A smarter Rowena wouldn't have spoken up, kept her mouth shut, and adhered to the plan. She wouldn't have incurred the wrath of the guard who was physically stronger than her and could also figure out who she was.
However, she also couldn't just turn a blind eye away from the man's brutal action.
So despite the pain she felt as the guard pulled painfully at her hair, Rowena didn't budge or react more than a small muffle and wince of pain. Her eyes darted around wildly across the room before she focused on the man in front of her and came to a solution.
Rowena kicked the man right across his groin and he soon fell down on the floor. He let go of her as he felt the unbearable pain and his eyes turned bloodshot. Rowena kicked him again. The second guard crumpled down while the first guard watched behind them.
"I think that's enough." The first guard didn't sound happy. "I don't think I can let you walk this off anymore. Who are you?"
Rowena wordlessly looked at him as her golden hair fell down across her shoulders. It intimidated the first guard as she picked up the maid's hat. She saw the man unsheathe his sword, now more alert on what she was capable of, but she didn't react at all.
She only sighed inwardly and chided herself.
"This could have all been avoided if he or I had remained silent," she said.
"What?"
Then it happened.
Behind Rowena, the first guard who collapsed, lost consciousness as the effects of the sleeping drug took effect. Not too long after, the second one joined him and dropped on the floor. His sword clattered in front of him as Julian could only watch from inside of the cell.
"Whoaa..!!" Julian was disbelieving.
Rowena's legs felt weak and she nearly collapsed herself. Thick bile filled her throat, as she rummaged the guard for keys and then rushed to the prison chamber and unlocked the closed gate.
Julian still looked at Rowena in awe.
"Are you secretly an elf assassin?" he asked her jokingly.
"Huh? No. They told you, I am a princess, didn't they?" Rowena's gaze unfocused a little as she tried not to feel dizzy and weak. She hadn't expected herself to do any of that and finally, her entire body started to feel the toll and stress of her actions.
Maybe it was the blood that pumped in her veins that helped her, but as she took a deep breath. She looked at Julian and said, "Please leave immediately. I wasn't lying when I said that they were coming to kill you."
"So you really risked yourself just to free me out of here," Julian said softly and shook his head in disbelief. "You could have let me die."
"That's not right. I won't be able to forgive myself if an innocent man died because of me." Rowena frowned at him. "But please just start moving. We don't have any time to spare at all. I still need to get back to my room."
Julian rubbed his face as he stood up and then hesitated a little. He didn't move immediately and looked back at Rowena's tired face and smiled a little. "You know, Rowena… why don't you just come with me?"
"What?"
A bit more convinced with his idea, Julian grinned and nodded. "I mean, the little stunt and act you pulled back here are amazing. I'm sure you could do so much more if you had the chance… and more importantly, you can escape this hell."
"Hell?" Rowena frowned at him.
Julian gestured around him. "This hell that you call home, silly. You don't look happy here."
The thief's words made Rowena smile sadly. Was it so obvious?
"I…"
"You don't have to lie. If you were happy and content… then you wouldn't have gone against the decisions of your father," Julian seriously said. "You wouldn't have paid attention at all even if something happened to me and you'd be happy stuck here in your castle."
Rowena hesitated and shook her head.
"That's… I can't make any hasty decisions. My father is the king and he's powerful. Even if I go, he'll just drag me back here against my will. My actions have already hurt so many people before…"
"Do you want to live in fear your whole life?" Julian asked. "The palace is beautiful and you're basking in luxury, but if you feel trapped and suffocated… then you'll never be happy."
Rowena bit her lip and looked down. She wanted to say yes, but she couldn't find it within her to say the words. There were too many complications involved in such a decision.
"Sorry. I can't come with you."
"Crap, we're running out of time." Julian tossed one last look at her as he made his way to the stairs. "If you ever change your mind, let me know and I'll help you in any way I can."
"Why?" Rowena followed after him as they ascended the dungeons.
"Isn't it obvious?" Julian laughed a little and flashed her a grin. "I owe you my life."
When they reached the hallways of the castle, the two of them parted ways and headed off towards their own directions. Rowena threw one last look at Julian before he disappeared from her sight and she didn't know where he went anymore.
Rowena rushed and made her way back to the maid's room, grabbed her dress, and then barely returned to her chambers on time. She smoothed her dress from wrinkles and made sure that not one hair was out of place.
She fervently hoped that Julian escaped successfully.
When Rowena stepped back into her room, eager to fall on her bed… she was greeted with the sight of someone. Her heart nearly exploded out of her chest when she saw Lady Liz seated by the table with a tray filled with a pot of tea, cups, and even desserts?
"Lady Liz…?" Rowena said uncertainly.
"I was waiting for you, Your Highness," Lady Liz spoke quietly. "Where have you been?"
