"Let me out... let me... out ..."
From the side hall of Phoenix Palace, a raspy and weak voice kept echoing.
Yet the guards outside the hall chose to disregard it.
The enormous cold, dark iron gate was tightly shut, occasionally resounding with feeble knocks.
"Let me out... let me... out ..."
The voice inside continued, plaintive and ceaseless.
Eventually a guard, unable to bear it any longer, tried to offer comfort:
"Princess Judy, you should rest, we dare not let you out... "
Before he could finish his words, he saw a fierce stare shot his way. To his surprise, Ralf, the captain of the Phoenix Palace guards, was present.
"Captain, I..."
"Shut your mouth!" Ralf snapped, his expression severe, "Speak one more word, and don't blame me for being rude!"
The guard quickly lowered his head, not daring to speak again.
Ralf stayed outside the hall for a moment, listening to the sounds from inside. He asked impassively:
"Has it been like this the whole time? Non-stop?"
