Princess Ignis sat crouched in the far corner of a dark room, her back pressing against the wall. She is trying her best to stop the bleeding on her back as much as possible. The fresh bruises are all thanks to a deal not working out for King Pyrrhus with a merchant guild and her becoming the victim of his rage. She smiled bitterly.

"You just wait. One day I will rip you off your title and use the same whip till you beg for your life"

She clenched her teeth when a wave of pain forced her to tears and let out a small laugh.

"Hahaha" You can never make me cry. I will never allow you.

The double door to the room opened and a woman dressed as a maid entered the room carefully.

"Princess Ignis? My Lady?" she called in the darkness.

"I am here Domi" she replied, her voice hoarse.

The maid turned towards her with the look of shock and disgust. In her 7 years spent with the princess, this was the first time she was beaten till such length.

"My Lady! What should we do? That devil ... That devil... how dare he? to the princess" Domi was clearly shaken.

Ignis smiled. Domi is a very strong woman, both physically and mentally. Everytime the princess was disciplined, Domi would tend to her injuries and take care of her until she was healthy again. But she will always panic for the first few minutes. 

"Help me to stand Domi. I think some of the skin is stuck to the wall. It's quite painful" she said through her clenched teeth.

Domi checked the injuries on her back. Some skin was indeed stuck to the wall. She looked around the room and found a jug of water. She got some water and poured on the stuck area with the hope to create the lack of adhesion. The skin slowly got loosened from the wall. 

"Hang in there My Lady, let me cast some repair magic on the broken veins" Domi carefully turned Ignis so as to face her back.

"We don't have much time Domi. We should move as per the plan" Ignis insisted and tried to get up.

But instantly she lost her balance and Domi quickly caught her before falling flat on the floor.

"Ignis! You will do as I say!" Domi screamed. Then she quickly gained her composure and added "This will not take much time My Lady. I will make sure that we reach before our agreed time"

Ignis smiled weakly. Domi sometimes takes the role of her elder sister when Ignis is being difficult.

"In the meantime, tell me how the plan is shaping up? Did we experience any problems? Do you think people are suspicious?"Ignis tried to stay calm and awake when a warmth of yellow light touched her back.

"We have not sensed anything out of order yet. All materials are already procured and the knights are ready to depart on your command"

Ignis gulped "How many knights have agreed to come with us?"

To leave the Fyre Land unharmed and without attracting any suspicion, the princess would need at least 30 strong Knights. Any number less than that would attract attacks from monsters, bandits or mercenaries.

"Thankfully we got around 40 Knights. Many were unhappy with the dog-like treatment they received from the King. They were neither paid nor respected properly. Plus the pay we were giving was far better from what they have ever seen"

Domi helped Ignis to stand. The bruises were faded but the pain didn't budge to leave.

"Also My Lady, I stole this as per your instruction" Domi pulled out a clear crystal from her dress pocket that immediately reflected light on all the walls. Ignis was awestruck.

"Oh Domi, this is great. I thought I would need to forget about this since I wasted so much time here"

"We cannot forget your dowry Princess. Can we now?" Domi winked and helped her out of the room.

*****

Land of Aqua

Albert entered the King's study with freshly brewed tea. He saw the King standing near the opened window, lost in his thought.

"Your Highness, I got you some tea" The King didn't turn nor he replied.

"Your Highness?" Albert tried again.

"I heard you the first time Albert. Did you receive any positive reply from Lumin?"

King Adrian turned to face his butler, his silver hair shining in the evening sunlight and dark blue eyes searching for the answers even before the butler could say it.

Albert shook his head "The guild responded saying that their men are already packed with a big mission and hence could not spare anyone for a new mission"

Adrian smiled bitterly "How big their current mission is that they are not accommodating a King's request?"

"That, unfortunately, we are not sure, Your Highness" Albert gently poured the tea in a cup and kept it in front of the King's seat.

"That merchant guild has more knowledge on a person or a state than any other spy you could ever lay your hand on. I need to find more information before I make my decision on the Princess of Fyre Land" He went and took his seat behind his large desk.

"When are we expecting the princess to reach here?" The King asked after taking a sip.

"We have sent a messenger to the port of Azure. Once the Princess and her party reach the port, he will inform us through the magic tower"

Adrian nodded taking another sip of the hot tea.

"Make sure to keep all the rooms clean and warm. The season is turning cold and I don't want the guest of Aqua Land to have any complaints"

He pushed the hair that fell on his eyes back with his hands and bent back on his chair looking towards the ceiling.

What are you thinking Princess? Are you brave or simply foolish? And most of all why me?  He thought to himself.