Read Leticia's Lament: A Cycle of Pain :: Foiled Escape

Drakemorne Mansion,

Midnight,

Midnight draped Drakemorne Mansion in shadows, the moon casting a pale, ghostly glow over its stone walls. Outside Leticia’s bedroom, two guards stood rigidly, their gazes unwavering as they guarded her door. The faintest creak sounded as Elena carefully cracked the door open, peering at the guards.

She sighed and closed the door gently, turning back to Leticia, who was pacing anxiously.

"They didn’t leave," Elena whispered, her expression resigned. "Even though I told them it was your order."

Leticia stopped mid-step, running a hand through her hair as she released a frustrated sigh. "What do I do? What do I do?" she mumbled to herself, her thoughts racing. She turned, crossing the room, then spun back as if an idea might reveal itself if she kept moving.

Elena watched her with concern, then spoke up hesitantly, “How about... not sneaking out alone, Miss?”

Leticia stopped, exhaling heavily as she sat down on the edge of her bed, staring down at her hands. "No, Elena," she said firmly. "I have to go. No matter what it takes."

Elena frowned, watching her mistress with a mix of worry and curiosity. "What could be so important that you need to leave in the dead of night, all on your own?"

Leticia’s gaze drifted to the open balcony, where the night sky stretched out like an endless sea. Her voice softened, and though her eyes remained resolute, a flicker of sadness crossed her face. "I cannot tell you, Elena. Not yet."

The room fell silent, the weight of her secrecy heavy between them.

“I have to go,” Leticia mumbled, an idea forming in her mind. “Even if I have to jump off the balcony...” She paused, her eyes widening with sudden realization.

Her gaze snapped back to the open balcony, an idea forming quickly in her mind. She rose abruptly and moved toward it, excitement flickering in her eyes as she leaned out, surveying the ground below.

“That’s it,” she whispered, a spark of mischief lighting her face. “If I jump off the balcony, no one will ever know.”

Elena’s jaw dropped, her brows knitting together in alarm. “Miss, what do you mean?” she stammered, watching as Leticia looked down, measuring the height with a determined glint.

“I’ll jump,” Leticia repeated, her tone confident. “It’s the only way I can get out without the guards noticing.”

“But, Miss, that’s… dangerous!” Elena protested, her voice barely a whisper as she tried to keep her composure. “If anyone finds out, or worse, if you get hurt—”

Leticia shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Elena, I have no choice. I’ve thought about it over and over, and this is my only way out."

Elena’s eyes went wide, and she reached out, grabbing Leticia’s arm. “Miss, no! Climbing down the balcony? You could get seriously hurt, and if the Duke finds out... he'll... he’ll split my head off!” Her words tumbled out in a frantic rush, her face paling at the thought.

Leticia chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Elena, do you really think I’d just jump?” She raised an eyebrow, looking amused.

Elena blinked, her brows furrowing in confusion. "But... isn’t that exactly what you said?”

Leticia sighed, giving Elena a reassuring smile. “No. I’ll tie a large cloth—something sturdy—and make sure it’s secure. Then I’ll carefully lower myself down.”

Elena let out a relieved breath, though she still looked uncertain. “Are you sure that’ll work, Miss? I mean… what if it slips, or someone spots you?”

“I’ll be cautious,” Leticia assured, her tone calm but determined. “I’ll tie it tightly enough so it won’t slip, and once I’m out of sight, no one will know.”

Elena reluctantly released her grip, still looking nervous. “If you’re set on this... then alright."

Leticia carefully gripped the sturdy cloth she had tied to the balcony pillar. She could feel Elena’s anxious gaze on her from above, whispering urgent words of caution every few seconds.

“Please, Miss, be careful!” Elena’s voice trembled, her hands clasped tightly as she leaned over the balcony, watching Leticia inch her way down.

“I will, Elena,” Leticia whispered back, her focus entirely on the descent. She was almost at the ground. "Just a little more," her feet just a few feet from the grass below, when a low voice cut through the silence.

“And where might my precious little sister be sneaking off to?”

The unexpected words froze Leticia in place, her heart skipping a beat. She looked down, her eyes widening as she saw Raphael standing there, arms folded, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

"R-Raphael,” she stammered, gripping the cloth tighter as she quickly calculated her options. Mumbling to herself, Leticia glanced back up, murmuring, “Is it too late to crawl back up?”

Raphael, catching her words, raised an eyebrow. "Yes, it is," he replied, his tone both firm and teasing.

Leticia sighed, a mixture of frustration and resignation on her face as she reached the ground. "I didn’t think anyone would still be awake,” she muttered, brushing imaginary dust from her clothes.

Raphael chuckled softly, taking a step closer. “I couldn’t sleep, and it seems I’m not the only one.” His gaze softened, though his smirk remained. “Now, tell me, what’s so important that it couldn’t wait until morning?”

Leticia clasped her hands tightly, desperately trying to come up with something plausible. "I… just wanted to get some fresh air in the garden," she stammered, hoping her brother would let it slide.

Raphael's smirk widened, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Oh, really? And did our dear father forget to build stairs for you, or was this balcony-cloth method your preferred way of getting fresh air?"

Leticia shut her eyes, mentally kicking herself. She knew her excuse sounded absurd, even to her. With a deep sigh, she opened her eyes, only to find Raphael's hand tapping lightly on her head.

“At least come up with a proper excuse if you’re going to sneak out,” he chided, a teasing edge to his voice.

Leticia gave up, "Fine, you caught me."

Raphael’s expression softened, though his smile didn’t fade. "Now, are you going to tell me where you were really headed, or shall I call for father?"

She hesitated. "I... I need to take care of something important, brother," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Something I can only do alone."

He studied her for a moment, and then his expression grew serious. “If it’s truly that important, Leticia, then let me help. but... you're not allowed to sneak out alone at night."

Leticia’s shoulders slumped as Raphael’s expression remained resolute, his brows furrowed in determination. She could see he wasn’t going to let this go easily.

"But, brother, you don’t understand!" she pleaded, her voice a mix of urgency and frustration. "This isn’t something I can explain right now."

Raphael’s eyes softened momentarily, a flicker of curiosity in them, but he quickly masked it with a stern gaze. "Leticia, I don’t care. You’re my sister, and I’m not letting you wander alone at night on some mysterious mission you won’t even explain."

She bit her lip, her mind racing, trying to think of a way to convince him without giving too much away. "I’ve planned for this. I’ll be careful, I swear."

He sighed, crossing his arms as he blocked her path. "That’s not good enough," he said firmly. "Either I follow you, or you go back to your room, and this ‘important’ mission of yours waits until morning. It’s your choice, Leticia."

Leticia’s hands clenched at her sides as she looked into his unwavering eyes. She could tell he meant every word; there was no getting around him this time. She took a shaky breath, forcing herself to stay calm.

"Fine," she murmured, barely loud enough for him to hear. "But... if you come along, you have to trust me. No questions. No trying to stop me."

Raphael’s stern expression softened just a bit, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "No questions," he agreed. "But only because I trust you."

Leticia nodded, a spark of relief mixing with her nervousness.