Eilownia let out a loud sigh. Marix's venture in interrogation today wasn't the worst thing imaginable, but it certainly wasn't by any means comfortable.
Her upper hips pressed into the hard flooring, putting pressure on her back. Her arm and legs were held in the air by rope. One of her arms was free, causing her back to twist at an awkward angle.
She reached for a small rock that had dislodged from the wall. Her body contorted even more, causing her to wince as she stretched. The muscles in her ribs and around her diaphragm screamed at her to stop, but she was almost there.
Her fingers reached out until her index finger could barely touch it. Then she used the friction between that one small contact point and the floor to flick the rock towards herself.
With one more stretch, she had it in her hand.
"Oh-!" Eilownia shut her eyes tight and scrunched up her nose as she let out a slow and steady breath. Now that her body had relaxed, the burning from the stretch was causing her muscles to cramp.
She inhaled through her nose and exhaled slowly through her mouth again before breathing a sigh of relief once the cramping halted.
Once her body calmed down, she looked at the small rock in her hand. It was dark, somewhat round, and jagged.
It reminded her of the rock wall at home that had collapsed and allowed her freedom. She couldn't help but smile.
"Will you grant me freedom as well?"
She shifted her body again, so she could rub the rock against the floor. She created two lines.
Even though she didn't have access to a window or to the light of the world above, she could get somewhat of an idea of how much time was passing. Judging by when Marix had come in and the way the guards changed their shifts.
After drawing a few designs around the two lines she'd just made, she stared up at the ropes that were suspending her limbs.
She wiggled them, trying to get some of the feeling back in them, but it wasn't much use. All three limbs were growing heavy, pulling on the ropes and causing them to dig into her wrists and ankles.
The best she could do was to lightly hit her arm and legs with her free fist.
As she was attempting to massage herself, she heard the creak of the cell door opening. Due to her position, there was no way for her to see who was coming in.
"Hello?" She asked, trying to lift her head to get a peek.
One of the guards appeared next to her. She didn't get to see them, other than when she was first brought in and recognized the uniform. He had a thick, black beard and wrinkles around his eyes.
He tossed a piece of white cloth onto her torso. It concealed something around inside of it, something that was soft but made a light 'plop' noise upon landing on her.
She fumbled with it for a moment, trying to make sure it didn't fall onto the floor before properly grabbing it and unfolding the fabric. It was warm to the touch and had a faint aroma.
Inside was thick, round piece of bread. She looked up at the guard confused. Bread? She hadn't eaten anything since she arrived in the dungeon. Hadn't Marix said no food or water?
She hadn't thought about food or hunger until now. Her stomach let out a loud growl as if it had just woken up from a long slumber.
"That's all you get, so make it last girl. General's orders." He crossed his arms. They were so muscular she was sure his uniform would rip at any moment. But as she stared, he gently kicked her in the side.
"Stop staring and eat what the General has graced you with thankfully. I have to make sure Princess doesn't choke."
She squinted her eyes to better examine it and flipped it around. It was firm, but spongey and from what she could see, a delectable golden brown. The best part yet?
No mold.
Not a fuzzy little patch in sight!
It wasn't that hot in her hand but she was sure she could feel some steam still coming off of it.
"This is for me? I can have it?" She looked up at him, her eyebrows knitted as hope shined in her eyes. Although, to him it would just look like the reflection of the torchlight from a filthy prisoner.
"Yes, girl. Did you not hear me? Do you think I relay things as the General's orders so casually?" He kicked her with his boot again, "If I say it's the General's orders, that's equivalent to the law around here."
She nodded and smiled as she looked down at the bread again.
"I see~ He has sent me some bread to eat. He's so kind and thoughtful."
The guard shook his head and cackled.
"It's just one piece of bread a day. Just enough so you won't starve to death. That is kind and thoughtful to you? He was right, you do enjoy playing the fool don't you!"
Her smile widened, "So this bread truly is for me. He wants to make sure I'm taken care of."
The guard stared at her, his eyebrows slightly furrowed as he blinked slowly, trying to comprehend the stupidity of what she'd just said. "Taken care of? He just doesn't want you starving to death before he finishes his interrogation. Don't you get it?"
She stared up at him and tilted her head, the smile on her face not fading, "Isn't that taking care of me? This bread is for me, from him."
He rubbed his chin and sucked on his lip, "I....I suppose it is. If you…..well if you think about it like that then yes, yes it is, but it's not in the way you are thinking about it I suppose-Ah! You're muddling my head!"
"I'm sorry." She laughed a bit and looked back at the bread, squeezing it gently. Not a single crumb fell from it and it maintained its shape.
"Spongey~" Without thinking about it, she spoke her thought out loud.
The guard smirked and laughed, "I'm so sorry, Princess!" He mocked, "Is it not to your liking? Let me contact the chef. What would you prefer? Duck? Ham? A hearty helping of vegetables? And what would you like for dessert?"
Eilownia perked up and smiled wider. She took a moment to think.
"Yes please! I've never had any of that before, but it all sounds really delicious~ Whatever is easiest to whip up! I wouldn't want to cause trouble or be burdensome~"
Her mouth filled with saliva at the thought. It was similar to what was described in her novel and she'd practically spent her life dreaming of tasting them. Would they be just like she imagined? Oh! Well, if it was anything like the honey cake she had at the festival then it would be no doubt delightful!
The guard just laughed harder, "Are you simple, girl? Of course we won't be doing something like that. Fool. Oh my, my, now I know why General Marix is so frustrated by you! Devilish thing you are! Whoever trained you, whoever hired you, certainly picked well."
He exited the cell and slammed the cell door, laughing as he walked down the hall to tell the other guards.
She could hear them all start laughing as they made fun of her, but it was nothing knew, the maids back home did that plenty enough.
Yet, her smile faded into a frown, and her shoulder slumped.
'Am I really so laughable? Am I really such a fool? What is the difference between us? I have two feet, two hands, a face….I am a person too. Aren't I?'
Her eyebrows furrowed as she thought more, 'Why am I destined to be locked away? Have I truly done something so wrong?'
Unfortunately, her shoulder couldn't slump any further and she was left to do nothing other than push away her thoughts and feelings and focus on what was right in front of her – the bread.
She held it up and examined it again. There really was no mold on it. It wasn't hard and when she tapped it against her leg, it didn't feel like a rock!
The scent of it was very light, so she held it close to her nose and inhaled deeply, savoring the doughy scent.
It made her mouth water even more which caused her to gulp hard.
She took a small bite of it and chewed slowly, trying to make it last like the guard said, and because she didn't know what her future held. There may be no bread again in the future, or at least none that was mold free.
As she chewed, she couldn't help but let out a soft moan.
'It's delicious and soft!'
Unlike other breads she'd had, it wasn't too dry. Despite that, she was still left feeling thirsty, but Marix hadn't left her with anything to drink.
'I need water....' She thought as she coughed from the dryness in her mouth.
At least it was much more filling and delicious than what she usually got to eat!