Part 51

The maids showed us our room, and I was given the same room where I was held captive. I peeked around, hoping to spot a familiar face, but no luck. When I stepped into the room, everything was the same, like they hadn't bothered changing a thing, not even the bedside lamp.

Suddenly, a family scent hit my nose, and I turned my head towards the wardrobe that used to be mine. I opened it and saw all the clothes were neatly arranged, and I walked inside, following the scent. My heart tightened as I turned my head to the corner of the wardrobe, where a box was tucked away in the corner with a blood stain on it. It was a painful reminder of the cost of her freedom.

When I stepped forward to open it with trembling hands, Stanley stopped me, and with a silent nod, he stepped forward to open it himself, displaying the painful remnants.

I gasped in shock, and with trembling hands, I reached for the blood-stained clothes. The fabric held a memory—a piece of a life that had been violently severed. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision as I clutched John's shirt to my chest.

At that moment, the room faded away, and I found myself transported to that fateful day when I saw John for the last time. His face stayed in my mind, etched with love and longing—the last look before the hidden doorway closed, sealing his pitiful fate for helping me.

John's caring eyes, the warmth of his smile, and the sacrifice he made to protect me replayed in my head. The memories will be forever etched in my mind. I hugged the shirt tighter as grief filled my heart, seeking comfort in the fabric that once bore the warmth of John's presence. The weight of his absence pressed down on me, and tears flowed freely.

It was all William's fault; his anger towards me had cost John his life. The chamber, which had once represented captivity, had now become a place for me to mourn the loss of my dear friend. "I miss you," I said, and I cried my heart out, falling to my knees. "Why didn't you listen to me? Why didn't you let me protect you?" Why? I screamed.

Stanley took a step back, stood silently without asking anything, and let me cry for a while before he placed his arm on my shoulder and made me stand up. I wiped my eyes and told him that it belonged to John. He understood and took the clothes from my hand, placed them neatly on the box, and closed it. "We will take him back and bury him in honour," Stanley said, sending the box to Fork's Land using his magic. I nodded. "He was our best friend, but he chose to stay by my side and help me escape. He sacrificed his life for me, and I couldn't do anything. I must avenge his death." I said to Stanely with determination.

"They are trying to play tricks. They kept his belongings here purposely. They want to break you. Do not let them get to you." He said and hugged me.

I placed my head on his chest and cried before a maid's voice interrupted us.

"Princess, are you alright?" The girl's voice sounded soft. I wiped off my tears and went out of the wardrobe. I gave her a soft smile but she didn't dare to look at me. She reminded me of Lyn when we first met. I didn't want the same thing to repeat. "Why are you still here?" I asked firmly. She seemed to flinch with my tone and I immediately regretted it. She took a step back and said "I was waiting to take the prince to his chamber."

"He will be staying with me. Send our stuff here." I said. The maid seemed to look nervous. "You may leave," I ordered and she left the room in a hurry, scared by my tone.

"Kristen," Stanley spoke. When I met his eyes he smiled at me as if reading my mind. "I can understand that you are on edge. I am right here with you." He said and hugged me again. Calming my nerves. That night I felt restless to be back in the dreadful place and I had this feeling which made me anxious. I saw Stanley sleeping peacefully next to me. I smiled and chanted a protection spell around him before going out. I wanted to get some fresh air. I walked slowly downstairs. The silence appeared to stretch on forever, interrupted only by the wind's distant murmuring. My footsteps echoed gently on the tiles. My feet took me aimlessly and we ended up in the garden.

The garden had an ethereal appeal in the moonlight from where I was standing. The lovely aroma of night-blooming flowers mixed with the faint rustle of leaves in the air. Shadows flowed across the groomed bushes, creating an arrangement of moonlight and darkness on the dew-kissed grass. I really loved the scenery.

The hot stuffy air hit me as I exited the hallway and stepped on the green grass. Everything was still the same. A small smile formed on my lips when I remembered how me and lyn used to spend time together walking and having fun. I didn't realize how long I stood in the cold night until it was totally dark outside.

Caught up in memories, I didn't notice a shift in the wind. It felt different, not calm anymore. My supernatural senses whispered a warning—I could feel something was off.