The Prisoner in Chains 🏛️
It came from a traveling merchant — half-drunk, half-mad.
"A girl with royal bearing. Ashura-style eyes. In the dungeons of Lirell."
Queen Alira dismissed it at first.
So did the Demon King.
But they went anyway.
Because even false hope was more than they'd had in months.
🕳️ Lirell Prison
A stone pit at the edge of a minor kingdom — not known for mercy, justice, or intelligence.
Brutal guards.
Wretched conditions.
Barely civilized.
The warden chuckled when they asked.
"Oh, her? Quiet one. Always getting beaten for backtalk. Claimed she was royalty."
"Probably insane."
đź”’ The Cell at the Bottom
When they reached her cell, she was curled on the floor.
Thin.
Eyes ringed with shadow.
But those eyes…
Red. Burning. Ashura blood.
She looked up slowly, unafraid.
"Took you long enough," she muttered.
🔓 Freedom Comes Quietly
They broke the chains.
She didn't say thank you.
Didn't ask why.
Just stood, brushed off the blood, and walked past them like she still wore a crown.
The guards stared, stunned, as she left without flinching.
She didn't even glance back.
🏕️ A Fire Between Enemies
They camped in silence.
The Demon King sat opposite her.
Alira watched carefully.
The Princess finally spoke.
"You want my help."
"Yes," he said.
"Then let me be clear: I don't care about your world. I don't care about your guilt. I don't care about whatever redemption arc you're on."
"I'm not interested."
"Then why are you still here?" Alira asked.
The Princess smiled.
Not kind. Not cruel.
Just knowing.
"Because people like me… we survive."
đź’¬ A Kindness She Didn't Expect
They gave her food. Bandages. Clean robes.
No chains.
No threats.
She expected interrogation.
She expected pain.
But instead… she got silence.
Patience.
And Alira even smiled once — not mockingly, but like she actually cared.
It unnerved her.
"You're not going to force me?"
"We've seen enough chains," Alira said softly.
That night, the Princess didn't sleep.
Not because of fear…
…but because kindness is harder to resist than cruelty.
🧠Plans Behind Her Eyes
She sat alone, watching the fire.
And whispered to herself:
"So you want to go back?"
"I'll send you."
"Right through the same pain you dragged us through."
"And then we'll see who survives."
She smiled to herself.
But it wasn't hatred in her eyes.
Just fire.
The fire of someone who had nothing left but will.