Chapter 13
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Fools matching the scavenging trio’s idiocy hung back, unwilling to flee.
The initial speaker swelled with smug certainty, fishing for echoes from bystanders.
“This could explode far beyond our guesses, couldn’t it?”
Carolina drew quiet glee from their jabs, despite their delight in her downfall.
She requested a momentary halt from her escort to the holding facility.
Regaining poise, she pivoted toward the predatory group.
“Should the Count of Renkels’ title get flung around lightly? Picture her outrage—my aunt, the Count herself.”
Family bonds endured, even with sparse encounters.
She bore no blame for igniting the fray.
Dropping the Count’s name leeched hue from their cheeks, dawning regret.
Satisfaction bloomed; the episode wrapped neatly.
One lip quirked upward as she strode onward to custody.
Retribution loomed once Connie gained freedom.
“Right here. Outsiders require verification, so hold tight briefly.”
Her guide ushered her into a provisional lounge near the gateway.
Boundaries for non-cleared visitors ended there.
She sank into an unexpectedly plush couch amid the lockup anteroom. Ten minutes later, he reappeared.
“Clearance approved. Miss Carolina Diaz.”
Respect replaced his prior irritation, elevating her from intruder to esteemed guest.
A subtle nod preceded her steps behind him deeper inside.
The structure gleamed modern, free of decay, yet a shadowy aura clung, befitting its purpose.
Guards on rounds dragged weary feet.
Distant yells pierced the air, stirring dread for Connie’s ordeal.
Promises of her safety echoed in her mind.
Spotting her strain, the guard offered soothing words.
“Deeper areas house upscale quarters for prominent detainees. As a witness, Miss Constance occupied a secure inner wing.”
His attempt at comfort jolted him briefly.
Relief flooded upon reaching the spot.
The enclosure resembled a noble’s spare chamber, save for the barred front.
“Miss Constance stays confined, but you may join her. Care to step inside?”
He dangled a gleaming key.
Consent unlocked the gate. She stooped through into Connie’s domain.
Upright now, the interior impressed further with iron lattice at her back.
Living conditions proved tolerable.
Regular meals arrived promptly, no labor demanded.
Emptiness registered fully.
“Where’s Connie?”
Querying the guard mid-lock, he glanced up.
“Bathing, likely. Facilities hide beyond the screen.”
Speculation delivered, he pledged a return in sixty minutes and departed.
“No fellow prisoners nearby—converse freely.”
The afterthought drifted back.
Thanks chased his shadow.
Silence fell, broken by trickling liquid.
Connie bathed as predicted.
Constance savored unexpected comforts.
Carolina claimed a spot at the modest tea setup.
Anticipating emergence, time ticked past a third of the allotted span.
No sign yet.
A luxurious soak, perhaps?
Bathtubs seemed improbable here.
Five more minutes dragged until splashes ceased.
Connie appeared from seclusion in loose loungewear.
Sighting her visitor triggered shrieks.
“Easy—it’s me!”
Elevated tones verified identity, halting the cries.
Connie rushed close, radiance betraying sound slumber and sustenance.
“Carolina? Here to spring me?”
Imperial whispers forewarned delays, yet tedium gnawed, laced with faint hope.
Discomfort eluded this setup.
Scolding brewed but dissolved.
“Afraid I’ve landed in cuffs too.”
Wrists thrust forward gravely mimicked restraints; Connie crumpled floorward.
Defeat mirrored snatching scraps from birds.
“Snagged without cause, just like me?”
Queries flew sans true alarm.
Release loomed inevitably in her calculations.
Head dipped, a covert laugh escaped. Shadows masked it, fueling fancies.
“Sharing quarters? I shifted here days back. The upgrade—was it for company?”
Priorities puzzled. Misread signals, hopefully.
“Reluctant?”
Arms folded, lips pursed in query.
“Not at all. Echoes academy nights.”
Backpedaling followed.
Carolina dismissed visions of bedding woes plaguing her friend.
“Trickery. I’m free.”
Truth ignited joy.
“Never named you.”
Chest puffed in triumph, irking further.
Solemn tone summoned her name, lips sealed, inducing squirms.
Pause stretched before accusation.
“Why author that document?”
“Well, your hand penned it, but I shielded you from Donovan’s snare.”
Insight into plots dawned early for Connie.
“Your exclusion smoothed outcomes. Emperor’s aide intel—how’d you uncover?”
Guilty cheer masked pranks.
Feigned chokehold morphed to fierce clasp.
Disaster averted narrowly; this rascal.
Petite frame met shoulder solidly.
“Nose shattered!”
Wriggling amplified mock agony.
“Fractures demand more force.”
Cling endured past the hour mark until summons arrived.
Vulture slander filled the interim.
Spotting the tangle—one barely attired—the guard coughed, retreating.
“Later visit?”
Misread motives amused; stature disqualified.
Release preceded her spin.
“Can’t overstay—might complicate your duties.”
Isolation sealed the zone, access restricted.
Safeguards explained voids.
Prolonged presence risked her friend’s discharge.
Garments smoothed, she exited the bars.
“Connie, that skipped tavern awaits your release.”
Host’s kin reportedly recovered.
Brightest grin beamed her way.
Reciprocal warmth sealed the bond.
“Hold—sir, tonight’s meal?”
Query halted their exit.
Reversion to prior digs seemed likely.
