifted through the haphazardly stored items inside, her trembling hands searching for a small bottle of medicine.It had been two months since she had been on the run, constantly moving and seeking refuge wherever she could.For the past week, Astelle had found shelter on the second floor of a modest bakery.During the day, she helped with baking bread and other chores in the store below, blending in with the kind-hearted owners and the simple rural villagers. At night, she slept in a small room on the second floor with her child.Life was tough, but it was the only option she had with her limited resources. And compared to some of the other places she had been, this one wasn't so bad.The bakery owners had shown her kindness, and the remoteness of the small village meant there weren't many prying eyes.Astelle gently shook the child buried under the old quilt to rouse him."Theor."The dark-haired child slowly awakened and blinked his eyes open. Dark red pupils stared back at her, a stark reminder of his father.It was a trait she had feared he would inherit, and it pained her to see it.Yet, despite the striking resemblance, Theor was a beautiful child. His face had the delicate charm of a doll, and after rubbing his eyes with a small hand, he looked up at his mother.Astelle cupped his soft, white cheeks tenderly, gazing into those eyes she had prayed wouldn't resemble his father's too closely."Theor, do you remember what Mommy told you?"Theor blinked, his sleepy eyes still clouded with drowsiness. "A play?"Astelle smiled gently at her child's innocence."Yes, my love, a little play. It will make your eyes a beautiful blue, just like the sky." Fortunately, Theor, though young, was quite intelligent for his age and understood his mother's words well.Astelle gently lifted his small face and opened the medicine bottle she had retrieved from the closet.Carefully, she administered each drop into her son's eyes, watching as the crimson hue slowly transformed into a serene blue, like a tranquil lake reflecting the sky."Thank you for your patience," she whispered, holding Theor close and planting a tender kiss on his forehead. His skin was soft and smelled of the innocence of childhood.But then, the world outside their small sanctuary was disrupted by a thunderous banging on the door.Astelle's heart lurched with fear, and she instinctively shielded the medicine bottle she had hidden in her arms.Before she could even react, the door was violently torn open, revealing knights dressed in the uniforms of the imperial army. Their sudden intrusion left Astelle shaken."Lady Astelle?" The man who appeared to be their leader addressed her, his tone concise and firm. He had a presence that suggested authority.Astelle stood by the bedside, clutching Theor protectively in her arms. "Your Majesty the Emperor is looking for you."The words struck her like a bolt of lightning, sending a shiver down her spine.