The day was almost lovely with the clouds floating about and the soft autumn wind blew passed her. Almost, of course. To begin with, what would she know about clouds and winds when she's trapped in the basement with no window installed?

To no one's expectation, three days after her summon, they were saved from imprisonment. A miracle, a woman cried. Like a knight in shining armor, mounting a marvellous stalion to save the day.

Meanwhile, outside the estate, Amaryl watches as the woman with ill-looking skin talking with the knights in said shining armor. Rather intimate, to be exact. The woman mantains a stern demeanor, in contrast how she had behaved in the cell. Scared, frail, ill, weak. It's as if she was currently looking at a different person.

"Captain." A knight saluted. "We have successfully enclose the whole mansion as pre-ordered. The prisoners were released from their captive, the guilty parties were detained at the main hall with the members of the Roselle family inside the meeting room. Now, awaiting for your orders."

She nod. "Search every crock of the mansion. Don't let a single rat get away." Her voice carried throughout the whole platoon. Confident and dignified.

"Yes, Captain!" The knights answered simultaneously.

The previously captive hostages were all at shock after finding out the truth of their companion. There wasn't a hint of her connection to the Knight's Order. Quite the dedicated actress, is Amaryl say so herself.

With the order said, the knights were everywhere, almost scrambled around the area yet they move smoothly and with duties to be fill. A lady knight walk closer to their direction and politely told to follow her.

The mansion was beautiful as it was massive. It has been nearly three months since she set foot onto its ground. So, her surprise was understanding, how it look quite small in a distance. Just a speck of dust comparing to the world.

She mused. What a small cage it was.

×

"How are you feeling, Amryl?" The talented actre— lady knight asked, smiling her way as she gesture the seat in front of her.

"I didn't found any problems both physically and mentally. So to conclude, I feel fine. Thank you for asking, madam."

"........."

"Yesh, looks like we got them red-handed, Captain." A man next to her said, shaking his head. "Never thought they were that inhumane. Laying a hand on childr—" He immediately clammed up for no reason.

"Right." The lady knight —Madam Cheryl, she needs to remember that, glares at him before focusing on her. "Do you know why you're here, Amaryl?"

"I saw Sir Daryl and Madam Sherry leaving the building before I entered. I assume I was brought here for questioning on my part of the story."

"Correct. We're also making sure there won't be a lasting trauma on the victim especially, young children."

She nod. "I understand."

"Can you tell us about yourself first?"

×

"We appreciate your assistance, Amryl." Cheryl smiles before turning wry, "and I apologise, due to your... Previous occupation, I need you to come back. Around, 2 days time?"

"I understand. I'll take heed of it. Have a nice day, madam."

Amaryl make sure to do a curtsy before being escort to the entrance.

With the door shut, Ryan scratch his beard and voiced. "It's not like I don't trust the papers but are you sure that kid is just-"

"Mix, maybe. We're not sure yet." Cheryl said curtly. "That's enough of the topic. We don't have all day. Have the next person enter."

He shrugs. "Well, whatever you say, cap."

×

It came quick.

The moment the news came to her ears, Amaryl drop everything and blindly rushes to the Knight's quarters, ignoring people's calling and pleas for an entrance from the guards.

She grits her teeth, and balled her hands to a tight fists. Amaryl refused to give up. Even if they denied her request a thousand times, she needs to–

"Aren't you that Amaryl girl?"

She looks up to see the man who accompanied Madam Cheryl last time she was interviewed.

"Sir." The guards saluted.

"Yeah, yeah. It's fine guys." He waves them off and approach her. He crouched to her eye-view.

"And I thought your meeting ended 3  days ago. Got called up, kid?"

Her eyes widen, this was her chance, and immediately bowed. "Please, sir. I beg of you. I would do anything, all I dare request for is one chance to meet-"

"Okay, okay. You need to stop there."

Her heart sank. It's understandable her request was naive but it wasn't something she would just give up on.

"Well?"

She blinks.

"Aren't you coming?" The man nudged his head forward, which she catches on to follow.

She felt something warm on top of her head.

"You're a strange kid." Amaryl craned her neck to get a better look at the man. It's frustrating when people were taller than her.

He sigh, muttering something to himself. "And cut the formalities, would you. I don't know about you but being a former commoner, those things just doesn't suit me."

"Okay." Amaryl muffled into her scarf.

×

"Time flew fast." The word poured out of her mouth without warning.

The woman chuckled. "Young people would often say the opposite."

But it has. Maybe not. Amaryl didn't count the days since she last saw the Madame. She looks thinner. Her dress was a plain white one-piece. No earings, necklaces, nor makeup on her person. The luxury of noble born gone. What stood out the most was the deep dark circles under her eyes.

Amryl had never thought of one day, seeing her in such a state. A former noble countess now chained as a prisoner waiting for her verdict.

It was suprising. The first thought that came.

She wouldn't dare to imagine how awful it must been but a part of her held pride. The light in her emerald-like eyes shines bright, countering the dark aspect.

The madame still looks so beautiful. She's glad.

"I came to bid you farewell, Madame Roselle."

A hand reached out, which Amaryl didn't resist and caressed her cheeks. "Dear, don't be like that. Call me 'Serena'."

A smile spread the woman's beautiful feature. It was soak with warmness and gentleness. Once upon a time, the same smile was able shook the entire court with how enchanting it was, before it settled to directed on specific person.

Even then, Amryl's lips fell into a thin line and it was understood that was a selfish thing to ask for.

"May…" She gulps, and (the least she could do was) smile. "you be happy, Madame."

The hand dropped and a chuckled like chime can be heard. "I hope for the same as well, dear."

With that, the woman was taken by the knights on-duty and Amryl walk back to where Madam Cheryl and Sir Ryan was waiting.

"Well, that's the first time I saw something like this."

"Ryan." Madam Cheryl hissed.

"What? You don't usually see a former captive and captor like that. Is this like that one theory Ken was raging about being published in Roynall?"

"Ryan."

"What's it call again? Holm- no, something stuck kinda- ugh."

Madam Cheryl innocently elbowed him in the stomach and turns to Amryl,

"The Countess must have mean a lot to you, Amryl."

"I was indebted to her."

Sir Ryan piped up. "Isn't it suppose to be the other way around? You saved her daughter for one. And they held you captive? If it was me, I'll swear to make them pay the moment they-" He crossed his arms. "Okay, what did I do now?"

Madam Cheryl pinched her nose. "Is it that hard for you to be a little sensetive?"

"Hey, I'm asking the right question here. Don't you feel even a little resent?"

Amaryl frowns, albeit not upset. "Of course not. It was… ironic for me, to be exact. My situation, I mean. I believed Madame Roselle have no knowledge of it but she had help me in many ways than you would expect. Thua, I can assure you, my gratefulness towards her are genuine without any foul play."

"Oh?" His eyes glint. "What exactly did she help you with?"

She hums. "Many things. Perhaps, helping me stabilising my self awareness?"