19 leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. After the archduke had initially talked to her, he hadn't visited the prison again. Or rather, he hadn't come to see her since yesterday, and the wait was driving her crazy. She was dying to know how 20 was doing and if the emperor had managed to find an antidote for the poison. But since neither she nor Ara was yet to be executed, she could only cling to it as a sign that – at least for now – 20 was somehow still alive.
The empty corridors were suddenly brought to life with the sound of footsteps and metal plates as the guards distributed dinner to the prisoners. The girl stared at the metal gate expectantly. Even if she was in prison, the meals were scheduled regularly and they were served like clockwork – which was a lot more than she could say before working at the palace.
