205 THE BRIDE SELECTED

205 THE BRIDE SELECTED

Since Lord Kabana imprisoned Siphonia, Rabama had been taking care of her much more than her escort guard did.

Leo didn't answer Rabama immediately. He was weighing the situation. Finally, Leo spoke again, his voice shifting to something more serious. "Back to you. What's really bothering you? You've got Hanna hidden well. Nobody's going to find her. What are you going to do? Help her escape."

Rabama's eyes darkened, his thoughts clouded with doubt. "If she wants me to leave with her I will gladly. The problem is... I don't know if she's using me to help her. What if her heart isn't really with me? What if she's just after the fucking Codex, not me?"

Leo leaned back, raising an eyebrow as he gave Rabama an assessing look. "Well, you could always test her."

Rabama looked at him, confused. "Test her? How?"

Leo leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with wicked amusement. "I have a way to know if she cares more about you than the damn fucking stone," he said, his voice laced with a dark promise.

Rabama's eyes narrowed with interest. "I'm all ears."

------

Rabama led Kabana and Gabana to a secluded spot in Eoloth. With a swift motion, he moved aside a cluster of heavy stones, revealing a narrow passageway hidden beneath.

"What is this? I've never seen it before," Kabana said, peering into the darkness.

"Hanna built this escape route in secret. I only recently discovered it," Rabama explained, his tone grim.

Without hesitation, Gabana darted into the tunnel. Moments later, he returned, breathless and visibly shaken. "The tunnel leads outside of Eoloth," he said, his voice laden with frustration. "That means those wretches must have used it to flee."

Rabama frowned, his concern evident. "We haven't found any sign of Hanna for so long. If they used this passage, they're likely far gone by now."

"No!" Gabana bellowed, his fists clenched. "I must find them—and the Giga Codex! We can't stay here."

"Are you really leaving Eoloth to chase them?" Kabana asked, his voice laced with doubt.

Gabana scoffed. "What good will staying here do? If you're not coming with me, get out of my way." With that, he stormed off to prepare for his journey.

Before Kabana could respond, a group of guards arrived, bowing low.

"Lord Kabana," one of them said, "representatives from the Governor and the families of the selection brides have come demanding their daughters' return."

Kabana's face darkened. "This is troubling," he muttered. "All the brides have vanished, except for Siphonia."

"There's a solution," Leo interjected, stepping forward after a moment of thought.

"What solution?" Kabana asked, turning to him.

"It's simple," Leo began. "You could marry the Governor's niece to your son. She came here to be selected as a bride, so the Governor would have no grounds to complain if she was chosen."

Kabana considered this carefully, but Rabama spoke up, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Friend, are you serious?"

"Siphonia seems like a fine match," Leo said evenly. "While she's been imprisoned in the dungeon, you've been visiting her daily, giving her everything she needs, keeping her company, and offering her encouragement. Don't tell me you feel nothing for her."

"I treat her as a friend," Rabama replied hesitantly.

"It all starts with friendship and a little benefit," Leo said with a knowing smile. "But the choice is yours."

"It is a wise choice, son", Lord Kabana said.

"But she'll have to agree to marry me first," Rabama said, still unsure.

"She already agreed when she came here as a potential bride," Leo reminded him. "Most noblewomen don't oppose arranged marriages, especially when it involves a major family like Eoloth."

"I don't like arranged marriages," Rabama said, his voice rising slightly in protest.

"That's not the issue," Leo countered. "The real question is: do you like Siphonia?"

Rabama fell silent, deep in thought.

Meanwhile, Kabana turned back to Leo. "And the other selection brides? What do I tell their families? They'll demand answers."

"Tell them the truth," Leo said calmly. "The brides were switched when they arrived, and the impostors escaped Eoloth through the tunnel."

"Do you think they'll believe that?" Kabana asked, frowning.

"They'll investigate," Leo replied, "and eventually discover that their daughters were either switched or killed. It won't be your fault."

"What makes you think blaming the Temple of Hera assassins will work?" Kabana pressed.

"Because they're known for their secrecy and ruthlessness," Leo said confidently. "No one could and would dare verify the claim."

Kabana nodded slowly, digesting the plan. "Then it's settled. Rabama, you shall marry Siphonia."

"I haven't agreed to anything yet!" Rabama protested, his voice breaking Kabana's authoritative tone.

----

[In the dungeon of Eoloth]

Rabama entered the dungeon, a room that no longer felt entirely damning and oppressive. He made sure the place was cleaned and redecorated, transforming the once bleak space into something more livable.

Though still a prison, this place was now bearable—almost comfortable.

"You're early today," Siphonia said, her lips curving into a small smile.

She had come to expect his visits, which had become a daily routine. Rabama brought her good food and fine wine, but more than that, he brought his companionship.

Their time together often stretched late into the night, and over the days, they had come to know each other in ways neither had anticipated.

"There's something I need to tell you," Rabama began, his voice serious yet tinged with uncertainty. "We'll be releasing you soon."

Siphonia's eyes widened. "Really? That's wonderful!" Her enthusiasm was quickly tempered by curiosity. "Have they found Hanna?"

"Hanna's gone," Rabama admitted, his expression darkening. "She escaped through a secret tunnel."

"Oh…" Siphonia hesitated, her emotions visibly conflicted. "So… I'll be returning to Sodom, then?"

Rabama shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping for a moment. "Well, not exactly." He took a deep breath. "There's something else. My father has… selected you as my bride."

Siphonia froze, her eyes narrowing slightly as she processed his words. Rabama quickly added, "But if you don't want to marry me, that's fine! I mean, I—"

Before he could finish, Siphonia stepped forward and pressed her lips to his, her body molding against his. Rabama staggered slightly, caught off guard. "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.