"Princess, You're back."
Tastia, the elven head maid, stood at the castle gates with Eirion, the elven butler, staring at Crystal on thep horse with a stern look. Crystal gulped the lump in her throat, her hands shaking and sweating.
Kaelen got off the horse but he didn't bother to notice the shift in Crystal's attitude. No one ever did. But, Valac saw it. He carefully got down from his horse, minding his shackles. Then, he turned to Crystal's horse as he lifted Crystal off of it by her waist and set her down.
"You're shaking, Princess. Calm down. Breathe in. Breathe out."
But, how could Crystal breathe as images of getting whipped by Tastia flashed across her head.
"Get your filthy hands off of my sister!" Kaelan yelled as he charged in their direction. But, instead Crystal hugged Valac leaving everyone in shock.
"You… You are the first person that noticed."
