Chapter 70 SAGE
My mind was in haze as we walked back to my chamber after that awkward breakfast with Her Majesty. She hasn't crossed my mind since I got here. Now that Her Majesty mentioned her, I can't help but think about what happened to her. "Elara, do you have any idea where they were keeping Annika?" I asked her. She looked surprised upon my sudden ínquiry about my sister. "What could be the reason for your sudden inquiry about your sister, my lady?"
"I'm just curious, that's all," I replied -
i
"I don't think this is a good idea, my lady. It will only bring up painful memories for you," she said.
"You may be right, but there's something that's been bothering me since then. I stopped right there. Though Elara proved herself to be a trusted friend, I don't think I'm ready to tell her about the truth behind Annika and my father. She blew a loud sigh of defeat before she spoke again. "I heard from one of the maids that Annika was being held in the dungeon, awaiting her sentence."
Still, the pull to conf I to confront Annika-to finally get answers-was undeniable.
I forced a a smile, a small one, to avoid giving anything away. I stayed silent, not offering any confirmation or denial. But her words had already set something in motion within me. Right then and there. I made a decision. I was going to visit Annika. Elara watched me watched me closely, her eyes scanning my face as if e as if searching for some clue about what I was thinking. I kept my expression neutral, not wanting her to see the conflict brewing beneath the surface. I knew what I had to do, but I wasn't entirely sure I was ready for it. "I'll be fine, Elara," I said softly, hoping to ease the concern I saw in her eyes. "I just need to handle a few things Elara tilted d her head, clearly not
convinced but wise enough to know when to step back. "Then let me accompany you, my lady" she said, her voice gentle but laced with worry.
I smiled, "I wished to to be alone, Elara. Elara. I hope you don't mind," I I insisted.
I can see the hesitation etched on her face, but she keeps mum about it.
"As you wish, my lady. Don't hesitate to call me if you need reading to where Annika was held captive. With every step, my heartbea quickened, my mind racing as I thought about what might happen to her after what she did.
I nodded. I nod offering a I slipped out of the room, the cold stone floor beneath my feet
before turning
oppressive. As I descended the narrow staircase that led to the lower levels, the air grew thicker, more
to visit Annika," I said, my
gave a curt nod.
He
Tue, Oct 22
Chapter 70
with cells, the faint clinking
clung to
disheveled and tom. Her eyes flickered up to meet mine, and for a moment,
cold, filled with all the hurt and betrayal that had built
face thin with dark shadows under her eyes. The cell around her was small and filthy, with rough stone walls stained by years of neglect. Her hands, chained by heavy iron
all that exhaustion I could still see a spark of defiance, refusing to be snuffed out completely. "So, you're back," she sai she said, her bitter, the words thick the word with
inside me. If it was up to me, I'll never step foot into
that, Annika?" I said, my voice low but steady, the accusation clear. "You brought these
she might break. But then she spoke again, her tone laced with something I hadn't expected-bitterness, yes, but also pain. "Do you really think I was all to blame? I'm like
of others. I wouldn't let
didn't fade. She watched me carefully, as though she had expected this reaction, as though my anger was something she had prepared for. But it didn't matter. I
burned in my chest. "He adored her. He would never have looked at another woman, much less a child." My voice trembled slightly at the end, but I forced it to remain steady. "What you're suggesting. it's vile. Disgusting" Annika's bitter smile only deepened, but this time there was something sad behind
the bars of her cell. I couldn't be near her. I couldn't let her words twist their
15:21
Tue, Chapter 70
had left of my father-his memory. "You're lying." I spat, my fists clenching at my sides. "You're just what to justify what you did by dragging him through the mud "Believe what you want," she said sofily, her
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