A decade later
Layla breathed heavily her hunger blinded her. " I will take care You can leave " she heard him.
Finally.
" Layla, look who is back" the boy smiled sadly. Layla pulled herself with her tattered clothes. The cell smelled damp with nothing but a bathroom at a corner. Her wrist and ankles sore from the chains. Layla smiled weakly at her only escape ," brother you have come"
Liam shuffled next to her ,pulled her into a tight hug.
Layla pushed him ," your clothes will get ruined . You look dressed up" .
" Ha....i dont care. My sister comes first. Here" he pulled a small packet from his coat. A bun. A sweet bun.
Layla grabbed hungrily and pushed them into hee mouth. The flavor ignited her senses. She licked her hands for the last bit of it.
" Look at you. I am more saddened than the state before." Liam stared at her.
" this is way better than being drowned or poisoned. Oh! Don't mention them cutting my limb off , it took a day to grow it back. The pain was immense. Starvation , i can handle it, with you sneaking food in" Layla chuckled lightly.
Liam looked away.
It's killing him!
"There is nothing I can do. I am sorry I should protect you but i am a coward" Liam brushed her cheek.
" Brother, what can you do? This world sees women as a threat , don't they? . Guess they were just scared . This isn't your fault. You have been there for me through all of my hardships" Layla smiled weakly.
" I want to get you out but i am not strong enough. Not yet. Will you wait for me?" Liam pleaded.
" Strong enough!! You are nothing but strong. You are just 15 and you are already a captain . A swordmaster , right!?"
" I thought i told boring stories but you really catch on. You really are gifted" Liam smiled.
A curse.
" How are you holding on? Anything i have to know?" Liam asked.
" Nothing much. Just old tattered walls. A bread a day . I am surviving with water. To be honest, a lot better. But the pain is deafening sometimes. His majesty doesn't give me audience either. I have been asking him for three years, each time I get punished. You see the result of last time, I am getting starved." Layla said.
" You dont change , do you? . I am baffled how you handling it. Well today is crown prince birthday , the whole kingdom celebrates it without the actual prince as always. I will sneak in a cake later. Don't let the guards pick on you" Liam ruffled her hair.
" You really need to wash up." Liam said, as he pulled his hand away.
" ya. It's been three days. They will let me have a wash at the prison bathroom." Layla consciously smelled her.
" Liam ! It's time. Let's get going"
Layla saw him. Same cold blue eyes. Nothing but resentment and shame.
" I will come tomorrow . Make sure to wash up " liam winked and left.
As soon as they door closed , Layla slumped down.
Stupid brother. He is growing on me.
Layla breathed slowly as she stared at the ceiling. No sunlight . No food.
Why won't death take me?!! What am I doing here? Is this like a fantasy novel ?
She looked at her regrown hand. " guess, you hate me too much to take me, huh?!!"
A door banged open . The guards appeared ," you!! Get up ! "
Layla stared at them. " what are you looking at?" A guard gave her a blow with the back of the sword.
Damn it!!
Layla glared and the guard didn't hold back . " you witch! How dare you !" He beat her again.
Her cheeks swollen . She slowly started walking. Two guards in the front , two guards at the back. Her chain dragging along with her.
They climbed the stairs . The prison fading behind them.
The king finally got his senses on. I can't go on with this pain , I hope he behead me but I don't know if it will work though . Curse of being immortal.
She saw herself in front of a door. Two swords crossed at each other with a moon and a sun in between them. The doors opened. The lights blinded her.
Layla squinted at the room she was in . Layla was pushed forward. The carpet was red with golden linings.
" Look at her. Thats her!!"
" What a witch! I bet she is cunning!"
" Why is the king keeping her? A toy perhaps"
Hushed whispers followed her.
Sorry people. Death won't take me
Suddenly , her knees buckled. A force pushing her down.
" Leave us alone" a cold voice echoed the hall. Shuffling footsteps and a complete silence.
" rise your head." The voice commanded.
Layla shuddered and slowly she saw . The golden blond hair with his eyes royal blue like sapphires.
" She has her eyes. Doesnt she?, William " the king chuckled at his friend . " let's not mention her . Shall we? " William grumbled.
" So what offer do you have?!" The king leaned curiously.
Now he wants to talk .
" Your majesty. I am an immortal i assume. I am sure you have a mission at ready, your highness" layla bowed
Please say yes ! Please say yes!
" NO!"
What!!
" However i am interested in your offer. Tell me more"
" your majesty, use me. Use me as your weapon. The weapon that brings victory. A deadly weapon. If I do die, you are free of threat. If I don't , your kingdom expands. "
Which i wish not!
" take her away" the king shouted.
Wait, this isnt right. I cant go through pain everyday like that.
" Your highness, I am begging you! I will be loyal to you , only to you. I will do anything you ask of me , within my power . Please" Layla struggled at the guards
" Well,well...came to your senses. How dare you suggest what i do with you. Fine! Look presentable tomorrow. Now away!" The king shooed her. The guards stopped pulling her.
Someone hugged her from behind.
" Brother!!"
" Finally! Thank ypu, your majesty! I am really grateful , you granted her audience . " laim bowed.
" Anything for my knight. You can have her as you want" the king smiled ear to ear.
I didn't know he could smile like that.
" Come lets go. Lets get you freshen up" liam pulled her away from the king.
" You are ok with this?" The king whsipered to william . " i cant go againest my son. He is...." william whispered but stopped.
What is happening? Did Liam do something? Am I...really not in trouble?