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

smile, before turning

whirl of emotions as I made my way through the winding corridors of the palace, each turn bringing me closer to the dungeon. The dungeon was always a place of shadows-dark, damp, and oppressive. As I descended the narrow staircase that led to the lower levels, the air

I said, my voice steady,

moment, then gave

He

Tue, Oct 22

Chapter 70

a narrow hallway lined with cells, the faint clinking of chains and soft murmurs echoing off

and decay clung to the air, making

Annika sat on the floor, her back against the wall, her once-fine clothes now disheveled and tom. Her eyes flickered up to meet mine, and for a moment,

stepping closer but keeping my distance. "Annika," I replied, my voice cold, filled with all the hurt and betrayal that had built

Her once proud and sharp features were now tired, her 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 shackles, rested weakly in her lap, her wrists bruised and

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 i irony. "It took him long to find you"

I gripped them. I never intended to be found said, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside me. If it was up to me, I'll never step foot into this horrible place ever again." She scoffed, her lips curling into a sneer. "And

said, my voice low but steady, the accusation clear. "You brought these all upon yourself. Stop

that echoed in the narrow chamber, and for a moment, she looked as though 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

refused to let it show. I had spent too many years carrying this weight, protecting the memory of my father from the venomous words of others. I wouldn't let Annika's words crack the foundation I had built around him. bringing into this," I snapped, voice colder than I intended, but I didn't

though she had expected this reaction, as though my anger was something she had prepared for. But it didn't matter. I wasn't going to let her rewrite the past, to turn my father into something monstrous just to justify her

spilling out faster now, sharpened by the raw hurt that 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 it, something almost resigned. "You

from the bars of her cell. I couldn't be near her. I couldn't let her words

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Tue, Chapter 70

let her poison the one thing I 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

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