«FLASHBACK
The sound of Pan's laughter echoed through the forest behind the fortress. Sunlight filtered through the trees, creating dancing shadows on the ground. She was sitting on a rock, her eyes shining with happiness as she looked at Van.
Van was tall, strong, and charming. His dark hair was tousled by the wind, and his brown eyes glimmered with intensity. He held her hand, their fingers intertwined as if nothing could tear them apart.
Van: (with a warm smile) Pan, I love you.
She blushed, glancing away for a moment before looking back at him with a mix of shyness and determination.
Pan: (smiling) I'll convince my father to accept our relationship.
Van squeezed her hand tighter, hope lighting up his eyes.
Van: (cheerful) Pan, don't worry about that, my love. I'll do everything to earn your father's approval. I'll prove my worth as the best thief in this fortress, my dear Pan.
Pan: (happy, laughing) To me, you're already the best, Van. You always will be.
Van smiled, leaning in to kiss her forehead gently.
Pan wiped her tears with the back of her hand, but her heart felt as heavy as lead. The memories of Van were sweet, but now, more than ever, they were painful.
Pan: (whispering to herself) I can't stay here. This place is a prison... a hell.
She got up from the bed and walked to the window. The view showed the courtyard of the fortress, illuminated by torches. Guards patrolled in groups, while servants and warriors of the clan moved back and forth.
Pan: (thoughtfully, looking out the window) If I stay here, I'll never find peace. I need to escape... escape this cursed place and never come back.
She watched the activity in the courtyard carefully, analyzing every detail—the guards' schedules, the dark areas that could serve as cover, the possible escape routes. Her mind buzzed with plans as her heart beat with determination.
Pan: (murmuring) I'll escape after dinner. It's the only time when things quiet down.
She stepped away from the window, her face now set with a grim but resolute expression. She walked to a small chest in the corner of the room and opened it, pulling out simple clothes that could help her go unnoticed.
Pan: (determined) Father, Din, Chain… all of you will pay for what you did to Van. I'm not just Pao Hong's daughter. I'm Pan, and no one will stop me from finding justice.
She shut the chest firmly and sat back down on the bed, waiting patiently for the right moment. The night dragged on slowly, each second feeling like an eternity.
Outside, the sounds of the fortress continued as usual, but for Pan, every step, every voice was a reminder of what she was about to leave behind. When darkness finally blanketed the sky, Pan stood up, her eyes fixed on the window.
Pan: (whispering to herself) It's now or never.
With her heart racing, she began preparing for her escape, each movement filled with hope and desperation.
DINNER TIME
The room was bathed in a melancholic dim light. The only illumination came from a small oil lamp on the table, casting flickering shadows on the decorated walls. The silence was broken only by the heavy footsteps of Din approaching outside.
Din: (knocking on the door) Miss Pan, may I come in? I've brought your dinner.
Inside the room, Pan sat on the bed, her eyes fixed on the window, but her mind far away. When she heard Din's voice, a shiver ran down her spine. She took a deep breath before responding, trying to remain calm.
Pan: (nervously, with irony) I don't know, Din. Maybe you should ask yourself that, considering you're the one who locked me in here like a prisoner.
From the other side of the door, Din chuckled softly, unfazed.
Din: (opening the door) Come now, Miss Pan, don't be so harsh on me. I'm just following orders.
He entered the room carrying a silver tray with a steaming bowl of soup, a piece of fresh bread, and a small glass of wine. He walked to the table and carefully set down the tray, glancing at Pan.
Din: (in a casual tone) You need to eat. It's been two days since Van died, Miss Pan. It's time to move on.
Din's words hit Pan like a blow. She clenched her hands in her lap, trying to contain the anger boiling inside her.
Pan: (looking at Din with disdain) How dare you talk about him like that?
Din shrugged and turned away, pretending to study the tapestry on the wall.
Din: (with a sarcastic smile) I'm just telling the truth. Besides, Van was nothing more than a useless thief. He betrayed Chain, and you know no one survives that.
Pan stood abruptly, her green eyes blazing with fury.
Pan: (shouting) I don't believe you, Din! Van was an honest man, far more than anyone in this cursed fortress!
Din chuckled again, but this time there was something darker in his expression. He stepped closer, his gaze full of challenge.
Din: (mockingly) Honest? Miss Pan, have you forgotten he was a thief? He stole, just like all of us here. There's no honor among thieves.
Pan: (nervously, almost in tears) Get out of my room now, Din!
Din raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, but the mocking smirk never left his face.
Din: (with disdain) As you wish, Miss Pan. But remember, your anger won't bring him back.
He left the room, shutting the door behind him with a loud thud that echoed in the silent space. Pan stood still, breathing heavily, as tears finally began to fall. She sat back down on the bed, her heart racing.
Pan: (whispering to herself) My dear Van… how can they speak of you like that? I will avenge your death.
She wiped her tears away with determination and turned to look at the window. The fortress was growing noisier, with the sounds of chatter and laughter echoing through the courtyard. It was dinnertime in the great hall—the moment when everyone ate and drank until they could no longer stand.
Pan: (thoughtfully, looking at the window) Now they'll feast and drink like pigs... and that's when I'll escape.
She stood and walked to the small chest in the corner of the room. Kneeling down, she carefully opened the lid and pulled out the simple clothes she had prepared earlier. Pan dressed in a gray tunic and tied a dark scarf around her platinum hair to hide it.