The sound of your footsteps echoed through the dungeon hallway's walls as you walked in the solid stone bricks that composed it. Several cells passed by as you walk, most of them empty and deteriorated. the lack of guards so far was strange, but you didn't really question it too much. After a while, you reach an specific cell, a bit bigger than the rest of them. Inside it, there was a Dark Elf, with long blonde hair cascading by her back tied in a Ponytail, red eyes, and the characteristic elven ears and dark skin of the dark elves. She is Chloe, Princess Knight of the Queen of the Dark Elves, now chained and imprisoned. The Kingdom of the Dark Elves has been at war for a very long time with an alliance of 7 different nations, and surprisingly they were winning. In a desesperate attempt to turn the tide, the queen, and incarnated goddess, of said alliance hired a band of mercenaries, the Kuroinu. These Mercenaries defeated the dark elves due to their Queen's magic power weakening, conquering them and imprisoning Olga, the Queen. Chloe is now sitting on the cold stone floor wearing her skimpy leather armor in addition with a black cape and dark blue greaves. Immediately noticing your presence, she looks directly at you, her expression shows mainly anger and resentment. "What do you want, Human?! Where did you take the Queen?!" She says angrily, clearly upset but with a subtle, almost undetectable hint of fear in her voice.
Lucy stood over you, in her uniform, staring down at you with sharp eyes, "She has been taken to see the King. Don't worry, she won't be harmed. They're just... hashing their differences out, in bed."
"Don't lie to me, human! You think I can't tell? My Queen would never let something like that happen!" She growled angrily, furrowing her brow and glaring at you. Her eyes darted around the cell, looking for any weakness or opportunity she could use to escape. "I won't rest until I have freed her... no matter what it takes."
Lucy sighed, "Look, lady. If we wanted to harm the Queen, we wouldn't keep you around. You wouldn't BE in the cell, you'd be in an unmarked grave, far from your home, far from your family. You'd be a lingering thought in your families minds until they died. Now, relax."
*Chloe's anger didn't seem to fade at all. In fact, if anything, it grew stronger as you spoke. "You expect me to believe that? You humans are known for your deceit! Just because I'm not dead yet doesn't mean you aren't planning on doing something horrible to her!" She snarled, trying to keep herself from shaking with rage. Her fists clenched tightly as she glared up at you. "I won't let you harm her! Not while I still have breath in my body!"
Lucy said, "Sit down and shut up. I'll go check on the Queen, if that will make you relax."
Without saying another word, Chloe hesitantly sits back down on the cold stone floor. Her fists remain clenched and her breathing is labored as she tries to calm herself down. She glances around the cell once more, still searching for any weakness or opportunity to escape, but knows that it's unlikely with a guard watching over her constantly. A soft whimper escapes her lips as tears begin to well up in her eyes; her anger has been replaced by fear and helplessness now.
Lucy left you some food and artisan black wine (a known delicacy in the Elven Capital) and went to go check on the Queen. She was gone... for maybe an hour, since the kingdom was huge, and she had to travel on horseback from one side to the other to find the Queen. She arrived back, and she found you still enjoying your wine.
After taking a deep breath to calm herself down further, Chloe hesitantly takes a bite of the food provided. Despite her anger and resentment towards humans, she can't help but feel grateful for not being left to starve in this cold, damp cell. She forces herself to chew and swallow each morsel slowly, savoring the taste of the artisan black wine as it trickles down her throat. Her attention never strays far from the door of the cell, constantly scanning for any signs of movement or suspicious activity outside.
Lucy said, "Your Queen is safe. The King is having his way with her, but, it's not forced, I can promise you that."
Even though she doesn't want to believe it, Chloe can't help but feel a small sense of relief wash over her at the news that Olga isn't being harmed. She wipes away the remaining tears from her cheeks and tries to maintain her composure as she asks hesitantly, "Is there any... way for me to see her?"
Lucy said, "I can... ask that you be released into my custody so that I can escort you to her, but, that'll take a LOT of paperwork. Do you really need to see her that badly?"
"Of course I do!" Chloe practically growls out through gritted teeth, tears welling up in her eyes once more at the mere thought of being separated from her queen any further. "The Queen saved my life when I was a child! I owe everything to her! I would go through hell and back for her!"
Lucy smiled and she said, "Alright. Stay put and I'll go get it done." She left and Chloe was left to her thoughts, Lucy was gone for 3 days, filling paperwork, going back and forth in the kingdom, getting the paperwork to the right people, getting it notarised whilst servants and maids brought Chloe more bread and wine. Lucy returned and found Chloe, fast asleep. Lucy came into Chloe's cell and she stroked your face softly, as you slept, murmuring to yourself.
With a start, Chloe jerks awake at the touch on her face. Her eyes snap open, wide and disoriented for a moment before she recognizes the figure standing over her. She blinks rapidly, trying to collect her thoughts as she sits up straighter. "Lucy...?" she asks hesitantly, her voice still thick with sleep.
Lucy said, "Shush, it's okay. I know it's late, but, the paperworks all signed. I can take you tomorrow to see her. I'm just gonna take you to a nicer bedroom for tonight."
Nodding wearily, Chloe allows herself to be led out of the cell. Her body feels heavy and achy from being confined for so long, but she pushes through the exhaustion as they make their way across the dungeon complex. She keeps her eyes trained on Lucy's back, trusting the mercenary not to betray her despite her earlier suspicions. Once they reach a more comfortable room, she gratefully collapses onto the bed, pulling the soft blankets up around her shoulders. As sleep slowly claims her once more, she offers a silent prayer of thanks for bringing her one step closer to seeing Olga again.
Lucy removed her armor and she got into bed with you, cuddling you closer and she kissed your cheek, "Good night, Chloe."
Even as tired as she is, the warmth and affection in Lucy's gesture unexpectedly make Chloe feel oddly safe and secure. A small contented sigh escapes her lips as she snuggles deeper into the blankets, relishing the closeness. "Good night...," she whispers softly before drifting off to sleep, her last thoughts consumed by images of Olga's beautiful face and the day they would be reunited.
The next morning Lucy was up, bright and early, she donned her armor and went to grab food from the market to cook for Chloe. Chloe awoke to a lonely bedroom, having 5-10 minutes alone until Lucy returned.
Yawning and stretching, Chloe rolls out of bed and pads over to the window, throwing open the heavy curtains with a sigh. The bright sunlight streaming into the room helps chase away some of her fatigue as she yawns again, revealing rows of sharp teeth. She glances around, wondering what Lucy could be up to, before deciding against dwelling on it and heading toward the door in search of the mercenary.
"Lucy?" she calls out into the hallway. "Are you here?"
Lucy arrived home whilst you were searching the cabinets for food. She said, "Morning Chloe. I just went to the market to grab stuff for you. Since, I kinda know what you guys eat mostly."
Smiling at the thoughtful gesture, Chloe walks over to Lucy, wrapping her in a tight hug. "Thank you," she whispers gratefully before stepping back and glancing around once more. "How long do we have before they realize I'm gone?"
"They shouldn't know for at least a few hours. They won't miss me that much, since I've been gone most of the time anyways." Lucy replied as she started to prepare breakfast.