The price of comfort

Chapter 6

### Chapter 8: Uncertain Futures

The morning sun streamed through the large windows of the King’s breakfast room, casting a warm glow over the elegantly set table. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air. Della sat opposite King Nikolai, trying to push aside her anxiety and focus on the meal before her.

"Eat, Della," the King encouraged, his voice gentle but firm. "You need to keep your strength up."

Della nodded, picking up a piece of toast and spreading some butter on it. Her mind was racing, thoughts of Evie and their uncertain future swirling in her head. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself before speaking.

"Your Majesty," she began cautiously, "I have a request."

King Nikolai looked at her with mild curiosity. "Yes, Della? What is it?"

"Before Evie is released, may I speak with her?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Just to say goodbye properly."

The King studied her for a moment before nodding. "I will grant that wish," he said. "She will be brought to your apartment shortly."

Relief washed over Della, and she managed a small smile. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

They finished breakfast in relative silence, Della's thoughts preoccupied with the impending meeting with Evie. After the meal, the King escorted her back to her apartment, his demeanor courteous but distant.

"I'll leave you here," he said, pausing at the door. "Evie will join you shortly. Make the most of your time together."

"Thank you," Della repeated, her gratitude genuine despite the underlying fear that never seemed to leave her.

The King gave her a nod and turned to leave. Della entered her apartment, the door closing behind her with a soft click. She paced the room, her nerves on edge as she waited for Evie.

After what felt like an eternity, there was a knock at the door. Della opened it to find Evie standing there, looking significantly better than before. Her hair was clean, and her face showed signs of proper nourishment. Relief flooded through Della as she pulled her friend into a tight embrace.

"Evie, you look so much better," Della said, her voice choked with emotion. "I was so worried about you."

Evie hugged her back just as tightly. "Della, thank you for everything. I can't believe I'm being released."

They moved to the living room and sat down on the couch, the air thick with unspoken concerns. Evie looked at Della, her eyes filled with questions.

"Are you coming with me when Eden comes to get me?" Evie asked, her voice hopeful.

Della's heart sank. She shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. "No, I'm not being released."

"Why not?" Evie pressed, confusion and worry evident in her voice.

Della took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "The King... he likes me," she said quietly, her voice trembling.

Evie's eyes widened. "Likes you? Do you mean... are you going to become a queen or something?"

Della shook her head again, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. "I don't know, Evie. I don’t know if I want to be. This was never part of my plan. I was supposed to start work at my dream job in three weeks, and now I don’t even know if I’ll ever go home."

Evie reached out and took Della's hands in hers. "Della, I'm so sorry. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling."

Tears streamed down Della’s face as she continued. "I don’t feel safe. I’m scared all the time, and I don’t know if I can even talk about my fears openly. I don’t know if there are cameras or recordings in my room. I just want to go home, but I don’t think I ever will."

Evie hugged her tightly, both of them crying now. "We’ll find a way, Della. Somehow, we’ll find a way to get you home."

Just then, a guard entered the apartment, his expression impassive. "It’s time for you to be released," he said to Evie.

Della’s heart clenched as she hugged Evie one last time. "Stay safe, Evie. Tell everyone what’s happening here. Please, don’t forget about me."

Evie nodded, tears still streaming down her face. "I won’t, Della. I promise I’ll do everything I can to get you out."

They held each other for a moment longer before the guard gently separated them. Evie looked back at Della one last time before being led out of the apartment. The door closed with a soft click, leaving Della alone once more.

The silence was deafening. Della sank onto the couch, her body shaking with sobs. She felt more trapped than ever, the walls of her luxurious prison closing in around her. The fear and uncertainty were overwhelming, and she didn’t know how much longer she could endure this.

Hours passed, and Della tried to distract herself by exploring the apartment again. She wandered through the rooms, each one a stark reminder of the strange and perilous situation she was in. She opened the closet and ran her fingers over the clothes, trying to find some comfort in the familiarity of routine.

As evening approached, another knock on the door startled her. She opened it to find King Nikolai standing there, his expression unreadable.

"May I come in?" he asked, his tone polite but firm.

Della nodded, stepping aside to let him enter. He walked into the living room and sat down on the couch, gesturing for her to join him.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice softening slightly.

Della sat down, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "I’m... I’m scared, Your Majesty," she admitted. "I don’t know what’s going to happen to me."

King Nikolai studied her for a moment, his gaze intense. "I understand your fear, Della. But you must trust that I have your best interests at heart."

She looked at him, struggling to believe his words. "And Evie? Will she really be released?"

He smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Yes, she will be released. You have my word."

Della nodded, her heart aching with the weight of her fear and uncertainty. She had to hold on to hope, even if it was fragile. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The King reached out and gently took her hand. "I know this is difficult for you, but I want you to see that you can have a good life here. You don’t have to be afraid."

Della forced a smile, but inside, she felt a growing sense of dread. The King’s words were meant to reassure her, but they only deepened her sense of entrapment.

They sat in silence for a while, the King’s presence both comforting and suffocating. Finally, he stood up and looked down at her.

"Get some rest, Della. We will talk more tomorrow."

She nodded, watching as he left the apartment. The door closed behind him, and she was alone once more. The silence was oppressive, the weight of her situation pressing down on her.

Della wandered to the bedroom and lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She felt trapped, powerless, but she had to hold on to hope. For Evie, for herself, she had to survive.

As she lay there, she whispered a silent prayer for strength and courage. She had to find a way out of this nightmare, to protect herself and those she cared about. The path ahead was uncertain, but she would face it with determination and resilience.

The next morning, Della was awoken by the sound of the door opening. She sat up quickly, her heart racing. A guard entered, his expression neutral.

"His Majesty requests your presence for breakfast," he said simply.

Della nodded and got out of bed, quickly dressing in a comfortable outfit from the closet. She followed the guard through the building to a different dining room. The table was set with an array of breakfast dishes, and the King was already seated, waiting for her.

"Good morning, Della," he greeted her with a smile. "Please, sit down."

She sat across from him, trying to push aside her anxiety and focus on the meal. The food looked delicious, but she had no appetite. She picked at her breakfast, her mind racing with thoughts of Evie and the uncertain future.

"Della," the King said, his voice drawing her attention. "I want you to feel comfortable here. If there is anything you need, please let me know."

She looked at him, struggling to find the right words. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I... I appreciate your kindness."

He nodded, his gaze softening. "I know this is difficult for you, but I want you to see that you can have a good life here. You don’t have to be afraid."

Della forced a smile, but inside, she felt a growing sense of dread. The King’s words were meant to reassure her, but they only deepened her sense of entrapment.

After breakfast, the King took her hand and led her to a small sitting room. They sat down on a plush couch, and he looked at her with a serious expression.

"Della, I want to know more about you," he said. "Tell me about your life in Vasara."

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "I grew up in a small town. My parents were always supportive of my dreams

. I went to university to study architecture, and I was excited to start my career. This trip was supposed to be a celebration before beginning my new job."

The King listened intently, his gaze never leaving her face. "And what inspired you to study architecture?"

"I’ve always loved buildings and design," she replied. "I love the idea of creating something beautiful and functional, something that can stand the test of time."

He nodded thoughtfully. "And what do you think of the architecture here in Reblen?"

"It’s impressive," Della admitted. "The cathedral I mentioned earlier was breathtaking. The details, the craftsmanship—it was incredible. There have been many monuments and buildings that have been absoletely breath taking. In fact on the day I came "

to your prison camp, we were on our way to see your statue. I have heard amazing things about it."

The King seemed pleased with her response. "I’m glad to hear that. Maybe I will take you there one day."

Della forced another smile, unsure how to respond. As the day wore on, Della and the King spent more time together, walking through the gardens and discussing various topics. He seemed genuinely interested in her thoughts and opinions, but Della couldn’t shake the feeling of being under constant surveillance.

In the late afternoon, they returned to her apartment. The King took her hand and looked into her eyes.

"Della, I want you to feel at home here," he said softly. "I know this isn’t what you planned, but I hope you can find some happiness."

She nodded, her heart heavy with uncertainty. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I’ll try."

He smiled and kissed her forehead gently. "Rest now. We will talk more tomorrow."

Della watched as he left the apartment, the door closing behind him. She felt a mix of emotions—fear, confusion, and a small glimmer of hope. She had to hold on to that hope, to find a way to navigate this strange and perilous situation.

As she settled onto the couch, she thought about Evie and her friends back home. She prayed that they were safe and that they hadn’t given up on her. She had to believe that somehow, they would find a way back to each other.

The path ahead was uncertain, but Della was determined to face it with strength and resilience. She would survive, one day at a time, and find a way to reclaim her freedom. For now, she had to play along, to protect herself and those she cared about. The King’s attention, the luxuries, the promise of a better stay—it all felt like a trap. But what choice did she have? She had to hold on to hope and find a way to navigate the strange new world of being the King’s favored prisoner.