Chapter 5
Chapter 5: Commotion
With only a single torchlight to brighten the narrow enclosure, I could still see the specks of dirt on his unkempt face. What? He’s been here for almost a year now?
“I—I thought you were doing okay...” I couldn’t hide the horror I felt seeing him here.
All this time, while I was sleeping comfortably in my bed, he was locked up here, suffering. I felt awful looking back—how I believed what he wrote in that letter. I should’ve known it was odd that he couldn’t visit me just because he was “busy.”
“Hey, I’m good,” he said quickly when he noticed my reaction. The smile never left his lips. “Sorry, Astra. I didn’t get to visit you, not even once. At least they let me send you a letter after a few months.”
My lips trembled and my fists clenched. This was the last thing I expected to see after coming back—to find Erikson in prison. I never imagined this scene.
“You look good,” he said next. He gripped the iron bars and looked at me more closely. “You’ve become even more beautiful, Astra. Looks like the place you stayed in really suited you, huh?”
When I managed to gather my thoughts, I blurted, “What the fuck?! You lied to me! You told me you were fine!”
He laughed. “Do I not look fine to you? I could still kill right now to protect you, even in this condition.”
I just stared at him in disbelief.
He sighed heavily. “Fine. I’m sorry. Okay?”
“Who did this? Was it Oscar?” I raised an eyebrow.
He shook his head. “I was charged as a traitor for siding with Brix back then. I’m lucky this was the only punishment I got. I couldn’t live as an insurgent. I’m still thankful.”
“It was Lady Grenda’s idea, which Lord Oscar later approved,” Celeste added.
“Yeah. Good thing Celeste is here. She even spoils me with food,” Erikson said with a laugh.
“Astra would’ve done the same,” Celeste said.
Erikson laughed harder. “I don’t think so. If it were Astra, she’d probably barge straight into Oscar’s room and threaten him to let me out. You know Astra—she makes the most reckless decisions.”
“I’m not that kind of woman anymore.”
“Well... we’ll see.” He grinned.
Once I regained my composure, I stepped closer to the iron bars separating me and Erikson. I looked him straight in the eye and said, “I’m sorry, Erikson. I’ll try to get them to release you.”
“I knew it. No. Don’t.”
I shook my head. “No. Damn it, Mr. Nadija! I’m also to blame here, yet you’re the only one who paid the price. I won’t let another week pass with you locked up in this cell.”
He touched the hand I had on the bars. “I’m glad you’re back, Astra. But... for what? You seemed to be in a better place with the group you stayed with. Why come back to this hell?”
“To free you?”
“You miss him...”
My lips pressed shut.
A faint smile appeared on his lips. “Don’t worry, Astra. I know Brix is safe. And... it won’t be long before he returns.”
“You need to be there when he does. For now... I’ll do my best to get you out of here.”
“Looks like I won’t be able to stop you. But if that’s truly your decision... just don’t be reckless, okay? I can wait... even if it takes years. Just don’t get yourself hurt.”
I felt my chest tighten again. I held his hand and caressed it gently. “I will. And while you’re still here, I’ll visit you every day. So don’t be sad, okay?”
“Not anymore...”
My chest grew heavier when Celeste and I left. It was already evening by the time we got out. Celeste offered to walk me back to the dorm, but I declined, knowing she must be tired too.
“Fine. Just don’t wander around, please? Security is tight right now,” she reminded me.
“I’m heading straight to the dorm,” I replied.
We hugged before going our separate ways. Just as I said, I went directly to Room 14. When I entered, the other three women I shared the room with were already there.
“Oh! She’s finally here.”
As soon as I shut the door, the smallest one among us, whose hair only reached her shoulders and was wrapped in a white towel, immediately turned to me. Clearly, she just finished showering.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
“Astra, I think,” answered the woman folding clothes at the table. She looked the oldest among us. Her body showed signs of age. “Right?” she confirmed.
“Ah? Yes. I’m Astra,” I introduced myself.
I wanted to head straight to my bed, but the tiny woman blocked my path.
“Astra. Okay. I’m Blessy,” she introduced herself and then pointed to the woman folding clothes. “That’s Ate Lola. Uh, Lola is her name, just so you won’t get confused.”
I just nodded.
“And Magda’s already asleep,” she added, referring to the woman lying on her side, wrapped in a blanket. “The three of us are in charge of sewing the soldiers’ uniforms. You?”
“Cook.”
“Oh, really?”
“Can I go to my bed now?” I tried not to sound sarcastic.
“Of course!”
Finally, she stepped aside. I grabbed my bag from the bed and unpacked my clothes to place them in the cabinet—and to get ready for a shower. Blessy went into the bathroom, probably to change.
“Let me help.” I was surprised when Lola came over and helped fold my clothes.
“T-thank you...” Even if I didn’t really want the help.
“What clan are you from?” she asked.
“Nightfall.”
Her eyes lit up as if I had piqued her interest.
“Were you here when the monster attacked?” I could feel the curiosity and amazement in her voice.
I was confused. “Monster?”
“Yes! The monster that attacked!”
“N-no...” I replied, frowning.
A monster attacked this place?
“That’s a shame,” she said, then continued folding clothes. “That monster was terrifying. Even Lord Severo couldn’t stop it. They say it’ll come back one day...”
That’s when I understood what she meant.
I kept my lips sealed.
“It’s scary. What if it suddenly appears while we’re all asleep?”
“Then you’re all dead...”
She paused mid-fold.
I laughed. “Joking. Yeah, that is scary...”
“I just hope they kill the monster soon so things can go back to how they were,” she added.
I snatched the folded clothes from her and put them away in the cabinet with a bit of a huff. She didn’t seem to notice or mind.
Right after we finished tidying up, Blessy came out of the bathroom. I grabbed my prepared clothes and went in to shower. Thankfully, she didn’t stop me.
I took a quick shower. When I came out, Lola and Blessy were already getting ready for bed. On the right bunk bed, Lola slept on top while Magda was below. On the left, I shared with the ever-restless Blessy who took the upper bunk.
While combing my hair, my stomach growled. Right, I hadn’t eaten since lunch.
“Where can I get food?” I asked whoever was still awake.
“You haven’t eaten?!” Blessy, shocked, peered down at me. “Oh no. Dinner’s over, didn’t you know? You’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
I shook my head. “Is it forbidden now?”
“No one’s allowed out after curfew...” she replied with a sigh.
She scurried around above before hopping down and sitting cross-legged beside me.
“Listen to our schedule,” she began. “Breakfast’s at 5 a.m., which means we need to be up by 4. Lunch is at 10 a.m., snack at 4 p.m., and dinner at 7. Same thing every day.”
Okay. So technically... dinner’s over and I have to endure the hunger until five tomorrow morning.
“Hang in there, Astra...”
What else can I do?
Just as I was about to accept my hunger, someone knocked on the door. Celeste came in with a tray of food and a pack of blood.
“Lady Celeste!” Blessy jumped up.
“Sorry for disturbing you. Astra hasn’t eaten yet.” Even though she looked exhausted, Celeste’s gentle smile never wavered. “Eat before bed, Astra.”
“Thank you,” I sighed in relief.
Good thing she came. If she hadn’t, I might’ve snuck out despite the rules. Once again, Celeste saved me.
“Did you tell Astra about the schedule?” Celeste asked. “I forgot to mention it earlier.”
“Blessy just told her.” Lola sat up from the top bunk, where Magda was already fast asleep. “Good evening, Lady Celeste.”
“Is that so? Alright, I’ll head back now. Good night, girls.”
“Thanks for the food, Celeste.”
She simply smiled and left.
I returned to my bed to devour the food. Blessy joined me. Celeste brought plenty, but I finished the whole blood pack myself.
“Thanks!” Blessy said before climbing back up. “Good night, Ate Lola. Good night, Sleepyhead Magda. Good night, Kind Astra. See you all in the morning.”
I quickly felt sleepy after eating. As I stared at the bottom of Blessy’s bed, I suddenly remembered Hyacinth. She’s probably asleep now. Did she cry? Did the mist visit her again?
That familiar ache from the past returned. I miss her just as much as I miss my mom.
It’s only been one night without her, but I already feel so lonely. I miss my princess so much. I know this isn’t good. Missing her isn’t good for either of us. I hope the sadness eases in the days to come.
In an instant, all the leaders stood up and the room fell silent. They were all looking in one direction. I followed their gaze and saw a man walking straight toward the reserved seat at the head and center of the table.
For a moment, I thought Lord Severo had come back to life. He still looked exactly the same. But... Oscar's presence felt so different now. Cold… quiet… indifferent… terrifying.
Callum was right.
He has changed—a lot.
I didn’t know what to feel. Sure, it’s an advantage for a leader to have a presence that can make people tremble, but why did I feel sad for him? Maybe it’s because I could no longer see the man I once considered a friend.
My eyes shifted to the woman standing behind him—the one who replaced Celeste. Lady Feera, who stood there silently with her head bowed.
“Greetings, Milord. Have you heard about what happened last night?” asked the bald man in yellow, sounding deeply worried. “He’s starting...”
Oscar took a sip of his wine before replying, “Very well, Lord Bardos.”
“He’s expanding his power even more. I fear he may soon suppress us entirely. We need to act now,” said the man Lady Grenda had spoken to earlier. “What do you think, Lord Oscar?”
“I doubt that.”
Finally, that vile woman opened her filthy mouth.
“We’ve already got nearly all the powerful clans. There’s no way he can still defeat us. Don’t worry, the demon’s reign will end soon. It’s just a matter of time…”
“Lady Astra?”
I gasped as Lady Lena approached me. Only then did I realize I was next.
“Bow your head, place the tray on the table, and walk away,” she instructed.
I swallowed hard before slowly walking toward the table. This time, I followed Lady Lena’s instructions and kept my head down as I approached. I moved cautiously.
I heard Oscar chuckle.
“You’re still underestimating him after everything, Mom? You must’ve forgotten he’s the very reason we need these powerful and reputable leaders.”
I gently set the tray on the table.
“Not at all, son. I just believe in you. Look how far you’ve come, right, Milords? You can defeat him this time.”
Everyone agreed. I heard all the compliments they gave him.
I didn’t know why, but I felt proud of him despite everything.
This is what he always wanted—to be admired, to be seen.
How do you feel about this, Oscar?
“More wine, please?”
I jumped in surprise when one of the female leaders spoke to me.
She had long black hair, and even her lips were painted black.
She only glanced at me briefly before looking away again.
“S-sure…”
I turned around and headed for the hanging cabinet.
I was about to open it when someone stopped me.
I looked up to see Lady Feera, frowning. She froze when she recognized me.
“L-Lady Astra…”
“I’m just getting some wine,” I said.
I tried to open the cabinet again, but she stopped me.
“How dare you! Those wines are for Lord Oscar only!”
I was stunned by her sudden outburst.
What the fuck? That’s so unnecessary!
I quickly bowed my head when the other leaders looked in our direction.
My chest tightened with nerves. She was making a big scene over something so small.
If I had to guess, this was her way of getting back at me for what I did before.
“S-sorry…” I whispered. “If I may ask, where can I get wine, then?”
I tried to stay as calm and respectful as possible.
“W-what? You don’t know? That’s absurd. How did you even get in here without knowing something that basic?”
I took a deep breath and said nothing.
“Useless,” she muttered, now clearly amused.
“There are so many servants in the kitchen—why did they send you? Leave. I’ll get it myself.”
“I apologize on her behalf, Lady Feera.”
Lady Lena came to my side. “She didn’t mean it. I’ll take care of her…”
Then she gently took my arm.
I kept my head bowed, letting my hair hide my face.
I quietly allowed myself to be led away by Lady Lena.
I still heard Lady Feera say something else, but I chose to ignore it.
Before we fully exited, I glanced one last time at the leaders…
…and caught Oscar’s eyes following me.