91

92.

Carissa stirred from her slumber as she heard the faint creak of the door opening. Her eyes fluttered open, struggling to adjust to the dimness of the room.

"Who's there?" she mumbled, her voice hoarse from sleep.

A familiar figure stepped out of the shadows, and Carissa's eyes widened in recognition. It was Era, one of the maids who worked in the palace.

Carissa struggled to sit up, wincing as she felt the dull ache in her bones.

"Era, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion.

Era walked towards her cage, her footsteps as silent as a cat's. "The princess asked me to give you this," she said, tossing a key towards Carissa.

The princess? Carissa thought, confused. Why would she give me a key?

Carissa looked down at the key, hesitating before picking it up. She turned to Era, about to ask her what it was for when she spoke up.

"What else would it be for?" Era said, a hint of impatience creeping into her voice.

"It's the key to the cage. The princess