Thea

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Raphael had an excellent ability to inspire terror and fear, as well as to calm and encourage. It was his confidence that we shouldn’t worry about unexpected guests that made me drop my excitement and anxiety.

He waited for me to take a quick bath and wash off the traces of our childish entertainment. Although he was on the verge of going to take a bath with me, but my stern look made it clear to him that I would not tolerate disputes in this regard. We had a serious conversation that could not be postponed any longer.

I came out of the bathroom, changed into a clean new dress that I never dreamed of wearing again. It’s still amazing to me that everything here has remained untouched. Everything remained in its place, although the guards must have combed everything inside and out on the day of my disappearance.

While I was smoothing my dress and putting my brown hair in order, I noticed Raphael’s gaze in the mirror reflection. He followed my every move with rapture and when our eyes crossed, he just smirked smugly. I shook my head, rolling my eyes. Oh, these men, just give me a reason to stare at a woman.

- That’s it, now I’m ready, and we can talk. - Turning to face him, I said.

- I’m all in anticipation. – narrowing his eyes, he said slowly. – Start with the one who changed your appearance? That dark hair looks good on you, but I prefer the light ones more.

I slowly walked towards him and stretched out my hand, unclenching the palm in which I was holding my mother’s birth ring. Tilting his head, he frowned and looked at the ring, and then back at me.

- It’s Mom’s ring. She received it on her wedding day from my grandmother. It is passed down in our family through the female line and has some magic.

Raphael took the ring from me and twisted it from side to side, studying it. All his attention was focused on my story and occasionally he nodded his head, as if letting me know that he was listening and understood everything.

- I’ve never used it before, I didn’t believe that it could help me, since I have absolutely no magical power. But when you left, leaving me alone, I remembered about him and decided I wouldn’t lose anything if I tried.

- What is the magic of the ring capable of? - Raphael interrupted me.

- Mom said that his magic is not limitless and justifies itself in those cases when I especially need it. Yesterday I tried to find the Artemis artifact with his help, but nothing came of it. It does not respond to this request. – I saw how these words made the king tense up.

- But it opened the way to the dungeon. I went down and found...

- What did you do? - he raised his tone sharply, frowning even more.

I could feel that dark aura that always surrounded him when he was in a bad mood waking up in him again.

- Why do you always put yourself in danger? And if someone caught you there? - he tried to keep his emotions under control, but I could see that he was angry.

- But everything worked out. I’m here, alive and well. - I hastened to justify myself.

- Dexter, Richard. - his voice went loudly into the emptiness of the room and the next moment his confidants were next to him.

I was taken aback by this appearance. They weren’t in the room and no one opened the portal. As soon as we return to Abion, Raphael will not escape from the questions.

Both of his men were dressed in the clothes of the Riliyan guards and were now standing waiting for their king’s instructions.

- The dungeon is protected by ancestral magic, so we couldn’t find it. It’s time to go through everything there. - The Duke and Count asked no questions and only nodded approvingly.

- That’s not all. – I intervened again and all eyes were turned to me.

- Tell me. - Raphael ordered.

- There’s something like an underground prison and a lot of cells entangled with magic. And people... They’re so exhausted. We have to help them. - I looked at the king with a sad face.

- Come on, show me.

He took my hand and stroked my head, assuring me that he was next to me and everything would be fine.

I summoned the magic of the ring again and opened the passage leading to the dungeon. Raphael did not let me pass first, sending first Count Garnway, the head of his intelligence group, a man who collected classified information. The Duke of Parmont came down next, and only then Raphael, followed by me dragging my legs. The already familiar steps, damp walls overgrown with moss and again a dull silence, except for the quiet sounds of our footsteps.

When we found ourselves in a spacious room where the cells with prisoners were located, I did not hear any sounds, neither crying nor moaning. Although very little time has passed since the last time I was here. I pulled my hand out of Raphael’s tight grip and ran to the familiar cage. To my relief, the man was still there, but to my regret, he was unconscious. Or maybe he was asleep? He’s not dead, is he?

- This man, he asked me to help him, but I didn’t know how to do it. Maybe he can shed some light on what’s going on here. Maybe he can be useful to us? Can we help him? – I looked pityingly at the king, who looked very strange right now.

It was as if a mixture of inspiration and disgust distorted his handsome face. He gave an order to his men, which I could not hear, and the next moment he pulled my hand, removing the ring from my finger.

- Since we can’t use our magic here, we’ll leave the ring to my people. They’ll figure it out. In the meantime, open the passage, you and I are coming back. – I obeyed and soon we left the dungeon in the same way, leaving the ring to the duke.

Once inside my bedroom, Raphael let go of my hand and paced the room in tension, running his hand through his hair, pulling it and laughing like a madman.

- Well, wow, how interesting it turns out. - he clicked his tongue, pleased with some of his conclusions.

- What happens? - I asked with interest.

- Nothing. You’re just a smart girl. Did a great job. - he came over and stroked my hair. – After all, your snow-white hair suits you better.

Well, here it is again, he again evades the answer. It’s so annoying. I thought we’d trust each other since we’re working together, but it seems he’s going to keep me in the dark again.

I pursed my lips unsatisfactorily and wrinkled my nose.

- Never mind. First we need to wait for a report from my people, then everything will become clearer. - he smiled, encouraging me. – Today you are sitting here and not going out, so as not to get into trouble again. I still have some business to settle, so I’ll leave you for now. Tomorrow is the last day here. An important day! So get some rest for now. I’ll send someone to help you prepare for the ball.

After reporting all the manuals, he took me in his arms and kissed the top of my head, and then left, leaving me alone with myself.