"I am only eighteen now. When I was crowned, I was twenty." Astin mumbled as she thought about the previous events. "That was after my grandfather's death. If he didn't die, I wouldn't have been crowned and remained a princess till he was ready to hand over the throne."
She slumped her back.
"I reigned for only two years and those two years were extremely difficult." She stared sadly into the mirror. "I'd get hurt, kidnapped, threatened. Jude had his men in every corner of the palace and I didn't even know it." She shoved her fingers in her hair, messing it up completely but what did she care? "One week!" She mumbled. "In one week, I've got to get out of here. I have to get away from these four walls called a palace."
A knock interrupted her thoughts and she wondered who it was. No one actually knocked on her door for no good reason.
The only ones who knocked were the ones sent by grandfather and... She clenched her teeth... Jude.
"It better not be him or I'll stuff a brush in his big disgusting mouth. Ugh, I can't believe I kissed him in the past." She grumbled as she made to get up to head to the door.
But she felt too lazy to stand and was sure she'd lose her temper if the person standing behind her door really turned out to be Jude.
"Ahem!" She cleared her throat and reached for her hair brush, ready to throw it. "Come in."
The doors opened and luckily, the person who emerged was no one but Felix with a well groomed appearance. His hair was brushed backwards, allowing anyone and everyone a clear view of his handsome appearance.
He was wearing a uniform. It was the suit the palace guards usually wore. And for some reason, his eyes seemed to be a lot more sharp than it appeared to be in the dungeon.
"The dim light did not do you justice." Astin mumbled as she used the almost unfortunate brush to brush her hair. "Now you look like a human being." She exclaimed to his hearing and dropped the brush.
Astin could feel he was uncomfortable. Was it the uniform?
"If you're uncomfortable, you can take off the coat and undo a button or two. It won't kill you."
"What? No. I... I am okay." He said and she could swear she saw his ears turn red.
'What a shy fellow?' she thought and chuckled. "Alright. Let's get down to business." She said, her expression turning serious.
She crossed her legs and Felix nodded. Though he did not know what business she was referring to, he was at her beck and call.
"Do you know the whereabouts of your sister?" Astin suddenly asked, surprising Felix.
"How did you know I have a sister?" He asked and she rolled her eyeballs.
"Come on, are we really gonna do this? Do you want to find your sister or not? It's an opportunity." She waited for his response and Felix nodded.
"She works in the palace as a maid but I do not know where she is stationed." He said with his steel expression.
"Well, if she's in the palace then we don't have a problem. As long as we find her before the end of this week, it's all good." Astin subconsciously said and Felix asked.
"What is going on at the end of this week?"
This made Astin glare at him. Was he going to be talkative? That wouldn't be such a bad thing, right?
Well, it was better to have him speak his mind than let him stay silent like a Ninja and harbour worrying thoughts.
Her glare made Felix realise that he shouldn't have asked anything. His curious mind would lead him to trouble really soon.
"I am sorry for prying into your affairs, your highness." He quickly apologised and Astin's gaze softened. She sighed.
"Forget it. You have to be open with me and tell me all your worries. Anyway, I'll treat you like the brother I never had."
This shocked him and he immediately bowed his head.
"No, your highness. I do not deserve such a privilege."
"That's what they all say." She said and stood up. She walked up to him.
He was tall but not too tall. A handsome appearance that would definitely stand out but hopefully, no one would go near him because of his killer gaze.
She stood before him and with her right index finger, she lifted his chin up. This made him feel a bit uneasy and he stiffened his body.
"Tell me, Felix. Would you kill for me?" She inquired and he responded immediately.
"Yes, I would."
"Would you die for me?"
"Without a second thought, your highness."
"Even if I were no longer the princess?" This question got him silent and instead of answering, he took hold of her hand and bowed his head, touching her precious hand with his forehead.
"I swore to keep you safe no matter what. And even if you are no longer the princess, I will still devote myself to you." He said and lifted his head, showing the determination in his eyes.
This determination made Astin hooked and she could not look away. He was serious.
She took back her hand, nodded and smiled. The smile was a bit cold but it was sincere.
"Good." She said, "Very good."She walked past him and headed for the door.
Then, she paused and turned to him.
"I'm glad I found someone I could trust. Now, we must set to work and eliminate all the threats within these walls before the end of this week." She turned to the door and smiled. "But first, let us find your sister."
Felix admired her from behind and smiled.
Astin opened the doors to their freedom and set to work.