Kin led Jamila to the kitchen in the castle. It turned out there was a secret passageway behind one of the shelves—one that was never used and that no one except Rashid and Ramon knew about. It wasn't even included in the various Glaphnis cubes Rashid used. Tunnels were a double-edged sword, after all. The Sulten didn't want an obvious weak point in his castle known to anyone, particularly now that tensions were high.
Kin, who was not too surprised that such a secret passage existed in the castle all this while, walked quietly into the dark tunnel, guiding Jamila.
As soon as they entered, they were greeted by various cobwebs that seemed to have gained dominance over the unused tunnel.
"Ah, what are these? Get them off me!" Jamila said in disgust after she ran into some cobwebs. She kept trying to get herself free from the webs, but the more she tried, the more they spun around her. Kin activated the Eyes of Ra, allowing him to see in the dark. He noticed Jamila's predicament and approached her.
"Maybe you should stop moving so much," Kin said before grabbing her and stopping her. He removed the cobwebs—at least most of them—and grabbed a torch from one of the walls. He didn't have anything to light the torch with.
"Allow me," Ashell said and carefully guided her flames from within Kin to the torch, igniting it.
"I thought you said you were not a pyromancer," Kin said.
"I'm not," Ashell replied. "That's why next time, I'll let you walk in the dark."
"I can see in the dark, you know..." Kin said.
"And to whom do you owe all these awesome powers?" she asked.
"I'm sorry," Kin replied. "Thank you."
After they had gotten some light for Jamila's sake, they both began to move in the tunnel quietly. One might even say too quietly since Jamila was a very chatty person. Although this had reduced after her kidnapping and her friend's death, she wasn't one to keep quiet for too long.
As they walked on, Kin kept glancing at her, and it didn't go unnoticed. Seeing as this went on for a while longer, she finally spoke.
"What's the matter? Why do you keep staring at me like that?" Jamila asked.
"Well, it's... nothing," Kin said.
"Just spill it out if you have something to say," Jamila said.
Kin looked at her again and decided to speak.
"I'm surprised you decided to leave just like that... I thought it would be difficult trying to get you to leave. I was even thinking I'd have to knock you out," Kin said.
"Why would you think that?" Jamila asked.
"Well, because you're..." Kin held his breath at the final moment.
"What? Spill it out. I'm spoiled, stubborn, childish, a brat..."
"Hmmm... yeeeees... oh, I mean no," Kin said.
"I know what some people think about me. I hear some maids whisper and murmur about my attitude. That's why I had Father whip them anytime they complained. I'm a noble of this kingdom, and my father is a Sulten. I won't let anyone insult me.
"As for why I didn't argue after Father said we would leave, it's because I'm not that clueless. I know what would happen if I didn't leave now. I love my father; he has given me everything. I didn't argue because I wanted to do this for him after he had done everything for me as always. He even told you to protect me. It would be too much if I asked to stay, knowing he would be too worried to focus on the battle ahead.
"Brats think, too, you know," Jamila said.
Kin looked at her with a smile. "So you admit you're a brat?" Kin said.
"Who do you think you're calling a brat?" Jamila said. "I'll have you whipped when we get out of this place."
Kin let out a light chuckle. "What a thing to say to the one protecting you. I wonder what would happen if I just left you alone," Kin said. "It would be fun to see you trying to fend bandits off with threats of whipping them if they don't leave you alone."
Jamila's face cracked immediately when she heard what Kin said.
"Don't worry, I won't leave you alone. I gave Lord Rashid my word, and I will definitely fulfill my promise."
"Are you familiar with the Temple of Fates?" Kin asked.
"Yes," Jamila said. "My father is a stern believer in the Fate Goddesses. He told me the Temple of Fates was once a powerful and important entity in Wize, even from the time of the founder of our nation, Prince Jabal. They were important in helping him establish the country of Wize. Their power continued to grow as kings began to come and go, and so did their corruption. They began to involve themselves in the political and power struggles in the nation, and everyone wanted their support. Those who didn't were considered a threat to their power and were treated as such. Fifty years ago, they were involved in a power struggle between King Kon and his older brother, Prince Sen. The Fates had joined hands with Sen, and after a bloody and painful struggle, King Kon and his faction won. That marked the end of the influence of the Temple of Fates in Wize," Jamila explained.
"You're right; the Fates did help the Scum Prince establish the Kingdom of Wize. I was surprised when Lord Rashid told me one of their temples still existed in Lyokis. Anyway, that's where your father asked me to take you," Kin said.
"Oh..." Jamila said in surprise.
"Do you know why he asked me to take you there?" Kin asked.
"I'm not sure," Jamila said. Her mind seemed to be occupied with something.
"What's wrong?" Kin asked.
"It's just, some years ago, when I was younger, I remember visiting a temple and staying there for a while. Although I don't remember everything, it was definitely not a popular temple, and I doubt it was a well-visited temple, as there were very few people there..."
"Do you think he took you there? To the Temple of Fates?" Kin asked.
"I think so. I won't be sure until I see the temple again. If I do, I'll surely remember something," Jamila said.
"Alright then," Kin said, and they continued walking.
After a while, Jamila spoke again.
"Kin?" she called out.
"Yes, my lady?"
"Earlier, you called the founder of Wize 'the Scum Prince.' How did you know he was called that? According to my father, no one else in the kingdom knows but the royal family. And I only know because my father has told me a lot of stories about our founding fathers," Jamila asked.
"Oh, that?" Kin said as he realized he had let his mouth slip for a second there.
"How come you didn't let something slip while you were with Rashid or even being tortured by Meliesse or Majeed, but you slip up when you're talking to a girl? Pathetic," Ashell said.
"I'm always extra cautious with those guys," Kin tried to defend his blunder.
He looked at Jamila, who was still looking at him with a curious gaze.
Kin looked at her for a while and sighed.
"I know because his blood runs through my veins," Kin finally said.