Chapter 135: Arrest Me
He sighed as he nodded, agreeing to her plan. To make sure no further suspicion was put on her, Sierra changed back into the clothing she was last seen wearing. Though it was a little tattered, it was still in one piece.
"I’ll get you a new one, a much better one when all of this is over," Alistair said as she changed.
"I’d like that," Sierra replied.
With that, the couple said their final goodbyes. Alistair pressed the hidden switch that opened the door to the secret passageway.
He also called for his shadow guards, instructing them to protect and help Sierra remain hidden from prying eyes until she made it out of the King’s Quarters.
"I’ll see you soon," Alistair said with a heavy heart.
Sierra nodded, "See you."
As soon as the door to the secret passageway slid close, Sierra let out a shaky breath of air. From this moment forth, she was on her own.
"I can do this," she muttered to herself.
She echoed the words of her promise to her father, "I will survive."
For the soldiers who guarded the entrance to the dungeons on the castle grounds, it was a day like any other. The cool night air meant they did not feel as warm in their uniform.
But when they saw someone walking up towards them, with both of their hands up, they quickly realized it would be anything but the same.
"Hold it right there!" One of the soldiers yelled out as he held out his spear in the person’s direction.
The person walked into the light, causing both soldiers to gasp in shock when they saw who it was.
"I’m here to surrender myself," Sierra declared in a calm and collected voice.
She still had both her hands up and over her head, to show that she was not carrying any weapons. The shadow guards ensured she remained unseen until she was out of the King’s Quarters, which she was most grateful for.
Ever since the unfortunate event at the ball, security had been tight around there.
She held out her hands as the soldiers came up to her and brought her into the dungeon. As they did, more soldiers were made known of her presence. There were mixed feelings amongst them and at first, she could not quite understand why.
They almost looked reluctant to take her in. As they brought her to the designated cell she would be put in until the trial, Sierra stopped at the entrance.
"Get in," the soldier said, trying to keep a neutral tone of voice.
"Are you sure this is the cell I’m supposed to be in?" Sierra asked as she turned to look at the soldier who spoke.
The cell before her was too clean. Not to mention, it was well equipped with a proper bed and amenities. It did not resemble a holding cell of any sort. It looked more like a simple furnished bedroom with bars instead of walls.
"Y... yes," the soldier knew his reply was not convincing, but it was what he could muster. He was caught off guard by Sierra’s question.
Sierra sighed as she shook her head. Her hands had been chained but the soldiers were still holding on to her. She removed herself from their grasp and turned to face them. Both of them did not even do anything to restrain her.
Sierra folded her arms, "Would both of you mind explaining to me what’s going on here?"
"I... uh..."
Neither of them could give her a straight response.
"Where is she? Where’s Princess Sierra?" A familiar voice echoed down the hallway that Sierra recognized immediately.
"Sierra!" It was Ida.
She had tears in her eyes as she ran straight up to Sierra.
"Ida? What are you doing here?" Sierra was stunned to see her.
Furthermore, how did she know she was here? Trying to make sense of the situation, she still could not understand what was happening.
Ida turned to the guards who gave her a nod, meaning they knew each other. She turned back to Sierra only to see a look of confusion on her face.
"I don’t think a criminal who’s supposedly convicted of attempting to murder the king gets such a nice cell, Ida. But it seems like they don’t have the answers I’m looking for," Sierra mused, "Could you explain what’s going on?"]
Ida bit her lip, quickly realizing what the situation was.
"They just... we just wanted you to be comfortable," she mumbled her confession while keeping her eyes on the ground.
Sierra was speechless. She could not understand what would move them to do something like this for her.
"We know you’re innocent, Princess Sierra. We’ve all heard about the amazing things you’ve done. It’s not possible that you’re behind the assassination," one of the soldiers finally blurted out.
"Yeah, we all think you’re innocent," the other soldier added.
Sierra was surprised by their replies. She turned to Ida, hoping she would be able to explain the situation to her.
"It’s true, princess, none of us believe you would plot against his Majesty. I mean after all..."
"After all what?" Sierra wanted to know.
Ida leaned over to her and whispered in her ear, "Everyone knows how close the both of you are."
Sierra blushed beet red as she glared at Ida as she exclaimed, "Everyone?!"
She wanted to bury herself in a hole in the ground and disappear forever. Just when she thought it was a secret kept safely hidden, she learned that everyone knew.
"Still, I can’t stay in this cell. If the court found out about it, they would accuse me of bribery amongst other things," Sierra reasoned as she turned to the guards, "Just put me in a regular cell, please."
The soldiers look at one another and then at Ida.
"I don’t think you’re taking orders from Ida, are you?" Sierra asked sternly. She softened her composure before turning to Ida and apologized, "No offense, Ida."
Ida chuckled, "None taken, princess."
As such, Sierra was brought further into the dungeon, to an empty dingier cell. This time, she entered without hesitation. While she regretted rejecting their kind offer of a nicer cell, she knew that this was all for the best.
She would thank herself later for her own sacrifices.
Ida came into the cell too.
"You shouldn’t be here, Ida. What if they find out? I don’t want to get you in trouble-" before she could say anything else, Ida gave Sierra a hug.
