Axel just chuckled softly when she seemed embarrassed by the fact that he knew who she was. "Ah, well....I've done my fair share of spying on your family," he admitted with a shrug. "I know who you all are. Others from my group might not," he pointed out.

Once they released their hands from the shake though, he moved to slide back down the wall and sit down with a soft breath of air escaping him. "Not your fault he's a stubborn prick," he added with a shrug, talking about her father. "But you did manage to keep me alive after I called him and old man to his face, so I don't doubt your persuasion skills," he added with faint amusement.

He could tell she wasn't completely happy about the cigarette comment, but he decided not to mention it. He knew it was a nasty habit, but that was one he couldn't break. The other was the drinking ...those were the only ways to relax at all within the barracks or on the war path. Or when you were injured ....they did tend to ease the pain better than any of the other meager supplies they were allotted by the monarchs of the kingdom.

He watched her leave, then, still curious about her. Why she'd decided he was worth all of this. If she would be able to convince her father to release him.

And if she did, how would that work? They likely wouldn't just let him wander around the castle unattended. They wouldn't trust him. And the nobles and noblewomen and civilians would probably be against him being out. They probably wanted him dead instead of locked up anyway.

Lorelai climbed back up the winding staircase, her heart heavy and her head light. She'd gotten herself tangled into quite the mess of a situation, and she doubted her ability to face it.

She then reached the dark hallway which led out to the grand staircase. Her head was bowed, eyes glazed over thoughtfully. She was pulled out of her mind when the clink of armor echoed ahead.

Lorelai could just barely distinguish the shape of two silhouettes. They moved into the light cast by wall-bound torches. It was the two guards she overheard earlier.

"Princess Lorelai?" one grunted, shooting his colleague a puzzled glance, then they both knelt before her.

Lorelai could no longer be the scared and confused girl that she really was. She squared her shoulders and clasped her hands together in a noble stance, looking down upon the guards with the apathy of one who had more important matters to attend to.

"Off to interrogate the prisoner? There is no need. The King has sent me to gain his cooperation," she lied. She hated how easily lying came to her, it was frightening. But she felt that if she gave an order, it would not be taken seriously, despite her rank within the court. Her father's words were always obeyed, no questions asked.

"And I succeeded, but in return, the prisoner must not be harmed, and he will be freed from his chains so that he can move around freely in his cell. That is an order from the King."

"As you wish, your majesty," one of the guards spoke as both of them stood, bowed, and at the dismissal of the Princess, disappeared into the dungeons.

Lorelai stepped out into the light, and felt anything but relieved.

She knew that convincing her father would be more difficult than it had been with the guards. He could be more stubborn than two men combined. But she knew she had to do this.

At this time of day, Lorelai knew her father would be in his study. Taking in a deep breath to prepare herself, she walked in that direction, her steps uneasy.

Sage watched the princess leave, brows furrowing slightly. She seemed genuine, but he knew that her father was stubborn. Prideful. And...well, there were logistics to some things that had to be thought about. He was a dangerous prisoner. Important. The king wouldn't want to lose him, so he doubted he'd let him loose. Besides, the guy had to keep his family and people safe, and they couldn't trust him.

He still planned to run the first chance he got, though he was debating if he wanted to take out the royal family on the way out. He was no fan of the king, but he didn't really know the rest of them outside of the princess. And for some reason, he felt bad killing her. He'd feel bad killing her family too, if he was being honest. He wasn't sure why though.

He was broken out of his thoughts when the door to his cell opened again, a guard stepping inside. He scowled, bracing himself for another beating, but all they did was unlock the shackles around his wrists and neck. He was too surprised to do anything as they stepped out of the cell and locked the door again - he just stared at his wrists, eyes wide for a few minutes.

The princess had come through on at least one part of her promise then. A corner of his mouth twitched upwards in a sort of small smile, lowering his hands and shifting into a much more comfortable position. He could actually lay down now. Get comfortable. Well ...as comfortable as one could get on a cold stone floor.

Even so, he felt something warm blooming in his chest. He couldn't name it...he didn't know what it was. But whatever it was, it was nice. And it had something to do with Lorelai. Her kindness.