Fort Commander, Eisenburg [Bonus Chapter 1/7]

"???"

Although taken aback at first, Cassius quickly reciprocated the hug when he sensed the poor girl's unease.

She had been trapped in that cold, wet, and scary dungeon for so long. And when finally allowed to escape, the kind man who helped her spoke words that surely spelled his demise. For the past few hours, she couldn't stop herself from assuming the worst.

It became dark again. So very dark.

Then, like the dam walls of light breaking forth, the door to the room she was ordered to stay in swung open. Light returned once more.

Only muffles escaped Opal's lips, but Cassius could fully understand the intent behind what she was trying to say. He smiled fondly, coddling her head. "Don't worry, I won't leave you alone again. After all, we're going to head over to your elder sister's place right after I explain to the Fort Commander what happened."