The approaching guard's lantern cast flickering light, threatening to reveal their hiding place. She quickly pushed Elowen back into her cell and hid beside her, hoping the dim lighting would keep them unnoticed.

The guard passed by, his eyes scanning the cells with disinterest. He muttered something under his breath before turning around and leaving the way he came. Jana let out a silent sigh of relief, waiting a few moments to ensure he was truly gone. She then checked the corridor, confirming there were no more guards in sight.

"Let's go," she whispered to Elowen, helping her up. Despite Elowen's condition, they moved as quickly as they could through the secret passages Jana had memorized.

Jana's heart pounded in her chest as they navigated the labyrinthine corridors. Each step brought them closer to her chambers, but the fear of being discovered loomed over them. It was a foolish move, she knew, to bring Elowen here, but the princess's quarters were rarely visited. Jana hoped their luck would hold.

They finally reached her chambers, and Jana hid Elowen in a concealed alcove behind a tapestry. Whenever food or visitors arrived, Jana would make sure Elowen was well hidden, her presence undetected.

Days passed as Elowen slowly regained her strength. The harsh treatment she had endured left her weak and frail, but her spirit remained unbroken. When she was finally able to speak, she recounted her ordeal.

"I was on a mission in 2025," Elowen began, her voice hoarse. "Infiltrating a laboratory that was developing a virus intended to decimate a large portion of the population. Suddenly, all the bracelets of my partners activated, and the scenery around us changed. We found ourselves here. Do you know the reason behind this?"

Jana nodded. "Yes, we had a couple of hypotheses, but this specific one came from Engineer Arnold. He suggested that because the orb was no longer controlling the time jumps in the machine, it took everyone with it to wherever it was. So that confirms at least that the orb is here," she said excitedly.

Elowen nodded. "Yes."

Jana felt a wave of relief. The gloom that had settled over her dissipated. Her crew didn't die for nothing, and her work here wasn't going to be in vain.

Elowen continued her story, her voice sadder as she went on. "Thankfully, we found other timekeepers here. We managed to establish a base, but it didn't last long. We were discovered by these illiterate people," she said with hate. "Each of us tried to escape, hoping fate would favor us. I ran non-stop until I was caught by a slave trader. He sold me from place to place. I barely remember how I ended up in this kingdom."

Jana listened intently, her resolve hardening with each word. Elowen's plea to find her friends was unnecessary; Jana was already determined to do so. It was her duty to reunite the timekeepers and retrieve the orb.

One morning, the advisor summoned Jana with news. "Princess, your marriage date has been set. Your father insists it happen within the week. You should be grateful. If it were up to him, you'd already be in bed with your husband."

Jana returned to her chamber, signaling to Elowen that their plan needed to begin. They aimed to sow discord between the two countries and amongst the commoners. Elowen would infiltrate as a maid, spreading rumors of tax rises, raids, and food shortages. Jana would do the same outside the palace walls.

The rumors spread quickly, igniting the already tense atmosphere. The king's heavy-handed response only worsened the situation, leading to more violence and unrest. Guillotines were in constant use, and chaos reigned.

With the kingdom destabilized from within, Jana knew the next step was to incite an attack from Valtoria. It was a complex plan, but it was the only way to escape her impending marriage and move freely in the Valtorian kingdom.

Her treacherous acts went unnoticed by her kingdom, but the enemy was quick to observe the sudden unrest among the people and traced it back to the princess. They made contact with her through one of their allies within the palace.

Jana was summoned to a secret meeting place, unsure of who she would encounter. When she arrived, she was unsurprised to see the advisor there. He looked shocked to see her. Jana smirked. "I wasn't expecting you," she said mockingly, "but I can't say I'm surprised."

The advisor's face turned pale, his usual smug demeanor faltering. "You shouldn't be here," he hissed. "Do you realize the risk you're taking?"

Jana stepped closer, her voice cold. "I could say the same to you. How do you think my father would react if he knew about your dealings with the Valtorians?"

The advisor's smile vanished, replaced by a menacing glare. "Don't forget, he listens to me. I know everything about this palace and its secrets. It wouldn't be too difficult to turn him against you."

Jana maintained her composure, her eyes locked on his. "Calm down," she said with a calculating smile. "We both have something to gain here. You need a royal face to rally the nobility against my father and make Drakoria a vassal state to Valtoria. And I need to end this war and escape my impending marriage."

The advisor hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Very well, Princess.

The advisor wasted no time arranging recurrent meetings with the nobility, where he introduced Moriana as a crucial part of the kingdom's future. Some of the nobles were displeased with the idea of supporting her, their skepticism thinly veiled in polite disdain. They questioned the legitimacy and capability of the young princess who had been so long neglected and overlooked.

Others, however, saw an opportunity. They began to scheme, recognizing that the fall of the king could provide them with a chance to seize power or gain favor in the new regime. Among them, some were already planning her downfall, hoping to position themselves advantageously in the aftermath. The advisor played his part masterfully, navigating the treacherous waters of court politics with a skill that impressed even Jana.

Amidst the chaos, the proceedings moved swiftly and cleanly. The king, or her supposed father, was judged harshly for his crimes against the people. His brutal methods, oppressive taxes, and unrelenting tyranny had finally caught up with him. The nobles were eager to rid themselves of a ruler who had brought so much suffering.

As the trial unfolded, Jana watched with a mix of satisfaction and anxiety. This was the moment she had worked for, the culmination of her careful plotting. Yet, the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her.

As the trial unfolded, Jana watched with a mix of satisfaction and anxiety. This was the moment she had worked for, the culmination of her careful plotting. Yet, the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her.

Jana found calm in the loud courtroom within the palace. She was happy that for a moment, all she had to do was sit and watch. Suddenly, screams came from outside, and loud voices approached, flinging the grand doors open.