"Was this your plan all along?" A figure dressed in black cloak asked another figure standing beside.
"Well, not exactly but this is good though." The second person replied.
"Whatever, I just wanted to make sure this isn't a waste of time."
"Have no worries, this is going just fine."
"Okay."
*
Nikolai walked up the stairs, heading to his father's chambers. He doesn't even have an idea what he's trying to do but he just let his mind lead him wherever it wanted. He was about walking into the hallway but froze when he heard voices.
"Elliot, what is it you have to say?" He easily recognised the voice as his father's.
"You know me Axel, I'm here just to share a little advice." Nikolai resisted the urge to walk into the hallway and pushed that man away. He has just devious plan plotted in his head.
"Elliot, I need no advice right now. All that matters is my son." Nikolai could sense the distress in his voice. He must've been feeling shattered about what happened to Luciano, knowing it's his fault.
"You might need this one brother, especially if want no more problems." Elliot persisted.
"Okay, what is it?" Nikolai moved closer, hiding behind the wall.
"There's no point waiting Axel, now is the only chance to eliminate her." Nikolai brows knitted in confusion at his words.
"You mean the slave, Eleanor." The king asked the most obvious question.
"Yes of course, it might be harder if Luciano wakes." They were planning on killing Eleanor soon, so Luciano wouldn't be there to save her. Nikolai understood very quickly. What the hell is this man's problem? Why is he so interested in Luciano matters. Sometimes he think might have something benefitting from it, maybe at the end.
"Hmm, that's true." Nikolai rolled his eyes when his father replied. Why can't he just for once refuse all his cunning ideas? He takes all his ideas like his some puppet and Nikolai finds it less kingly. He's supposed to make decisions on his own. Especially one that concerns his family. That uncle should have a family of his own and use all his ideas on his.
"You should do it tomorrow, as soon as possible." Nikolai felt his breath hitch when he said those words. No way, he has to do something. Very quickly. If he plans on killing her tomorrow, then he only has today to do something. Nikolai shook his head and turned around, leaving quietly. He did not wait to listen to all their conversations, he had less time to do something and it was late already. It was almost dark outside. He rushed down the stairs and out of the castle, thinking of a good plan.
*
Eleanor laid on the floor alone as soon as Madam Helen left. She couldn't stay for so long or they might find out. Eleanor wrapped her arms around herself, shivering from so much cold. It was so terrible lying on the bare ground, not even a small mattress. She did not even bother to turn around when she heard footsteps in the basement. Who could it be? She expected no one. She knew Gwen wouldn't have a chance to come see her.
"Hey." She moved up from the floor swiftly when she heard a familiar voice. He hurried unlocked the bars, walking into the cell, dressed in a black cloak. "Hey, get up."
"Huh?" Eleanor was utterly confused but stood up, nevertheless. Her confusion heightened when he threw a cloak to her, urging her to put it on. Then he grabbed her hand, pulling her out the cell, locking it immediately.
Eleanor could only watch in shock as he pulled her out of the dungeon, watching cautiously as he led her out of the castle, making sure no one saw them. He led her into the woods, where she saw a black horse tied to a tree.
"Take this." A brought a paper she easily recognised as a map out of his pocket, handing it over to her. "It'd help you find your way to Daekhram. It's a small village though, but a good hideout for now." Her heart was thumping fast against her chest she managed to listen to him. He was helping her escape. She wasn't going to be killed! She would survive!
But what about her people? What if her escaping brings so much danger to them? What if the king decides to make them suffer because of her? Or what about Luciano? Can she just leave with being convinced that he's fine and wouldn't die. Madam Helen told her everything that happened. The arrow was poisoned. A strong poison with a rare cure. That was the reason he lost consciousness immediately. Wouldn't she be a coward to leave while he battles for his life alone? He's in that situation because of her. Because he tried to save her. Is running the only thing she can do?
"Hey." She snapped out of her thoughts when she felt hands shaking shoulders. "This isn't the time to think, you have to run before they find out. Now is the only chance to do this smoothly without a hot chase."
"What about Luciano? I can't leave know-"
"Luciano would be fine. He will be." He cut her off, speaking reassuringly. "I would make sure he is, I promise you that." She heaved out a heavy breath and nodded, trying so hard to be convinced he'd be fine.
"Then what about Gwen, and my people."
"Nothing would happen to any of them. Not Gwen, she's safe okay. If anything ever wants to happen, I'd help her escape." She nodded, feeling a bit convinced.
"Okay, you'd go to Daekhram on that horse." He said, inclining his head to the horse standing not far from them. "When you get there, you ask around for Sophia, she's quite old, give her this." He removed a necklace she hadn't noticed around his neck. "Tell her Nikolai sent you there to stay with her, explain everything to her. Tell her Luciano is in trouble, tell her every single detail okay?"
"Yeah." She grabbed it gently from him, putting it into her pocket.
"Okay, go Eleanor come on." He urged, gently pushing her to the horse.
"Thank you." She muttered with a sad smile, her eyes already brimming with tears.
"It's okay friend, it's the least I can do." He replied, returning the smile. "Come on go, you have to be fast."
Eleanor nodded one last time and loosen the rope that tied the horse to the tree, she climbed the horse and glanced one last time at him. If there was one thing she's very good at, it's running.