After the event concluded, Alexander led Genevie through the winding corridors of the palace, his expression neutral but his eyes gleaming with a predatory satisfaction. They stepped into a dimly lit courtyard, the air damp and heavy with the scent of moss and cold stone. The clinking of chains echoed softly in the background, and as they approached the iron-barred gate, Genevie saw five gaunt figures huddled inside the holding area—her knights. They were the same royal guards who had sworn to protect her family, the same warriors who had fought valiantly until the bitter end of Narva's reign. Now, they were barely recognizable.
Alexander stopped in front of the gate, the smirk on his face deepening. "These are the knights from your castle whom we have imprisoned. Feel free to select one," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He knew all too well the state they were in. Though once renowned for their strength and skill, their time in the dungeons had broken them. The weeks of starvation and confinement had left them skeletal, their eyes hollow and their spirits crushed.
Genevie approached the gate, her heart heavy with guilt. The sight of their frail bodies, once clad in shining armor, now reduced to rags, made her stomach churn. Their faces were gaunt, their eyes dull from exhaustion and hunger. She could see the disappointment in their gazes, not only in themselves but in her. She had been their princess, the one they had vowed to protect, and yet she had been powerless to save them.
Still, among the five, Genevie's gaze fell on one man in the center: Benjamin Boris, the captain of the royal knights of Narva. Though emaciated and weakened, his eyes still held a flicker of life, a spark of loyalty that had not yet been extinguished.
"I choose him," she said softly, her voice barely concealing the sadness she felt.
Alexander raised an eyebrow, amused by her choice. "Benjamin, is it? Very well," he said mockingly. He gestured for the guards to open the gate. As they did, Benjamin stumbled out, his legs trembling under the weight of his own body. He knelt before Genevie, his knees hitting the cold stone with a soft thud.
"Your highness," Benjamin rasped, his voice rough from weeks of disuse. "I, Benjamin Boris, shall serve the princess until my last breath." With trembling hands, he unsheathed a small blade from his belt and drew it across his palm. Blood welled up from the cut, dripping onto the ground as he swore his loyalty. Despite his weakened state, there was still a fierce determination in his eyes.
Genevie felt a pang of sorrow as she gazed down at him. He was still trying to be the knight she had once known, even though his body had failed him. She took the ceremonial sword handed to her by a guard and lightly tapped his left and right shoulders, completing the oath.
"Rise, Benjamin," she said softly. He stood shakily, swaying slightly on his feet but still managing to stand tall. His loyalty, though battered, remained unbroken.
Alexander watched the scene with detached amusement. "Now, about that mining location you mentioned," he said, his voice cutting through the solemnity of the moment like a blade. Genevie turned to him, her expression cold. "I am weary," she replied curtly. "I will tell you in the morning."
Alexander's smirk faltered slightly, but he did not push further. "Very well. We shall depart for your castle in the morning," he said, before turning on his heel and leaving the courtyard.
As soon as Alexander left, Benjamin turned to Genevie, concern etched into his haggard features. "Your highness, what is your plan? How can we hope to—"
Genevie silenced him with a soft but firm hand on his shoulder. "I have a plan, Benjamin," she whispered, her voice low and determined. "I need you to trust me and follow my lead. We will reclaim our land. We will take back what was stolen from us, and we will have our revenge. I swear it."
Benjamin hesitated, the weight of her words pressing down on him. He had always been her loyal knight, but now, weakened and broken, he wasn't sure if he had the strength to help her fulfill such a vow. "But your highness... I am not certain I—"
"Quiet," Genevie interrupted, pulling him closer. She gently placed his head against her chest, a rare moment of tenderness in the harsh world they now inhabited. "I will restore your strength. I promise you that. You will not be broken forever. We will rise again, and I will become queen of what remains of Narva. Together, we will take back our kingdom."
Her words were like a lifeline to Benjamin, filling him with a renewed sense of purpose. Despite his weakened body, he could feel her unwavering resolve. He had once doubted her ability to lead, but now, in this moment, he believed in her.
Genevie released him and gave a small, encouraging smile. "For now, you must endure. Blend in with the others. Let them underestimate you. But remember this, Benjamin—we will reclaim our land. I will see to it."
Benjamin bowed deeply, his eyes filled with renewed determination. "Yes, your highness," he said, his voice stronger than before. He then escorted Genevie to her room, careful to avoid any further confrontations with the Dradevows knights.
As Genevie closed the door behind her, she could hear Benjamin's footsteps fading down the corridor. She knew the road ahead would be difficult, but for the first time in weeks, she felt a glimmer of hope.
Outside, Benjamin made his way to the knights' quarters, his steps slow and deliberate. His mind was filled with Genevie's words, and though his body was weak, his spirit felt stronger than it had since the fall of Narva.
However, as soon as he entered the quarters, he was met with sneers and glares from the Dradevows knights. "Well, well, look who's back from the dead," one of the knights jeered, his voice dripping with disdain. "I thought they'd leave you to rot in that dungeon."
Benjamin ignored the taunts, keeping his head down as he made his way to his assigned bunk. But the knights were not so easily dissuaded. They quickly surrounded him, blocking his path.
"He looks worse than a beggar," another knight sneered. "And this is the captain of Narva's royal guard? What a joke."
Before Benjamin could react, one of the knights shoved him hard, sending him stumbling back. "Say something, Narva scum," the knight growled, his hand curling into a fist. "Or are you too broken to even speak?"
Benjamin's eyes flickered with anger, but he forced himself to remain calm. He remembered Genevie's warning: Stay alive. Ignore whatever they do to you. But as the knight raised his fist again, Benjamin could feel his patience slipping.
"That's enough," came a voice from behind the group. The knights immediately stiffened, and Benjamin glanced up to see Princess Avaloone standing in the doorway, her face partially obscured by a delicate silk fan. Her eyes were cold as they swept over the gathered knights.
"Princess Avaloone, your highness!" the knights stammered, bowing deeply in her presence. Even Benjamin knelt, though his body protested the movement.
Avaloone walked gracefully towards them, her steps slow and deliberate. "I was unaware our kingdom indulged in such barbaric behavior among its own ranks," she said coolly, her voice like ice. The knights dared not meet her gaze.
She stopped in front of the knight who had struck Benjamin and raised her fan slightly, pointing it at him. "You, what is your name?" she asked, her tone sharp and commanding.
The knight hesitated for a moment before responding, his voice quivering. "Federick, your highness."
Avaloone narrowed her eyes. "Leave."
Federick blinked in confusion, unsure if he had heard her correctly. He began to bow and take a step back, thinking she was dismissing him from her presence.
"Where do you think you're going?" Avaloone snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a whip. "Return to where you belong, you insolent wretch."
Realizing the gravity of her command, Federick's eyes widened in horror. He dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the cold stone floor. "I beg your forgiveness, your highness. I promise it won't happen again."
Avaloone regarded him with disdain, her fan slowly covering her mouth as she considered his plea. "I am not the one you should be asking for forgiveness," she said icily, turning her gaze to Benjamin.
Federick's face flushed with embarrassment, his lips trembling as he forced out an insincere apology. "Forgive me...," he mumbled, his voice barely audible.
Benjamin, uncomfortable with the entire situation, simply nodded. "Uh... yes," he muttered, wishing the moment would pass quickly. He had no desire to draw attention to himself, especially not in front of Avaloone.
The knight captain soon arrived, his face pale with worry as he bowed before Avaloone. "Your highness, what seems to be the issue here?" he asked, his voice tight with anxiety.
Avaloone turned her cold gaze on him. "One of your knights has disgraced this kingdom with his behavior. I have dismissed him, but he seems to be under the impression that he can simply bow and be forgiven. Is this the standard of training in your knightly order?" she asked, her voice dripping with contempt.
The captain blanched and quickly bowed again. "On behalf of my knight, I offer my deepest apologies, your highness," he said hastily, sweat beading on his forehead.
Avaloone rolled her eyes beneath her fan, her patience wearing thin. "Your apologies mean nothing to me. You should be apologizing to him," she said, nodding towards Benjamin. Her gaze was sharp, her expression one of barely concealed irritation.
The captain's eyes widened in realization. He quickly turned to Federick and nudged him harshly. "Apologize to the crown princess's knight at once!" he hissed.
Federick, his face red with humiliation, bowed again to Benjamin. "Forgive me," he mumbled, though his tone lacked any real remorse.
Benjamin felt the eyes of everyone in the room on him and wished more than anything to disappear. "Very well," he said quietly, hoping that would be the end of it.
Avaloone cast one last glance at the knights, her eyes gleaming with distaste. "I expect better from the knights of Dradevows. Do not make me regret sparing you," she said coldly before turning on her heel and gliding out of the room, her silk skirts rustling softly against the stone floor.
As soon as she was gone, the tension in the room dissipated slightly. The other knights, now cowed by Avaloone's presence, returned to their business, leaving Benjamin in peace. He stood for a moment, feeling the weight of his exhaustion settle over him once again.
Without a word, he made his way to his bunk and collapsed onto the hard mattress, his mind swirling with thoughts of the future. Genevie's plan, Avaloone's intervention—it all seemed so uncertain. But one thing was clear: he would do everything in his power to protect his princess and help her reclaim the kingdom that had been taken from them.