CHAPTER 5 , THE PRISONER OF VALEMONT CASTLE
2448 Words
PART 1
“Open the door.”
Isla stood in the middle of the room with her arms crossed.
The door opened.
Adrian stood outside.
“You called for me?”
“I want to leave.”
His expression changed.
“Leave the room?”
“No. The castle.”
“No.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“You didn't even think about it.”
“I don't need to.”
“You brought me here.”
“Yes.”
“You said I wasn't a prisoner.”
“You aren't.”
“Then let me leave.”
“I can't.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because it's true.”
“Why?”
“Because the royal family is searching for you.”
“I don't care.”
“You should.”
“No, Adrian. I care about finding my grandmother.”
“And I will help you.”
“Then let me go.”
“If you leave this castle, they'll find you.”
“Then I'll run.”
“They'll keep hunting.”
“I'll keep running.”
“You can't run forever.”
“Maybe I don't need forever.”
Adrian stared at her.
“You're angry.”
“Of course I'm angry.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone keeps making decisions about my life.”
“I understand.”
“No, you don't.”
“I do.”
“You're a prince. You've always had choices.”
Adrian's expression tightened.
“Not always.”
Isla paused.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.”
“There you go again.”
“What?”
“Secrets.”
Adrian sighed.
“Stay here.”
“No.”
“Isla.”
“No.”
She walked past him.
“Where are you going?”
“Somewhere.”
“Where?”
“Anywhere you aren't telling me I can't go.”
Adrian followed.
“Don't wander through the castle.”
“Why?”
“Because there are places you shouldn't enter.”
“Now I definitely want to see them.”
“Isla.”
She smiled slightly.
“What?”
“You're impossible.”
“You noticed.”
She continued down the corridor.
Adrian followed closely.
“Stop following me.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“To make sure you're safe.”
“I thought I wasn't a prisoner.”
“You aren't.”
“Then stop watching me.”
“I can't do that either.”
She turned around.
“You're very annoying.”
“So I've been told.”
She smiled despite herself.
“Was that supposed to be funny?”
“No.”
“It was.”
“I wasn't trying.”
“That makes it worse.”
They reached a large staircase.
Isla looked upward.
“How big is this castle?”
“Large.”
“That's not an answer.”
“Large enough.”
“Do you ever answer normally?”
“Sometimes.”
“When?”
“When the questions are easy.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Fine.”
She climbed the stairs.
Adrian followed.
At the top, she noticed a long hallway.
“What is down there?”
“Nothing.”
“That means something.”
“It means nothing.”
“Then why won't you let me see?”
“I didn't say you couldn't.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
She walked down the hallway.
“Isla.”
“What?”
“Slow down.”
“No.”
“You're enjoying this.”
“A little.”
They reached a tall wooden door.
Isla touched it.
“What is inside?”
“I don't know.”
“You don't know?”
“I haven't opened it in years.”
“Then let's open it.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
She turned.
“You hate it when I say no.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She opened the door.
It creaked.
“Isla.”
“Relax.”
“I am relaxed.”
“You don't look relaxed.”
Inside was a huge gallery.
Paintings covered the walls.
Isla stepped inside.
“Wow.”
Adrian stopped behind her.
“Beautiful, isn't it?”
“Yes.”
She moved closer to one painting.
Then stopped.
“Adrian.”
“What?”
“Come here.”
He walked toward her.
“What is it?”
She pointed.
A portrait showed a young woman standing beside a much younger Adrian.
Isla's face went pale.
“That's me.”
Adrian stared at the painting.
His expression changed completely.
“No.”
“That's me.”
“It can't be.”
“Look at her.”
He did.
The woman's face was almost identical to Isla's.
Same eyes.
Same lips.
Same small mark near her wrist.
Isla touched the painting.
“She looks exactly like me.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“I have never seen this.”
“You're in it.”
“I know.”
“You told me you've never met me.”
“I haven't.”
“Then explain this.”
“I can't.”
“Of course.”
“Isla.”
“You're lying.”
“I'm not.”
“You're standing beside a woman who looks exactly like me.”
“I know.”
“And you're saying you've never seen her?”
“Yes.”
“That's impossible.”
Adrian stared at the painting.
His face had gone pale.
“I don't remember this.”
“Maybe you should.”
He looked at her.
“I don't understand it.”
“Neither do I.”
She stepped closer to him.
“Who is she?”
“I don't know.”
“Why is she standing beside you?”
“I don't know.”
“How old is this painting?”
“Very old.”
“How old?”
“Centuries.”
Isla's eyes widened.
“Centuries?”
“Yes.”
She looked at the painting again.
“That woman shouldn't exist.”
Adrian's voice was quiet.
“Neither should you.”
She looked at him.
“What does that mean?”
“I don't know.”
“You always say that.”
“I know.”
She turned away.
“I'm beginning to think you know much more than you're telling me.”
Adrian said nothing.
“That silence is an answer.”
“No.”
“Then talk.”
“I don't know what to say.”
“Tell me the truth.”
“I am trying.”
“Try harder.”
Adrian looked at her.
“I don't know who the woman in that painting is.”
“Do you know why she looks like me?”
“No.”
“Do you know why you're beside her?”
“No.”
“Do you know why my blood made your heart beat?”
His expression changed.
“No.”
“Then what do you know?”
Adrian's voice softened.
“I know that something about you has changed my life.”
Isla stared at him.
“What?”
He looked away.
“I don't know how else to explain it.”
The words left both of them silent.
Isla looked back at the portrait.
For the first time, the castle did not feel like a place she had simply been trapped inside.
It felt like it was hiding something from her.
And somehow, she knew the answer was connected to Adrian.
PART 2
“Isla.”
She turned.
“What?”
“Come with me.”
“Where?”
“Your room.”
“Why?”
“Because my father has summoned me.”
Her expression changed.
“Your father?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying again.”
Adrian sighed.
“He wants to speak with me.”
“About me?”
He didn't answer.
“Adrian.”
“Yes.”
Her stomach tightened.
“What does he want?”
“I don't know.”
“Another secret.”
“I don't know what he intends to do.”
“Then why are you going?”
“Because I have to.”
“No.”
He looked at her.
“No?”
“You shouldn't go.”
“I don't have a choice.”
“You're a prince.”
“Exactly.”
She stepped closer.
“Then choose.”
Adrian stared at her.
“You make it sound easy.”
“It should be.”
“It isn't.”
“Why?”
“Because my father is the king.”
“And?”
“And I am his son.”
“You're still allowed to disagree with him.”
“Not when the entire kingdom is watching.”
She folded her arms.
“You're afraid of him.”
Adrian's eyes hardened.
“I am not afraid.”
“You are.”
“No.”
“You hesitated.”
“I was thinking.”
“You're afraid.”
He looked away.
“Perhaps.”
It was the first time he had admitted it.
Isla softened.
“What did he say?”
“He wants you brought before the royal court.”
Her face went pale.
“No.”
“I know.”
“I'm not going.”
“I know.”
“Then tell him.”
“I will.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
She studied him.
“You're not going to take me there?”
“No.”
“Even if he orders you?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Adrian looked directly at her.
“Because I don't believe you would survive it.”
The words frightened her.
“Why?”
“I don't know what they will do.”
“Then don't take me.”
“I won't.”
A heavy silence settled between them.
“Adrian?”
“Yes?”
“What happens if your father orders you again?”
“I'll refuse again.”
“And if he threatens you?”
“I'll deal with it.”
“And if he threatens me?”
Adrian's expression changed.
“He won't touch you.”
“You can't promise that.”
“I can promise that I will do everything I can to stop him.”
Isla looked into his eyes.
“You really mean that.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Adrian had no answer.
She stepped closer.
“You don't know, do you?”
“No.”
“Why do you care about me?”
He swallowed.
“I don't know.”
“Again.”
“I wish I had an answer.”
“So do I.”
A sudden knock sounded.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Both turned.
Adrian's face hardened.
“Who is it?”
“Your Highness.”
“Enter.”
The door opened.
A royal guard bowed.
“The king demands your presence immediately.”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“I heard you.”
“He also commands that the human be brought to the court.”
“No.”
The guard looked surprised.
“Your Highness?”
“I said no.”
“The king's orders are clear.”
“So is my answer.”
The guard swallowed.
“I will inform him.”
“Do that.”
The guard left.
The door shut.
Isla exhaled.
“You just refused the king.”
“Yes.”
“Because of me.”
“Yes.”
“Adrian…”
He looked at her.
“Stay in your room.”
“What?”
“Until I return.”
“You're giving me orders again.”
“I am asking you.”
“That sounded like an order.”
“Please.”
She sighed.
“Fine.”
“Thank you.”
He turned.
“Adrian?”
“Yes?”
“Be careful.”
He stopped.
“I will.”
He left.
Isla remained in the room.
But she couldn't stay there.
Her mind returned to the portrait.
She walked back through the castle corridors.
When she reached the gallery, she stood before it again.
“Who are you?”
The painted woman stared back.
Isla touched the frame.
“You look exactly like me.”
A soft sound came from behind her.
She turned.
Adrian stood there.
“You disobeyed me.”
“You told me to stay in my room.”
“I did.”
“I didn't promise.”
He sighed.
“You're impossible.”
“You said that already.”
“I meant it.”
She looked toward the portrait.
“I keep thinking about her.”
“So do I.”
“You knew this painting existed?”
“No.”
“Then why are you looking at it like that?”
“Because I don't understand it.”
“Do you think she's me?”
Adrian looked at the woman.
“I don't know.”
“But you feel something.”
He looked at Isla.
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Familiarity.”
Her heart skipped.
“Me too.”
They stood silently.
Adrian stepped closer to the portrait.
“She looks like you.”
“I know.”
“Exactly like you.”
“I know.”
His gaze moved to Isla's face.
“I don't understand.”
“Neither do I.”
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Adrian's chest tightened.
Thump.
Isla heard it.
“Your heart.”
He touched his chest.
“It is still beating.”
“Because of me?”
“I think so.”
She
smiled faintly.
“Maybe that's why the painting exists.”
“Maybe.”
Before Adrian could say more, footsteps echoed through the corridor.
His expression changed.
The king's voice came from behind them.
“Adrian.”
He turned.
His father stood at the end of the hall.
“You were ordered to bring the girl to court.”
Adrian stepped in front of Isla.
“I refused.”
“You will obey me.”
“No.”
The king's eyes narrowed.
“You would defy your own father for a human?”
Adrian's voice was calm.
“For her.”
Isla stared at him.
The king's expression darkened.
“You have no idea what you are protecting.”
Adrian looked at Isla.
Then back at his father.
“Perhaps.”
He moved closer to Isla.
“But whatever she is, she will not face this court alone.”
The king's voice became cold.
“Then you have chosen your side.”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“Yes.”
He took Isla's hand.
And this time, he did not hesitate.
“I choose her.”
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