It was getting hard to breathe. It felt as if there was a weight pressing down my chest . Everything I touched was cold and everytime I opened my eyes it was dark .The ropes binding my hands and legs were digging my skin. My hands were getting cold and my judgment was getting clouded .My eyelids were drooping down. I banged my head on the box in which I was trapped to keep myself conscious. I had already fainted once and almost died. I had to be awake.

I tried to focus on the surroundings but my head was hurting and it was getting harder to concentrate. I heard a slight popping noise. It took me a moment or two to think clearly and comprehend the noise. It was the olm salamander. I was in a cavern.

I had to get out before hypothermia sets in. I resumed my efforts to bring my bounded hands to the front. My patience was running out and hunger was clawing my innards. Following Walther's trick, I was able to achieve that after some great attempts. Panting I rested my shoulders on the box. My shoulder blades were scraped. I lifted my arms over my head and tried loosening my hair bun. I stretched them more and grasped my hair prong stick.

I pulled it out, freeing my ginger hair. The visible part of the stick was the hilt of a dagger. It was embellished with stones and pearls to make it look like an ornament. I put the hilt in my mouth and started cutting my binds with the blade. It was getting colder. My hands were shivering and my breathing was not getting better.

I freed my legs not long after untying my wrists' bounds. I started feeling the inside of the box. The surface was scrappy and jagged to touch. It was a crate. I jabbed the dagger between two planks of the crate and started to separate them. I separated three planks before I could get out .

My legs shook with hours of inactivity. I took unsteady steps out of the crate. The sudden surge of air made me dizzy. I held on to the crate top to steady myself. The fresh gust of air was a welcome salve for my burning lungs. It took my eyes a few moments to adjust with the darkness inside the cavern. After probably an hour I came out of the cavern.

Outside I was greeted by the lush forest. I could hear the night calls of the mockingbird. The moon was shining above my head with her many sisters. I would have taken a few more minutes to savour the sight had my focus not shifted to the man's silhouette behind the boulder. As I approached him, quietly, I could distinctly see his flaming blonde curls cascading upon his shoulders. Sensing my presence he turned around to face me, Green eyes similar to mine greeting me.

" You sure took your time" he declared.

" What was my time?" I croaked out. My throat was parched. He passed me the water skin. I quickly poured water into my mouth.

" The sun will rise in an hour. You took 4 hours" he informed me.

"Last time I took 3" I said, closing the waterskin. "This was not that hard. It shouldn't have taken four hours"

" last time your gag was not poisoned" he stated nonchalantly.

"You poisoned my gag?" I questioned .This should not have come as a surprise. The poison explains the persistent dizziness. "Which one did you use ?"

"Biervumis, it's a new one." he answered while shuffling his bag looking for something. He took out a vial and gave me " the antitoxin "

I opened the red bottle and took a sip. The pungent taste assaulted my mouth, making me cough. Walther reached for my back and rubbed it. He was only a head taller than me. I rested my head on his chest. "I'm tired" I mumbled.

He hugged me and said "It's okay. You did great today. You always make me proud" I smiled against his chest as my eyes were closing. Walther was the most caring man I had ever known. On one hand he would break my bones to train me and does not expect tardiness (poisons me too) But on the other hand he'd kill to protect me. Would hurt anyone who dares try harm me. He's always more than my cousin. He was never like a brother. He is my brother.

I felt him lifting me up. I snuggled close to his chest as I felt him carry me.

Soon sleep enveloped me.

..................................

" Is the ceai to your taste, Your Highness?" the young maidservant asked in a low voice.

She was new and was afraid. She held her eyes down to the floor. She was not verenian. Her blonde hair was tied up in a high bun and her complexion was tanned. She must have come from some sea side. Her clothes looked too thin for the Verenian winter.

I took a small sip of my ceai. The warm liquid soothed my throat as it descended down . The strong ginger and chamomile relieved the soreness from last night .

" it is " I said in a soft voice . I turned back to the box I was handling on the bed and took out a small scroll and started writing . the weather looks wonderful , let's meet in half an hour for a walk outside

" take out the clothes kept in the lower cabinet and give them to Carla "

Carla was the head maid of the east wing . she would know what to do with them .

When the young maid didn't move . I looked up at her to see her eyeing the cabinet with a slight frown .

" they are no longer fitting me " I said as a matter of explanation . The young maid hurried up to the large cabinet and started to empty it . I noticed how her hands shook slightly and she used her left hand more when it was clear from her footwork that she preferred her right.

" What is your name ?" I asked gently . she still did lift her eyes to mine as answered meekly ," Elsie , your highness "

" Pretty name, " I smiled ." Elsie , I want you to deliver this to the royal seamstress" I held out the now tied scroll for her to take .after taking the scroll and the sack of clothes Elsie left.

I took the book I was reading before and went to the balcony .

When the markings on the water clock showed half an hour . I closed the book and grabbed a cloak to protect me against the cold outside.

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thanks for reading !! 

glossary : 

olm salamander -The olm or proteus (Proteus anguinus) is an aquatic in the family , the only species found in Europe.It's the only European vertebrate that lives its entire life in a cave. 

THEY ARE SUPER COOL, ARENT THEY ?!!

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