27 Plan to Fail (Chapter 26)

Lavria was humming a tune whilst she swayed in her cell. It was nice, it kept my mind awake. The light color brown of her hair shone in the dim light. Her eyes were dark but her skin pale, it seemed she hadn't eaten properly in days. I could tell she was short, not strong enough to fight and so easy to break, but her mental strength seemed stronger than mine as her spirits were high. She was pretty, but nothing compared to my Karina. I look away and throw several rocks at the wall to keep myself from spiralling.

"You can look uno...it's not a crime." She says with a wicked smile on her face.

"I wasn't looking, I was listening." I say pissed off. She giggled slightly.

"It's ok, I saw how much you love the Princess. I guess she really loves you too." The dim light reflects her smirk. "I am sorry my lord...about your situation. I am indebted to you so if there is anything I can do-"

"It's alright Lavria, and please call me Damien." She smiles and nods finally sitting down next to her gate. "So Damien..Did you seal the bond-" I almost choked on the air. I stared at her and she dropped the question. I wasn't in the mood to talk but she didn't care. She seemed frightened of me. I didn't want that. My expression softened and I sighed loudly.

"Yes. We did it." Her smiled gleamed with excitement. I just rolled my eyes as she giggled uncontrollably. Like a child with a dirty secret. "I'm almost 190 so I cant wait to go to the lake and find my soulmate...if I ever get out of here." Her tone changed as she examined her cell, realising where she was. Not free. She teared. But she didn't want to cry. She had to save her fluids. " I didn't think that mother would get that sick. I needed money to get medicine from the apothecary..I had no choice. So I stole a few things. The guards caught me. Brought me here. Been here ever since. Haven't even gotten my trial yet." She stared in silence. A worried expression on her face.

"Don't worry Lavria...I'll do what I can to help you." I smiled warmly and She sniffled and wiped her tears. I think a friendship was being born. She continued humming and I slowly fell into my mind.

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The slamming of the large gates caused me to jump awake. A bright light revealed a face. Karina.

"Hey.." she said "sorry to wake you." The guards leave us alone. She watches them leave before she diverts her attention to me.

"I figured it out." She says all giddy.

"Figured what out?" She looks around making sure we are alone.

"How to break you out." She gleamed with pride. But I was afraid and it showed on my face. Her expression shifted judging mine.

"What's wrong?" She asked placing her hand on my arm.

"Karina, we cant do this. If we do this, and we get caught..They will kill you, and me. I can't live with that-"

"Damien I cant live with you in here." She says. I smile as she is genuine. It makes me feel lighter knowing she has my back till the end.

"Karina where would we go? Nowhere is safe for us."

"I can help with that." Karina whips round to see who was there. Lavria stands up and smiles. "Your majesty" Lavria Says whilst simultaneously curtsying. She looks at me confused.

"Damien, I can help." Lavria says and smiles.

"Lavria?" Karina says her eyes fixed on the dim figure. "What are you doing here?" She asks crossing her arms. Lavria looks down in shame. "Your majesty-" she stutters,

"Karina is fine." Lavria takes a dry gulp.

"...Karina, I can help you, but please get me out of here. Let me work in the Castle again. I promise to be faithful. Please."

"Lavria I thought you took leave to help your mother. What are you doing here?" Lavria looks at me in need to help.

"I-I might of-taken a few things-"

"What why!?" Karina says. "Lavria why didn't you come to me... I told you if you ever needed anything you can come to me-"

"Your majesty, if I didn't do it. I was afraid to loose my mother. And I can't support my family by myself. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. " Karina turns to look at me. Almost asking for my advice. I smile slightly and nod placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Alright Lavria, I trust you because Damien here seems to trust you." She looks up at me. "You can work as my maid, take Isla's....job. You start tomorrow...is that ok?"

"Yes yes your majesty thank you oh thank you so very much!" She squeals with happiness.

"Now you said you can help.. what can you do?"

"I can give you somewhere to stay. I know a place that no one knows of only me. It's near the Tree Iqra, I found it when I was a child. Just stumbled upon it I suppose. I'll tell you where it is. And you can use it. For whatever you need. Stow Damien there for the time being. No one will find him. I can guarantee." she gleamed with a new found hope.

"Drake wants to see you tomorrow. Other than that. Sounds like a plan." Karina says.

"Yes it does."