The reflection of the Queen: Exile

Chapter 32: Fire oath

When we arrived at Eneas' mansion, his servants led us to the guest rooms. A maid escorted me to mine, and as soon as she set my trunk on the floor, she began to explain:

"The announcement of the evacuation has already been send, but we have been told that the Inferna are not yet in sight, so it will take quite some time for now. As soon as your fleet is sighted, we have instructions from your highness to lead you all to the shelter and, once the ships are ready, guide you through a passage that will lead you to the harbor."

"A passageway?"

"Indeed, it is underground and passes under the Eastern District to the ships that will take you out of here."

"And when will that be?"

"As soon as they tell us to, my lady. Don't worry, I'll take you to the shelter at the first black sail you see on the horizon."

"And where is this shelter? Under the house?"

"Yes, a couple of levels below the dungeons."

I looked up sharply.

"The dungeons?"

"Yes, his highness's dungeons."

"I didn't know you had dungeons around here."

"Yes, you see... His Highness had maximum security cells installed to keep some of the prisoners of war here."

"Why? That doesn't seem safe to me."

"I know, my lady, but... His Highness likes to have them here, they say it's because... it entertains him."

The maid gave me a wary glance, as if trying to tell if I had said too much, but it sounded completely logical to me. To know what the ailing Eneas would do to all the prisoners they interrogated under their own house.

"And these dungeons... house prisoners?"

"At the moment, they only house two."

I nodded, though I clenched my fists.

"And you don't know who is in charge of interrogating them? It won't be my foster brother?"

"If you are referring to Lord Rodion, you are right, he did come here once before, but since then it is the... employees of his highness who are in charge of the interrogations."

"I see."

My voice sounded calm, even curious, but my heart was pounding. He was there, under that marble floor, enclosed.

Why would Eneas have brought me there, being so close to him? What did he want? It was useless to decipher everything that was going through that bastard's head, but I was not going to remain without reacting.

"I hope, for my safety and that of my family members, that these dungeons are under maximum surveillance. "

"You don't have to worry about that, they are guarded all hours of the day and night, there is no way those two prisoners will escape."

I nodded.

"Thank you."

"It's a pleasure, my lady. If you need anything, just call me, my name is Salma."

"Okay, you may leave, Salma."

As soon as he left, I advanced to the window and leaned my head against the completely transparent glass surface, observing the Eastern District with a darkened gaze.

I had to make a decision.

I could escape with the Aursongs, run away from Cavintosh to my next hideout and continue with that life.