Something You Don't Know

6: Catalina

"Do you need anything, Miss Cassandra?"

"Other than kicking Varian out of the kingdom? None." She huffed.

"What?" Faith, the one Varian sent to aid her, asked.

She rolled her eyes and lazily waved her hand. "Nothing. You can go now."

Faith bowed her head and left the room. Cassandra lie on the bed, shifting every five minutes. She groaned and rolled to the side, her face flat on the pillow.

"Ay hayt diz wuld," she said, her voice being muffled by the pillow.

She rolled again and faced the ceiling of the room assigned for her. She knew this room, this is the guest room for royal guests. But why did he let her stay there? Is he playing some kind of prank?

Her lips formed into a thin line, a sinking feeling on her stomach. Oh, right. He needs her. Maybe this is some kind of a favor? She rolled her eyes. As if this will make her forgive him.

She sat up. She surely can't stay here the whole day – well, she can but that wouldn't eb worth it. Maybe she can investigate or find something that will help her on the kingdom's situation.

Not bothering to change her clothes, she went out of the castle, making sure that no guards would spot her and the secret passages really helped. She headed straight to the stable and just like she expected. Fidella was there.

Fidella neighed and she quickly placed her finger to her lips, signalling her horse to be quiet which she quickly followed. Cassandea walked towards her horse and slowly hoped on. She gripped her reigns and Fidella ran to the town.

"Cassandra?"

She stopped Fidella at the mention of her name. She slowly turned her head to the side and saw a red haired girl.

"Catalina?" She asked.

Catalina gave her a look of relief and confusion at the same time. "Y-you're here! How?"

"Apparently, I fell on Varian's trap."

"So, you already know, huh?" She asked.

Catalina had gotten taller than the last time she saw her. They weren't close but she did manage to talk to her for a bit before.

"Yeah. On the worst way possible," Cassandra sighed, feeling a painful lump on her throat. She feel like a failure.

"It's a good thing he didn't lock you up in the dungeon, though," said Catalina.

"How did you know about that?" I asked.

"I heard some of the handmaidens talking about you. I was skeptical at first but then I saw you," she confirmed.

She sighed. "Do you know where he kept Rapunzel and the others?"

Catalina nodded. "We actually aren't allowed there but don't worry, they're not locked up in the dungeon. Well, they were on the first three months but he moved them to a room in the castle."

"Months? Just how long has he been here?"

"A year and a half," Catalina answered.

"What?!"