The following morning, a new maid, someone I had never seen before, came in. 

“Good morning Your Highness, my name is Ruan, it is an honour to serve the Second Princess!” 

Not this again.

“I see.” I replied bluntly. 

The new maid walked around the room examining if there were any chores she could do. As she walked around she stopped in front of the chains embedded in the walls. She stared at them and sneakily glanced at my ankles- where the shackles were at. I’m not sure what to call it but her stare, it felt like… like she was happy seeing my situation 

A noble has many enemies in their life, whether they know them or not, people always hate others when they’re even slightly better off than them. You see it the most in big towns. Rich nobles look down on small business owners. Those business owners look down on vendors. Vendors look down on the unemployed. People always look for a sense of pride in their lives. 

In my situation, I am the second princess of this kingdom. In the people’s eyes, I have lived a life of luxury. And yet now, that same princess is currently engaged to a notorious duke, locked up and chained in her room.

The maid turned away and walked near the window. She started picking up the few pieces of clothing lying around. She thought she was safe to express her opinion but little did she know. The window displayed a clear reflection of her face and the glorious and joyful expression that rested on it. 

My fate is worse than the maid standing in front of me, and that’s why she’s happy. 

And I agree with her. 

I rather work as a servant or maid than be locked up here without a life. 

When will that day come… Please hurry. 

Knock. Knock. 

Mervin is here.

The maid picked up the clothes and brought them up to her face trying to hide her expression. Mervin opened the door and the maid lowered her head and quickly ran out the room. Mervin turned to look at the maid that just left. He also had an expression I had never seen before… he looked angry. 

“Why are you here, Mervin?” I must be seeing things. 

“Your highness, another letter has arrived for you.” He instantly turned back at me and replied in a soft tone. He softly smiled at me showing no signs of anger or displeasure. 

Right! I was definitely seeing things. 

“You can leave it there, I will read it later.” Mervin bowed and placed the letter on the table. 

He stepped back and walked towards the window. He silently stood in front of it for a couple of minutes.  

“Mervin!” 

A question had been cursing my brain for the past week. Lucy’s disappearance, maybe Mervin knows something. 

“Yes your highness!” 

“Lucy- can you tell me what happened to Lucy?” At this point, all I wanted to know was one thing. 

“Your Highness, that…” He looked a bit flustered. “I’m sorry to tell you this but-” 

“IT’S FINE!” 

I’m tired of hearing this again.

I don’t want to know anymore. 

“Forget I asked. Leave.” 

Mervin bowed and walked towards the door. I noticed him looking back at me with worry and then he quietly left the room. 

Lucy is gone… 

Since I have been locked up in this small and gloomy room, Lucy was always there keeping an eye on me. 

It was hard to stay optimistic and there were moments when I just couldn’t take it anymore. 

My future, I couldn’t see it anymore. 

I wanted everything to just end. 

I had no family missing me, my fiance is not even a human, I don’t even have any friends- no, Elise, Mona and Lucy were my first friends, but because they were nice to me…

Because of me… 

They’re no longer here. 

All because of me. 

And now their families would suffer, 

All because I came into their lives. 

I can’t make anyone happy, my life is a curse. 

I’m a curse. 

That deep trench of darkness that swallowed my mind before suddenly reopened and I could feel myself falling back into it. 

Swoosh!  

A sudden gust of wind flew into the room. 

Wait- Wind!? 

The window can’t be opened… that square of glass that I thought was fixed into the wall was wide open. 

But who… Mervin was standing at the window earlier. Was he opening the window? But why? 

I got out of the bed and walked up to the window. 

I have spent almost four months in this room and this was the first time I felt a fresh breeze on my face. 

I felt like I could breathe. 

The tower I was locked in was on the east side of the house, but because it was the corner tower, I had a small view to the front of the mansion. 

There were lots of boxes piled up in the courtyard. Most of the boxes were filled with knight armour and swords. They were preparing ammunition for the war. 

The war must be starting soon. Doesn’t that mean the Duke won’t be here then? 

Why does that matter? I can’t escape anyways. 

Clunck Clack! 

As long as these cursed shackles are on me, this window is as far as I can reach my freedom. 

I sat at the window and the cool breeze filled the room. I haven’t felt this peace in such a long time. The pure comfort brought my eyes to a daze and soon I drifted off to a nice dream. 

…… 

Knock. Knock. 

The sound of the door blew my eyes awake. The window was still open but the sky was dark. 

Was I sleeping this entire time!? 

Knock. Knock. 

“Your Highness, it’s Mervin!” 

I closed the window and jumped back to the bed, “Come in!” 

The butler walked in carrying a tray of food. 

GRUMBLE~ 

Ahhhh! So embarrassing! My stomach has never grumbled this loudly before. 

Mervin turned his head to the side. The corners of his mouth went up slightly. 

“You can laugh.” I had forgotten about feeling embarrassed. I never really had much of an appetite, so this was a first. 

Mervin placed the meal in front of me and stepped back.

“If you need anything else, please let me know.” 

“Mervin!” 

Did he really open that window? Or was it merely luck that the wind was so strong it blew it open? If Mervin did not open it then would he close it? 

“Your highness?” 

Can I trust him? 

“Nevermind, it’s nothing. You can go, I will call you once I’m done.” 

He looked slightly disappointed at my silence but still left the room on my words. 

Mervin was acting suspicious but I didn’t want to take any risks. 

TBC