"Zelina, when can I go out?" 

The voice coming from the large bedroom was high-pitched and harmonious, and was followed by a laugh when the large woman guarding the entrance let out a long sigh. Of all her bodyguards, Zelina was definitely the best. Despite being old enough to be her mother, she was still young enough to joke with her, and treat her like a human being and not a precious item to be supervised, and the young Princess couldn't help but feel envious when she looked at her powerful stature and muscular arms. Part of Section Six, the elite of Marbellian's armed forces, she had been trained to inhumane standards, and the collection of scars she saw on her body the few times she saw her changing, was definitely a testimony to her experience as a fighter. 

Mazandrel turned on her back, sinking in her bed's comfortable mattress, and threw the book she was reading on the wall. She had been locked in that room for over a week now, just because her father had decided to marry her away to some rich old guy from a faraway land, all for some cannons and rifles. She tried screaming at him, running away, threatening him, convincing him, even being the nicest she could have been... But nothing worked. He just locked her in her room until the date of the wedding. Zelina had been her only company, and as much as she liked her, it was quite a limited interaction. She missed her friends, her sister, her uncle...

"Everything alright in there, Princess?" asked Zelina from behind the door, and Mazandrel sighed. 

"I'm fine. Just frustrated." she said simply, and after a small hesitation, the bodyguard answered.

"I know, and I'm sorry," she said, "but sadly, neither you or me can do anything about this situation."

After a couple of minutes of awkward silence, the noise of the key was heard from the keyhole, and the door revealed the powerful frame of Zelina. The woman was a force of nature, even amongst her pairs, and she had to bend down slightly to pass the frame. Her long black hair were framing an angular, fiery face, one eye covered  by an impressive scar. She knelt in front of the Princess, and held her hand in hers, covering it in a tight grip. 

"I cannot promise you to free you from this room, as much as I wish I could. But..." she said, hesitating a second before continuing her sentence in a hushed tone, "I can tell you that you won't be locked in here forever. And I am not speaking about the wedding."

The Princess looked up, surprised. Zelina's face was serious, and it was obvious she wouldn't answer questions, and as usual, it was impossible to read anything more from her. The armored woman simply stood back up, smiled gently at her, and exited the room before locking it behind her, leaving her charge pensive and slightly hopeful. 

Before she had any time to think of it anymore, however, she heard a familiar sound, that got her jumping out of bed. Darting across the room, she sat at the large wooden desk that ornated the western side of her room, and grabbed the magitech device allowing long-range communication, the very only one her father let her keep. Pushing half of the device on her head, she pressed a small silver button on the ornated second half, and turned the dial allowing her to control the volume. Delighted, she heard the sound of her sister's voice. Kicking her feet, she listened, excited, to the adventures of the daredevil of the family. Disowned around her age, she had always been one of the Princess' biggest supporters, and inspirations. For once, she had stopped by the capital to visit their uncle Donek, and witness one of his famous classes at the Academy of Sorcery, and she could hear his voice in the background, discussing with one of his colleagues. He had always been one of the few in the family that didn't judge her, on anyone for that matter, and she had loved his classes when she was still allowed to go. 

She told her sister about how monotone everything was in her golden cage, and how much she wished she could join them at the Academy, and she heard hesitation before an answer, promising her the same thing as Zelina did. Despite her protest and questions, Maddala said no more, and she was only able to end the conversation with small talk and the usual pleasantries. She let go of the device with a sigh, before looking through the small window of her room, covered in steel bars. The view of the city was beautiful, and would have elicited an emotional reaction from many, but in her it only stirred her hatred of everything her life led to. Her father and his dictatorial reign over her future, the people that let it happen, the ones she missed. As per usual when those thoughts crossed her mind, she remembered her mother, whatever was left of her in her very distant memory. A caress on her hair, a melodic voice singing her to sleep, beautiful emerald green eyes shining in the night. She let herself fall back on the bed, and kept thinking. 

There was no way her father would let her leave the room before the wedding, and Zelina couldn't possibly go against his orders... She was a soldier, an elite one at that, and her entire life had been dedicated to training to serve as a perfect weapon for the King. And yet, her sister had said the same thing, she who wouldn't hesitate a second to defy her father to rescue her... She let out a frustrated groan, and shoved her head in the pillows. As per usual, she had to rely on others and be powerless. She was starting to get real tired of this, and she grabbed the dagger she kept hidden under her bedframe. If anything was to happen soon, she needed to be ready. There was no way she'd stay a dead weight for those who'd help her anymore.