The Lady of Red

The Mission

Hikare, Sulha royal chamber, Midnight

As Sulha delicately applies her eye makeup in the mirror, Cedrick is restlessly pacing around the room as his mind betrays his inner turmoil. His mind is preoccupied with the thought of King Kaaly's punishment. My dearest Princess, such an act could incur severe punishment," he murmurs nervously, hoping Sulha will change her mind. She gave him a pointed look, her irritation seen in her furrowed brows, "Isn't it also forbidden for a man to tread within the confines of my chamber." Sulha retorted, her voice laced with sarcasm as she adjusted the fake beard under her chin. As for Cedrick, he cannot fathom the crime they are readying to commit. His heart gets heavier with every breath, "Our very lives hang in the balance of your crusade," Cedrick frets. "And mine be the first to fall," Sulha counters. "Committing this act will provoke his highness to the annihilation of my entire lineage," Cedrick continues, desperation evident in his tone. "My father would rather relinquish his throne than lay a finger on Uncle Baris," Sulha fires back defiantly. "Princess!" Cedrick's exclamation halts her, causing Sulha to pivot towards him. Drawing closer, she gently lays her hands on his shoulders. "Cedrick, can't you find it in yourself to trust me?" she questioned softly. His eyes caught in the intensity of her gaze, and Cedrick's resolve wavers yet again. Sulha's smile is gentle as she releases him, a silent testament to her relentless perseverance.

"You're my best sidekick for a reason," Sulha whispered as she approached the towering windows, the size of a commoner's humble abode. She carefully checked the makeshift rope she had fashioned from blankets and the hem of her gowns. The absurdity of a princess enduring such trials gnawed at her, yet the strict decree forbade her from leaving her chamber after sunset. With a determined grip on the rope, Sulha prepared to lower herself out of the window. Cedrick, ever loyal, stood guard, his heart racing with worry as he watched her descend the dizzying height of approximately 250 feet. Only when he was sure of her safety did he retrieve the rope, pulling it back into the room with careful haste. Once safely on the ground, Sulha races away from the palace, seeking refuge in a hidden hideout behind the palace walls. Cedrick, ever vigilant, slipped away from the chamber, his steps weighted with the burden of secrecy. In the palace corridors, whispers of Aziz and Cedrick's familial bond with the late queen echoed, a reminder of the intricate web of connections that surrounded them. Thus, no one minded seeing a commoner enter and leave the place as he pleased.

Hikare. hideout behind the palace. 12:45 AM

Sulha sat in the corner of the hideout, nestled underground. Cedrick had employed a magic spell to seal the entrance, a secret known only to the trio. Sulha and Aziz had utilized their brute strength to unearth the hideout and fashion a shelter, a task they had embarked on together since childhood. Building such creations was a shared passion of the trio from a young age. They had constructed numerous treehouses, underground hideouts, and various shelters throughout the woods, along the cliffside, and beneath the lake. Sulha's heart raced with uncertainty as she waited in the dimly lit hideout, her worry growing with each passing moment. Every creak and rustle in the silence intensified her nerves, leaving her on edge, unsure of when Cedrick would arrive. Suddenly, the entrance burst open, and Sulha's heart stopped in her throat as she jumped, startled by the sudden eruption of noise and movement. Through the settling dust and dirt, Cedrick appeared. His presence relieved Sulha's unsettled mind, and Sulha couldn't help but feel a wave of comfort and affection wash over her.

To be continued. 

Next Chapter: 04/19/2024

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