The creaking of the wooden floor beneath her feet, made Alana halt her steps. She was already regretting getting out of the room to look for this troublesome Dragonesian. But what could Alana even do? If she did not go out to look for Leon, then there was a high chance of her identity being revealed since there was no confirmation that he would not give out Alana's identity, if he were threatened. However, if Alana got caught now by any of the inn owners or staff, and that also when it was past midnight, she might be forced to spill out her intentions and soon, her true identity.

The two had checked in with false names as Maria Horta and Ray Horta. When they said that they were travellers plus cousins, to the inn owner's wife (on her inquiry), she had not believed them. Thankfully, Leon like before, did not reveal their names, and made up an excuse saying they were distant relatives.

Alana's breath hitched when she noticed the illuminating light of possibly another lantern, on a far away wall, appearing closer and closer. The girl was quick enough whatsoever, to notice a relatively thin door, slightly open. She slid inside the little space and locked the door, while waiting patiently with her ears pressed on it.

The only difference was that the space was not little. Alana was, she figured, standing on a small elevated wooden platform, which led downstairs to God knows where.

Alana was going to mind her own business and return to her search for Leon, after confirming that whoever was roaming around the hallway had left, but the sound of laughter and giggles caught the girl's attention. With the lantern still in her hand, she could make out another floor downstairs, from where a form of little light was being illuminated. Truly, Alana would not have the urge to pry only if the male voice had not sounded too similar to a certain crimson eyed Dragonesian.

Tip-toeing down the stairs, Alana grew more curious when her suspicion seemed to appear as true. Upon reaching the ground floor, a minor turning which ultimately led to a room, was observed. Alana was on her way to enter the room when she saw Leon there but paused, seeing him laugh, so heartily.

Through the gap of the door, the eighteen-year-old girl watched the entire wholesome scene unfolding, with an elusive smile.

There he was, the Dragonesian, chatting merrily with a little girl. The little girl seemed to be introducing Leon to her dolls, which were made of either wood or earth. And Leon, who, there was no doubt was much more different from other Dragonesians, went along with her. Alana noticed the dark skinned girl, whom Leon wanted to help a few hours ago, appearing from another corner with a tray containing two slices of baked bread and a bowl.

"I have nothing but this, in store," Cynthia began apologetically, as she placed the tray in front of Leon, "Please have these two slices of bread and warm lemon coriander broth as our act of gratitude."

"Do you two have enough food?" Leon asked, not touching either the slices or broth.

Seeing Cynthia hesitate, Leon sighed, "Please do not give up your food in exchange of your appreciation. I have done nothing but given you a few coins."

"Still," Cynthia smiled, "It means a lot to us, truly."

"Even then," Leon delicately moved the tray towards Cynthia, "My appetite is full, but it seems like your and Cora's is not. Please have this, else I will feel bad."

Cora looked over at Cynthia with desperate eyes and the older girl knew that she could not simply turn a blind eye to her sister's hungry stomach. As soon as she nodded, her pretty smile showing on her face, with a thank you, the nine-year-old girl began digging into the food, while not forgetting to save some for her older sister as well.

Alana watched Leon fishing out something from his pocket. Her eyes widened when he revealed what he had in his palms. It was a coin purse, perhaps filled with several coins.

"Take this," Leon said to Cynthia, but the girl refused, as expected.

And so, Leon had to insist more before the girl finally agreed, "There are about seventy-five gold coins and fifty silver coins, along with fifty more bronze ones, in this bag. This should be enough for your plan to formulate."

"Thank you so much," Cynthia held onto Leon's hands, as tears clouded her vision, "Thank you so much. You do not know how much you have done for us. I will surely pay you back—"

"Do not worry about that," with that being said, Leon ruffled Cynthia's hair affectionately, "You should only think about yourself and your sister from now on, okay? Go to school, study hard and do not let anyone else, to either look down upon you or your sister. You are stronger than you think you are."

Alana's heart clenched with guilt when she recalled the morning incident. She should not have prevented Leon from helping the girl, then. But fear of being caught and for Leon to show his true self, had taken over her.

Leon was selfless. Alana should have felt annoyed seeing someone being so altruistic and generous and for being concerned more about others, but she felt quite the opposite. Something that she should have never felt for a Dragonesian.

It was respect.

"Oh, there is a girl out there."

Before Alana could sneak out of there, the little girl, whose name she had heard was Cora, noticed her. Well, Leon was intelligent enough to figure out who it was.

"She is my friend," Leon, who Alana had expected to be still angry at her, introduced the girl quite cheerfully. He got up to open the door wide, thus completely revealing Alana. "This is Alana Thornheart."

"We are not supposed to reveal our names," Alana mumbled under her breath with a sharp glare sent to the Dragonesian, who only decided to ignore her words.

At least Alana knew that these young girls would not possibly go around telling Dragonesians that they knew someone named Alana. However, with a sudden realization, Alana quite literally whisper yelled at Leon, "Do they know that you are—"

"A Dragonesian? Yes, we figured," Cynthia admitted, as she caught onto the words of Alana, "Actually, Cora figured it out from his uniquely sparkling crimson eyes."

"She knows about Dragonesians?" Alana asked, since it was odd for people from rural areas to know such information. Especially, in their kingdom.

"Well," Cynthia began explaining, hesitancy evident in her voice, "Cora was not really brought up here, and in another foreign land where it was mandatory to know at least basic information about Dragonesians."

"What do you mean by that?" Alana asked in confusion, "Is she not your sister?"

"She is," Cynthia sighed, "We are siblings but we were both raised differently, in different places, and in captivity."

When was the last time that Alana had not related her life to the word captive? When she heard those particular words she had always been so familiar with, the feeling of depression returned to her. Alana flinched when she felt the warm and delicate touch of Leon on her crossed arm.

"Are you alright?" As soon as Alana's black eyes met with Leon's concerned crimson ones, she forgot every single pessimistic thought.

Right. She was far away from the evil clutches of the Dragonesians. She needed to focus on the now. The present rather than the past, for a bright future.

Cynthia offered Alana and Leon to sit down on the bed, as she began narrating the tale of her misery.

"My name is Cynthia Kiorsa. At the age of nine, I was forcefully taken away by some Dragonesian Guards, back in our kingdom. Cora was two back then. I still remember the desperate cries and wails of my parents' agony. They however, could not do anything. The guards were too strong for them."

"You were then trained, right?" Alana asked, due to finding the story similar to several other kids in this kingdom.

To her surprise, Cynthia denied the assumption.

"I was a slave," Cynthia continued, whereas both Alana and Leon's eyes widened in dismay, "Like a garbage, I was raised since an early age. As I was a girl, I was supposed to learn everything that a woman's duties are, in their eyes. That is, household chores, how to take care of children, how to take care of your husband, and how to never speak a word against anyone, because I was black. And we were supposed to be slaves. Although, this discrimination was inflicted upon us, by the human assistants of those Dragonesians. The ones who were in defence of the Dragonesians."

Leon clicked his tongue in annoyance while Alana clenched her fists at such misogynistic and racist behaviour.

"But here's the funny thing," a satirical chuckle left Cynthia's mouth, "That place, which was in the middle of a desert, was handed over to humans after six months. The humans were supposedly on the side of the Dragonesians, similar to the assistants we had encountered before. And since I and the other captives were not stronger to be trained, the guards sold us off to those humans. Yes, you are correct. We had been taken there initially to be trained and the training had even begun, however the guards saw no progress in us, whatsoever."

Cynthia took in a deep breath, as her voice shook at the painful memories, "We were happy since, instead of Dragonesians, we were under the authority of humans. We had expected to be returned to our families. But that was just a dream that never came true.

They were worse than the Dragonesians. They were nothing but a bunch of jerks, who tortured us, especially the weaker and younger ones, if we dared to talk against them. It was traumatizing and I managed to survive with my mouth shut somehow, until one day, we were rescued by another group of humans. That was, approximately four years ago.

They were not rescuers. I should have not let go of my seeds of doubts when I had watched several men choosing some girls and boys among us, selectively.

They did not take me away for whatever disgusting business they had with the others. Instead, I was taken here, to be treated once again, like a slave. And thus, I have been trapped here for the past three years, and at the same time, trying to make a living out of this whole slavery and shitty treatment."

"As for Cora," Cynthia caressed her sister, who had fallen asleep in the midst of all this, "She was brought to me two years ago."

Alana used to believe that her life was the sole living hell. It turned out, she was wrong. Everyone had their own story. A painful story filled with tears, depression, struggle and often, not a way out.

"But don't worry," Cynthia grinned, wiping away the tears that had managed to stream out of her eyes, "I have made certain arrangements for our future.

It turns out that here, distant relatives of ours reside. I had written a letter to them, giving our identity, our parents' identity and our pictures with our parents that I had, as evidence. I was overwhelmed with joy when they wrote to me saying she and her husband would be glad to take us in, and take our responsibility. Furthermore, I could not tell them about my situation. So, I had told them that I would arrive there with my sister soon.

Cora and I will escape, tomorrow, from this place and far away from these pathetic humans."

Alana did not know Cynthia personally, but she felt proud to see her take such a step all on her own, for the betterment of her and her sister. And that also, at the age of just sixteen. There was hope in her eyes and a desire to survive.

"That is very brave of you, Cynthia," Leon said, a soft look visible on his face, "If you need our—my help, you can tell me."

Alana looked down in shame, as she understood the hidden meaning behind Leon's words. Since she had prevented Leon from helping the girl in the morning, the Dragonesian had deliberately mentioned that he wanted to help and not them.

"You can ask for both of ours' help," with that being said, the girl could feel the familiar amused expression returning to Leon's face which soon contorted into a toothy grin. Or, more like, a grin full of pride.

"Thank you once again," Cynthia said sincerely, "But I do not want your lives to be in danger. Leon was kind enough to even find us and give us the money we were in need of. Asking for your help would be now asking for too much."

Before either Leon or Alana could oppose, they heard violent commotion taking place outside.

Cynthia, Alana, and Leon immediately went out of the room to find out what had happened. Cynthia, who was at the front, ran up the stairs and asked a passing by young man about the situation.

Alana and Leon, who were not so far by, quickly caught hold of the words he had spoken.

"The inn owner has caught two young Dragonesians trying to sneak in here."