Abrum looked into Alara's earthy eyes, swollen with pain, and whispered, " AS YOU SAY PRINCESS".
Alara's eyes shimmered with tears, and Abrum gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing them away with tender care. She lowered her voice to a fragile murmur, "But we must be careful, I fear Father has grown suspicious. He knows I'm against his decision and he'll expect me to try and escape again."
"Don't worry," Abrum said firmly, his voice steady yet warm. "I'll make sure you're free of this place safely. You have my word."
"But tell me, when is the right time to escape? And where would I even go?" Alara asked, a faint smile tugging at her lips, though her eyes betrayed the storm within.
"Alara, look at me," Abrum said gently, his hand wrapping around hers with quiet strength. "You are my responsibility and as I've told you before, I will be by your side. So don't burden your heart with worry."
"I know, Abrum, You're the first friend I've ever truly had. All my life, I've been alone, but with you, there's no strangeness, no distance. It feels as though I've known you forever." Alara said.
"I understand every word you speak, Alara… because it's the same for me. What I feel for you runs so deep, it defies words, even my soul struggles to name it." As he said this to Alara, Abrum's heart trembled, and beneath his breath, he whispered only to himself, "You're not just someone I met you're someone I was destined to find."
Abrum was so lost in the storm of his thoughts about Alara that he didn't even realize his gaze was locked deep into her eyes. For a long breath, the world seemed to still until Alara, with a faint smile, waved her hand in front of his face to pull him back from the depth of his reverie.
"What were you thinking about so deeply?" Alara asked, tilting her head with curiosity. Then, noticing the weariness in his eyes, she added softly, "And tell me honestly have you eaten anything? You probably haven't, right?".
"Calm down, princess," Abrum said with a faint smile. "I could go days without eating and still be fine. Don't waste your worry on me." Then his gaze softened, piercing right into her eyes. "But you! Tell me, why haven't you eaten? I know you haven't… am I right?"
"And how are you so sure that I didn't eat?" Alara asked, lifting one eyebrow with a trace of defiance in her tone.
Abrum leaned closer, his voice low and certain. "Because your eyes tell me everything, Alara. They carry the weight of hunger, not just of food… but of peace, of rest. I can read you like an open book even the pages you try to hide."
For a moment, Alara froze, her breath caught between disbelief and something she couldn't name. Then, flustered, she gently pushed Abrum away with her hands, creating a fragile distance between them. Her heart was racing, her mind in turmoil yet even in that space, she felt the invisible pull that tied her back to him.
"You should wait here… I'll come back with some food," Alara said quickly, her voice almost trembling as she avoided his gaze. Before Abrum could respond, she turned on her heel and rushed out of the door, her footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls fleeing not just from him, but from the storm of emotions she couldn't yet face.
She moved quietly through the grand halls of her own castle, her steps light and cautious, as though she were a thief in the night rather than the king's daughter. When she finally reached the kitchen, one of the servants hurried toward her, bowing slightly.
Servant: "My Lady, do you need something?"
Alara: with a faint smile "Yes, I'd like some fruits."
The servant nodded respectfully.
Servant: "My Lady, I will ask someone to bring them to your chambers."
Alara: shaking her head softly "No, there's no need for that. I'll take them myself."
The servant, slightly puzzled but obedient, handed her a basket filled with fresh fruits. Alara took it into her hands, her grip tight as if she were carrying more than just food, it felt like she was carrying the weight of her own choices.
As Alara made her way back toward her chambers, a shiver ran down her spine. She could feel it, an unseen gaze lingering on her. Slowly, she turned her head, scanning the empty corridors. No one. The vast halls were draped in silence, so heavy it pressed against her ears. The flickering torches along the stone walls cast long, shifting shadows that seemed alive for a heartbeat.
She drew in a quiet breath, forcing herself to ignore the gnawing thought. It's just my imagination… she told herself, clutching the basket tighter as she quickened her steps, following the way back to her room.
Abrum was already waiting inside her chamber, leaning against the edge of the window, the moonlight brushing across his sharp features. When the door creaked open and Alara stepped in, clutching the basket close to her, his eyes immediately found hers.
His voice broke the silence, steady yet curious.
"What is it you carry in that basket, Alara?"
Alara set the basket down gently and glanced at him with a faint, nervous smile.
"I… I brought fruits for you! I wasn't sure what kind of food you eat, and I didn't want to choose wrong. But fruits! well, everyone eats them, don't they?" she said softly, her tone a mix of care and hesitation.
"Yes, you're right," Abrum said with a faint, content smile. "I usually eat fresh fruits from the forest… but it feels like ages since I last had them. This means more than you think."
"Oh! I'm glad you like it!" Alara said with a faint but hurried smile. "Now eat quickly, we don't have much time. On my way here, I checked the hall; it's completely empty. This is our chance!"
"With the fruits gone and their escape set in motion, Alara and Abrum moved with quiet determination yet neither of them knew that the castle's shadows had already betrayed them, and what lay ahead was not freedom, but the beginning of a far darker game." TO BE CONTINUED...