Iaso Ragdoll Aegean.

After being hyper-aware for days on end, she was told she was the perfect negotiation chip and was kept safe.

It was extremely demeaning, insulting. She almost wondered if the people of the empire even saw her as a person, but it beat death any day.

Just being safe made her feel like she was in a different world, but there was someone around who had made it all possible.

The man who had only introduced himself as her professor.

After losing her two, only friends in the world. Iaso considered herself all alone and the Empire provided no relief.

The Aegean family was one of stealth and darkness before her father took the crown of the king.

And she was a genius of that bloodline. She was certain that not even someone walking right in front of her would discern her presence.

Her stealth, which was active at all times, was seen through without any effort by that man.

She was afraid. That he would sell her out, that he might use her for his own gains, that he was just like the knights of the academy who were ready to kill her.

But before she knew it, the academy’s professor made her troubles his own.

He helped her even if it meant fighting against his superiors in the civil servants and flipping the staff list of the academy on its toes.

Iaso had started to rely on this professor.

Someone who had helped her in the worst of times.

It was only natural that she helped him back.

The veneer of trees was left behind as Iaso jumped through the forest in the East of the academy.

Her lips quivered and her hands trembled. It was only natural.

She knew, no one could come inside the academy without triggering its magic. She had no choice but to go herself.

Soon, she stopped at the edge of the academy. A translucent veil floated all the way to the skies, the boundary of the enormous barrier that covered this stronghold.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

As she reached the edge of the barrier, she took in a deep breath.

From the trees beyond the barrier, multiple figures emerged.

“You came, princess…”

Iaso bit her lips as she saw the familiar face.

The same damned face of the person who had taken the life of her best friend. The bastard that had betrayed her.

A deep wound was etched on his neck. With madder eyes, the man grinned as he held a sword in front of himself.

“Zorack Bombay Lusha…”

The black-haired knight laughed. “You do remember me! Well, it doesn’t matter since you’re going to die here. You understand, right? This is for all the cat tribes.”

Iaso scoffed. For the cat tribes? This was nothing but the selfish whims of Rathnar. Now that she was in this place, they would even be able to exert pressure on the empire as long as they killed her.

Iaso bit her lips.

“I knew you would come, though…” Zorack placed a hand on his forehead. The others around him held the same evil grin, itching to see her blood.

Zorack suddenly reached into his pockets and pulled out the diary that she had left behind on the day she escaped. He tossed on the ground and stepped on it. “You have always been a soft hearted princess like that. A fool. We can’t let you have any power.”

[https://i.imgur.com/jriCHAp.jpg]

Iaso was overcome with fear, but she couldn’t succumb to it.

Not now.

“You are just cowards… Taking hostages.”

“What the hell did you say!?”

A voice from behind stopped him before the black-haired knight could lose his marbles. “Zorack! Hold yourself.”

Iaso’s eyes widened. Behind Zorack… was the same minister who had instructed her to stay in her room.

The first minister, who her father and mother respected and trusted.

“Minister Abyssinian… you…”

The minister closed his eyes and shook his head.

“I am sorry, Princess, but the king’s orders are clear. You must die here.”

“My parents trusted you…”

“And they are no more of this world. I do what I do for the tribe, King Rathnar will lead us well.”

Iaso’s nails dug into her skin as she clenched her fists. It was betrayal from all ends.

“I was surprised when we couldn’t find you for days on end,” the minister continued. “Please step out here and come with us.”

She did not move, still shaking.

“Hah!” Zorack spat on the ground and raised his sword high. “She won’t hear you out like this, trust me, I have seen her whims since she was a child.”

Zorack suddenly stepped closer to the barrier and smiled brightly, a truly despicable grin that sent shivers down her spine.

“If you don’t come over here… then I’ll have to kill that professor of yours.” Zorack suddenly stopped. “Oh, will that not work? You just act like you care, when you are selfish. That’s right, you didn’t even come to save Penny, did you? You only ran!”

Those words snapped something within her. With tears glistening at the edge of her eyes, Iaso looked beyond the barrier.

That’s right.

This time… she planned to save the person who saved her.

Maybe she saw Penny in him. Maybe all this time, she thought that being helpful now would bring some respite to her friend who had shown the spirit of sacrifice.

But… words were just that, words.

This time. For the person who saved her.

She was ready to risk her life as well.

And so, the princess took a step… out of the barrier.