While planning, they hoped for some reasons that nobody was going to be there and that it would be empty of any humans or souls. Sadly, it wasn't the case. The bright light coming out of the open door and the voices didn't lie.

Varian took his bravery with both hands and walked past the door unoticed.

Relieved, he reached out for the door knob, the last one he had to open.

-What about Camalia ?

The alchemist froze.

-She said she had a crisis last month. And we're only three weeks away from... You know.

Varian leaned on the wall beside the door.

-We all know that when someone is with her, she isn't supposed to live the crisis. The boy was. She still had it. It's getting stronger.

What was Stan talking about ? If it was a... Panic attack... It isn't how it works. Because it was one. She told him it was. She wouldn't lie to him.

-I don't think she'll "handle" the one that's coming like she usually does.

-Oh, come on, it's been ten years ! She always came out of it just fine, why would this time be different ?

-Because of the boy. What are you saying, Stan ?

-I think, Captain, that we have to consider the safety of the castle before hers.

It was not about panic attacks. Clearly not. She lied. She broke his trust. She-

-She'll handle it, Stan. She always handled her curse, no matter how violent. She is strong, she will be fine, and so will the castle. The curse won't get the better of her.

Varian felt his knees become weak. He slid on the ground, shocked, unable to speak, to scream, to cry. She is cursed. She lied. She betrayed his trust, she manipulated him, she used him. She betrayed his trust. She betrayed him. She betrayed. Betrayal. How could he be so stupid. Betrayal. How could he even think about her being his friend. Betrayal. She never even cared about him. Betrayal. She is just like everyone else. Betrayal. She can't be trusted. Betrayal. She is just like Rapunzel.

Tears ran down his face and anger replaced fear. He understood everything now. How she kept secrets when she forced him to reveal his. Why she pushed him away. After all, she tried to use him to her advantage but since he was so useless, she didn't need him anymore. How she got mad whenever he tried to know her better. She.. she just wanted him to get rid of her curse.

And when she saw earlier that he couldn't even help her to get a simple melody, she decided to get rid of him. That's what happened. How foolish of him to have trusted anyone again. He was so stupid. He clenched his fists and angrily wiped his tears.

Varian wanted to go back, to scream his frustration, his pain, to yell and cry his broken trust out. He wanted her to know what she did to him, how she just broke him more than before. How he thought she was the solution when really... She was the curse.

But would she cares about what he think ? He had the chance to get away from that toxic person forever, he had to take it.

He got up, trying to forget all the good memories he had with her, all the laughters and hang outs, all the happiness he felt, when really everything was just fake.

He only knew her for four months, but it felt like so much more.

He reached out for the door handle again.

He had to convince himself that she didn't smile or play with Ruddiger. She didn't laugh and talked with him. She didn't help him out nor was she there for him. It was all a lie.

He only knew her for four months, but she took so much space in his heart.

Varian opened the door and the fresh air of night clashed with the warm light.

He had to believe that she never trusted him with anything, that he never saw the real her. That all of what happened never truly did. That he never cared. He never was her friend. He never was, and never will.

He was used, manipulated, lied to, like he didn't matter, again.

He was alone, again.

He stepped out and without a look back, he left.

Camalia was woken up with violence. It was early morning, and she faced the mad look of Captain.

-How could you ?!

The music mage stayed calm. She sat on the bed, and hold his gaze without shivering.

-I told you he was dangerous. I told you to not set him free. I should have never, ever, let you two meet.

She didn't say anything. She looked tired and empty. She let the man yell and shake the bars, scream and grunts. But she didn't answer. She just held his look.

Realizing it was useless, Cap stopped. He looked at her. He had always knew the girl. He remembered the first time he saw her.

A scared, dirty little thing, crying it's eyes out, saying over and over again she needed to find the white snakes. She just stole an apple, and the king and queen were nice to her, despite their own loss.

They asked someone to take care of her in the castle, but she refused. The four years old, terrified, in an unknown place filled with unknown people, stood her ground to the royalty. Little Camalia said she didn't need anyone to take care of her, that she already had her snakes. She said she just needed food and a place where she couldn't hurt anyone anymore.

Everyone was confused back then. Nobody knew what to do. So, Captain took the matter in his own hands. He suggested to put her in jail. Of course, the court was shocked, but he explained it was what the child was asking. And if they could make it comfortable and nice to live in, it could be a place she would like. At first, the queen completely disagreed, and the king hesitated. But they both trusted Captain. They said the child would try a cell three days. And she had to be nicely treated and fed, had a comfortable bed and a key to unlock.

In the middle of all that grown-up talk, little Camalia didn't understand much. But she decided to follow Captain anyway when he led her to the prison. They did exactly as said, and when the little guitare girl discovered she could lock the place she was in, a bright smile appeared on her face.

Captain will never forget that smile. It was the first time she saw her smile, and even if she was dirty and skinny, it warmed up his heart.

Her very first crisis amongst them was terrible. They heard screams in the middle of the night, and when they ran down to see what was going on, they saw the child on the ground, shivering, whimpering and grunting, and behind her, two giants snakes. Horrified, the two guards Captain was with immediatly ran away. But he stayed. He opened the cell and threaten the snakes with his sword. By the time he even took his weapon, they were already gone.

All that was left was an unconscious child, with sweaty palms and weak members. Captain spent the whole night with her in his arms. Whenever the snakes were back and she started trembling again, he would press her against his chest and she would calm down.

It was the very first time he learned about her curse.

The little girl became an healthy and dynamic ten years old, but still with crisis every year. But years after years, Captain presence was being less and less effective, until one night, one of the snakes almost bit his arm off. From that moment on, he stopped coming. He couldn't risk the safety of the kingdom for a child. If he had been hurt or dead, no one at that time could have replaced him. At least that's what his men said to convince him not to go back.

He still spent a lot of his breaks with the girl, to entertain her and play with her. It was getting really lonely and boring for her, but she always refused to leave.

As time went on, her crisis were getting worse and worse. But she was always able to resist and face the snakes with bravery, despite her trembling legs.

Last year, a new guard was doing his routine check up of the prison, when he heard noises from Camalia's cell. What he saw scared him to the bone and he quit the next day. He refused to talk about it, and no one could force him.

All of that participated to the decision of putting Varian in the cell across hers. He thought that maybe they could help eachothers. Camalia was known and appreciated in the entire castle, and she had a good heart. She could have helped the young boy out of his despair. She could have saved him. And in return, the alchemist could give her a friend, someone to talk to.

And yet, the result was there, in front of his eyes. He didn't know when, but it wen't wrong. He didn't know when, but he knew why. He was refusing to admit it, but he knew it. That curse that forced her to live underground for years and to reject every form of affection had ruined her life yet again.

Captain sighed.

He knew those empty eyes and that posture. As he was yelling his frustration and hurt to her, she was fighting the snakes.

He wish he could help her.

He wish he could do anything to get her out of that hell she lives in.

He wish he could.

-Camalia, I am sorry, but we'll be taking your key away from now on. You helped a traitor, so you'll be considered as one too. Hand over your key, please.

Without a word, without even shivering, without a light of understanding in her eyes, she handed over the piece of metal.