Crown On My Head

chapter 51

Kingdom of Tareeya Lacey

As the guards led me down the winding corridors of the castle, the weight of my words lingered in the air, but my mind was racing, trying to piece together a way out. The stone walls closed in around me, cold and unforgiving, a stark reminder of the precariousness of my situation. We descended deeper into the castle, far from the familiar halls where I had once walked freely, into the belly of the fortress where only whispers and shadows dwelled.

Finally, we stopped in front of a heavy iron door. One of the guards pounded on it, and after a moment, it creaked open. A woman stood on the other side, her presence commanding and almost otherworldly. She was tall, with long, dark hair that cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall of midnight. Her eyes, a striking shade of deep blue, seemed to pierce right through me, as if she could see into my very soul.

"Orlaith," one of the guards addressed her, his tone respectful yet wary. "We've brought the princess, as requested."

Orlaith nodded, a small, enigmatic smile playing on her lips. "Thank you," she said, her voice smooth and melodic, carrying an undercurrent of authority that made the guards step back instinctively. "I'll take it from here." she throws a small bag over to them, gold coins jingle, as they land.

With a dismissive gesture, she waved the guards away, and they departed without another word, leaving me alone with her. The door shut behind them with a resounding clang, and I was suddenly very aware of how isolated I was.

"Who are you?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear gnawing at my insides.

Orlaith regarded me with a calm, almost amused expression. "I am the one who will free you... from the dark realm," she said simply.

The Dark Realm. The words sent a shiver down my spine. I had heard stories, of course—legends and tales whispered in the dead of night about a place where shadows ruled and creatures of darkness roamed. It was a realm that no living soul had ever returned from.

"Why?" I asked, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and curiosity. "Why are you doing this? What do you want with me? Why did you come to the court and negotiate surrender? Do you enjoy seeing people suffer?"

Orlaith tilted her head, studying me with those piercing eyes. " It wasn't about making you suffer, Lacey. I had to find a way to meet you, to ensure your safety. The dark realm isn't what it seems.

I turned to look at her, my eyes held a healthy dose of scepticism. "You expect me to believe that? You handed me over to the dark realm like a pawn in a game."

She doesn't ask my question as we walk in silence through trees as we arrive in a local tavern. She walks me through the back entrance. I should run away, but where should I go?

She picks up the convulsions, "I had no choice. If I hadn't brought you here, the war would have destroyed your kingdom. I needed time to find a way to protect both you and your people."

"Protect me? Why would you care?"

She takes a sharp breath in, "Because... you're my family. My niece. I only recently discovered our connection. I wanted to meet you, to help you."

I stare at her, my eyes widened,"Cousin? How is that possible?" better question do i believe her.

"Your mother was taken from us in the dark realm when she was young. And father thought she would have a better life here. And she did, she had you and your sister." she looks down at the floor, "father is so proud of you."

"So you have come here to help me?" i ask tentatively, "wait my mother is from the dark realm, how on earth do you expect me to believe you? How do I trust you?"

"I understand if you don't trust me, but I promise you, I want to end this war and see you take your rightful place on the throne. Afterwards, I can explain more."

She risked everything to come to the court and bring me here. That must mean something. "But how do I know you're not lying?"

She placed a hand over her heart, "You don't. But actions speak louder than words. Let me prove it to you. Together, we can end this war and reclaim the throne from your bastard of an uncle."