Xo Novel
44
CHAPTER FORTY – FOUR
Alice’s POV
I was a prisoner in the dungeons of my uncle, who had taken over the kingdom after my father’s death. I was alone and scared, with only the thoughts of my father’s death and the injustices done to my people to keep me company. But one day, a girl who brought me my meals caught my attention.
Her name was Lily, and she was a young maid in the palace. Unlike the others who brought me my meals, she looked at me with kindness in her eyes. She didn’t treat me like a criminal, but rather like a person who was wrongfully accused.
One day, she approached me with a message. “Miss Alice,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the chains on my wrists, “I belong to a group of people who are rebelling against your uncle’s rule. We believe that he has done great harm to the kingdom and its people, and we want to restore the rightful ruler to the throne.”
I was shocked. I had heard rumors of a rebel group, but I had never met anyone who actually belonged to it. “How do I know I can trust you?” I asked, my heart racing with both fear and hope.
Lily smiled gently. “You have my word, Miss Alice. I have seen the way your uncle treats you, and it is not right. I believe that you are the rightful ruler of this kingdom, and I want to help you take back what is rightfully yours.”
I looked at her, trying to decide if she was telling the truth. I didn’t know this girl, but there was something in her eyes that made me believe her. I decided to take a chance.
Lily told me that she would come back for me that night when the palace was quiet and the guards were distracted. She would bring tools to break the locks on my chains and lead me out of the dungeons.
I didn’t sleep that night, my mind racing with the possibilities of escape and the danger that lay ahead. I was scared, but I was also hopeful. This was my chance to take back what was rightfully mine and to restore justice to my kingdom.
Finally, I heard the sound of footsteps coming down the hall. I tensed, ready for the worst. But then I saw Lily’s face in the dim light, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
She quickly unlocked my chains and helped me to my feet. “Come on,” she whispered, leading me down the dark halls of the palace.
We made our way through the shadows, avoiding the guards and the patrol dogs. I was filled with fear and adrenaline, but I also felt a sense of determination. This was my chance, and I wasn’t going to let it slip away.
As I walked toward Jack and Alex, I could see the fear in their eyes. I approached them and spoke softly, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here to help you escape.” I unlocked their shackles and they looked at me in disbelief.
Finally, we reached the edge of the palace grounds. I looked out at the moonlit countryside, and I knew that this was just the beginning of my journey. I turned to Lily, ready to thank her and say goodbye, but she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the woods. “Come on,” she said, “The rebels are waiting for us.”
Lily then led us toward the underground tunnel near the palace entrance. As we followed her, I noticed the determination in her eyes. She told us that this was what the rebels used to sneak into the kingdom and how they would sneak out without being detected.
“This tunnel is our secret passage,” she said, “We’ve used it for years to avoid being caught by the king’s guards.” I was shocked to learn that there was a secret passage within the palace. I couldn’t imagine the number of times it must have been used to smuggle rebels in and out of the kingdom.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.