ZARAH

Michael proceeded back to the room, his mind reeling from the bizarre encounter with Elara. Her behavior left him bewildered, as she often seemed like a two-sided sword—capable of both kindness and icy cruelty, with no regard for human life.

When he opened the door to the room, he was met with an unexpected sight: Zarah and Juli laughing together as if they had known each other for years. It made Michael wonder if they had met before. "You two seem close. Do you know each other from somewhere?" he asked.

Juli laughed, her voice light and carefree. "No, but she is just like us. She will suffer like us under Elara. So, isn't it good that we team up like a family and escape this hellhole called Britania?"

Zarah's eyes widened at Juli's words. "You guys want to escape?" she asked in a tiny, almost inaudible voice. Her green eyes shone with a mixture of hope and fear. She was an unfathomable beauty, her red hair and petite frame exuding an innocent charm only comparable to Juli's.

Michael, however, was suspicious. He scrutinized Zarah with an untrusting gaze. Why would Elara bring a random girl to help them? If Elara needed help, especially help requiring strength, she wouldn't just bring one person. And even if she did, that person would be older, more mature. Both Michael and Juli were here due to circumstance, but Zarah had come by choice. This raised the alarming possibility that she might be a spy, an enemy, or at best, a future ally whose true intentions remained unclear.

Michael kept his thoughts to himself and smiled at the two girls laughing together. Despite his reservations, he loved seeing Juli smile. Her joy was his joy. "So, when are we escaping this place?" Zarah asked, her voice filled with excitement.

Juli immediately began to respond, but Michael quickly cut her off. "We do not plan to escape. We wish to, but we know it's not possible. Right, Juli?"

Juli nodded, faking a sad face. She may not have been the best at deception, but every form of emotion, action, and experience had been honed to perfection through her countless ordeals at the hands of Elara and her guards.

Zarah and Juli continued talking, and Zarah introduced herself. "I am Zarah Zeldris, daughter of Zeldris the Monarch of Nova Zeelandia. I am the heir to the throne, the princess and the upcoming Queen. My father sent me to Elara to get some training before taking over the nation. If Elara trains me well, he will assist her in the war against Scotland."

Zarah's last statement made Michael's heart race with fear. The Kingdom of Nova Zeelandia had one of the most powerful armies in the history of warfare, even ranked stronger than Scotland's. If two armies with significantly greater strength than Scotland's waged war against his homeland, how would they fight back? What puzzled Michael the most was why Scotland, his kingdom, would agree to such a war.

Zarah and Juli stared at Michael, wondering what he was thinking. They didn't know much about him, and his sudden silence only piqued their curiosity. Michael noticed their stares and laughed it off. "So, you're a princess, huh? That's really nice."

The tension in the room eased slightly as they continued their conversation. Michael learned more about Zarah's upbringing and her struggles. Despite her royal status, she was no stranger to hardship, having endured rigorous training and a strict upbringing to prepare for her future role.

As the hours passed, the trio began to form a tentative bond. They shared stories of their pasts, their hopes, and their fears. Zarah's presence brought a glimmer of hope to their bleak situation. Perhaps, with her help, they could find a way to overthrow Elara and escape this wretched place.

However, Michael's skepticism never entirely faded. He remained vigilant, watching Zarah's every move, listening to her every word. He couldn't afford to trust her completely, not yet. The stakes were too high, and one misstep could cost them everything.

Zarah noticed Michael's uneasiness and tilted her head slightly. "Ben, tell us about yourself," she suggested, her voice gentle but curious.

Michael looked at Zarah for a moment, his eyes filled with a mix of suspicion and hesitation. Before he could respond, Juli interjected, "He's shy," with a playful grin, trying to deflect the attention from him.

Zarah chuckled at Juli's statement and, to Michael's surprise, walked up to him. She hugged him close, pressing his head against her chest. Her boldness left Michael momentarily stunned. As she looked into his eyes, he could see a genuine curiosity mixed with a hint of something else he couldn't quite place. The closeness and the intimacy of the gesture made Juli's expression harden with annoyance.

"Zarah," Michael said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "There's not much to tell."

Zarah didn't let go but loosened her embrace slightly to look him directly in the eye. "Everyone has a story, Ben. Even the quiet ones," she replied, her tone encouraging.

Michael sighed, feeling the weight of both girls' expectations. "Fine," he said, stepping back slightly from Zarah's embrace. "I'll tell you a bit. But it's not a happy story."

Juli and Zarah exchanged a glance and nodded, their faces reflecting a mix of empathy and anticipation.

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