Chapter 15: The tunnel

" I don't know which way Diana, chose for yourself" The tiny voice sneaked into her head and whisper.
" Coward" Diana cursed under her breath and the voice sneaked away.
After contemplating for a while, she decides to go back to the palace before it gets dark. Maybe she can try talking to her father and the royal council.
She turned back and start taking the path back with her steps fast. She got into the tunnel which is already dark more than midnight.
" How do I pass this dark tunnel?" She asked herself. The tunnel is the only way leading to the royal prison where she can get back to her Chambers.
Without second thought, she entered the tunnel with her steps fast and calm. She opened her emerald eyes so wide so that they can merge with the darkness. She heard a screeching sound of something and a gasp escaped her lips.
' what could that be? ' She thought to herself as she ran her eyes around. She didn't hear the sound again and continue walking with her steps still fast and calm.
The other end of the tunnel looks dark with no sign of light. But there were supposed to be lamps at the other end or could it mean she took the wrong tunnel or path. If she can remember there was only one tunnel which was the one she took or could it be she took the one that leads to the dungeon?
She felt her heart racing in her chest as she is afraid of walking into the dungeon. She looked back at where she is coming from and it's still bright a little there. She don't know if she should go back to where she is coming from or continue walking.
After thinking for a while, she made up her mind to continue moving forward. Convincing herself that maybe, the royal workers had not set the lamps yet.
She closed her eyes and exhale before she starts walking.
She hasten her steps and before she knew it she was out of the tunnel.
She is afraid to move forward became she is afraid she might fall into the dungeon which she create in her mind.
She look ahead and saw some lamps lighting and a sigh escape her lips. She closed her eyes and start walking before she open them.
When she gets to the area she was familiar with she let out a huge sigh and walk towards the spiral staircase that leads to her room.
She took the stairs gently looking exhausted with her clothes and hair filled with dust.
When she got to the entrance of her room, she saw the two royal soldiers guarding her doorstep and she gave both of them a glare. She don't like them a bit. They look ugly and too hefty. She wonder if they are guarding a hawk and also, they are senseless and unreliable. They don't perform their duties properly.
She thought the one who took her to the prison will stop her from going into the tunnel or follow her but he didn't. Instead he took himself and walk back to his duty post where he talked and laugh all day leaving her alone to find her way.
They bowed their head when they saw her and she felt like giving them a punch on their face each. But she don't want to be the aggressive princess they are painting her to be. Punching them will only prove that she is truly what people say about her.
She will deal with them later but for now, she wants to go inside, take a warm bath and relax.
Her wounded hand still hurts her a little and somehow she regrets harming herself because it didn't take away her pains but add to it.
When she got to her room, she saw her maids standing in the room waiting for her arrival and she felt sad somehow. That particular person was supposed to be standing right there with her hands folded behind her back and a warm smile on her face but she is not. She don't know where she is and it's all because of her.
She felt her heart tightening together like it's going to squeeze all the blood from it.
" Greetings princess" They bow their heads when they sensed her presence and Diana just nod her head.
The greetings won't solve anything.
" Prepare me for my bath" She said with a distant voice.
" Yes your majesty" They said in unison before they dispatch. Some of them went into the bathroom to feel the tub with warm water and flowers while others helped her change from her clothes into a bathrobe. Alice went to her closet and select a shirt for her to wear. Alice couldn't concentrate on what dress to pick as her mind wander away. The thought of Dante almost worry her to death. She wonder what he is doing now and wonder if he had already eaten or drank water.
She just realised how much she cared for him and how much she missed him. Even if she hadn't accepted him yet, she must admit she has feelings for him. She can't seem to get his face off her mind and she end up picking something else for the princess. The princess is supposed to wear linen dress at night but Alice picked a nylon dress for summer and place it on the bed.
Elena who was preparing the princess ointment saw what Alice picked for the princess and she quickly stopped what she is doing and rush to where Alice is standing.
" Are you alright?" She asked and Alice was shocked. She didn't know when Elena gets to where she was and her tiny voice and crack voice almost scare her away.
" I'm fine. Can't you just stay some meters away before talking to someone?" Alice asked turning to face Elena who placed her hands on her waist.
" You know I can't do that Alice. Don't tell me you are thinking about him again? " Elena answered with her own question and Alice sigh. She can't even hide her feelings anymore as it was all written all over her face.