Is he a good guy?

That pig was still on me. I have couldn’t breathe normally and my conciseness was fading minute by minute. I was just realizing that he was ripping my clothes.

“Swooshh!”

“Ahhhhh!”

What was happening? I have heard something like a tense wind and I have felt some air then the pig has gave a big cry. Now he was lying still on me. He was crushing me and I was not sure how much I could resist more.

Then somebody pulled him off me. It was so dark, but his jewel black eyes were shinning at the moonlight. And he was holding a sword at one of this hands. It was him. Tharon has saved me. I was still in shock and couldn’t give a reaction but he was just saved my life. I wanted to thank him. Thank him a million times.

He reached out me, pulled me from my wrist, and helped me to stand on my feet. As soon as he hold me in his arms, I have started crying. It was all too much for me. Two days ago, I was a princess with all of those

servants and respect. Now I was lower than a commoner. I was a slave. I have been beaten, insulted, and now this happened. I couldn’t take it anymore. I just let him pull me close and I let myself go.

I was crying as I had never in my life. He picked me up and carried me. I had no objection. I was just feeling comfortable. It was nice to be cared of right now, even though he was my kidnapper.

He carried me to the camping area. He did not say a word. While carrying he just hold me tightly and listened my sobbing patiently. When we got back to camping area, he put me near to the campfire, and gone to get a blanket

on me.

That was the first time I was seeing my dress’ condition. It all was teared out. One of my breasts’ rosebud was all out. Because one arm side of my shirt was totally gone. As soon as I figured out my situation I have looked in his face fearing that if he saw it or not. He just did not rise his head. He even gave the blanket without looking at me. I have wrapped it on my shoulders, hid my dress and continued crying.

He came and sit next to me. I wasn’t know why, but it was soothing to have him around me. I was crying and thinking about this madness as watching the flames. Than I have started trembling, I couldn’t stop it. My

whole body was shaking. He noticed that. He came close, without saying anything, hugged me and made me lie down on his knee. He caressed my hair while I was trembling and he just said,

“Hissshhhh, its’ all gone know. Rest a little.”

I don’t know if I was too tired or his touch was magical, I fell asleep right away. Before I notice, morning has come. When I have opened my eyes, I was still sleeping on his knee, and he was awake. It was impossible to stay up all night but he seemed tired like he did.

I have pulled myself up and let his knee go. He rubbed his knee. It must be numb after all night. Everybody were all up right now and started packing for the road again. Marry was looking at me with considerate eyes. I think I was looking awful.

Tharon washed his face with some water from a bottle and he came back next to me again. Suddenly he started taking off his shirt. I was frozen. He opened the buttons one by one and his enormous body has been revealed. His chest was as wide as a trunk. He was unbelievably muscular. His tanned skin covered with scars, and the tattoo.

When I first saw him, I have recognized a tattoo going down from his throat through to his chest. It revealed now. It was a giant lion tattoo. The symbol of the Zeyda Kingdom. My history and strategy teacher has mentioned me once that only the nobles could have such a tattoo in Zeyda Kingdom. I have understood before that he is in the royal family by his family name. I wonder how close to king he is. Gosh! I needed to listen those lessons more carefully. What was the name he said his father? Thenin something? Who was he? I believe somebody important, because he said it with a pride. Maybe a general or a duke.

While I was thinking, I spaced out and my eyes were fixed on his tattoo. And it was looking like I was watching his body. As soon as I got it, I have pulled my self and turned my head however, I couldn’t help but flushed. He smiled covering it with a cough and hand me his shirt.

“What is it for?”

“Are you planning to complete the ride with this blanket? It suits you tough.” He smirked again.

I have pulled the shirt angrily and imitated his smirk. He was looking so amused.

I have tried to wear the shirt inside of the blanket but it was too hard to arrange it without making any flash. He came in front of me to a very close point and turned back. He was like a giant human curtain. I understood what he mean. He wanted me to use him as a screen. It was really easier while he was in front of me. I have pulled up the shirt quickly and made the buttons. Then I thanked him. He didn’t say anything and left to see the arrangements.

This morning I have eaten what he offered me. It was nice to eat something. This was the first after dried fruits Mary gave. It was hardtack again and some salted meat. However, it was like the best meal I have ever eat after all that starving. Still I was trying to finish my breakfast; Tharon’s thundering voice has been heard.

“Everybody, on horses! We have one day ahead. No breaks. We will keep riding until get home!”

By the order of Tharon, all of us were on the road again. It was exhausting. Being on the horseback for all day, sleeping on the ground for all night meanwhile escaping from rape was painful. I was feeling awful. Once I

have found myself trusted my head to Tharon’s chest and sleeping. I woke up with a high snoring noise. Then I found out it was me. It was comfortable all right, but he was still a kidnapper. And I had to stay tough.

We have ride for all day until night fell down. Normally they would stop when it was this dark but they did not stop this time. I was thinking that, the incident that happened last night affected this. We kept riding nearly until mid-night. Then we saw high walls of a castle and small town around the castle with smoking chimneys.

The men have shouted by joy.

“Huhaaa! “

“Hooraay!”

“Homee!”

Home? That was their home, but it was a prison for me. However, the thought of having a bed to sleep on, was nice. I was thinking that they would treat me like a princess. At least was hoping that.

We finally succeeded to get into the castle. I cannot say they were very welcoming. All eyes gazing me filled with hatred. We slowly continued inside of the inner wall of castle. A group of servants and swordsmen has welcomed us. They bowed on the Tharon with respect. One of them talked.

“Welcome, His Royal Highness, Prince of Zeyda. It is a pleasure seeing you at home safe and sound. “

Did he say prince?

“All arrangements has been completed for you and well (hesitated)…your guest. His Imperial Majesty is waiting for you in the study. “

“Thank you Gulfrick. Please make sure Princess Kathleen’s comfort. “

“I personally will, Your Highness.”

Then Tharon got down from the horse and helped me, too. While he was going through a corridor, I was looking after him. Gulfrick cleared his throat and talked after catching my attention.

“This way Your Highness Princess Kathleen”

At last, somebody addressed me properly and showed me the kindness I have longed for. He was not looking pleased though, he was acting respectful. He led me to a room.

At the door of the room, I asked about Mary.

“What about my maid? I want her by my side. “

“I am so sorry your highness but I have been directed to take her to another room. However, please be on ease. We will host her with our best, too. “

Then he opened the door. It was a gorgeous room, with its own bathroom and a small guestroom. Gulfrick, informed me that the bath is ready and maids were waiting inside of the room. I cannot be happier. Finally, I could get a proper bath.

I directly went to bathroom and asked the maids leave. I have took off all of my clothes including the borrowed shirt and dived into the bathtub. It was too hot first, but it was like healing potion for my crying body. I don’t know how long I stayed in the bathroom. But I have stayed enough relaxing all my body.

I have completed my bath, took the towels they left beside of the bath. I jumped onto the bed with only towels on me and I just fell asleep. The second my head touched the pillow, I blacked out.

I was not sure how long I have slept but when I opened my eyes, sun was shining. There were three maids in the bedroom. One of them opened the curtains; one of them placed a big tray with many meals on a coffee table

and the last one was waiting next to bed with clothes on her arms.

“How long have I been sleeping? “

“It’s been two days my lady. “

“Two days?”

“You were exhausted my lady. We have prepared some food for you and brought some dress. Today the tailor of palace will also visit you and will prepare you new dresses.”

“New dresses? I don’t need new dresses. How long they are planning to keep me here?”

“…”

I wasn’t expecting them to answer such a question. But, it was just went out from my mouth. I was thinking aloud.

“Anyways, tell me about Mary. Is she okay. What is she doing? Where is she now?”

“My lady, it is forbidden us to talk you anything about anybody. We can just serve you. We cannot inform you. It is a restrict rule, otherwise we will be punished. “

“I see. Just tell me she is okay or not at least?”

“She is okay my lady. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you. What is your name?”

“My name is Lily.”

“Lily, am I allowed to go out or am I a prisoner?”

“Well… His Highness Prince Tharon said that, you are allowed to walk around in the inner castle my Lady. But, it is forbidden to go out of the inner castle, even if it is outer castle.”

“Why, outer castle is still castle isn’t it? Why I am not allowed to? “

“Outer castle hosts are more variant. There are soldiers and secondary nobles also traders and such. Maids stays in the outer castle area too. I believe they are trying to protect you. Inner castle is only and solely belongs to royal family and their directly invited guests. Nobody can across from the gate of inner castle without permission or invitation. So you will be more safe here. “

“So it is my cage then?”

“…”

“I want to have some breakfast and dress up. “

“I can help you with dressing up my lady?”

“Okay”

I wasn’t willing to cause any trouble this kind maids. I knew that they were trying to do their jobs. I let them dress me. The fabric of the dress and the undergarments were so soft and high quality. I wonder, where they found these dresses. Were they planning to capture me for a long time?

After I have dressed up, I stand across the cheval glass and looked myself first time after all those horrible days.

My small and white face was looking pale. I was always pale and fragile. Even my father, King Atalen was always teasing with me that I was looking too skinny that everybody would think he is not feeding me.  Even though, I have never seen myself this pale in my life. There were gray circles under my eyes. I was looking more thin

than ever.

The dress they have given me was beautiful. There was fine embroideries on the front side of the dress. Some roses and birds. The fabric was emerald green. There were tulle layers above layers and a big shiny belt covered with beads. I really liked the dress but, it was a little big for me. My green eyes were complimented with this emerald green dress and it was looking good with the bright red hair strands of mine falling on my shoulders.

“Okay, you can leave now.” I said to the maids. As soon as they left, I sit down next to breakfast tray and helped myself to full my belly with delicious meal. There were many things to taste. Soup, eggs, bacon,

freshly cooked warm bread, olives, cheese and a lot of other stuff I don’t know what they are really is.

It was like showering in pleasure. Hot bath, good room, comfortable sleep, beautiful dress and an amazing breakfast. I was about to start thinking that being a prisoner not that much bad.

I was wrong and I was about to learn it from the hard way.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***