The Princess' Choice

Sun, Moon, Stars, and a tiny comet

The knights dragged Berke to the dungeons as per Emmett ordered. They tied her with chains in the middle of a dark room, which looked exactly like an interrogation room. The knights left the room leaving Emmett, Berke and a huge muscular man alone. The man had his face covered by a mask, but still, Berke could feel his maniac stare at her. Berke's eyes shined in the darkness like a cat's. Emmett sat in front of her and sighed.

- I give you exactly one chance to talk and tell me what I just witnessed. - Berke nodded. Her ankles and wrists hurt by the rough touch of the cold steel against her skin, also her side stung like hell.

- Your Highness. I couldn't fall asleep because I was nervous about your decision. - Emmett glanced at the man in mask and he pulled Berke's chains higher.

- I'm not interested in your fairytales! Skip to the point. What were you doing in the Princess' bedroom?! How did you escape from your room and what is that blood on you?! But most importantly, who are you working for?! - Emmett was blinded by range. Yes, this woman saved his life, but she also survived that war. Only God knew, how many illegal and disgusting things she did to be still alive. His judgment was clouded by the worry for his little sister and due to the fact that Annalise's secret might has been revealed! Berke hissed in pain, while she felt her wound open bigger.

- I picked the lock when I saw someone climbing up to the tower! I didn't know it was the Princess' bedroom! I grabbed a bedsheet and followed the strange man up the wall. - Emmett scoffed but kept listening. His legs and hands shook in anger. He had to be patient, but the thought that Annalise's life was in danger, woke up the warrior in him.

- I arrived a few minutes after him.

The unknown man was slowly approaching the sleeping princess. The moonlight shined on the dagger in his hand and I knew I must act as fast and silent as I could. I grabbed the bedsheet I brought to cover myself and threw it over the intruder's head. He turned around and stabbed me in the side, but I turned the sheet once again, this time around his neck. I used all my strength and snapped his neck with the sheets, used as a rope and with the motion of the fight, I kicked him out of the window. Your Highness arrived after that. I don't know who he was, I didn't see his face. But your Highness can check the validity of my story if you check the corpse and my side. - Emmett stood up and walked close to Berke. He looked into her eyes and wished for Sébastien's ability. This woman was a mystery herself.

- How can we be sure, that he wasn't your complice? What if you killed him and injured yourself to mislead me? - Berke grinned.

- If I wanted to hurt your Highness or the Royal family, I would've let you die on the battlefield years ago. - the masked man pulled Berke's chains tighter and this time she shouted out in pain, while the red patch on her apron became bigger. It grew like a rose and she laughed.

- May I ask for a favor your Highness? - she asked while Emmett stared at the injury on her side. Berke didn't wait for his answer.

- If you want to kill me, kill me quickly, don't play with me. - Emmett nodded to the masked man and Berke shut her eyes trying to imagine a nice scenery in front of her. A memory of her childhood, before the birth and death of her first sibling appeared in front of her. When she still belonged, when she was still loved. Her pain was gone and darkness fall on her.

Emmett healed her injury and the masked man released Berke. The Prince himself took her back to the room she was originally locked in and ordered Sir Douglas to keep an eye on her. When Dave arrived, Emmett wanted to leave, but his friend grabbed him by the shoulder and asked.

- What happened? - Emmett told everything to Dave and he stared at his friend, as he has just seen a ghost. Then, Dave turned to the door and took a glance inside. Berke was sleeping peacefully like nothing happened.

- She is an extraordinary woman, Emmett. - the Prince took a glance as well before they closed the door and he left.

When Berke opened her eyes, the sun was already pretty high up in the sky. She looked around and saw that she was in the same room they locked her in. For a split second she thought everything from last night, was just a dream. When she noticed that her clothes were covered in blood, and although her wound wasn't there anymore, but its place still hurt a bit. She started to recall her memories from last night.

- At the end he decided to believe me. - she mumbled in silence. A soft knock on the door brought her back from her thoughts.

- Yes? - she asked and a familiar, kind voice said.

- Good morning, Berke! I'll have to take you in front of the Royal family in a few minutes. Please, get yourself a bit together.

-Thank you Sir Douglas! - she quickly washed herself with some cold water that she got last night. The chilly water helped her to wake up completely. Berke got into a dress she found in the cupboard, and soaked the blood stained dress in the water.

- I'm ready Sir Douglas! - Berke said and stood in front of the door with her hands extended. Dave looked at them confused.

- What are you doing? - he asked and Berke shrugged.

- Waiting for my chains I suppose. - Dave chuckled and shook his head.

- No chains! You are not an animal! Please follow me, and don't forget, if you try to run away, I must hurt you. - Dave said with worry in his eyes and Berke knew that the idea of "no chains" was his own. She nodded and followed Dave to the throne room. The corridors of the palace were filled with the most expensive tapestries and carpets. Maids were running up and down and everyone stopped to check Berke out. The dress she found was a summer maid dress. Light white fabric that covered her arms only till her elbows revealing her patched skin. The dress was dark blue from chest to ankles. Berke didn't put the apron on to avoid the unnecessary anger of the maids. They arrived to a huge double wing, delicately engraved, enormous door. Dave kindly smiled at her to encourage Berke. He spoke a few words with the guards and the butler announced their arrival.

- Bow in front of the Sun, Moon and Stars of the empire! - he screamed and Berke bowed deeply after entering to the room.

- Lift your head! - a strong and powerful voice ordered and Berke followed the order just to meet five pairs of eyes staring at her.