Chapter 56: Ignored by Ms. Ogre [Free]

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Kaius asked as they climbed down the cellar.

It's funny how they attempted an escape only to come back to where they were earlier.

"Yes." Allyria walked to the foam and sat, "The castle needs help, Kaius. Didn't you hear what the boy said? They lost the battle."

A while ago, Adrik, the name he introduced to Allyria, confessed about what happened. He said most of the soldiers were wounded from battle but the casualties were more on the Aleshkovskyan army's side. They retreated after one of the commanders got injured. He described it as his older brother did, old bearded man with flecks of white hair. Only one man came to mind when Allyria heard about it, Commander Elil Marquesse.

"Why do you always worry about everyone? Your safety matters most right now."

"I'd rather die than see the kingdom crumble into pieces. I won't let that happen on my watch."

Kaius followed and slumped beside her, his face scrunched after knowing they won't be able to go back to Windamere today. As soon as Adrik gave her cold water for Kaius' blisters, they went back to the dungeon-like illusion that wasn't an illusion any longer and asked the little boy to keep it a secret.

"Are you sure you can trust that boy?" He laid down, his arms palms rested under his head. Knowing it wasn't a stone-cold floor, they can now rest in the comfort of the foam.

"I trust him. I know he won't break the promise." Allyria played on the cotton sheets. She might know him just recently but it was already an enough time to figure out that the little boy was reliable. If not, she would have felt it the first time they met.

"Do you think he'll figure out sooner that we're just pretending?" Allyria asked, pertaining to Dragunov. The illusion already faded. The only thing they can do is act as if they're still in that imaginary place.

"I can't tell. But if he's dumb enough, yes." The words escaped from him like a mockery. He hated him as much as she did. That she thought, if any, was their common ground.

Time flew ever slowly as they waited for Dragunov to arrive. They already prepared the script they were going to use as soon as he checked them in the "dungeon". However, days passed and he didn't come. Only Federova was there to visit them daily. He still thought they were under the magic so that worked out well so far. He talked to them about life and all the other unimportant things, never the ones Adrik mentioned about. 

Allyria didn't force the answer from him either. He'd only suspect the two royals. It was better this way, submissive and silent. That's what most prisoners do, right? They'd rather be meek than get themselves killed for being too aggressive.

After their seemingly long conversation, everything was back to its silence. But it was also a relief. Allyria loved the quiet days, the ones of still lights and silent clocks. She loved the random sounds that came sailing in the breeze; the birdsong came so sweetly, almost tangible, as if it were a softly spun sugar. 

She would sit on the divan, imagining she was up there, staring at the clouds that were only in her dreams until then. It was on those quiet days that ideas came as natural things do—from the sunshine, rain and earth. 

It was nighttime when Dragunov decided to stop by the cellar. The man walked in, clean stubble and a black suit, the kind you only see on high priced lords and gangsters. He took in the room with a single sweep, his grey eyes settling on them before he left as expressionless as he entered.

One thing Allyria noticed was the cast on his arm and the bandage wrapped on the side of his head. He must have really fought a good fight with the castle's army. But that face, she'd be a liar if she didn't admit he looked decent for his type. She imagined a more ragged person but now that she's seen him, her expectations didn't do justice at all.

"I know that face," Kaius said out of the blue. His voice remained soft and low.

"You do?" Allyria has never seen him from anywhere. Well technically, she did but every time she looked, he was always looking on the opposite side so she never got a close glimpse of his face.

"From the Mitskapalazah, he was 'that' guy."

"That guy? Who?"

"The one who grabbed the Wardyke. It was him."

Allyria raised her chin, facing him. "That was him? Dragunov was the one who talked to you?"

Kaius gave a brief nod. All this time, he was there: In the fountain, the Mitskapalazah, the camp, the forest. She didn't even realize it. The man who led the revolt against the kingdom was just around the corner, observing, probing, and waiting for the perfect time to attack.

"You're lucky he didn't recognize you at all," she said.

"It's because I had my cloak on unlike you, careless ogre," he replied. "You should thank me for that, you know. We would have been dead before tomorrow comes."

Allyria looked at him with dagger eyes, "Why do you always bully me? Besides, I already thanked you."

"Since when?"

"After that happened."

"I don't remember you saying anything other than you're tired and you want to go home."

"I said it when we arrived in the cabin."

Kaius looked at the ceiling, acting as if he was trying to recall something. "I… I don't know. I never heard you say anything about that stuff."

"Well, it's your loss because I already did."

"I don't believe you. You need to say it again."

Allyria raised a brow, "Are you demanding something from me? Prince Kaius, for your information, you can ask for anything and when I mean anything, literally anything given that I would —a hundred percent —give my consent. Other than that, it's a no."

"Do you really hate me that much?" 

"Just bringing back the favor," Allyria grinned.

"I swear I'd mistake you for a princess-zilla sometimes. You are one of a kind."

She swept her hair back, "I know."

Kaius groaned, rolling her eyes. Allyria must have popped a vein in his head for being this impulsive. She couldn't help but laugh.

He rested on the other side of the foam and slept sideways, ignoring Allyria.

"Hey," she called but he didn't answer.

"Hey," she called again. "You're so childish, Kaius." She tapped his shoulder repeatedly. When he wouldn't budge, she shook his arms. Still to no avail, he wouldn't talk to her. "Okay fine if that's what you want to do. I don't care anymore."

Allyria didn't want to bother herself so she lied on the opposite site, placing her head over her folded arms. It was silent for a few minutes. With their pride getting in the way, no one made an effort to ask for reconciliation like two children fighting over a single toy. Who would have thought princesses and princes also have this kind of side? No matter what everyone thought, they were far from perfect.

All of a sudden, she could feel a slight movement in her back. 

He poked her arm, "Hey."

"Hey."

"I was just joking. I wasn't mad."

"Are you doing this to get back at me?"

"Allyria."

For all she knew, he'd think she's petty for ignoring him only for that reason. But of course she wasn't mad; she was tired although maybe she also wanted him to think that way. That might be the only thing that will make him stop making fun of her.

"Oh, come on! Don't snob me right now. I have no one else to talk to. This is so unfair. Why are you the only one who's allowed to get mad and not me? Is that an unspoken rule you ladies have for us men?"

Allyria covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. She wasn't sure where he got that kind of information but he wasn't partially wrong at all. Nevertheless, Kaius talking about it only gave Allyria an idea.

"Hey!"

"Come on. Just turn around and see my pleading face, you would regret what you did."

Kaius tapped her shoulders, "Answer me, Allyria."

"Are you really that mad?"

'No,' she thought to herself.

Kaius sighed, "Okay, I won't stop until you talk to me."

Allyria grinned. She'll enjoy listening to his rant for the night.

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Written and edited by ephemery.

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Allyria will hunt you down to the ends of Arde Terra and cast you out together with the Undying in the Islands of the Cursed. You've been warned.

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