Days went by and on the seventh day. Finally, Carmine came back to her senses. As Carmine's eyes started to flutter. Allaya could not help but call Owen in excitement, "Princess is waking up. Princess is waking up."
Owen also rushed towards her. Carmine opened her eyes and saw Allaya and Owen beside her.
It took her a while to grasp the reality of the situation.
Carmine slowly woke up and sat on her bed, touching the back of her neck as it still felt sore.
Allaya cried and hugged her saying," Princess, this time you really scared me. I thought I will never see you again."
Carmine gave a faint smile as if to hid the fact that she too had the same thought. Then she turned to Owen and said, "Lord Owen, How come, you both are here? The last thing I remembered is that I was being strangled by Rulean."
Owen sighed for a while and replied, " Actually before you were strangled to death by General. Emperor Cyanx reached the dungeon and ordered General Rulean to stop it. He also ordered for you to be treated back to health."
"Oh is it, now?" replied Carmine.
Then she turned to Allaya and asked," But how come it's you two."
Allaya replied, "Actually, they could not find any physician in the city as all of them had gone in hiding. Since we had not gone in hiding they took Owen from our house. However, when he got here, and realized that it was you. He sent for me to help to treat you."
Carmine stood up from the bed and bowed down to Owen to express her gratitude saying," I will forever be grateful for your consideration Lord Owen for treating me."
Owen said, "Princess don't embarrass me. It is my duty."
As she heard this sentence. The word "Princess", felt like thunder. As she rose up and said, "Have they found out that I am the Princess. As I just realized that though we are being held captive. You are still addressing me as Princess and not the General."
Both of them were silent. As both of them struggled to say anything, as they did not know from where to start.
Both of them bowed down and said," Princess forgive us for our sins."
Carmine softly said, "sins..." as she turned to face them.
Then Allaya entailed what had happened; how Owen tried to honor kill her to protect her dignity, which was discovered by the Emperor, and how he threatened that if they did not give them her real identity they would kill their son. Therefore, to save her son " Allen", Allaya confessed that she told them her real identity.
Finally, Owen spoke and said, " Princess, for attempting to murder you. I will accept my death as the penalty."
Carmine walked to them and kneel beside Owen and instructed him to raise his head and look her in her eye. Then she said," Lord Owen, I have never doubted your decision and this one will be no different. Thank you for thinking of my wishes even at the dead end."
Then, she got him up and said, "It seems I have dodged death twice this time. 1st time from Rulean and 2nd time from you. Seems like death is not accepting me. Fine then. I shall embrace this life and its challenges."
"Lord Owen and Allaya, Please accept my humble gratitude for everything you have done for me as my loyal subjects"
This was all been witnessed and listened to by the eyes and ears put on them by Emperor Cyanx. So, the soldier reported to Emperor Cyanx that Carmine had awakened.
Then, Cyanx replied, "Has She?" Cyanx thought for a while and said, "Let's go I want to see her."
As Cyanx reached the room. Carmine was sitting on her bed. As he entered the room.
Allaya and Owen immediately bowed down to greet and said, " Your Imperial Majesty."
Seeing them bow down. Carmine also stood up and bowed her head and said, " Your Imperial Majesty. Thank you for your kindness, for saving this insignificant life."
Cyanx looked at her from a corner of his eye and repeated, " Insignificant life...,"
Of course, Cyanx got his own chair to sit on. The chair was also brought into the room. As if to make Carmine feel that the room and the things were not worthy of him. However, Carmine did not take it to her heart and brushed it away.
After comfortably sitting in his chair Cyanx said, " I wished to talk with the Princess in private."
So, everyone left the room. There was an atmosphere of silence in the room.
Finally, the silence was broken by Emperor Cyanx, when he walked near to Carmine as if to see her face clearly and said, " You certainly got a feminine face. You must have worked very hard to convince people that you were a man."
Cyanx turned away towards his chair and said, "Anyways it's none of my business. I just came here to invite you for a banquet."
Carmine, " Banquet?"
Cyanx, " Yes a banquet. I am throwing a banquet in 10 days for all my Ministers and General to celebrate our victory over Lapen."
Carmine replied, " Your Imperial Majesty, I just have a feeling that this is not, just an invitation. Rather I feel that it's an order, isn't it?"
Cyanx replied, " You are a very smart woman. I did not even have to state the subtext but you understood its implication. Since you are so direct. I will also be direct with you. I expect you to attend the banquet if you wish to see your father again."
Carmine said, "Your Imperial Majesty. I believe that you do not want to take no for an answer. Since you have come prepared, how could I possibly decline your modest invitation."
After getting this answer Cyanx walked towards the door but as he was about to leave the room. He just turned casually and said, "Oh yes, could you please not wear the men's clothes to attend the banquet."
But before Carmine could counteract it with an answer, he was gone.
Carmine was left alone by herself in the room when Cyanx left. She could not help but wonder what was he thinking.
(Note: Cyanx always threw a banquet whenever they conquered a new place. So, he could officially appoint worthy Ministers and Generals to establish new administration in the conquered nation.)