After dinner, Henrie invited Yohana to take a walk before retiring to bed. Henrie inhaled the refreshing night air deeply, exhaling as he stretched his arms.
"Being a crown prince is challenging. How did you manage being a crown princess all those years? What was it like for you?" Henrie inquired.
Yohana was troubled by these questions because she had no experience as a crown princess, and thus, she couldn't truly understand the feelings and challenges associated with it.
However, she could empathize with Henrie's struggles, having observed them during her time in the palace.
"It does sound difficult, especially for someone as caring as you. To be honest, I don't believe it's possible to create a perfect kingdom where every individual prospers and is happy. Seeing you strive for that goal both warms me and worries me," Yohana expressed.
She reached out and took hold of Henrie's hand, playfully twirling her fingers with his. "I just hope that you won't end up getting hurt. Those with the best intentions often have the most tender hearts," she remarked softly.
Henrie allowed Yohana to play with his fingers, while his other hand gently brushed against her arm, his thumb caressing her soft skin. "As long as I have you, I will be fine," he whispered.
In the moonlight, Henrie's blond hair shimmered, and his bright blue eyes sparkled more brilliantly than the stars above. He looked exceptionally mesmerizing tonight. Yohana couldn't help but feel her heart ache, though she couldn't quite explain why.
Suddenly realizing she had been gazing at him for a prolonged time, Yohana quickly averted her gaze. Luckily, Henrie was too captivated by her to notice. Yohana gently tugged on his fingers and suggested, "Let's head back now. It's starting to get cold."
They parted ways in the corridor that led to Yohana's chamber, as Henrie's chamber was located in the northern wing of the palace.
As Yohana walked down the corridor, she suddenly heard faint whistles echoing through the air. Her instincts kicked in, and she immediately became cautious, moving quietly and stealthily.
Princess Eleanor emerged from the cellar, where she claimed to keep her animals. She was whistling with an air of elation, bouncing around while clutching a key in her hand. Yohana's heart skipped a beat as she watched the princess' peculiar behavior.
Yohana couldn't shake off the ominous feeling that crept over her. Could it be possible that Princess Elisa was being kept in the cellar? She stopped in front of the cellar door, contemplating her next move.
***
Yohana returned to her chamber and grabbed a candlestick, using it as a source of light as she made her way back to the cellar. Pulling up her skirt to prevent tripping, she hurried down the stairs, her footsteps echoing through the narrow passageway.
The descent felt endless, but finally, Yohana reached the bottom and found herself in a dimly lit corridor. The air was damp and musty, prompting her to cover her nose with her sleeve to block out the unpleasant odor.
Torch flames flickered along the walls, providing just enough light to navigate the rocky path ahead. However, the hidden recesses of the corridor remained shrouded in mystery.
Yohana trod carefully, attempting to minimize the noise of her footsteps, but the uneven rock floor caused her shoes to produce loud echoes with each step.
Each tap of her shoes seemed to elicit faint gasps from unseen entities as if they were apprehensive of unexpected visitors. The tension in the air grew, fueling Yohana's determination to uncover the truth.
Bothered by the ominous feeling, Yohana approached a shadowy section of the wall and discovered a small space enclosed by steel bars.
The extent of the space was unclear, as the limited light only provided visibility for about 50 meters. She extended her hand with the candlestick into the space, yet she couldn't discern its end.
"What is this place...?" Yohana murmured to herself in disbelief.
Although Princess Eleanor had mentioned exotic animals being kept here, Yohana perceived the space more as a prison than a mere cage. She couldn't shake the sense that something grave had transpired within these confines.
Determined to dispel the ominous feeling or confirm its validity, Yohana resolved to uncover the purpose of these locked spaces. As she ventured further into the cellar corridor, a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Who are you?" someone inquired.
Yohana followed the sound and arrived at the innermost space, where she discovered Princess Elisa seated on the cold floor, donning the same dress she had last seen her in. The skirt of the dress was dirtied and partially wet.
Embarrassed by Yohana's scrutiny, Princess Elisa attempted to hide the wet portions of her skirt from view. Observing her reaction, Yohana wondered if the youngest princess had wet herself.
Such a condition would be distressing for anyone, but for it to happen to a member of the royal family like Princess Elisa was even more alarming. If this issue were to be exposed, it would spell serious trouble for the entire royal family.
"Lady Runa..." Princess Elisa whimpered, her voice filled with vulnerability.
Yohana swiftly crouched down, placing the candlestick on the floor to free her hand and reach out to Princess Elisa. As their palms connected, Yohana could sense a mixture of anxiety and relief emanating from the youngest princess. Princess Elisa's hands were cold to the touch.
"Why are you here? Did Princess Eleanor put you here?" Yohana inquired, gently rubbing Princess Elisa's hands to provide warmth.
Instead of responding, Princess Elisa's trembling lips and streaming tears conveyed her distress. It seemed that the shock had rendered her speechless. Yohana didn't want to push her for answers at that moment; the immediate priority was to get her out of this situation.
"Please wait here," Yohana said, attempting to withdraw her hand. However, Princess Elisa shook her head vigorously, wide-eyed with fear that Yohana might not return. "I will come back, I promise," Yohana reassured her.
Reluctantly, Princess Elisa released her grip, allowing Yohana to take her leave. Yohana grasped her skirt tightly and sprinted away, her hurried footsteps resounding like the solemn beat of a war drum signaling imminent conflict.
Yohana swiftly returned to her bed chamber, gathering a handful of hairpins before rushing back to the cellar.
As she witnessed the pitiful state of Princess Elisa, an unfamiliar sensation washed over her. Pity? Sympathy? She couldn't quite label it, for throughout her life as an assassin, Yohana had never allowed herself to feel such emotions toward her targets.
However, Princess Elisa was not a target. She was a human being, someone with whom Yohana had shared meals for several nights.
Princess Elisa, gripping the bars tightly, pressed her face against them, eagerly awaiting Yohana's assistance. Utilizing her exceptional lock-picking skills, Yohana attempted to unlock the door, but to her dismay, her expertise proved futile against this particular lock.
"What's wrong?" Princess Elisa urged anxiously.
"This is no ordinary lock," Yohana observed, closely examining the intricate mechanism. It became evident that the lock was designed differently, allowing it to be opened only with the correct key. "I need to find the key."
Before Yohana could make a move, Princess Elisa grabbed her arm firmly. "No! You shouldn't go near her!"
"How else can I free you without the key?" Yohana felt the urgency of the situation and believed it was not the time for arguments. Did Princess Elisa not want to be liberated?
Princess Elisa lowered her gaze, her voice barely a whisper. "Just... leave me here." She released Yohana's arm and wrapped her arms around her knees.
"What? Are you serious?"
Looking up with tear-filled eyes, she replied, "Lady Runa, you don't want to meddle with her."
Yohana couldn't comprehend the gravity of the situation. How dangerous was Princess Eleanor to the extent that her own sister, Princess Elisa, warned Yohana about her?