The moment Aeris stepped into her chamber, she felt an overwhelming sense of disbelief.

The room was vast—larger than any home she had ever known. High ceilings adorned with intricate carvings, golden chandeliers illuminating the space with a soft glow, and silk curtains cascading over tall windows that stretched toward the sky. A grand canopy bed with velvet sheets stood in the center, as if prepared for a queen.

But none of this mattered to her.

Because this was still a prison.

Aeris clenched her fists, standing in the middle of the chamber.

"Is this supposed to make me feel lucky?" she thought bitterly. "That I wasn't killed but was instead given a luxurious cage?"

She didn't care for silk sheets or golden chandeliers. She cared about freedom.

The maid who had escorted her stood near the door, fidgeting with her hands. She was a young woman, perhaps a little older than Aeris, dressed in a modest uniform.

Aeris turned to her. "This castle... it's enormous." Her voice was calm, calculated. "The Dragon King must be a powerful ruler."

The maid stiffened.

"Y-Yes, my lady."

Her hesitance did not go unnoticed.

"What does he do?" Aeris continued, watching her closely. "What kind of ruler is he?"

The maid lowered her gaze, gripping the hem of her dress.

"H-His Majesty is... just. Strong. No one dares to oppose him." Her voice wavered slightly. "He rules over the entire world—his power is absolute."

Aeris tilted her head. "And as a person?"

Silence.

The maid hesitated before speaking again, voice barely above a whisper.

"It is not my place to speak of him, my lady."

Aeris studied her reaction.

"Of course," she thought. "No one dares to speak about him. They’re too afraid."

That, in itself, told her more than words ever could.

She would have to find out on her own.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Aeris gave a small nod. "I see. You may leave now."

The maid, clearly relieved, bowed quickly and left the room. The heavy doors closed behind her, leaving Aeris alone.

The moment she was certain no one was watching, she turned toward the large windows.

She approached cautiously, pressing her palms against the glass. The view before her was breathtaking—the castle stood atop a mountain, overlooking vast lands below. A dense, dark forest stretched for miles, its trees swaying under the night sky.

Aeris exhaled sharply.

"So this is where he lives," she thought. "Above everything. Looking down at the world like it's his to control."

Her hands curled into fists.

"I refuse to be another sacrifice. I refuse to be his plaything."

Taking a deep breath, she began exploring.

She started with her chamber—checking for hidden doors, loose floorboards, or anything that could be of use. But the room was solid, built with no easy way out.

"Did they expect me to run?" she wondered. "Or is this just how every prisoner is kept?"

Next, she moved to the hallways. Carefully, quietly, she stepped out of her chamber, her bare feet making no sound against the cold marble floors.

The castle was silent, save for the occasional footsteps of patrolling guards. The corridors stretched endlessly, lined with towering statues of dragons, ancient tapestries, and golden torches casting eerie shadows.

She stuck to the dimly lit paths, avoiding open spaces where she could be seen. Every step she took was measured—one wrong move, and she would be caught.

But as she continued wandering, the realization slowly settled in.

Every hallway led to another. Every turn brought her back to familiar places. Every path was guarded, locked, or led to nowhere.

This castle… was a labyrinth.

And she was trapped in it.

Aeris clenched her fists.

"Damn it."

She had expected obstacles, but this was worse than she thought. The castle was built to keep people in.

The more she searched, the more hopeless it seemed.

"No wonder no one escapes," she thought, bitterness rising in her throat. "They made sure of it."

After what felt like hours, she finally returned to her chamber, her heart heavy.

She wasn’t getting out of here. Not yet.

As she sat on the edge of the grand bed, staring at the ornate designs on the floor, a bitter thought crossed her mind.

"Maybe I never escaped death after all."

"Maybe I was just thrown into another cage."

And this time, the dragon was watching.

To be continued