Before dawn had properly arrived, Famoura was already awake.
The sky beyond her window remained dark, veiled beneath a blanket of mist. The castle slept peacefully, unaware that one of its princesses was preparing to leave.
She wasted no time.
Gathering only a few belongings, she wrapped herself in a dark cloak and pulled the hood over her head.
Then she slipped quietly from her chamber.
No guards noticed.
No servants questioned her.
No one attempted to stop her.
The royal family had never imagined that Princess Famoura Felóenz would flee.
But Famoura was not running from danger.
She was running from despair.
The cold morning air stung her cheeks as she rode through the forest. Her horse moved swiftly between ancient trees, its hooves striking the damp earth like a steady heartbeat.
The mist curled around the woodland paths.
The world felt silent.
Lonely.
Her hands trembled slightly upon the reins.
Not because of the cold.
But because she knew the truth.
The life she had dreamed of was disappearing before her eyes.
Soon, she would no longer be a princess.
She would become a prisoner.
And the only place that still felt safe was Sylvester Woodland Library.
Nestled among ancient trees and surrounded by endless silence, the library had become her sanctuary.
There, she waited.
Minutes passed.
Then she heard hurried footsteps.
Edward Laurent appeared first.
His coat was damp with morning dew, and confusion immediately crossed his face when he spotted her.
"Famoura?" he asked. "How are you here so early?"
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"I shall explain everything."
Then she glanced toward the empty path behind him.
"But first, let everyone arrive."
Edward studied her expression for a moment.
Something was wrong.
He could see it immediately.
Yet he simply nodded.
Soon, the others arrived.
Anthony Félix.
Elizabeth Félix.
Victor Laurent.
One by one, they gathered before the library entrance.
The morning mist drifted between the trees, and their breaths appeared as pale clouds in the cold air.
For several moments, no one spoke.
Famoura drew a slow breath.
Then she finally said,
"It is possible that today may be the last day I see all of you."
Silence fell instantly.
Anthony stepped forward.
Shock was written plainly across his face.
"What are you saying?"
Famoura lowered her gaze.
"My family has decided that I am finally allowed to study."
Elizabeth immediately brightened.
"That is wonderful!"
A small, bitter smile touched Famoura's lips.
"Studying is wonderful."
Then her expression hardened.
"But listen carefully."
The smile vanished.
"They are building a university."
Everyone exchanged confused looks.
"A university?" Victor repeated.
Famoura nodded.
"Beneath the castle."
The words struck them like a physical blow.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Even the forest seemed to grow still.
"A private university," Famoura continued quietly. "One built only for me."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"And they have built living quarters there as well."
Anthony frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Famoura looked directly at him.
"It means I shall no longer be allowed to leave the castle."
The silence that followed felt unbearable.
Professors would come to her.
Lessons would be brought to her.
Everything she had ever wanted would finally be hers.
Except freedom.
"They began construction last night," she whispered.
Her eyes lowered.
"And it shall be completed by tonight."
Victor clenched his jaw.
His usual confidence vanished completely.
"This is cruel."
His voice was rough with anger.
"Why are you never treated like a normal person?"
Elizabeth looked away.
"There is no solution."
Edward stepped forward.
His expression remained calm, but his eyes betrayed his sadness.
"Famoura."
She looked at him.
He swallowed.
Then spoke softly.
"Your safety matters more than our friendship."
The words struck her harder than she expected.
"If what they are doing is truly for your protection..." he continued, "...and losing you is the price of that protection..."
His voice faltered briefly.
"...then I am willing to accept it."
A painful smile appeared on his face.
"But I shall never forget you."
Anthony stepped forward next.
"Neither shall I."
Elizabeth nodded immediately.
"Nor I."
Victor laughed quietly, though there was no joy in it.
"It pains me to hear this."
His eyes met hers.
"But it also makes me happy."
Famoura blinked.
Victor smiled sadly.
"Because you are finally receiving the education you have always wanted."
His voice softened.
"And that gives me peace."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Famoura felt tears threatening to form.
"Thank you."
Her voice barely rose above a whisper.
"All of you."
The group slowly moved closer together.
No words were necessary.
They formed a small circle.
Arms around one another.
Foreheads touching.
Like an oath being sworn before the heavens.
And together they spoke.
"We shall always be there for one another."
Their voices echoed softly through the trees.
"Whether we meet again or not..."
The wind stirred around them.
"...we shall never forget."
Famoura closed her eyes.
For a brief moment, she wished time would stop.
But it did not.
Eventually, she stepped back.
She looked at each of them one final time.
Then she turned away.
And rode toward Château de Chambord.
Toward the cage awaiting her.
---
The moment Famoura passed through the castle gates, the heavy doors closed behind her.
CLANG.
The sound echoed throughout the courtyard.
Cold.
Final.
Like prison bars locking into place.
Famoura did not look back.
She climbed the castle stairs slowly.
Then she paused before her chamber window.
Below, workers moved tirelessly.
The underground university was nearly complete.
Stone walls.
Bookshelves.
Rows of candles.
A solitary desk.
A solitary chair.
And a staircase descending into darkness.
A staircase that resembled the throat of some enormous beast waiting to swallow her whole.
By evening, the construction was complete.
And her lessons began immediately.
One professor arrived.
Then another.
Then another.
They taught mathematics.
History.
Philosophy.
Languages.
They spoke politely.
Professionally.
Yet none of them met her eyes for long.
They treated her as though she were a secret.
A royal mystery best left untouched.
Hours passed.
The candles burned lower.
By nightfall, Famoura's body ached with exhaustion.
When the final lecture ended, she slowly climbed back toward her chamber.
The castle was silent.
The candle beside her bed flickered gently.
And for the first time, she understood.
This was her future.
A life without freedom.
Without sunlight.
Without friends.
A life spent beneath stone walls.
A prisoner disguised as a student.
---
The next morning, she returned to the underground university.
Her routine had already begun.
One lecture ended.
A brief interval followed.
Famoura sat alone at her desk, reading quietly.
The scent of fresh stone filled the underground chamber.
Everything was still.
Then—
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Famoura froze.
Her eyes lifted immediately.
The sound came from above.
Not footsteps.
Not soldiers.
Something heavier.
More powerful.
The thunder of many horses.
Her heartbeat quickened.
"What is happening?"
---
Above ground, chaos had erupted.
The entire royal family had gathered within the grand hall.
King Francis stood at the center.
Princes and princesses surrounded him.
Royal guards lined the walls.
Fear hung heavily in the air.
Yet one person was missing.
Famoura.
Suddenly Princess Catherine cried out.
"Famoura is not here!"
Her voice shook with panic.
"Bring her to me immediately!"
Princess Marie turned sharply toward her son.
"Henry."
Her command left no room for argument.
"Go and bring Princess Famoura."
Prince Henry departed at once.
His footsteps thundered down the staircase.
Moments later, he returned.
Famoura beside him.
Confusion filled her expression.
Before she could ask a single question—
Princess Catherine rushed forward.
Then fell to her knees.
She wrapped her arms tightly around Famoura.
As though afraid she might disappear.
Famoura stood frozen.
"Mama?"
Her voice was barely audible.
Then—
A voice echoed throughout the hall.
Smooth.
Elegant.
Terrifying.
"Will no one welcome me?"
Every person present stiffened.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Famoura slowly turned.
There, standing within the entrance of the royal hall, was Queen Isabella.
Rainwater dripped from her black cloak.
Her silver crown gleamed beneath the torchlight.
Her eyes contained no warmth.
Only ambition.
Only conquest.
King Francis stepped forward.
His expression darkened.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Queen Isabella smiled.
But it was not the smile of a friend.
Nor of a queen.
It was the smile of someone arriving to declare war.
"I warned you."
Her voice carried calmly across the hall.
"I warned you that war would come."
She took another step forward.
The guards tightened their grips upon their weapons.
Every noble remained silent.
Then, slowly, the room's attention shifted.
Toward Famoura.
One by one, eyes turned toward her.
Questions.
Suspicion.
Fear.
Even Prince Henry watched her carefully.
As though searching for answers.
Famoura noticed immediately.
And anger flared within her chest.
She stepped forward.
Her chin lifted proudly.
"Why are you all staring at me?"
Her voice rang clearly throughout the hall.
"If I had done something..."
Her eyes burned with fierce determination.
"...I would announce it myself."
She pointed directly at her chest.
"Believe me."
Her voice lowered.
"I did nothing."
Silence followed.
Sharp.
Heavy.
Absolute.
Because everyone in that room knew one thing.
Famoura Felóenz was many things.
Stubborn.
Proud.
Reckless.
But she was not a coward.
She did not strike from the shadows.
She faced storms head-on.
And Queen Isabella—
Whether she knew it or not—
Had arrived at the wrong castle...
To accuse the wrong girl.