Camp II

By midnight, the darkness was almost absolute. Only a vague amount of stars are seen scattered and shining above the dark shy. Even the moon has waned to almost nothing. A rumble came out of Emelia's stomach as she stretched her arms up high. The soldiers didn't give her any food to eat. Well, they did, but who would want to eat a piece of molded bread and a bowl of grayish looking soup?

Not only did they not feed her with proper food, but they also had the audacity to leave a lady under the cold night, to the point where she was shivering, but despite her feeling weak, her face doesn't show it all. If that Emperor wanted to keep her, then why won't he at least treat her better? Or could this be one of his tactics to let her suffer so that she'll surrender and lose the game?

She rubbed her hands together to warm her hands since they were freezing. She didn't know if her hands were turning blue because it was dark. There were a few fire torches around the camp, but the place where she was caged in didn't have any near her.

"Bastards," She muttered, just thinking about how they treated her. But it is what she had expected anyway. Escaping isn't in her plan, but she was going to die of the cold if she were to not do anything about it. Not to mention, the clouds were slowly swarming the skies. It was about to rain.

The tip of her fingers slowly traced the railings of the cage. The cage was rusty, and parts of the bars were broken. Not to mention she didn't want the knights to humiliate her any further. She, too, holds pride and dignity. All she wanted was to sleep in a warm area. She didn't mind sleeping on the ground without any cushions. As long as it's a warm place, then it's all fine.

Emelia removed the necklace she had been wearing the whole time. The pendant hanging on her neck was sharp enough to make a person bleed. She always wore this necklace and never removed it. But just this time, she was going to, if it meant for her to stay alive.

She moved to the rusted part of the cage and started to rub the pendant onto the rusted area. After an hour of endless rubbing, the rail finally came off. She gently placed the rail down and slowly made her way out of the cage.

Even if it took a while for her to escape the cage, she felt that it was too easy. They underestimated her, by not leaving a soldier to keep a watch on her. Right now, the nickname scumbags fit them better than bastards. She walked towards one of the tents, which looked smaller than the others; Where she assumed they stored the weapons and others more. At least she'll be able to survive the night with this.

Emelia walked into the tent, and just like she had thought, this tent is for the weapons. She went inside slowly and walked further into the tent and decided to sleep in the corner where she felt secure. Not having second thoughts, she laid herself down onto the ground and let the dark take over her.

The next morning arrived, but the sun has not fully up. Despite the peaceful atmosphere, the soldiers were all in a panic because of one girl, and the non-stop footsteps awoke Emelia. She rubbed her eyes and stood up, remembering what she had done earlier. But hearing them in panic, was something that she thought was funny, but still, she didn't want to expose herself, but in the end, she did anyway.

"Is there something you need from me?" Emelia asked as she was standing out of the tent. The soldiers looked as if they all saw a ghost and immediately called for a knight to capture her.

"So that's where you were," a man in a low husky voice said as he approached her. He lifted her chin up and slapped her face. "Slaves are meant to be punished, and you are one. If you are placed into a cage without anything, all you have to do is to just sit and stay." Emelia shot a glare at the man who she assumed was a knight.

He didn't look young. He had a big body build, a beard as if he has not shaved for months, and the worst part was that he had bad breath.

"I have my reasons," Emelia answered back while the soldiers looked horrified with her answer. She didn't care to get hit once more even if she knew that things would grow worse. The man looked at her, thinking she was a disgrace. But she was a Princess, and so this might be the reason why she was arrogant.

Another slap crossed her face, and the man spoke, "This is what you get for answering back. You're just a slave, no longer are you a Princess. Know your position."

"I am not part of the Vivan Empire, and you are right. I do not know my position. So do you mind telling me more about it?" asked Emelia as her answer enraged the man. He pulled her by the hair and threw her mercilessly into a tent.

His eyes were burning with fire, and he raised a hand at her. As she instinctively shut her eyes, she had a small hope in her, hoping there was someone who could stop this man. And suddenly, a loud trumpet was suddenly played out loud, forcing the man to stop whatever he was doing. The man then lowered his hand and fixed his suit.

Before leaving the tent, he glared at her then said, "You're in luck today. But the next time, don't you think you could escape from me."