The walk to where Bella Torivald was being held was fifteen minutes long and it brought Dahlia to a part of the castle she didn't know existed. Contained right in the centre of the keep and located deep underground, a series of warded, locked, and guarded passages could be found.
The tunnels here, while still maintaining the elegance of the rest of the castle, were clearly more utilitarian in nature. This area wasn't for guests. Not willing ones at least.
As they continued through what appeared to be a complex labyrinth, Dahlia noticed more and more how the passages twisted, turned, and looped back on themselves in impossible ways. After a few more minutes passed and her curiosity couldn't be restrained, the girl looked pleadingly towards the Archduchess who couldn't help but smile at the unrestrained inquisitiveness.
Happy hollidays! Recently the weather has been dreadful and it's still up in the air if I can even make it home to my family in time for the holliday. Hopefully those of you celebrating have a lovely time though and you eat and rest well while being with those you care for. And for those who are having a harder time, I give you all the best wishes I can!
As has been the case for the last few weeks, chapters will continue to be irregular, though I will try to keep up about four chapters a week. Things are just kinda situationally dependent so I can't guarantee any specific schedule unfortunately.
That's about all I have to say. Because I don't plan to do a special, there's a shockingly high chance that I release a torture chapter for christmas... oh well. Anyway, as always, I hope you're having a wonderful day!