AUTHOR'S POV
"THEY ALL ESCAPED", the knights guarding the prisoners' cell skewed frown written with uncertainty all over as they try to put into details what happened. Altogether and at once, the three patrolling prison guards mumbled a myriad of reasons, apologies and excuses for something unexplainable that took place in the dungeon beneath the castle. Nevertheless, one thing is certain, Atrius and Jacomus escaped.
Standing alongside Celeste, King Galen stared at the empty prison cell where the prisoners were held. The jail bars were intact, the locks on the gate were still clasped, and not even dug holes appeared on the ground. Crossing his arms, Galen listened intently as the knights continued to sputter words that's too hard to comprehend. They clamoured hesitancy, fear, and confusion. As Galen catch a phrase, the knights positively claimed that the prisoners were locked in perusal. Then in a few moments, they all just vanished.
Feeling impetuous to have this done and over with, Galen unsheathed his sword which silenced the rambling knights. The night should have been with Helena, yet he is in the dungeons interrogating the royal guards. "I asked… how did it happened?", Galen demanded for a clearer and sensible version of what have gone under their watch.
The knights looked at each other, daring anyone to explain to the King. The senior knight harrowed his courage to face Galen. "There.. there was a cold light beaming, your Highness", he suddenly raised his voice, shaken while Galen's sword is directed at him. He pointed his finger on the wall where he saw the light. "There", he said. "The light's debilitating glare flashed so bright, it was hurting to the eyes. When I looked inside, the lights were gone, and so the prisoners", he added.
"Clearly, there's a witch, my King ", Celeste figured, with disbelief that a witch is still alive.
"I only care less of those prisoners. They have already served their purpose.", Galen said as he trail the tip of his sword on the senior knight's torso. The knight stood still as he lock his eyes on the king, who smell of blood. "They are the least of my problems now, but rather yours. Don't you agree, priestess?", he said as he decapitate the knight in one single strike. The other knights were taken aback as their comrade splutter blood, dropping headless on the ground.
"Yes, my King", Celeste bowed, not caring about the blood that have splashed out on her dress.
"Kill them all. I want my peace now", Galen turned his back and trailed his way out.
"Yes, My King", Celeste uttered, lifting her both hands midair, while the knights fear for their lives in the corner of the dungeon.
In quick long strides, Galen returned to his chambers where he had Helena imprisoned. A few minutes of interrogation felt like hours apart from his dearest soul traveler. As he reach for the doors, he grinned foolishly finding out that the doors are locked. No keys could open the doors. He desired to tear them down but he didn't. He liked the chase. Besides, Helena is here. She won't leave, ever.
Turning his back, Galen dragged himself to the royal chambers next to Helena's. Unchanged and still bloodied, he crawled to the bed, and laid flat on the soft cushion. With his arms widely spread, he stared blankly up the ceiling. Then, he chuckled at the thought of Helena being just in the other room. With a smile plastered on his face, he closed his eyes with Helena constantly running in his mind that finally, his very precious possession is at the grasp of his hands.
Time flew.
Unbelievably, in just a tick of the clock's hand, the sunlight started to slowly seep through the windows. And right before the gleaming sunshine fill the entire royal chamber, the servants have already prepared the young king's bath and clothing.
Getting up from the bed, Galen heartily greeted everyone with a warm smile. He even danced with a maid, grabbing her hands circling and spinning as he laugh. Despite sleeping for only a few hours, he woke up as if he had a very good night's sleep. However, his sprightly mood minced a dose of fear and confusion to the servants. After all, Galen is a volcano, ready to erupt anytime, the servants thought.
In the royal bath, Galen stripped carelessly dropping every piece of his clothing on the beige marbled floor, exposing his bloodied skin. He sauntered towards the oval sunken cistern, and slowly dipped himself in the warm bath water. Submerging his black hair, he washed all the filths that tangled his hair and rubbed off the dirt that marked his skin.
The maids gently scrubbed off the dried blood which took time to be removed. They poured the oils and soaps which Galen fervently chose. The musky fragrance of the herbs replaced the salty scent of Galen's sweat. Repeatedly, he asked the maids to make sure that he is cleaner as he always have.
In an hour, the King is finally refreshed in a black yalon jerkin in leather made of engraved florals and suede matching the color of his eyes. He made one last look at the mirror, and flashed his perfect smile.
As he depart the room, Galen was startled to see quite a crowd waiting at his door. "Your Highness, the courtesans have arrived", the King's butler said as a line of seven odalisque in stylish gowns, adorned with bright cosmetics bow before the King. Soft giggles were heard, and some of the young ladies dropped their jaws admiring the charming young King. For months now, courtesans from different parts of the kingdom travel all the way to the palace to entertain and satisfy Galen.
"Your Highness", one lady with a golden hair greeted with a curtsy. "We are from the House of Franco, the best high class brothel in the South. We are here as you've ordered", she batted her long lashes at the King showing her gray eyes, and smiled sweetly flashing her pearly whites. However, when they met each other's eyes, she was instantly enveloped with a painful agitation that made her swallow a hard lump.
Galen, who was promptly consumed by complete displeasure of being unnecessarily bothered in his beautiful morning, looked daggers at each of the unprecedented face at his disposal. The sight of the meretricious women before him ruined his mood. Glaring with disdain, he felt sick to his stomach seeing the tastelessly showy ladies flaunting their flamboyance. He could puke at how effortless to have ladies of these caliber with just a piece of gold. Then, he realized that no matter how much skin they flaunt, or strong scent of perfume they bathe in, they all have no match to the resplendent allure of his Helena.
"Are you all mad? Throw them all out before my fiancè sees these pieces of filth!!", Galen's palace knights immediately seized the ladies of House of Franco, and hauled them away from the sight of the King. The ladies squealed in fear as they were forcefully dragged away.
"I would have beheaded all of you but for my fiancè, I shall let this go", Galen whispered to the butler who could hardly stood on his trembling knees. "Clean this area! It smells like rubbish here!", he ordered as the strong scent of wildflowers from the ladies of House of Franco pervaded in the hallway.