I know it's been a while. Writer's block got a hold of me. I think it's gone now, hopefully.

Chapter 23:

Ranaya began scribbling…..

Dear Dari,

I have just arrived to the Zachavian Castle…

It's everything I knew it would be. Cold, dark, and dreary. You couldn't imagine how many elves are enslaved in this fortress. It sickens me to see them bending to every well. If they don't do as Karik says they are punished within an inch of their life.

I'm hoping you will look out for Lando for me. Tell me how he is fairing? I was so scared when he collapsed.

I know my hopes are useless but just maybe I can somehow escape marrying Karik. I can't marry him. I can never love a man so evil. My heart belongs to Lando and only Lando. I feel it and I know it's true. I'm going to find a way and I'm going to come back to him.

Please don't tell our parents.

,Ranaya

Ranaya placed the quill down with a sigh. She folded and placed the letter into an envelope.

A throat cleared behind her and she jumped in her chair in front of the desk. Ranaya turned to see Sharissa looking around sheepishly.

"Whatever is the matter?" Ranaya sat the letter down onto the desk and got up.

Sharissa quickly jerked her attention to the princess. "His Majesty requests your presence in the dining hall. I've come to help you change your gown."

Ranaya pulled the navy cloak tighter to herself. "If His Majesty insists." The title left a very bad taste in her mouth. She made her way to her trunk to pull out her next best dress other than her ball gown.

"Oh no, Your Highness. His Majesty wants you to wear a gown from your new wardrobe." Sharissa sauntered to an armoire that Ranaya hadn't even noticed until now.

Ranaya's nose crinkled in disgust as the maid opened the armoire to reveal the laceiest and beaded gowns the girl had ever seen. They were so fancy and not like Ranaya at all.

She mentally groaned to herself as she searched through the gowns to find one that she actually liked. It took her a while but finally she found an emerald green kimono sleeve dress with pearls on the bodice.

"Lovely choice." Sharissa smiled as she laid the dress onto the bed with the proper undergarments.

Ranaya nodded with a tiny smile and undid the navy cloak to fold it neatly and place it back into the trunk. Sharissa then began the task of getting the princess ready.

Ranaya tried to protest that she could dress herself but decided to drop it as Sharissa ignored her arguing.

"If I do not help you get ready I will get in trouble with the Master for not doing my job." The elf maiden helped Ranaya into her dress after ridding of the wrinkled travel dress and having Ranaya put on more undergarments to improve the princess's form to which Ranaya was not thrilled of. She hated to wear such uncomfortable things.

By the time Sharissa got to Ranaya's hair Ranaya could scarcely breathe from the whale bone corset being so tight. She didn't think she'd ever worn one as tight before.

"Sharissa, can't my corset be loosened a little?" Ranaya winced as the elf pinned her hair up high on her head.

"It cannot be done. His Majesty wishes you to look your part as the future Queen. The tight corset will help your posture." Sharissa finished her hair and placed a pair of slippers in front of Ranaya.

"It may help my posture but I will not be able to act like a future Queen if I have passed out from not being able to breathe." Ranaya sighed as she slipped her feet into the heeled shoes.

Sharissa gave her a sympathic look. "I know, it must be torturous. I wish I wasn't forced to do things I wish not to do. I am not capable of having my own mind in this castle or any part of Zachavi. I am a mere slave here. If I do or say anything out of my line it ends badly." Sharissa looked down.

Ranaya suddenly felt horrible for complaining when Sharissa had it much worse than she did. It was in that moment Ranaya decided when she escaped she would take Sharissa with her. The elf maiden deserved freedom as well as all the rest did.

Ranaya wished somehow she could free all the elves in Zachavi.

"Come along. His Majesty is waiting." Sharissa broke through Ranaya's thought.

Ranaya took a deep breath and followed Sharissa out into the halls.

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