We make our way downstairs, where the other slaves are already hard at work. I feel a pang of guilt as I remember the previous night's events, but Alden squeezes my hand reassuringly. "Don't worry about it," he says softly. "We all make mistakes sometimes." We help each other carry our belongings to Alden's room, where we unpack and settle in. It's a small room, but it feels much larger now that it's filled with our things. Alden helps me make up the bed, tucking the sheets and blankets around me. "There you go," he says with a smile. "Your very own bed." "Thank you master I'm grateful for you kindness" Alden sits down on the edge of the bed, his expression turning serious. "Listen, Duna," he says, "I want you to know that you can always come to me with any problems or concerns. I may be your master, but I want you to feel like you can trust me." His words surprise me, but I nod in agreement. "I understand, master Alden." I reply, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. He smiles, reaching over to ruffle my hair playfully. "Good girl," he says with a laugh. "Now, let's go grab some breakfast." I follow him out the room, feeling more at ease than I have in a long time. As we make our way through the halls of the house, I can't help but marvel at how different my life is now. From a young girl sold into slavery to living in a comfortable room with a kind master, I've come a long way. But even as I think this, a small voice inside me reminds me that this is still my reality, and that there are many others like me who aren't so lucky. It's a sobering thought, but one that I can't ignore. For now, I'll take each day as it comes, grateful for the kindness shown to me by Alden and his father. At breakfast, Cook serves us a hearty meal of porridge and fresh bread. Alden sits across from me, chatting amiably about the day's plans. He tells me that today they'll be working on repairing the stable roof and that I'll be helping Lady Thorn tend to the garden. I nod, feeling a sense of purpose and belonging wash over me. As I eat my breakfast, I can't help but feel grateful for this new life, however unexpected or fleeting it may be.

Lady Thorn, Alden's mother, enters the dining hall, accompanied by her husband, Lord Phyllon . They exchange pleasantries with Alden and his father before taking their seats at the head of the table. Lady Thorn glances in my direction, offering me a small smile before returning her attention to her food. It's a brief moment, but it's enough to make me feel welcome and accepted. Despite their status as nobility, Lady Thorn and Lord Phyllon seem genuinely kind and caring, traits that are not always associated with those of their class. 

I've come a long way from when I first got here I think to myself it's a feeling to accepted for the first time in my life I feel strange, is this what it feels like to feel happy? 

When breakfast is finished, Alden's father excuses himself to attend to his duties, leaving Alden and I to help Cook clean up. The three of us work together in comfortable silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. I find myself watching Alden out of the corner of my eye, marveling at how easily he seems to navigate his life here. It's a far cry from the cold, harsh existence I knew before I was brought to his household. I wonder what Alden thinks about his life, if he feels as trapped by his status as I do, or if he's truly content with the life he's been given. 

I go and start washing the dishes, lost in thought. I wonder if Alden has ever questioned his role in all of this. He's so good at it, so natural, that sometimes I forget he's just a boy like me. He doesn't seem to mind the responsibilities, but I can't help but wonder if he ever dreams of doing something else with his life. Something more... free. As I finish drying the last of the dishes, Cook pats me on the back, telling me that I've done a good job. "You're a quick learner, Duna," she says with a smile. "Lady Thorn will be pleased to have your help in the garden." Her words warm my heart, and I feel a surge of gratitude for the kindness shown to me by everyone here.                    I notice alden walking up next to me staring at the all the clean dishes,

he turns to me and asks, "Duna, what do you like to do in your spare time?" "I like to read" I mutter back with a sad face, remembering the luxury of sitting in my moms lap and reading books with her. He looks surprised for a moment before his expression softens. "Really? That's wonderful. I used to love reading too, when I was younger. Do you have any favorite books?" I hesitate for a moment, unsure if I should share this with him. "No, I never got to get into reading" "That's a shame," he says, sounding genuinely disappointed. "But I'm sure we can fix that. I have quite a few books here in my room that I've collected over the years. Why don't you come with me after we're finished here and I'll show you my library? You can borrow any of them you want." His offer takes me by surprise, and for a moment I'm tempted to accept. It's been so long since I've been able to lose myself in the pages of a book, to forget about my situation for even a little while. "You'll let me read your books?" I ask with a low yet surprised voice. "Of course, Duna. They're yours to keep as long as you like. And who knows, maybe one day you'll write your own book about your experiences and share it with the world." His words send a shiver down my spine, filling me with a sense of hope and possibility that I haven't felt in a long time. "Thank you, Master" After finishing up in the dining hall, Alden leads me down a hallway that I've never been down before. It's larger than the others, with tall windows that let in streams of warm sunlight. The walls are lined with shelves upon shelves of books, each one more intriguing than the last. "Here we are," he says proudly, opening the door to a room at the end of the hall. The room is a library, filled with books of all shapes and sizes. A cozy fireplace crackles in one corner, casting flickering shadows across the walls. "Go ahead," he says, gesturing for me to explore. "Take your time and choose any book you want."

"Thank you, master." I say for first time with a voice, as I start to skim through to books on shelves, feeling like a child in a candy store. The spines of the books are soft and worn, the pages yellowed with age. I find myself drawn to a book about faraway lands and fantastical creatures, imagining myself adventuring through the pages as I read. I can't help but wonder if Alden has ever had the chance to explore these worlds himself, or if his responsibilities always came first. As I lose myself in the book, I almost forget that he's even here

"That looks like a good one," he says, startling me out of my thoughts. "Have you ever read anything by the author before?" I shake my head, still a little caught off guard by his presence. "No, I haven't," I admit. "Well, then, this will be your first time discovering their work," he says with a knowing smile. "I hope you enjoy it." His words fill me with warmth, and for a moment, I feel a strange sense of connection to him. We may be from different worlds, but we share a love for stories and the escape they provide.

I close the book and look up at him, meeting his gaze. "Thank you, Alden. This means more to me than you know." He nods, his eyes twinkling with understanding. "You're welcome, Duna. Now, why don't you take the book and find a cozy spot to read? I'm sure you'll find plenty of places to explore around here." With a final pat on my shoulder, he leaves the room, giving me the space I need to explore and lose myself in the pages of my newfound treasure. As the door clicks shut behind him, I can't help but wonder if Alden ever wishes he could escape his own life, even for just a little while.I wander further into the library, finding myself drawn to a section dedicated to history. I spend the next few hours absorbed in stories of long-ago civilizations and legendary figures, feeling a sense of connection to these people who lived and died so many years ago. It's a strange feeling, to know that my life will be forever entwined with Alden's, but in this moment, I can almost forget about our situation.As the afternoon wears on, I begin to feel the weight of exhaustion settling into my bones. I decide to take Alden's advice and find a cozy spot to read, curling up in a plush armchair near the fireplace. The warmth from the fire soothes my aching muscles, and I lose myself once more in the pages of a book. The sound of the crackling flames and the gentle swaying of the bookmark I made from a piece of ribbon lull me into a peaceful slumber, suddenly A voice awakens me from my sleep."What are you doing in here" I hear a voice from the door as master Jim, stands in the door. It's the guy from the game room I meet when I first got here.  He was wearing full armor and carried a long sword around his waist I didn't know there were any knights in this castle and it's the same guy from before. "I was just resting for a while," I reply as I sit up in the chair. "I've been exploring the library all afternoon and I just got a bit tired."

"Slaves aren't allowed in here kid." He shoots back with a glare. He walks towards me yanking me out of the chair and drags me out of the room his grip starting to hurt. As we walk down the hallway, I look down at the sword around his waist starting to assume the worst, what if he kills me. I feel the fear rising in me once gain as I tense up expecting a unfair beating even though master allowed me, I've never been this far back inside the castle before this must be were alden's parents come and hang out in their free time.

Just as we round a corner, I see him. Alden. He's standing in the hallway, looking as out of place as ever. His golden hair shining in the dim light, his clothes immaculate. For a brief moment, I feel a pang of envy. He's free to roam wherever he pleases, while I'm stuck here, a prisoner. Alden, frowns at me, then glances up at The Knight, "What's going on here?" he's askes frowning up at him. "This slave girl was found in the library. She has no business being there," The Knight growls, still holding me by the arm. Alden's face pales, and he takes a step forward, "She was given permission to explore the library. By me." His voice is steady, but there's an undercurrent of anger that I've never heard before. The Knight hesitates for a moment, his grip on my arm loosening. "Are you sure about that?" he asks warily. Alden nods, his jaw clenched. "Yes, I'm quite sure. She's more than welcome to continue exploring the library. Now, if you'll excuse us," he says, stepping between me and The Knight. "The Knight frowns at me then turns to keep patrolling. "I see, please let me know next time Young Master" He says calmly as he disappears into the hallway. I take a shaky breath, my heart still racing from the encounter. "Thank you, Alden," I whisper, feeling tears stinging my eyes. He squeezes my arm gently before letting go, and I'm relieved to feel the warmth return to my numb limb. "You're welcome," he says quietly, "Now, are you alright?" I nod, trying to compose myself. "I'm fine," I lie, not wanting to admit the full extent of my fear and frustration. "I just want to go back to the library," I add, my voice stronger now. "I'm sure you'd like nothing more than to lose yourself in those books," he says understandingly. "Well, let's get you back there, then. "The library is peaceful, as always. The sunlight filters through the stained glass windows, casting colored shadows across the wooden floor. I open the book and begin to read, my voice barely above a whisper. Alden listens intently, his head tilting slightly to the side as he follows along. Sometimes, he'll interrupt with a question or a comment, and we'll discuss the story together, our voices blending harmoniously. It feels like hours have passed when we hear footsteps approaching. A servant enters the room and bows her head respectfully. "Lunch is almost ready, Master Alden, The queen requests you attend " she says, her voice gentle and soothing. I look up from my book, suddenly realizing how much time has gone by. Alden stands as well, offering me his hand. "Shall we?" he asks with a small smile. I nod, taking his hand and feeling a warmth spread through my body.

We walk together through the castle halls, the sound of our footsteps echoing off the stone walls. As we approach the dining hall, I can smell the tantalizing aroma of roasted meats and fresh bread. My stomach growls in anticipation. The door to the dining hall swings open, revealing a grand room with a long wooden table that seats at least twenty people. The walls are adorned with tapestries depicting great battles and hunts, and a huge fireplace dominates one end of the room. Lady Thorn is seated at the head of the table, her husband Lord Phyllon to her right. They rise as we enter, and Lady Thorn beams at us. "Ah, there you are, Alden," she says, her voice warm and welcoming. "I was beginning to worry that you might be lost in your books all day." She motions for us to take our seats, and we do so, Alden pulling out a chair for me before sitting down himself. "It's nice to see you not looking to miserable." Lady thorn, smiles at me. "Miserable? Lord Phyllon looks up and raises an eyebrow, "Son..." He shoots Alden a glare. "Don't worry dear, I already handled it." Lady Thorn interrupts him. The servants pour wine into our goblets, and a servant begins to carve the roast at the end of the table. The smell of the food fills the air, and my stomach grumbles. Alden glances over at me, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "You must be hungry," he says. I nod, unable to resist a small smile in return. Conversation flows around us as we eat, mostly about court gossip and the latest news from the kingdom's borders. Alden seems to know everyone in the room, and they all seem to adore him. I, on the other hand, am still feeling a bit out of place. But as the meal progresses, Lady Thorn leans in to whisper something in Alden's ear, and he glances over at me. There's a new light in his eyes, a sparkle of mischief. "Oh, before we forget," he says, turning to me, "I have a small task for you, Duna." Everyone in the room seems to perk up at this, and I feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment. 

"It's nothing too difficult. Just a little game we used to play when we were younger." He winks at me. I glance around the room, feeling even more self-conscious now. "What sort of game?" I manage to croak. Alden laughs, and the others at the table join in. "Oh, you'll see," he says, still chuckling. "It's just a little way for us to get to know each other better." The rest of the meal passes in a blur of conversation and laughter, with occasional glances in my direction from Alden. I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation building inside me. What sort of game could he possibly have in mind? Finally, after dessert has been served and the dishes are being cleared away, Alden stands up. "Everyone, gather around!" he calls out, his voice booming across the room. The other nobles oblige, taking their seats in a circle around the fireplace. I hesitantly take my place beside Alden, wondering what this is all about. "As you all know," Alden begins, "I have a new guest here at the castle. And I thought it would be fun to play a little game to help us all get better acquainted." He turns to me with a grin. "Duna, this game is called 'Two Truths and a Lie.' You have to tell us three things about yourself: two of them are true, and one of them is a lie. The others at the table have to guess which one is the lie." He pauses, looking around at the expectant faces. "Sound fun?" The others nod in agreement, and Alden turns back to me. "Alright, Duna. Why don't you go first?" I take a deep breath, trying to think of something interesting to say. "Alright," I begin. "I'm able to read and write, despite being a slave", "I've thought about running away from here at least 6 times", "And I was born in a village not to far form this castle" I say, trying to keep a straight face. The others all exchange glances, seeming unsure. "Very interesting," Lady Thorn says, nodding. "I think the lie must be the second one. You don't seem like the running away type." Alden smirks at her. "Perhaps you're right. The rest of you, have any guesses?" They all offer their opinions, and after several minutes of debate, Alden finally says, "Alright, it seems no one guessed the lie. Duna, which one was it?" I feel my heart race as I decide which lie to reveal. "The 2nd one is the lie."The room erupts in laughter. "I knew it!" Alden exclaims. "You're much braver than you let on. And much more clever, too." He claps me on the back. "Well done." The other nobles join in the praise, and I feel a strange mixture of embarrassment and pride. "I can't wait to hear what else you have to say," Alden says, his voice low and sincere. "You've already proven yourself quite the enigma." With that, he takes my hand and leads me back to our seats, the rest of the group continuing to chat and laugh around us. I can't help but smile as I realize that somehow, in this strange and foreign court, I've found a friend. "I feel strange" I think out loud smiling. Alden looks at me with a smile "It's called belonging Duna, it's called belonging." "No, I think it's happiness" I say back to him. "Perhaps it's both" Alden says as he sits back in his chair, contentedly. The rest of the dinner passes with more laughter and conversation, and I find myself reveling in the sense of belonging that I feel in this odd, wonderful place. 

As the evening wears on, I can't help but feel a sense of hope and possibility. Maybe, just maybe, things are about to change for the better. And as for the lie I told? Well, I did think about running away, more than one time, however Alden see's right through me I'm far smarter than I let on. I could have ran away but then, after that what? Get snatched up by someone even worse? Starve to death and succumb to the elements? I tend to plan 3 steps ahead. If I don't have back up plans then I don't bother. The dinner goes by swiftly, the conversation flowing easily, and I begin to realize that Alden isn't just a noble, he's a good person now. Someone who sees past my title and treats me as he would anyone else. It's a refreshing change. After dinner, Alden asks if I'd like to explore the castle, and I eagerly accept. He leads me through the grand halls, pointing out paintings and statues, telling me stories about the people who once lived here. The castle is beautiful, but it's also a living, breathing thing. Every creak of the floorboards, every draft of cold air, every flicker of candlelight tells a story. Alden notices my fascination and smiles, "This place has seen a lot, Duna. It's been home to kings and queens, great heroes and villains alike. But it's also been a prison to those who didn't deserve it. I think you understand that better than most." His words send a shiver down my spine, but I don't say anything. Instead, I focus on the details around us, trying to soak up every bit of this strange, wonderful world. We come to a part of the castle that Alden says hasn't been used in years. The rooms are dusty and cold, but there's an air of mystery about them that draws me in. He shows me a hidden doorway that leads to a winding staircase, and we climb up, our footsteps echoing through the darkness. At the top, we find a small, cozy chamber with a canopy bed and a single window that looks out over the courtyard. "This was my father's study," Alden explains. "He used to spend hours up here, poring over ancient tomes and maps. I'd sneak up here sometimes to listen to his stories." He looks wistful for a moment before turning back to me. "Do you ever miss home, Duna?" "Yes, all the time." I say back to him realizing that I'm returning to my old self minute by minute.I miss my mother's cooking and my sister's laughter. But most of all, I miss being free. Free to explore the world, free to make my own choices, free to be myself.Alden seems to sense my melancholy, because he takes my hand and leads me over to the bed. We sit down together, and he begins to tell me stories of his father's adventures. His voice is soft and soothing, and it's easy to lose myself in his words. I can feel the tension easing out of my shoulders, and a strange sense of peace begins to wash over me. For the first time in a long time, I feel safe. As the night wears on, Alden's breathing grows deeper, and I know that he's fallen asleep. I watch him for a while, studying the lines on his face and the way his hair falls across his forehead. He looks so much like his father, but there's something different about him too. There's a kindness in his eyes that I've never seen before. I wonder what kind of king he'll be, if he ever decides to take the throne. I nudge him awake "Master, wouldn't you perfer to sleep in your bed?" I smile down at him gently. He blinks a few times, then yawns widely, stretching like a cat. "Ah, yes. I suppose I should. But it's been so long since anyone's been in here. I didn't want it to feel... lonely." He gives me a sheepish grin. "Besides, I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable." He stands up and stretches again, rolling his shoulders. "Come on, let's get some sleep. "He leads me to his bed, and I climb in, feeling the softness of the sheets against my skin. Alden watches me for a moment before turning away and climbing into his own bed. As he pulls the covers up, I can't help but notice the way his muscles ripple beneath his skin. It's an odd thought, but it makes my heart race a little faster. "You know, I've never seen you smile like that before, Duna. You should do that more often. "I turn to face him, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. "What?" I ask,  surprised by the statement. He tilts his head to the side, studying me. "It's like you're really happy... or content. I don't know. It's nice to see."He reaches over and takes my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Try to remember that feeling, okay? No matter what happens, I want you to know that you have a friend in me. A friend who will always have your back." His words warm my heart, and for a moment, I feel safe enough to close my eyes and drift off to sleep.