Room of Solitary

The road continued on, pass the high walls. Trees surrounded the path that stretched far on the hills—their destination, still far ahead.

The headmaster glanced back at the caged wagon, where the girl was lifelessly sitting, her body lax swaying along the rattles of the vehicle. It was a pitiful sight to see. He, then, turned his focus straight on front, where the top buildings of the academy are partially seen above the canopy of the woods. It might be a large distance but it won't be a long journey far up ahead. But instead of heading straight to the large structures, the headmaster pulled the reigns, his horse swerving to the side with a loud neigh and completely heading to another direction.

A mischievous smile graced his lips, unable to hold his excitement any longer. Thinking about his ideas made him giddy, messing with the elites that question the gears creaking inside his head, not to mention the enemies. This made a chuckle tingle his throat.

It's all worth it.

~~

"He's on his way here, my lady knight."

The figure stared at the large glass pane. Bright orange eyes scoured the canopy of trees with indifference. "I see."

~~

Adeleine was conflicted. It was her gut feeling that's telling her she'll be fine but can't bring herself to trust it. She can't even understand how she can be optimistic right now, clinging to the faint hope given at this situation.

He could have killed her. She could have died. A chill ran down her spine.

There must be a reason behind this, prolonging her death—they needed something from her. Even though it's quite ambitious of her to think that way.

She was sure, but she can't put much of her faith in it. The last thing she wants to do is tricking herself into false hope. One sure thing was, they want her alive, but she doesn't know for what reason. There's no point in thinking much anyway; she'll just have to wait.

"Moon, what do you think?" she whispered only to be met with silence. A sigh escaped her lips, her mind-companion had been silent ever since the last time she burst. She must be sulking somewhere inside her mind. ''Moon, come on. Don't stay silent, we're in a life and death situation right here. Don't make me come in there myself."

Again, silence.

"Okay, I had enough of this." She fixed her position and went to a meditative state, losing the grasp to the physical world and swirling to her inner senses. When she opened her eyes, the familiar blank void greeted her—the dream circle.

But contrary to her expectations, Moon was nowhere to be found. She was alone in this desolated place. This never happened before, no, Moon is always here.

"Moon, where are you?! Don't you dare play with me, Moon! I don't have time for this!" she said, tone dragging desperately. Her voice bounced back at her. Met, yet again, with another silence, her eyebrows creased in confusion and worry, whipping her head to every direction frantically. "Moon!" she belted out. Her chest heaved heavily after, slowly pacing to hyperventilating.

Then she snapped. She was forced back to reality, leaning her back against the frame of the bed with a heavy heart and a discontent soul. Bewildered, she stared long at the wall in front of her. Cream paste lined with golden intricacies at the bottom, curling around the pillars like vines reaching the top. Just this wall, it blatantly screams grandiose sophistication.

Uncurling herself from the ball position, she got up from the floor and took a turn to observe the room they placed her in. It was big. It was luxurious. Needless to say, she was trying to distract herself from her dilemma and sudden Moon's disappearance.

The ceiling curved, a golden chandelier gloriously stood at the center, hanging itself from the large sun carved with detailed slopes and humps that blended with the color of the background.

And she feels so out-of-place.

The large-sized bed placed at the middle on top of crimson carpet, with silk sheets and soft mattress, tempted Adeleine to jump on it and sink in, away from all the things concurrently happening right now. But she felt bad about the pure and unstained color of the blankets, considering her unsightly state. Dress covered with dried blood and stink from head to toe, her hair resembles a bird's nest with leaves and twigs as decoration, and face smeared with muck and soil. Monsters would have ducked in shame, even she, herself, can't handle facing in the mirror.

Just then, the door burst without any warning causing her to jolt up from the carpeted floor and women in black and white uniformed skirts poured in. They formed one line and had their heads down. Last to enter was a lady in a pure white dress.

Adeleine can't help but be awestruck at the sight of the woman in front of her. Filled with grace and dignity. Her white robes accentuated her dark-colored skin. The dress hugged her slender waist but it freely flowed below her hips, the hem lightly kissing the floor like dewdrops.

"Prepare the bath," the lady ordered. The people did not waste any second and scuttled about.

Adeleine was in utter confusion, watching the people do various things inside the room that despite being a large space, it almost felt cramped. She wasn't used to many people. A chill ran down her spine and she felt a hand grabbing her shoulders tightly. In a matter of seconds, they were already stripping away her clothing.

"W-wait-!"

Startled, she yelped with flushed cheeks while trying to pry off their hands. But the next thing she knew was she somehow submerged herself in a bath and the maids are now scrubbing away the dirt and mud stuck on her skin.

~~

She gave out a relieve sigh. The girl was able to escape the uncomfortable position of being surrounded while in her birthday suit, by completely staying still as they quickly finish up. For now, she donned a silk white night gown, ready for bed. A clothing she felt foreign with. It felt high-quality, expensive and... smells freaking gold coins.

The bathing took longer than expected that the sun has set, giving way for the dimmer sphere to guard the sky. Stars sparkled against the black blanket of void from the large window as a soft glow of glimmer poured in the cool dark room.

Her glassy blue eyes reflected the bright moon as she stared outside from the bed. "Moon," she said. She hoped for a reply but the silence left her disappointed. Eerie, deafening silence. She had never felt the actual coldness inside, now, she does. Lonely.

The double-door softly opened and from the lit hallways, a dark figure stood. She entered, holding a tray, her steps soft on the hard marble floor, yet powerful. Setting it down on the table and grabbing a brush, she moved towards the letherian girl.

She stopped. Her face bathed under the moon's ethereal glow, her hair shining blindingly silver and her eyes—.

Adeleine felt a shiver staring at the bright orange orbs. She never knew how a warm color could emit such a cold, nonchalant look. Her lips fined in a thin line and her face devoid of any emotion.

It was the same lady as before.

The woman sat beside her and grabbed the girl's head, stirring it away to a different direction and started brushing her hair. It was a moment of silence. Adeleine can't bear to move, it felt uncomfortable and her muscles have been in the same positions for minutes now. Her heart steadily beat as she closed her eyes.

At last, the lady stopped and Adeleine breathe out a sigh of relief she didn't realize she was holding. The silent woman stood up and gracefully returned with the tray.

Adeleine knew nothing would come out if she kept silent, like she was in these past hours. She was the one needing information on what was happening. If so, she had to speak up.

"Why am I here? What do you need?"

The lady handed her a mirror, which she stared in confusion. Confusion was replaced with astonishment when a face of a familiar yet foreign girl greeted her instead. Her cheeks were hollow and translucent, it dumbfounded her how much weight she lost since the start of her travel to this place. It must be due to the stress. But her state must have been better now compared to the last few days.

There was a tinge of pink lightly stroke across her cheeks. She brushed it with her fingers, feeling the faint coldness of her shivering hands. Her lips was glossed, moisturized and hiding the cracked layers. Her hair was shinier than before and darker, it slipped past her fingers when she tried to combed her tangled locks.

She looked dainty... and delicate. Like a noble from a distinguished family rather than a village kid. She can't believe her eyes.

Was this the power of money?

"I believe I am not in the position to give answers," she replied curtly.

Her voice snapped Adeleine out of her thoughts. She had forgotten the question she wished to be answered a while ago due to the sight of her foreign reflection. Seconds pass, the lady's reply made her heave a sigh.

"Verkel should be able to answer your queries," she added, which sparked hope in Adeleine. "but I doubt you'll get a proper reply."

Her words made the girl knit her eyebrows. Upon recalling the name Verkel, her face scrunched into a scowl. Adeleine can't forget what he did.

A tyrant. Crazy, scheming, and evil, she dare to say—and her only source of answers. Adeleine is currently cursing her luck right now.

She hung her head in disappointment and dropped the mirror beside her. The lady passed the bowl of food which she cupped with her hands with wide questioning eyes. The warm sensation from the hot soup seeped into the porcelain bowl and into her cold fingers. It grounded her to reality.

She blew the steam before quietly taking a sip. The lady continued to brush her hair as she stared into nothingness. Silence ensued and only the rhythmic sound of friction against the hair and brush were heard. Adeleine glanced at the hand mirror only to see the lady's reflection. Her jaw hang in awe.

The moon's soft glow illuminated her, highlighting the mysterious lady's face. The bright orange orbs contrasted the dark setting in the room, streaks of unnoticeable yellow danced, making it spark like blazing fire. She was beautiful.

Adeleine swooned. She swore she would have fallen for her if she was an opposite gender. But she isn't, but it still left her gawking at the sight.

"Pretty..." she subconsciously murmured.

Orange eyes snapped to her. She flinched at the sudden action and flushed as she was caught red-handed for staring, even if it was through the mirror. She sprang up and hung her head.

"I apologize! I didn't mean to stare…"

She summoned the courage, peaking through her eyelashes, to see the lady's reaction. This was the first time she's interacted with anyone so openly other than her mother and Moon. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her lips gracing a small amused smile.

"Humble child. How rare to see that nowadays." She chuckled.

It made her cheeks redden as she looked away, hiding her face in her palms. She earned another soft laugh from the lady that made her forget the uncomfortable atmosphere a while ago.

"What is your name, child?"

"Adeleine, uh, ma'am?"

She smiled. "Kellie is fine." Stepping back, she stared at her work, silently admiring it. "Now sleep, you have school tomorrow."

The girl laid in bed, tucking her body tight in the comforts of the blanket and drifted to sleep. "School?" she quietly muttered.

Her question was left unanswered as her eyes fluttered closed and Kellie retrieved the bowl and tray. She quietly closed the door, sending the letherian a last glance. Surely, the poor girl was exhausted from her journey and has to wake up early tomorrow. She needed a good night sleep.

The door shut with a click.

"Verkel, you bastard." She sighed.

~~

"Why are you pulling the girl into so much trouble? She has done nothing to you."

Verkel slyly smirked, swirling his glass of champagne as he leaned back on his large seat. "Am not. She's just unfortunate enough to be pulled into things," he lightly regarded, turning to the side, half of his face illuminated by the bright full moon from the tall clear windows. "She may be cursed."

"You threatened her at the gates. She was frightened when you pulled that joke of yours," Kellie sternly said, her brows uncharacteristically narrowed slightly. "You could've avoided that. You do know that you're making it harder for us to let her warm up."

"I didn't do that out of just boredom, Kel. You're too concerned about the girl." He dismissively shrugged. "Why? Did she remind you of someone?" His eyes glimmered in amusement as his lips quirked upwards.

"Well, if you want to earn her trust, don't abolish it to the ground first."

"That's what you're here for."

Seriously, this man. She was just a pinch close from her knuckles kissing his cheeks.

Her face remained devoid of emotions.

"You plan to keep her?" Why else would he want to earn her trust then? She rationalized.

His lips quirked. "You could say that."

Her eyebrows met uncharacteristically. "You're going to use her? What for?" she demanded an answer.

He shrugged and brought the wine glass to his lips. "Hmm yeah, rather than handing her over the council. She clearly holds of no use to them."

Kellie met his eyes with the most soulless look. If this man only answers straight to the point—this was the reason why people can't put up with him.

He just loves building mazes and leaving people in the dark.

They aren't playing game of charades, or riddles, but this man…is the epitome of a bastard you want to throw in the Laya Volcano.

"Go earn her trust then…" She turned around to leave. This alerted the man as he almost sprung up from his seat.

"Wait, wait!" She stopped, turning around to stare at him with a dead look. He cleared his throat and fixed his back, although he still kept on with his drink. "The plan is to send her to Letheria. Act as a spy."

"I'm guessing that the current isn't enough."

He hummed as he stroked his chin.

Getting no response, Kellie's eyes bore straight to his. "What? Is there something amiss?"

"You could say that."

That line, again. Kellie gave him a flat look.

He raised his drink in the air and it glistened under the moon's glow. "But only few should know about this, for this plan to proceed."

"Does the circle know?"

"Eeeeh…the plan, no. But they were aware I took her in. Honestly, they're just going to torture her to death. Such a waste of time and resources to only come up empty handed."

But she's so young. Kellie felt pity for the poor child, so young, so innocent. Then, again, war is war. People were regarded as chess pieces, significant or a sacrifice. And information weighed more than gold.

Headmaster Verkel leaned back on his chair, a satisfied rumble from his throat as he downed his wine. "…I have my suspicions. We may not even be alone at this very moment."

Right. Kellie's hand rested on the hilt of her sword as she shifted her stance into something more balanced without alerting anyone, waiting, anticipating. It was a moment of silence for them to feel their surroundings.

A few heartbeats passed.

"Then why are you telling me this?"

"What?" he asked as if she asked something so obvious and casually shrugged. "You're taking it to your grave anyway."

"Was I supposed to laugh?"

"Just joking. It was supposed to be humorous." He laughed and raised his glass. "How about a drink?"

"Pass."

"Still boring, I see." He snorted.