---
I was kept inside the cage for a whole three days. I didn't see any men, except for two old caretakers.
The food they gave me was nothing more than moldy bread and potato soup—barely edible.
After crossing two mountains and four rivers, we finally entered the first city.
The city resembled a typical old European castle, set on terrain that was partly plain and partly hilly.
A stone wall, standing about five meters tall, surrounded the city. Many guards were stationed at the drawbridge and patrolled the top of the wall.
They greeted us—the commander and his soldiers—with utmost respect, but stared at me, a man from the barbarian tribes, with curiosity in their eyes.
The inside of the city wasn't particularly grand. Most of the houses were arranged in a grid, suggesting advanced city planning. A cobblestone road ran through the layout.
A wide road stretched across the entire city, leading straight to the inner castle—probably the commander's personal residence.
We followed the road to the castle. Many people, mostly women and a few men—probably no more than three or four—watched the procession like it was some sort of entertainment. Which, to them, it was.
As we entered the gates of the inner castle, the carriage stopped at the center of a square with a fountain in the middle. The guards opened the door of the cage, and ten soldiers aimed their spears at me as they ordered me to exit.
The way they treated me made me feel like a dangerous criminal.
"Chain the prisoner, bathe him properly, and feed him. Keep him under the observation of the Head Chief until the Duce gives her orders," said a soldier in a gold breastplate, standing at the edge of the square.
Clack... Clack...
Two soldiers—women, judging by their build, which was normal compared to the Lula tribe—brought out two iron shackles and chained my hands and feet.
They led me inside the mansion, with four guards ahead of me and four behind, all the way to the bathhouse.
There, they left me alone with two women dressed like modern maids. The room wasn't quite a dungeon, but it wasn't a proper jail either.
I waited for what would come next.
---
"Puhaaaa..."
A woman awoke from her sleep. She looked around at her surroundings: the usual white bed, white quilt, and black pillow in her familiar room.
The tall walls were covered with papers and strings connecting pictures across various maps. In the center was a picture of a man—Denis Ngilneia.
Knock knock...
"It's me, Sena, my lady. It's time for your medication," said a voice from behind the door.
"Come in," the woman answered, her tone harsh.
"My Lady Melody, how many days will you keep searching for him?" asked the butler as he entered, carrying a tray with medicine, a glass of water, and a clean towel in one hand.
"Master is worried about your health. So is Madam," he added.
"Uncle, I'll keep searching for him until I find him. He's not dead—I can feel it," Melody replied, determination burning in her eyes.
"As you wish, my lady," the butler said, scanning the room with his sharp, eagle-like brown eyes. He had been with her since she was born and knew how relentless she could be once she set her mind on something.
"The preparations are almost done. We can set out by this evening," he said, standing near the picture at the center of the wall.
"You don't need to follow me. I can do this on my own," Melody replied.
"I've already received permission from Master and Madam. And you're like a niece to me—I'll follow you wherever you go," the butler said, placing his hand on the tray, now empty.
"In that case, load up the supplies. Don't miss a single piece of my luggage," ordered Melody.
"As you command," the butler said with grace as he exited the room and closed the door behind him.
Outside, he turned to six attendants—three men and three women, all dressed in tailored suits.
"You heard her. Pack all the supplies and luggage. We leave at once," he instructed.
---
Meanwhile, inside the room, Melody whispered to herself:
"I'll find you at all costs... because you belong to me."
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