Deadly Beautiful (SuperCorp Medieval AU)

Part 26

"There was another guard before me? You have never mentioned them before." Kara turned to look Lena in the eyes.

"Sam was not my bodyguard. She was my companion and a childhood friend. Her parents are nobles, the Arias family. Sam was sent to live with us when she was only five years old, as a ward of the royal family. I can barely remember life before her." Lena began her explanation, feeling nervous now that she was the one being watched.

"Sam and I were nearly inseparable for most of our lives and the young prince Lex never paid us much mind. When we got older, however, he became jealous of our closeness. When Lex wanted someone, he took them and no one asked any questions about it. Lex wanted Sam but she was not even slightly interested. When he found out later Sam was, ehm, more interested in me than in him; he managed to have her sent back to her family's land, where they are much more conservative than here in the capitol. I never saw her again, but the rumors are... awful."

Lena's voice betrayed her heartbreak and Kara wished desperately for another chance with Lena's brother in the training yards. He would not have gotten up if she had kicked him after hearing the princess's story.

"Sam has always been my weak spot. He was her means to control me, in much the same way he probably used Alex to control you." Lena admitted.

"However, she did inspire us and the princess to start our own small revolution here in the palace." M'gann added, gesturing to herself and Maggie.

"Using a trap door that was already hidden within this room and a small extension to the underlying tunnels, we have been helping Lex's victims out of the castle quickly, quietly and alive." Lena explained. "I expect this will be the way the two of us will escape as well." Lena added gesturing to a rug Kara assumed hid the passage.

"I am sorry you are going to have to leave like this because of me." Kara said, realizing how deeply her actions were affecting all of the people around her. She hated to be the one to cause anyone else such trouble.

"Kara, all of us knew it would come to this eventually." J'onn said comfortingly. "Lena and I have discussed this outcome at length. Everyone here is present because we want to be of assistance to the two of you."

"Even Winn?" Kara asked, giving the young man one of her most withering looks.

"Yes, even the young lord Schott. There was no way I was going to send the two of you out on your own and Winn has always been my most trusted Lieutenant." J'onn scoffed.

"Him?" Kara asked as though it were laughable. "I could kick his ass with both of my arms tied behind my back and you want him to protect us?!... no offense Winn."

"Offense taken." he grumbled.

"No matter how skilled you may be, you cannot always protect Lena on your own. At some point, you will need help. When that happens, Mr.Schott will be there to help out." J'onn said, giving Kara a knowing look.

"He may come along then." Kara said, smirking at her friend, but secretly glad her friend would be there as well. She had never had many friends before and was loathe to let this one go before she knew if he could truly trust him.

"I told you I would protect you politically and I was not able to hold up my end of the bargain. If I can be used against you, I have to be removed from the equation. I will be safer with you than in this castle anyways." Lena shrugged. "Anyway, I spend way too much time here. It will be nice to get out and see more of the kingdom. I have always wanted to but it has never been allowed. Lex always said it was too dangerous."

Kara smiled softly back at Lena but her eyes were still filled with concern. She could not believe the princess would be willing to give up so much for her. She swore to herself at that moment she would get it all back for Lena Luthor one day, even if it were the last thing she ever did. Kara had her own kingdom she may reclaim one day, if she were lucky, though she had never had any true interest in ruling. Lena would be a true queen one day; the kind of queen the people deserved.

"Before you go, I would like a word, Kara." J'onn said, gesturing to the young woman and pulling her aside. "You must keep the princess safe. I truly believe you are our greatest hope for keeping the true heir to the Lutheran throne alive to reclaim the throne that should be hers. Once we have her where she is meant to be, we can start looking to the Kryptonians. Alex has made that a part of our bargain."

"I do not know anything about any bargains but you have my word I will do all in my power to protect our princess, Lord J'onn." Kara promised, blue eyes steady and determined. He had never realized exactly how deeply they pierced a person.

"It is just J'onn to you, please." he laughed. "You do technically outrank me."

She hefted a bag J'onn offered over her shoulder and passed the one from their rooms to Winn with a smirk at the idea of making him haul Lena's books along and pulled the rug back to reveal the trapdoor that would lead them to freedom.