I looked again at the landscape feeling the sadness consuming me a little more that morning. Every morning I found myself looking at that same scenario with the certainty that I would never go outside again. Although I missed stepping on green grass or touching the cold water of Lake Ness, my room was still the safest place in the Highlands. A knock on the oak door interrupted my thoughts. I didn't have to turn around to know that Annabel, my sister, was the one who came into my quarters. I smiled lightly, but did not look at her and continued to face the landscape. That one had become my only happy moment.
- Good morning! - Annabel said in her soft voice. - I brought your breakfast. Toast with jelly and a nice teapot. I also got the tamed shrew you wanted so badly.
- Looks good! - I whispered with a smile. - Will you eat with me?
Annabel nodded smiling. Every morning she'd bring breakfast and occasionally a book. I wasn't allowed to go beyond my bedroom door, so she came to me. My mother came a few times, which was a relief.
My room was the largest in the castle and had belonged to Aila. Annabel had insisted on my mother staying with him after Aila's departure. Since I'd become a prisoner, I'd be in the most comfortable room. I was not bothered by the fact that I was a prisoner in my own home, since I was very afraid of the outside world and the people who lived there.
The room had a bathroom area; a bed with canopy, which was in the center of the room and a table with only two chairs. On the wall by the door there was a fireplace and in front of it an armchair, in which I spent most of the time reading, praying or looking at the narrow window. Many times I spent so much time there that I ended up falling asleep.
- It's a beautiful day, although a fine rain is falling on Inverness. - she said. I could hear the tinkling of the cups when she put the tray on the table. - You know I know the passages well. Why don't you come take a walk with me?
- Nice try, but I'd rather stay here! - I answered dry.
- Aideen, you can't stay in this room forever, my sister! - she took a break. - You know I can help you get out of this place, right?
Like I have a choice! I did.
- Go out for what? Where to? - I asked myself, turning around. - You know I can't hunt, and I have very little skill with the sword. I'd die before I even got to the next town.
- You'll die if you stay alone in this room. - she returned it.
I laughed without feeling like it.
- A great irony! - I grumbled. - I don't know what would be more pleasant: dying here, being humiliated by our mother, accused of being useless or out there alone.
I shrugged my shoulders and sighed.
- Although there's not that much difference between the two options.
Annabel shook her head from side to side. She was only allowed to stay in my room for meals, so I made the most of her company. She was my middle sister. He was sweet and gentle. Although she looked delicate, she was very fearless and loved adventures. He knew of all the hidden passages of Inverness and was always running away. Our mother had never been able to find out about her leaks, but she doubted that she would punish her somehow. Annabel was always our mother's favorite. His hair was silver and his eyes were blue, sapphire in colour. She didn't look like any of us, since Aila and I were redheads like our father. Our mother used to say that Annabel looked like our maternal grandmother, but I never had contact with her to be sure.
Annabel took a deep breath before smoothing out her ivory-coloured dress and sitting on one of the chairs. I walked up to her and sat on the next chair. She began to serve herself the toast, which was already with the jelly, while drinking the blackberry tea, our favorite.
- No knives? - I asked by frowning.
- Yeah. - She sighed looking at my wrists. - I think we know exactly why.
I rolled my eyes in silence. A few days ago, when Annabel brought my coffee, I took the knife she had brought and tried to cut my wrists. I had a fight with our mother and I tried to hit her with the knife. I had hit her shoulder and she left the room in despair. The knife stuck in the wall and I picked it up hoping to end my life. Annabel was very nervous when she saw me sitting in the chair with blood running down her wrists. One of the villagers came and closed the wound which was not as deep as I had imagined.
- I think you should run! - she insisted on the conversation.
- Where are you going with this, Annabel? - I asked in an angry voice. - You've never made me that offer before. Why did
