Not a save

"Do you like it?" Kitanna asked.

"You're not the one who made it, so why are you eager for a review?" Almira asked. Kitanna pouted.

"It was just a question. You don't have to be mean about it".

"I don't like it. I prefer them fresh," Almira answered. Kitanna opened her mouth to complain, but Almira threw her a look that made her shudder. Kitanna watched the Princess clear the plate and looked away as soon as Almira looked up.

"More?"

"You said you don't it," Kitanna reminded her.

"I don't like it, but I am hungry. Can I get some more?".

"You will have to come with me then. They have lots of frozen fish, so I can fry as many as you want. You can fry too if you want ", Kitanna said.

"Smart mouth! You are the servant here, not me. I don't have to help with the cooking," Almira stated, and Kitanna's excitement vanished. She picked up the plate, muttering incoherent words. Almira ignored her grumbling and stared ahead.

"You're not coming?" Kitanna asked.

"You're not going to stop talking, are you?" Almira retorted. Kitanna muttered something inaudibly, dragging her feet ahead. Almira stood up and trailed behind her.

"I thought you…."

"You talk too much," Almira interrupted.

As they walked through the courtyard, Almira felt a sharp pain in her chest. She halted with a strong gasp. Kitanna turned around almost simultaneously.

"Are you okay?" She asked, worriedly.

"It's the bond", Almira muttered. The pain in her chest didn't subside. Instead, it tightened until she was gasping for air. Kitanna quickly caught her when she staggered.

" Should we go find him? Maybe he is in danger, that's why the pain is intense…" Kitanna suggested. Almira didn't say a word, so she took it as approval.

Kitanna had no idea where she was leading them, but they needed to get to the prince urgently. The princess' heavy breathing and low gasps were making her panic.

"I'm not dying, Anna. Calm down and release your grip on my arm before you burst my blood vessels open" Almira said, lowly.

Kitanna released her with an eye roll. Though she felt relaxed at the words, she didn't understand how the princess could be snarky while struggling to breathe.

They heard screams and traced them down to the training grounds. Prince Xander was having a duel with one of the soldiers.

Almira stared puzzled at him. No doubt the soldier dealt with him brutally. The blood and bruises were there as evidence, but she didn't think it was worth the pain she had been enduring for the last few minutes.

"Hey", Kitanna nudged her. "The King and Queen are looking over here".

"I don't blame them. If I had such an embarrassment as a son, I'd be looking for where to look too," Almira replied, without looking away from Xander's miserable state.

A guard approached them.

"His Majesty invites you to sit with him", the guard informed them.

"Tell his majesty that I regretfully decline his request. I have better things to do…." Kitanna nudged her. "…. I haven't had a proper breakfast. I will join him after filling my stomach", Almira corrected.

Kitanna was pleasantly surprised. This was the first time the princess reconsidered her choice of words.

"I will inform his highness, then", the guard bowed. Almira walked away with Kitanna grinning behind her.

Almira felt another sharp pain at the same time piercing screams echoed. Kitanna glanced back at the training grounds.

She was about to ask the princess if they should return and get the prince out of the fight, but Almira took a turn, heading in the direction of the screams.

Almira froze at the sight before her. The tattered man from earlier lay helplessly on the ground, chained in a scissors position in the middle of an animal fight. Even at the distance she stood, she could see him covered in blood, suggesting he had been subjected to severe blade torture earlier.

"My princess…" Kitanna gasped behind her. Almira couldn't move. The rams charged at each other again, stomping all over Dante. In that singular second, Almira forgot to breathe.

The cruel laughter of the guards followed Dante's weak screams.

"Please do something…. They are going to kill him…" Kitanna pleaded, clutching tightly to Almira's arm.

Almira swallowed thickly.

"I can't".

"You can't or you won't?" Kitanna asked. Almira threw her a cold stare, that made her cower her away. Almira turned to leave, but her sensitive ears picked out his heart-wrenching sob.

Almira's eyes traced the chains to the pillars.

"Please…" Kitanna pleaded.

"He is their slave. Whatever they chose to do to him is their business, not ours. Don't try to play the hero. I'll be waiting for you in the kitchen," Almira replied.

Kitanna stared dumbfounded. It was one of those moments, Almira proved the rumors right. How could someone watch something so heart-wrenching without any form of empathy?

She glanced at Dante one last time before running after Almira. Kitanna blocked her path.

"What is this new drama about?" Almira sighed. Kitanna didn't let the stoic face intimidate her.

"Remember that time I saved your life? You said you would be indebted to me forever", Kitanna reminded. Almira raised a brow.

"It's time to settle your debt, princess".

"You did it out of goodwill and I said that out of courtesy," Almira stated.

"I don't care. You always say you don't go back on your words, eating your words now?" Kitanna asked.

"Even though I shouldn't oblige to this cheap manipulation, but I will, for my dignity," Almira said, drawing a smile from Kitanna.

The princess rolled her eyes at the maid's eagerness to save a total stranger. She turned around, walking to the pillars where the chains were bound.

The initial laughter died as all eyes fixed on her. They watched in a daze as she unwrapped the chains around the pillars.

Kitanna watched with a wide grin as the men drooled over her enchanting beauty. Almira walked towards Dante after freeing the chains.

The soldiers snapped out of their trance and quickly cleared the animals to make way for the princess.

She stopped in front of the bleeding human and bent over. His thick, long bushy hair had fallen over his face, concealing it from her.

The urge to touch him overwhelmed her, but she pushed it back.

"Nod if your ears are still functioning," She said. At first, nothing happened. He remained motionless. Her chest tightened. Was she too late?

Then his head moved slowly.

She glanced at the men, who were watching her curiously.

"Nosy" She snapped and they retreated awkwardly. She focused her attention on Dante, taking the chains off him as she spoke.

"Don't count this as a save, you're still going to die from internal bleeding".

She dropped the last set of chains and walked away.