"Come in," said the king from behind the door.

Even though he just told her to get in, she hesitated. Once inside, with penguin steps, she slowly closed the door.

As the day before, she was met with a pitch black mass. Yet it was something she came to expect.

The room was so quiet, every little rub could be heard. If she moved, it would have made quite the commotion.

While she stood in place waiting for his orders, she couldn't help but hope that his voice, like yesterday, would guide her to safety again.

Then she noticed that the king's presence appeared more intense today. Did he wait for her? Somehow the air felt heavy.

Elisi's legs became uneasy. The silence prompted her to move.

Would it be a good idea to walk towards him and check on him?

Suddenly, she could hear him moving.

"Did Sebastian train you to be a healer?"

Elisi went into a soldier's position.

"Yes." she tried her best to say it with a confident voice, yet failed to make much sound.

"And tell me... where are you from?".

Nobody since she arrived asked her that question before. People weren't interested and although she studied a about this unknown world, she had no experiences outside the palace.

Knowing the actual answer would sound too crazy, she said the name of the town she read about the most in Sebastian's library.

"From Merician, your Majesty",

"Merician? mmm, interesting, what did your parents do?"

Elisi could tell his he was getting closer and closer, like a wolf in the middle of a hunt.

Each word they spoke cast a wave that slightly sent her back each time they spoke, step by step.

"No, n...no, they were merchants"

She could perceive her inevitable fall into an endless hole.

Her words were so small one could wonder if she said anything at all, but the king could hear her deception very loud and clear, so much she could tell.

Something bad was coming for her. He was about to say something, and every part of her body got tense.

"Do not lie to me!!!" echoed in the room like a loud growl.

Elisi jumped.

Now not only her words were getting smaller, but her body shrunk as if he squashed her with his fingers.

He was too close.

Like a wild animal with a push, he pinned her against the wall. She knew if she made the wrong move, he would have bitten her to death.

The wall was cold and sent shivers down her spine.

"Who are you!?"

She couldn't speak a word. All she could do was try to hide her face with her arms.

He pushed harder. Her bones sank in.

"I... I ... l did... didn't do anything, I... I don't know! I..."

"Did my brother send you?!"

Elisi wanted to crawl down and disappear.

His heavy arm kept pushing against her chest, making it hard to breathe. Even if it was dark, she could feel his intimidating presence. She couldn't help but flinch at his menacing mien.

"I looked for information, but there is nothing about you"

Of course, the king would be suspicious, she understood. She did lie to the king.

Her only chance to stay alive was to tell the truth. She did not want to be accused of treason. That was the last thing she wanted. It could put Sebastian and Tiago in trouble as well.

"I'm... I'm not from here"

"This is your last opportunity to tell me!"

"Where are you from!?" The king pushed harder.

She held onto his arm for support, even though he was hurting her.

"I.... I don't know why! I ss...swear! I... I don't know anything. I just a...appeared in this place," Elisi pleaded.

"What's that place called?"

"It's called earth and... and the country is..." the phrases jumbled.

He took his arm off of her and angrily backed off.

Elisi legs became weak. She collapsed like plumage onto the floor.

The room was echoing Elisi's efforts to keep air in her chest.

"Rizzie..."

Elisi looked up in shock.

Did he just say my name?

How could he know?

"I read your mind, I could see most of it"

She was scared and amazed.

"P.. P... Please don't call me Rizzie, my name is e...e... elisi, your majesty"

She wanted to leave all her past behind.

Elisi was about to cry when she heard her previous name being spoken by the king and by herself.

That name was attached to too many unpleasant experiences that she hoped not to hear that name anymore.

Why is he doing this to her?