[Bonus chapter] Dilemma

Ileus scooped her up in his arms and climbed the spiral stairs towards the upper stories. The dungeon was located seven levels below and he carried her in his arms till they reached the ground level, where the morning sun awaited them with its golden rays spread in the sky like petals of a flower. He walked with her face buried in his chest and with Evindal sword hanging down from one hand and one hand wrapped around his neck. No words were spoken. It was just warm breaths fanning each other. Her from mental exhaustion, his from worry about her. 

He carried her straight to their bedchamber and to the bathroom. He had already summoned the maids, and so they were standing there to help the princess. One of them took her sword and placed it on the counter at the far end where she started cleaning it.