After the meeting Envoy Egnatius reached the dungeon to transfer the girl in the High Conclave's custody. The Envoy called for the head guard who appeared quickly and offered a deep bow and apologized, "Forgive me Sir, A man came with some royal soldiers from the Kingdom of Versimoil and took one of the prisoners with them! I tried to stop them but they killed one of the watch guards and was about to create more commotion so I couldn't stop them. Please Forgive me!"
Engnatius didn't have to be told who that prisoner was and he gritted his teeth in anger. There is a linger of fear in his mind because of the state he left the girl in the dungeon.
Far away, Vincenzo appeared in the Royal castle of Versimoil and was greeted by his butler Lucas. Removing his long coat, Vincenzo ordered the butler, "Call Adomas here." Vincenzo has made the girl his mystery, his possession and right now his patience is running thin.
Adomas came to where Vincenzo was and before he could say anything, Vincenzo asked, "Where is the girl Adomas?"
"In the dungeon, in a solitary compartment." answered Adomas
Vincenzo's mood fouled even more and he asked in a high tone, "Who told you to put her in the dungeon!"
Adomas asked confusingly, "Isn't it there we put all the prisoners brought from other lands, Milord?" Though he and Vincenzo shared a deeper relationship than a Lord and his Courtier, Adomas never make it visible for others to notice.
"This one is different." saying this Vincenzo walked away and made his way to the underground dungeon. Noticing the lord coming, the guards quickly opened the gate . Vincenzo made his way to the solitary compartment and a guard followed him two steps behind.
In the dark room, Anneliese could hear sharp sound of footsteps coming from outside but she didn't move from her place.
Reaching the solitary compartment, the guard opened the iron gate for the lord and stepped away.
Vincenzo who can see in the dark, noticed the girl sitting in one corner, her legs folded and her head rested on her knees while her hands clutching the hem of her dress.
Finally Anneliese looked up and tried to see in the darkness. Her clutched fist shivering, half in fear and half in cold which didn't go unnoticed from Vincenzo's eyes.
Vincenzo approached near the girl and noticing the bruises on her face, his jaw clenched. He heard her cracking voice, "Ple....please don't hurt me! I...I have nothing to do with what happened in the town, Please believe me!" He could detect the fear in her voice as she pleaded.
"No one will hurt you now. Let's go." Anneliese heard the voice and unconsciously whispered loud enough for the man to hear, "Enzo?" And asked to confirm that she is not imagining, "Mr. Enzo? Is that you?" And she heard the confirmation, "Yes. Now get up and let's leave" Anneliese didn't need to be told twice and she put her hands on the wall for support and tried to stand on her feet.
Vincenzo noticed her scrunched face while she struggled to stand up. When she finally stood up on her feet, he noticed her feet trembling.
Before Anneliese could move her feet, she heard him, "Stay still."
Vincenzo moved near her, placing his one arm around her waist and another around her legs, he lifted her up. Stepping out of the dungeon, he made his way to the castle. The many guards looked at their lord but quickly looked away as they are not supposed to stare at the lord or look in his eyes.
At the entrance, where Adomas was saying something to the butler, noticed his jaw dropped looking at something. Turning behind, Adomas saw the lord carrying the prisoner in his arms which made him lift his brows.
Vincenzo ordered his butler, "Lucas, Bring the physician."
"Right now, Milord?" Lucas asked
"Milord?" Anneliese questioned in her mind
Vincenzo gave a look to his butler and that was enough for him to understand and he said, "Yes Milord. I will have him here right away." And he heard his lord again, "Also, send a maid with a night dress."
The butler asked, "To which room Milord?"
"The room adjacent to my chamber." Vincenzo replied and continued walking.
The butler and Adomas exchanged the look of surprise as no one is allowed to stay on the same floor as the lord but here, Not only he is taking the girl on the same floor but also near his chamber!
On their way, Anneliese questioned which was more a statement, "You don't work for the lord! Do you? You are the lord."
Vincenzo did not replied but his lips curled up. Pushing the door open, he entered the room and made his way to the dressing room. Placing her on the chair in front of the mirror, he said, "I will have someone send some dresses stored for the guest. The maid will help you shower and change."
Not used to of showering in front of anyone, Anneliese said slowly, "There is no need of a maid, I will manage."
"Suit yourself but the maid will be here or do you prefer my company here?" Vincenzo said in a nonchalant tone
Blood rushed up to her neck and face and she quickly shook her head. To change the subject, she asked him, "Why did you lied about working for the lord?"
Vincenzo did not answered and stared at the girl. Now that they are in light which is coming from the many candles, he could see her clearly. She is in the same dress when she met him at the river, her dress torn and some of the wounds on her skin are visible, there are dried blood patches on her dress, her forehead and lower lip bruised.
He asked her, "What happened to your legs?" Before Anneliese could reply, the maid arrived and bowed at the lord. He ordered the maid, "Help the lady shower and change." and he left the dressing room.
After showering, the maid helped Anneliese change into a white sleeveless night dress and above it, a white semi transparent long shrug. Helping the lady sit on the chair, the maid went to dry her hair but Anneliese stopped the maid and said, "I will manage from here, Thankyou." Bowing at the lady, the maid stepped out of the dressing room.
Vincenzo who haven't left the room and was sitting in front of the fireplace, heard the maid, "Milord, the lady has showered and changed." He hummed and ordered the maid, "Leave." and the maid bolted out of the room.