NOT WORTHY TO BE KING: FEARLESS WARRIOR

43| WE NEED TO FIND A WAY OUT OF HERE

Tiara's head felt heavy, and her vision was blurry as she struggled to open her eyes. Her surroundings were unfamiliar; the room was dimly lit, and it took her a moment to realise she was lying on a cold, hard surface.

Panic surged through her as her memory began to return in fragments. The last thing she remembered was waking up from her chambers, and then... darkness.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she pushed herself into a sitting position, her breathing shallow and rapid. As her vision cleared, she saw Arianna lying unconscious beside her. Relief washed over her at the sight of her cousin, but it was quickly replaced by the realization that they were in danger.

"Arianna," Tiara whispered urgently, shaking her gently. "Arianna, wake up."

Arianna's eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, she looked disoriented and confused. Then, as her gaze focused on Tiara, the fear in her eyes mirrored the unease that Tiara was feeling.

"Tiara? What's... What's going on?" Arianna's voice was shaky as she tried to sit up.

Tiara took a deep breath, her voice steady despite her own fear. "We've been kidnapped, Arianna. I don't know where we are or who did this, but we need to stay calm and figure out a way to get out of here."

Arianna's brows furrowed, her expression a mix of disbelief and apprehension. "Kidnapped? How is that even...?"

Tiara placed a reassuring hand on Arianna's arm. "I don't have all the answers right now, but what we need to focus on is finding a way to escape. Do you remember anything before you woke up here?"

Arianna closed her eyes, clearly trying to piece together her memories. "I remember that I went to the garden because I wanted to get some fresh air and then... I don't know, everything's a blur."

Tiara nodded, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of their situation. "It's okay. We'll figure this out. Right now, we need to stay vigilant and look for any possible way out." There was silence for a few minutes as they both looked everywhere around them.

Tiara's heart raced as the memories came flooding back—she had been about to step out of her chambers to make some coffee for Logan when everything had gone dark. Arianna's abduction from the garden was just as perplexing. How could someone infiltrate the palace, bypass its supposedly tight security, and snatch them away without anyone noticing?

"I don't understand," Arianna's voice trembled as she clung to Tiara's arm. "How is this even possible? The palace is supposed to be safe."

Tiara's mind was racing with the same questions, but she knew that panic wouldn't help their situation. She gently squeezed Arianna's hand. "I know, Arianna. It's a shock, and we don't have all the answers right now. But we're strong, and we'll find a way through this."

Arianna's eyes were wide with fear, her thoughts clearly racing toward the uncertainty of what lay ahead. "My due date is in less than two weeks. What if... What if I go into labour? We need to find a way out of here."

Tiara's heart broke for Arianna. The stress of their condition was already pressing, but the added urgency of Arianna's nearing due date made it even more difficult. She inhaled deeply, keeping her voice calm. "We'll do whatever it takes to get out of here, Arianna. But for the sake of the baby, you must also maintain your calm."

Tiara and Arianna carefully looked around them, realising they were in a small room, with no windows and just one door. The air was wet and musty, and the walls were built of rough stone. The seriousness of their situation dawned on Tiara, and her heart dropped.

"We can't just sit here and wait," Arianna said, her voice still hoarse but determined. "We need to find a way to signal for help or draw attention to our location."

Tiara nodded in agreement. "Agreed. Let's start by looking for any objects we can use to our advantage."

They began to search the room, examining every corner for anything that could potentially help them. Tiara's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts—thoughts of escape, thoughts of Logan, Clayton, and their family, and the determination to reunite with them. She couldn't believe she was going through this again.

At least the first time she knew from the beginning who had kidnapped her. This time? She couldn't even think who could have the guts to take her right from her own chambers, with Logan sleeping a few meters from her. The person clearly wasn't scared of what Logan might do to them.

After what felt like an eternity of searching, Arianna's voice cut through the silence. "This is hopeless, Tiara. What are we going to do?" Her shoulders slumped in defeat as they returned to where they had started.

Tiara stepped closer to Arianna, placing a comforting hand on her back. "We're not giving up, Arianna. We'll keep trying, and we'll keep our eyes and ears open for any opportunity."

Arianna's expression was a mix of anxiety and doubt. "But what if nobody comes for us? What if we're stuck here?"

Tiara met Arianna's gaze with determination. "We can't afford to think that way. Logan and Clayton are out there, and they'll do everything in their power to find us. You've seen them in action before. They won't rest until they do."

Arianna managed a weak smile, her fingers clutching Tiara's hand. "I know that Logan will do anything to find you. He did it before and I'm sure he can do it again."

Tiara looked at her cousin. "You don't think Clayton will do the same for you?"

Arianna managed another weak smile. "Of course I trust him. It's just that I am worried that he will cry himself to sleep before he even thinks of a way to find our location." Tiara couldn't help but laugh despite herself.

Tiara's laughter was a brief moment of respite amidst their dire circumstances. "Well, at least we know they both care deeply for us."

"You're right though," Tiara said with a playful grin. "Clayton might need some encouragement in the determination department. But I have faith in both of them. They'll move mountains to find us."

Arianna nodded, the worry still present but now tempered with hope. "They better. Because if they don't, we might have to find our own way out of here or I may even give birth in this godforsaken place."

Arianna's fingers rubbed her abdomen gently, a mixture of anxiety and hope in her touch. "I keep thinking about our baby, Tiara and I know Clayton does too. I want him to be born into a world where he's surrounded by love and safety."

Tiara's heart ached for Arianna's worry, but she placed a reassuring hand on her cousin's shoulder. "And he will be. We're going to get through this, Arianna. And when we're out of here, we'll have an incredible story to tell my little nephew about how his mother and aunt never gave up."

Tiara about telling all of that to her baby as well when he grows up. She just hoped that help would come before her cousin went into labour.

Arianna shifted slightly, wincing as she did. Tiara's concern flared up immediately. "Are you okay?"

Arianna managed a small smile, though there was a hint of discomfort in her expression. "Just a little sore. I think the stress is getting to me."

Tiara gently placed a hand on Arianna's belly, her heart softening at the thought of the life growing within her. "You and the baby need to stay strong, Arianna. We'll get through this."

Arianna nodded, her eyes closing briefly. "I know. Thank you for being here, Tiara. I know we didn't choose this but being with you is more than I could hope for. I don't know what would have happened if I was kidnapped alone. Oh, I know." She laughed a little. "I would be panicking and then my baby would also panic and want to come out."

Tiara chuckled softly, the tension in the room momentarily lifted by Arianna's light-hearted remark. "Well, at least we're in this together. We'll keep each other strong, and we'll keep that baby calm until we're out of here."

As the minutes turned into hours, and the dim light in their prison room barely changed, Tiara found herself curious about Arianna's past. She had never really asked her cousin about her life growing up without her parents and now seemed as good a time as any to learn more about Arianna's experiences.

"Arianna," Tiara began tentatively, "I've never really asked you about what it was like growing up without your parents. I mean, I know the basics, but I'd like to hear more about your life before we met."

Arianna sighed softly, her eyes distant as if she were reliving memories from long ago. "It wasn't easy, Tiara. I don't remember much about my parents, to be honest. My father died before I was even born so I don't know him, and my mother passed away when I was about five."

Tiara's heart ached for her cousin, and she gave Arianna's hand a comforting squeeze. "I'm so sorry, Arianna. That must have been incredibly tough."

Arianna nodded, her eyes filling with a mix of sadness and determination. "It was, but I was lucky in a way. Even though my paternal family didn't want me because they believed I brought bad luck, I ended up in a place called The Enclave."

"The Enclave? Logan doesn't have any positive thing to say about that place" Tiara asked, her curiosity piqued.

Arianna nodded. "I know, but it's a sort of orphanage and sanctuary for children who've lost their families like me. I lived there until I met Clayton."

Tiara's interest deepened. "Tell me about you and Clayton. How did you two meet?"

Arianna's face lit up as she spoke about Clayton. "I met Clayton when I was six years old, just a year after I arrived at The Enclave. He was the newest arrival, and he had this air of mystery about him, even as a child. He didn't talk much at first and I thought we were going to become fast friends but I was wrong. I followed him around from what I remember he didn't like it at first, in fact, I think he hated it. But eventually, I noticed that he would smile when he saw me even when I tried to hide from him."

Tiara couldn't help but smile at the thought of a young Arianna and Clayton finding solace in each other's company. "And how did you two become so close?"

Arianna's smile grew wider. "Well, I remember one day, I must have been around seven or eight, I asked Clayton if he would marry me when we got older."

Tiara laughed softly. "You asked him to marry you?"

Arianna blushed slightly but continued, "Yes, I didn't really understand what love was at that age, but there was something about Clayton that made me feel safe and cared for. And he agreed to marry me, Tiara. Right then and there. He promised to take care of me for the rest of our lives."

Tiara's heart swelled at the sweet memory. "That's such a beautiful promise, Arianna."

Arianna nodded, her eyes filled with affection. "It was, and he's been fulfilling that promise ever since. Clayton became like a brother to me, and as we grew older, our bond deepened into something more."

Tiara couldn't help but ask, "When did you fall in love with him?"

Arianna's gaze turned thoughtful. "I think right at that moment, though I didn't fully understand it at the time. But his care, his protectiveness, and the way he always made me feel special—it all added up to something more than friendship. And now, after all these years, I know I've always loved him."

Tiara smiled warmly at her cousin. "It sounds like you two have a truly special connection. Actually, I know you do. Clayton's face literally lights up when he sees you. You clearly love each other so much."

Arianna nodded, her expression softening. "We do, and I'm so grateful to have him in my life, especially now. He's been my rock through all of this, and he promised me that once our baby is born and we're out of here, he'll give me the most beautiful wedding I could ever dream of."

Tiara's heart swelled with happiness for Arianna. "I have no doubt that he'll keep that promise, Arianna. And I can't wait to see you both as a happy and married couple."

Arianna's eyes sparkled with hope. "Thank you, Tiara. I can't wait for that day either."