The Red-Haired Princess || Akagami No Shirayukihime

11. The Dungeon Tower

An important note in the A/N. Please read.

Chapter 11: The Dungeon Tower

"It's almost evening. Are you nervous?" Cora asked as soon as we left the corridor entering another hall.

"I don't know. A bit. Should I be? I mean the wedding is in five days time. I haven't met with Zen since the last time we saw each other in his office, which was even prohibited. And now the Queen wants me to meet with her. Cora for goodness sake, do you seriously think I wouldn't be nervous?" I asked back, unconfidently. "I'm sorry." I apologized after realizing I just shouted.

"Don't worry, Miss. You'll be fine. And it's okay. I understand your worries and nervousness." Cora said with a cheering voice.

I have always wonder, what I did to deserve such a female servant friend. Cora is a young woman with perfect features. Deep colored hair and very smooth eye gaze. She can be seriously terrifying when she wants to be though. I smiled at her.

"Dinner time is almost. I need to head back." Cora informed. I quickly nodded and headed to the dining hall. It's really boring eating all alone. Zen had made sure I felt better, by telling me not to worry cause after the wedding we're going to spend most of the time together. I blushed faintly remembering his comforting words.

After eating all alone, as always, I went back to my sleeping chambers. I quickly refreshed my hygiene. Looking into the mirror the last time, I gave a deep sigh. I made my way to one of the halls, waiting patiently for the Queen. I haven't met with the Queen really much, except at the public council meeting, which we didn't really talk that much to each other.

One minute late. I heard Queens aren't supposed to be late. That they are always to be early. Far away I heard noises of heels and it was approaching fastly. I turned to see who it was. It was the Queen.

"Sorry, I'm late. I had something very important to do and I didn't know time was already ticking." The Queen apologized, panting lightly.

I quickly gave a courtesy and said waving my hands in the air, "Your Majesty. I don't think there's anything to apologize for. Seriously."

She gave me a small smile. "I think it's better if we get going." She suddenly said.

"Okay," I replied and we started walking. "So um where are we going?" I asked realizing I don't know where we're heading to.

"To the dungeon tower."

She simply said. I quite didn't understand what was going on. Dungeon? Tower? Now I'm overly confused. But who am I to question the Queen. I just followed her lead.

After minutes of walking, we reached our stop. Out of nowhere, she was holding different types of keys. She searched through the keys, after finding it, she opened a wide large door. The sound of the opening door gave me chills in the spine. It sounded like -a dungeon.

"Come on in." She gestured towards inside. From where I was standing the room was pitch black. I swallowed hard and followed her once again. She closed the door. This is creeping me out. I shut my eyes remembering Zen. And started thinking if I wouldn't see him anymore. Suddenly I felt light under my closed eyelids. I slowly opened my eye seeing guards holding different candlelights.