Crowns and Chains

Chapter Nine: The Release

Zaria Eloise

"Mind explaining to me that little stunt you did at the ball?" I ask my brother when I finally got a hold of him. The past few days I had been trying to find him but apparently he was all over the Kingdom doing various tasks, not getting back home till I am fast asleep and getting out of the house before anyone else was up. 

"Ah, little sis, I gotta admit, that was the best ball of my life." He answers dreamily. 

"Not mentioning the fact that you danced with her for five times. Everyone was asking questions on who she was, but nobody knew of her. Mother got annoyed as well as you may have noticed." I state softly.

"Yeah, she forced me to dance with Heredine three times." He looks down at the ground, annoyed but guilty at the same time.

"She likes you, you know? Very much, everyone can see it." I say softly.

"I know, but I love Cara. I'm a prick for leading Heredine on, but I just need more time Lou." He says, covering his eyes in frustration. 

"Ed, not to pressure you or anything, but you might want to make it happen soon. I do not think Cara or Heredine can take much longer. Or you for that matter." I say, hoping that I did not sound too bossy.

He sighs, leaning farther on the balcony's railing. "You know what Lou? Everything would've just been easier if I didn't pursue her further. I should've just left the first time I got a chance, or the twentieth chance for that matter." He states, his eyes looking far beyond our garden.

"But I couldn't- no, I wouldn't. Because she's worth every risk there is." 

----

I drive to the prison, wanting to see what Mr Wells looks like as free man. I smile in excitement, stepping on the gas. It took the whole morning trying to convince Jon that I can drive on my own to the prison. All those nights forcing Ed to teach me how to drive and getting my license is not going to be for nothing.

Convincing Jon is not even close to being easy, especially when he just answers 'I can't do that Your Highness' with a tone as cold and hard as marble. Besides, mother cancelled our appointment; which I was annoyed about because I could have counselled this morning.

Parking my car in front of the prison, I wait and check my watch; he should be getting out any minute now. I look up the prison walls, they still looked as cold and depressing the first time I came here. High, unpainted concrete walls, the rolls of barbwire at the top; making escape not even an option and the tall steel doors; the finishing touch of making it as un-homely as possible.

After over and hour waiting, my hair was in a disheveled mess from my constant attempt of putting it in a braid, but failing miserably. Sighing, I try to place it in a low ponytail, and grin when I sort of succeed, it was not that bad. I move my attention from the mirror once I heard the massive steel doors start to move. It was agonizingly slow, until a figure departed from it. 

There he is.

From a distance I could see he was wearing, for the first time, I see him in out of his orange uniform. He was wearing a simple black t-shirt and jeans, a pack bag slung on his shoulder. He looks so casual, fresh and I mentally congratulate him on his release.

I wait for him to get into any of the cars parked, or anyone to greet him but he merely walked past the cars; the parking lot was void of people, apart from him and I.

 He starts walking towards the city, but he looks back one more time at the prison walls, his expression unfathomable and turns around, not looking back.