A mole in the Castle

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| At The Kingdom of Azalon ~ Dungeon |

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"Why is Curtis behind bars?" Princess Aria questioned, falling knees down, her hands on the bars.

"Yes Zane, why is he behind bars?!" Princess Maelin echoed.

"You two jump to conclusions quite fast." King Zane deadpanned, he couldn't believe they didn't think he had a good reason to lock him up. "No wonder you two get along!" He rolled his eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Princess Maelin challenged.

"..." Raising his hands in defense he said nothing.

"You look malnourished!" Princess Aria observed the pale and lean look on Curtis, "How dare they not feed you!"

"Aria! Now that's enough." King Zane commanded, "When you first arrived at our Kingdom, you acted out on Curtis, where's that zeal?" He taunted.

"That's when I thought he was someone else." She casted a worried look at Curtis who laid still, dirty and quiet behind bars.

"Was he the suspected mole that you were talking about?" Princess Aria stood up, glaring daggers at Zane. "There had better be a good reason."

"Tch-" King Zane put up a smirk, shaking his head. "I'd like to find out from her, myself." He nodded in the direction of Princess Maelin.

"Her?" Princess Aria turned facing Maelin in confusion.

"Me?!" Princess Maelin did a double take, pointing at herself.

"I had been patient enough," King Zane shook his head once more, smirking, "I am not stupid."

"What does all this have to do with me?" Princess Maelin took a step back anxiously.

"You and I both know, those banished from the Kingdom could never return, why? Might I ask." His gaze on Maelin.

"T- they were never able t- to return because they would be trapped in the forest, spending the rest of their lives wandering." Princess Maelin timidly replied, her hands balling into a fist at where the conversation was headed.

"Exactly? But do you know why I can't order the death of Curtis?" King Zane felt a need to explain his suspicions once and for all.

"..." Both Princesses blinked, waiting for his response.

"He's the only one who can navigate his way through the forest easily or he just aids others through it." King Zane deadpanned.

"Wait! Hold up!" Princess Aria put up her hand, "What is all these talk about a forest? About Curtis, so tell me you're saying he got some sort of power or something?" Princess Aria scratched her head in confusion.

"You don't know anything about this, do you?" Princess Maelin facepalmed.

"I'm pretty lost here, this is the first time hearing any of what you two are spouting. What exactly is going on?" Princess Aria eyes darted from Curtis to Zane then to Maelin.

*Sigh*

"You don't know about the Mirage Forest?" Princess Maelin eyes widened in surprise.

"Uh?!" Princess Aria shrugged, shaking her head.

"Curtis here, is was what we would call our guide through the Mirage Forest. Which for some unknown reason only him can access it." King Zane looked over at Curtis whose eyes was devoid of any emotion, his soulless eyes staring right back.

°Sire! You know why, remember!° Curtis groaned in pain as he tried getting closer by crawling to the bar.

"Don't get any closer!" King Zane warned, "I had always wondered why he was so important to father." King Zane sneered, bringing his attention back on Maelin.

"Now to you!" His voice thundered, "how were you able to survive? It was 10 years ago since your banishment, how did you do it?" King Zane leaned on the wall, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"I- I don't know!" Princess Maelin's lips quivered, holding onto her head, she trembled, taking another step back, her back against the vertical bars. "My memories are hazy."

"Of course!" King Zane clicked his tongue, closing his eyes momentarily, he sighed heavily.

"Maelin, is this true?" Princess Aria looked hopeful.

"The only thing I remember is being back at the Castle, like it was yesterday." Princess Maelin replied on barely a whisper.

"I was pushed into the forest, I had wandered for who knows how long," Princess Maelin shivered at the memory, "at that moment, I had wanted to give up on the thought of living as my vision was blurred from exhaustion."

"Did you see anything? Anyone, perhaps?" Princess Aria proposed.

"Perhaps Curtis!" King Zane chipped in.

°I think I saw someone but if I reveal that, what would be their thought on me?° Princess Maelin contemplated on speaking out her thoughts.

"No!" Princess Maelin concealed the one clue.

"Oh!" Princess Aria's eyes darted awkwardly at Zane whose unwavering suspicious gaze was still cast on Maelin. "She doesn't know anything you are referring to, so please leave her alone!" She tried playing it off, putting her hands over Maelin's shoulder.

"Aria!" Princess Maelin hissed in irritation, "you're not helping."

"Why are you suddenly on her side?" King Zane's pointed out, clearly disappointed, "She's hiding something, I can feel it."

"I don't like having enemies as my close associates," She blew a raspberry, "try to look for the good in others for once, probably less heads would be set rolling."

"That's so not-" King Zane had begun.

"Let's talk about this later on," Princess Aria interjected. "Maelin isn't feeling too well, I'd take her to her Chambers."

"Do as you please," King Zane said through gritted teeth. "Not like I have a choice now, do I?"

"Let's go Maelin," Princess Aria led Maelin to the door.

°It's only a matter of time before she remembers, but that would make her an easier target for them° Curtis couldn't help but look through the bars in worry at the unfortunate situation Princess Maelin would soon find herself in.

"You still don't want to speak?" King Zane sneered. "I know there's something going on that both of you aren't saying."

°I wish I could Sire, but I am human, it's better to die by your hands as a traitor than cause a much worse disaster by saying what I know, besides I can't say anything with a curse placed on me° Curtis wished King Zane could read what he thought through his eyes.

"This is getting us nowhere!" King Zane balled his fist, punching on the concrete wall, ignoring the pain on his knuckle, "Because of you, for the first time in a while, I'm in a confused and calculating position!" He pointed at the silent Curtis.

"I am sorry, Sire!" Curtis hoarse voice could be heard, tears trickling from his eyes, wiping it as soon as they appeared.

*Ssnf*

°I really wished I could say something, anything; on what's going on, but it's better to be in the dark, probably the storm could be stalled even for a little while° Curtis couldn't help but let his emotion get the best of him.

"You know the ene-" Curtis tried letting a snippet of what he knew, but a wrenching pain surged through his body, forcing him to cough blood.

°As I thought, I can't even complete a full sentence!° Curtis wiped his lips, resting his head on the concrete, he raised his head upwards, looking at the little window which allowed light and air in.

*Sigh*

"What's going on with you?" King Zane rushed over, inspecting Curtis.

"I'm fine, Sire!" Curtis coughed, steering clear of the King's help.

°What was I thinking? He's a traitor° King Zane looked at his stretched out hand through the bar in wonder, pulling his it right back.

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"We never really got to know each other." Princess Aria conversed, walking side by side with Maelin.

"We never had the time to discuss as normal girls do." Princess Maelin joked, finally getting a grip on reality.

"I hope we do!" Princess Aria squealed, "This would be my first, to speak to another female Royal!" She grabbed a hold of Maelin's arm in excitement.

"I see why!" Princess Maelin eyes went to Aria's hands.

"Oh, right!" Princess Aria dropped her hands, laughing. "So we're here!" She placed her hand on Maelin's wooden door.

°Oh no! The journal is on the desk!° Princess Maelin's eyes widened in panic.

"No!" Princess Maelin yelled, rushing forward, she grabbed onto the door knob before Aria could.

Princess Aria jumped back at her reaction, "Are you also having problems with your door? Just inform one of the servants, they should know who to call to come fix it up."

°Thanks Aria for the excuse° Princess Maelin sighed in relief.

"Y- yeah! Silly me, I forgot to change the door!" She lightly whacked her head, "Have you heard on Leah? Why not head there? I would like to take some rest.

"Sleep well!" Princess Aria waved, taking steps backwards, her gaze still fixed on Maelin until she went into her room.

°She's acting a little strange° Princess Aria observed.

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°Phew!° Princess Maelin's reached out for the journal.

Opening it up, a new piece of folded note was placed in the middle.

"Not again!" Princess Maelin sighed, opening it up.

~Secrets would soon be unfolded. You made a right choice today, my master is pleased. He is very impressed, remember, our eyes are everywhere.~

Scrunching up the paper, she threw it angrily at the wall, "Who are you?!" She screamed, sick and tired of the waiting game she was forced to play along with.

"Aaargh!" Holding onto her head as a sudden rush of headache hit hard.

Flashes of what happened during the missing blank space in her life came rushing back in full force.

°Everywhere is spinning?° Princess Maelin looked down at the floor in confusion, feeling light-headed, her vision blurred, collapsing on the floor.

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| Secret Hideout |

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"Master!" A male bowed, "Princess Maelin still doesn't remember what happened on that day!" He reported.

"Good!" The master's deep and hoarse voice responded to his servant, "That makes our work easier." he snickered, rubbing his palms in delight.

"But-" His head still hung low in respect, "the spell on her is wearing off, she might be able to point me out and in turn, you master."

"I know." The master nodded in acknowledgement, "I would also like to know the extent to which she can remember." He placed his chin on his clasped hands.