Life Beyond the Doors

Chapter 63 : Need

As the last strands of their conversation floated away on the cold winter breeze, the entrance creaked open. Two weary figures emerged, their clothing tattered and stained, bearing the unmistakable marks of imprisonment.

Marlin's eyes widened in recognition, and her  breath caught in her throat. Her heart thudded painfully, almost drowning out the sounds of his racing thoughts. For it was the two prisoners who had conspired to kill Prince Ethan, the very person they now stood beside.

"Your highnesses ," the prisoner said, his voice trembling with both fear and sincerity. "I... I cannot begin to fathom the consequences of our actions. But believe me, we have changed.

Desperation drove us to that dark path, but in the prison's depths, our hearts found solace in repentance. We have experienced the harshest of lessons, and we beg for the opportunity to make amends."

Finally, Prince Ethan stepped forward, his voice resonating with unwavering resolve. "We shall give you the chance you seek. Redemption can only be earned through deeds, and it is our duty to see if your words hold true.

However, make no mistake, for the path ahead is fraught with trials. Fail to prove your worth, and you shall find no mercy from us."

Ethan's voice remained steady, though inwardly he felt his stomach drop. "It was Prince Aiden who plotted against me, wasn't it?" he asked, directing his gaze towards the prisoners. They nodded their heads in unison, their eyes filled with remorse and resignation.

"Yes, your highness," replied the taller of the two. "We were part of his plan, a plan that involved eliminating you and taking the throne by force."

Mathias felt a surge of anger bubble up within him, a mix of rage and betrayal at the thought that the man he once considered a brother could be capable of such treachery. "And Lady Everi?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Has he captured her too?"

The wiry prisoner stepped forward, his eyes flickering with a hint of fear. "Yes, your highness," he said. "Prince Aiden feared that Lady Everi may pose a threat to his claim to the throne, so he had her imprisoned along with anyone who could have aided her."

Ethan clenched his fists, his mind racing as he tried to come up with a plan. Lady Everi had been a good friend to him, and he couldn't bear to think of her being held captive by his traitorous brother.

"What do you suggest we do?" Mathias asked, his voice cutting through the tense silence that had settled over them.

The taller prisoner turned to him, a glint of hope in his eyes. "There may be a way to get to Lady Everi," he said. "As part of Prince Aiden's plan, we were asked to provide him with a secret entrance to the castle. It leads to the dungeons, where he's keeping Lady Everi and the others."

Sylvia's eyes widened in understanding, and she looked towards Ethan. "We could use that entrance to sneak in and rescue Lady Everi," she said, her voice calm and determined.

Ethan's mind flashed with different scenarios, weighing the options and the risks, he finally replied in a grave tone, "We have no other choice. We must save her. But we must be cautious, if Prince Aiden finds out about our rescue the consequences would be catastrophic."

And with that, the group set off on a mission that would test not only their fortitude and courage, but also their loyalty to each other. As they made their way towards the secret entrance, the weight of their pasts hung heavy over them, each step taking them closer to a confrontation that could decide the fate of an entire kingdom.