DESMOND
Silently, I slid the key into the rusted lock. A loud metallic click echoed through the chamber before I pushed the iron gate open.
A cloud of dust rushed into my face the moment I stepped inside.
I reached for the torch fixed to the wall and lit it. Flickering light slowly filled the room… And with it… Her. Frail. Worn. Yet the first thing I noticed wasn't how thin she'd become. It was those dark eyes I hadn't seen in years. The same eyes that had only learned to hate me more with each passing year.
"I decided your fate a long time ago." I brushed the dust from my hand, my voice calm. "I'm only still deciding whether I should regret it... or whether you'll finally prove that sparing your life was worth it, Sophia."
A weak chuckle escaped her. "You flatter me, Your Majesty."
She planted a hand against the wall and slowly pushed herself to her feet. Once she steadied herself, she looked at me for a brief second before giving a shallow bow.
