Ingrid as she walked, accompanied by the guards, abruptly stopped. Then, she turned to the view of one of the guards.
"Let me see your key. Is it protective enough?"
One of the guard blinked, then showed her the bunch of keys.
Ingrid eyed it softly. Then, took the third one she saw him use to open the cell gate. Her eyes took in its features, then she dropped it.
"Good." She plainly said and smiled at him.
The Queen walked swiftly toward her chambers as Oren's words replayed in her mind, refusing to leave her. Damon was going to execute an innocent girl. All in the name of what? His endless quest for power.
She gritted her teeth. She had always loathed him, but now her rage had deepened into something far darker. She could still see it clearly, the fear in poor Nyssa's eyes. Her entire family was wiped out. No hope for a brighter future.
The Queen's steps came to an abrupt halt again. Her brows furrowed slightly as she took another turn down the corridor, her eyes narrowing with resolve.
She would have a word with Damon.
…
Nyssa couldn't believe her ears. "What do you mean by a plan?"
Oren chuckled softly. "Yes. Do you know how to use empathy and pity to get people to do your bidding?"
Nyssa blinked. "You mean… deceit?"
He laughed under his breath. "No, not that, Princess. You're truly in a terrible state, but you have the ability to twist people's emotions, not maliciously though, but for them to feel deeply for you, even when they aren't at fault."
Nyssa pressed her lips into a thin line, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"So," she asked gently, "what are you driving at?"
She heard him shift as he turned to face her. Oren's eyes had already adjusted to the darkness, though he could tell Nyssa still struggled to see him clearly, only his silhouette.
"The Queen," he said quietly, "she's our plan."
Nyssa frowned. "Someone you met minutes ago?"
"I can feel her fury toward that scumbag," Oren replied. "We can use it to our advantage."
Nyssa exhaled heavily. "So what do you think she'll do? Persuade Damon to stop the execution?"
"She could help us escape," Oren said, lifting a brow.
Nyssa sighed again, her shoulders slumping. Everything just felt hopeless.
"Oren… I-I think we should just accept our fate," she murmured.
"Why have you lost hope?"
"There was never any hope to begin with!" Tears stung her eyes, and she blinked rapidly to keep them from falling. Her voice cracked as she sniffed.
Oren's expression softened. He turned his gaze toward the cell entrance once more. "Nyssa."
She lifted her head. It was the first time he had called her by name.
"Have you seen the state of Trontine?"
She gulped.
"It's desolate," he continued. "Filled with grief and lamentation."
Pain pierced her chest, and she buried her face into her drawn-up knees.
"The people," Oren went on, "wail and cry for freedom. For anyone at all… to look at them and offer help."
Nyssa's body trembled. Why was he reminding her of her pain?
"Imagine," he said gently, "if they were to realize their princess was still alive."
Slowly, she lifted her head.
"Imagine the hope," he continued, "that faint reassurance that someday, things would be well again."
Tears streamed down her cheeks now as she shook her head.
"No… even if I'm alive, of what use am I? What can I do? I'm weak and useless," she broke down into sobs.
Oren scooted closer and gently took her hands. Nyssa gasped softly at the warmth of his touch.
"Your hands," she whispered. "They're so…warm."
She looked up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes. He smiled faintly.
"I've always had warm hands," he said. "Can you feel how even that little warmth made you feel better?"
Nyssa fluttered her lashes.
"That's how hope works," he said softly. "Small and fleeting. But powerful."
His hands moved to her cheeks, cupping them gently. Nyssa's heart skipped.
"Your face is warm," he murmured.
She blushed harder, though he couldn't see it.
"Princess," he continued, "you are not weak. You are not useless. You are Princess Nyssa of Great Trontine; the Green Pearl, the Moon of Our Land."
Her eyes widened. "You remember… my nicknames."
"Who wouldn't?" he chuckled. "You are precious to your people. A gift sent from the Heavens."
Another tear slipped down her cheek, and Oren wiped it away slowly.
"So don't ever think you're useless," he said quietly. "Okay?"
She nodded. "O… okay."
He smiled. "Good."
As he pulled away, Nyssa felt a strange ache bloom in her chest due to the emptiness where his warmth had been. It was as if…she didn't want him to retreat.
She swallowed softly.
"It's better we try and fail," Oren said, "than not try at all."
Her hands curled into loose fists.
"That way, we know we fought..for ourselves, and for our people."
Nyssa wiped her cheeks and smiled faintly.
"You know how to give a speech."
He chuckled, deep and warm, that made her chest flutter.
"I have many talents." That made her smile widen.
"So let's hope the Queen can do something."
Nyssa nodded and moved a little closer to him.
"Oren…" she called after a few moments of silence.
"Hm?"
"Thank you," she whispered, clutching the sides of her gown.
He smiled. "Anytime, Princess."
Queen Ingrid made her way to her husband's chambers. Upon seeing the guards, she announced calmly, "I'm here to see the Kin-Emperor."
Oh dear, she really wasn't used to his new title.
The guards bowed. "My Queen, His Majesty is currently occupied."
Her eyes narrowed. "Occupied with what?"
The guards gulped. "M-my Queen… he-he's–"
"Let. Me. In." She smiled, but a wary smile that made one uneasy.
"Y-Your Majesty, please bear with us. We don't want to anger His Majesty."
"But you're free to anger me?" she tilted her head.
"No! Not at all, Your Majesty."
She nodded briefly. "Then let me in. No need to announce my arrival. And do not worry, I'll ensure he doesn't punish you."
She flashed a sweet smile.
The guards exchanged nervous looks, then nodded. "O-okay, Your Majesty."
They opened the door.
"Your Majesty, I've–"
"Mm!"
Ingrid froze.
Her words died instantly as she stepped inside to see Damon hunched over a trembling maid, thrusting into her. His hand was clamped over the girl's mouth to stifle her sounds.
Ingrid's eyes widened.
Damon snapped his eyes open at the sound of her voice and froze when he met her dark gaze.
He hurriedly pulled himself away, letting the young maid collapse weakly onto the bed.
"I-Ingrid!" he stammered. "What are you doing here?"
He stared at her in shock, fully aware of the fury and disgust burning in her eyes.