𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 (𝙔𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚!𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙭𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧)

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Timepiece

(Y/n)'s POV

The days never seemed to change, as rain drops from the foggy clouds without a sun in sight. It felt gloomy inside, with no one to talk to but the walls. The queen had been busy with her errands through the palace as people became more needy for livestock, since most of the crops had been reduced from the storms.

The king barely made any appearance as well, and same goes for Aleksander. The more I thought of Nikolas, the more I felt conflicted over how I should've handled the situation. Hearing his words about the so called affair, it was horrible. Inhumane of the princess.

She had everything within her grasps; princes, fortune and everything grand that I could have only wished for. What more would she want? The crown was the only answer I had in my mind. I had no rights to forgive Nikolas, for it was never his fault for what the princess of Walsh had done.

But I seem to falter on where my labyrinth thought could be, did I say those words because I truly forgive him for the mistreatment he had given me, or was I only forced to gawk out those words in fear that he will turn savage? I did not know. More than that, I did not know what to feel and instead want to tear my mind apart.

They say following your heart was a foolish act of every human, but my mind seems to know no better. If I had followed what I felt was right, would it have changed a single dime of the past? questions ran around my head like the white rabbit, but I knew it could not change the past.

My conflicted mind paused as I heard heavy footsteps marching outside the door, I knew that those were sentinels dragging their feet from their heavy armors since I had heard them scouting every night.

"I told you, I am not some criminal!" I heard a familiar voice fume behind the door. In a haste, I got up from the bed and opened the door to see Aleksander getting dragged through the hall. "What's happening here?" I asked, peeking my head out while the sentinels stopped.

"The prince had committed an assault to his crowned prince, your highness." they bowed their head, explaining briefly on what had happened.

"To inform you folks, I did not commit an attempted murder. It was the other way around." Aleksander spoke up, glaring at the corner of his eye. Hearing those accusations come out of their mouth gave me a hint of disbelief, Aleksander could never. "I think this is just a misunderstanding, his highness wouldn't lay a finger on Nikolas." I replied back, defending Aleksander while he nod his head in agreement.

"It is the crowned prince's order, we cannot do what you ask for your highness." the sentinel answered, "Please excuse us, your highness." the other said, turning to their heels while Aleksander craned his head to look at me while I stood there without another word to utter.

I gazed around, the hallway were empty with no one in sight. I slowly followed their lead while they walked towards the end of the hall with a large, wooden oak door. They stopped in front of it while I ran to the corner, making myself hidden from their sight.

They went inside, leaving the door with a crack. I followed suit, gently pushing it open to see a dim flight of stairs that seemed to go way down. With each step I took, a faint echo was made from the sounds of the stone beneath my shoe. The stairs were of a whirl, going deeper down with each step I took with caution.

When I stepped out of the concrete floor, I heard a clang of metal as I jumped in surprise. The sentinels footsteps began to march, with each stride to be heard louder. I darted my eyes around in a panic and instead crawled down on the spacious area of the whirled stairs. I covered my mouth with a hand and wait.

After a few seconds, the heavy door came to a shut as it echoed down in the dungeon. I got up immediately and pat my skirt from the dusty floor while I looked around, the dim lights flickered and cast shadows from each cell of inmates whose eyes all landed on me.

Some were frail and pallor, for no sun came to greet them. The thought of being locked down here in the cold with no contact of the outside world was frightening, for not one did they know how it is up there or if it was even day or night.

My eyes gazed in every cell, desperately searching for Aleksander. "Lady (y/n)?" heard a voice coming from the end of the cell hall. I walked in a bolt, as if there was no tomorrow to see Aleksander there with a puzzled look. "What are you doing here? You can get in trouble, please go back lady (y/n)." Aleksander frowned.

"What's going on? Is everything all right?" I asked instead, ignoring his panicked tone. Aleksander did not reply, looking deeply into my eyes with pure hesitation. "I can help you, just tell me what's going on." I took his hand with mind, squeezing it gently.

He sighed to himself and nod his head, "I want you to go to my room, lady (y/n)," Aleksander whispered, sliding his arm to his pocket and taking out the golden pocket watch. I could do nothing but stare as I heard a click! from the pocket watch after he twist the crown. The front case opened in a pop to reveal a tiny compartment with a key inside.

I looked in pure amazement. Aleksander took the golden key and reached for my palm, pressing the cold key beneath my palm. "This key will be our only freedom, I know you want it as much as I do. Go to the king once u find it, but never let it be seen to the queen and the crowned prince's sight." Aleksander warned in a hush with a stern look, meaning nothing but serious business.

"I'll do my best, your highness." I bowed my head, casting a small smile to his way. "Our freedom lies on that key. Once you're caught, you will never escape."