12.

Aeris's POV

The candle flickered softly as I sat alone in the corner of Mira's hidden room. I had trouble sleeping. My thoughts were restless, and my heart felt heavy. I kept thinking about the prisoners in the dungeons those who were loyal to my family, like Lady Vieller.

She had served my mother faithfully. Her entire family had. If she was still alive, she didn't deserve to rot in that dark place. I had to do something. I just didn't know how.

Until I found the map.

It happened when I was cleaning the back of the room. Behind the shelves of old books and dried herbs, I noticed a panel in the wall that didn't quite match the others. I pressed against it. With a soft creak, it opened to reveal a small wooden box, hidden in the wall.

Inside, I found old papers, a broken pendant, and a folded piece of parchment.

When I opened it, my hands started to shake.

It was a map. A secret map of the palace's underground tunnels. My eyes scanned the lines. There it was an old escape route that led directly into the dungeon. It passed beneath the garden wall and through a sealed chamber. Only someone who knew what to look for would find it.

I stared at the map for a long time.

This was it. My chance.

I placed the original back in the box and carefully made a copy using charcoal and fresh parchment. I traced every curve and mark until it looked exact. When I finished, I tucked the new map into my satchel and closed the wall panel again.

I had a plan now.

But to enter the dungeon, I needed a disguise.

I stood up and changed into my underclothes. Then I wrapped a long cloak over myself and tied my hair beneath a dark scarf. I wore soft shoes to keep my steps silent. It was the middle of the night. The guards near the market would be tired and lazy.

I waited for the right moment, then slipped out of the hideout.

The streets were quiet. Only the moon watched me.

I walked carefully, keeping to the shadows. After about ten minutes, I spotted two guards patrolling near the old tavern. They were laughing, passing a bottle between them. I crept closer and waited behind a wooden crate.

When one of them wandered off to relieve himself, I followed.

He barely made a sound when I knocked him out. I dragged him behind the barrels and took his uniform. It was slightly too big, but I tightened the belt and tucked my scarf beneath the helmet. I returned to the other guard before he noticed.

I struck fast one hit to the back of the head.

He dropped like a sack of flour.

Now I had everything I needed.

Disguised as a palace guard, I walked quickly through the narrow alleys and entered through a small broken gate near the southern wall. Just like the map said, the entrance to the tunnel was hidden beneath an old stone statue of a lion. I pushed it aside slowly. Dust fell from the edges, and the stone groaned.

Behind it was a tunnel. Dark and damp.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The path twisted downward. Water dripped from the ceiling. The air smelled of earth and mold. I walked fast, holding a small lantern I had brought with me. The tunnel was narrow, but the map had shown the way clearly.

After some time, I reached a heavy door.

I pushed it open slowly.

I had arrived in the lower dungeon levels.

It was quiet. The only sound was the rustling of rats and the distant groans of prisoners. I moved down the hallway, my boots light on the stone floor. A few guards stood watch near the main chamber. I couldn't avoid them.

So I didn't.

I approached them calmly. They didn't suspect me. I waited until I was close enough, then struck with the hilt of my sword. One fell, then the other. I moved quickly, dragging their bodies into the shadows. My hands shook, but I kept moving.

I had to find her.

I unlocked cell after cell, checking each face. Some prisoners looked at me in fear. Others cried out for help. I gave them soft words and handed out keys.

"Go, Escape" I whispered to each of them.

They nodded, confused but hopeful.

Finally, I found her.

Lady Vieller.

She sat in a corner, her body thin and fragile. Her once-beautiful dress was now rags. Her skin was pale, and her lips cracked. She stared at me through the bars without recognition.

I opened the cell and stepped inside.

"Lady Vieller," I said softly.

She looked up, startled.

I took off my helmet.

Her eyes widened. She gasped.

"P-Princess…? That's impossible. You… you died."

I knelt beside her. "It's me," I muttered. But we don't have much time. You need to follow me."

"Am I dreaming?" she whispered

"No, this is real. But you must come with me now if you want to live."

She reached out a trembling hand. I helped her stand. Her legs shook beneath her, but she clung to me for strength.

"Why are you helping me?" she asked.

"Because you were loyal. Because you believed in my mother. And because I need people I can trust."

She nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks.

We walked back toward the tunnel. More prisoners were escaping, moving silently behind us. I kept Lady Vieller close. When we reached the statue again, I stopped.

"This tunnel leads to the slums," I said. "At the end, look for a woman named Mira. She will help you."

She looked at me, confused. "You're not coming?"

"I have to return," I said. "Before anyone notices I'm gone. I'll take another path and meet you there later."

She clutched my arm. "You've become so strong."

I smiled, though my heart ached. "We all must, to survive."

She stepped into the tunnel. Before she disappeared, she looked back.

"Princess."

I shook my head.

"I'm not a princess anymore," I said. "But I'll make them remember who I was."

Then I pulled the statue back into place, hiding the tunnel once more.

And I vanished into the dark.