-William-
You would almost think I had not destroyed the stone but brought it with us, given the luck we were having. However, I did destroy it. The only way to destroy it was by fire. I had thrown it into one of the large torches outside, and it had screamed like a real person, releasing the trapped souls within. It was crucial to ensure that no one could ever recover it, and it was best if the princess forgot about it. Yet, as I sat by the fire in front of her, I saw her differently.
Learning that her mother was not born a lady but a peasant had shifted my perception of her. Her mother had taught her the importance of being close to her people. Unlike many kings or queens who never took the time to connect with their subjects, here was this princess greeting people, waving at them, and
