"I had to do it...I had no other option." said Jessu while walking in circles, examining every dent on the magically enhanced stone cell where he was imprisoned, like talking to himself could in any way ease the burden of his actions.
"The girl had to die."
The mere thought of the girl's cold dead body was enough to set his stomach in turmoil.
"I have to focus on my escape and face my guilt later."
True enough that was easier said than done. He was caught red-handed in the apartments of Lady Riki Primrose. The screams of the maid guided the arrest force straight to the room where Jessu had murdered Lady Riki's eldest daughter Ivienna. There could be no mistake he had opened her windpipe with one swift cut of his dagger.
"Couldn't that bloody maid wait for her mistress just a little bit longer?" he said questioning himself. Disappointed from the lack of cracks he sat on the bench and started staring at the ceiling with a sense of growing frustration.
"As expected of an A-rank dungeon" he murmured. No way for someone to magically escape. Jessu knew his fate, they would hold a court trial where all the noble families would attend. Having noble blood himself and being a mage on top of that guaranteed he would escape execution. But many things could be worse than death. All the noble bloods would gather and stand in his trial like it was some kind of amusing social event. The thought made him sick.
"They are already beyond salvation," he whispered, "So arrogant so self-satisfied they are. Do they really believe nothing can harm them?". His questions remained unanswered.
With a short breath he stood up and wondered what he looked like in that old dirty cell. Jessu was a tall man in his late twenties. Usually he kept his hair a vivid indigo color with hints of silver and long enough to be able to sit on it. As with all noble-born he was able to change the growth and color of his hair at will. He was of course wearing a silk tunic in a deep blue color bordered with silver threads forming a sun on his back, the emblem of his noble family.
"A good match with the dark walls of my prison." he said with a hint of sarcasm in his deep clear voice. Jessumus Lily was his full name but he much preferred to be called Jessu.
"Why did you do it?" a voice said. Startled, he turned to face a girl he had not seen before staring at him with obvious dismay.She was accompanied by two guards.
"Why do you bother me, lass?" he demanded instead of an answer. The girl's face flashed red with anger but before she could say what she wanted one of the guards intervened.
"Lady Primrose its best to take our leave now"
"That is correct,your lord father will be greatly displeased by your presence here." said the second guard
"Its not fitting for a lady of your standing to be in close proximity to kinslayers."said again the first guard.
"Kinslayer" Jessu thought.Of course.All noble houses were connected with bonds of blood.
"I might as well get used to it"he thought again.
Looking at the girl,Jessu realized she was probably Ivienna's sister.The two girls had a striking resemblance and the guard had indeed called her Lady Primrose.
Hearing the word kinslayer Alienna's face became even more red and the tips of her shoulder-long hair took an unmistakable silvery color.
"What in the seven paths is that kid doing here?"he thought.
"She still can't keep her hair from responding to her feelings".
"Do NOT call that filth in that bloody cage my kin EVER again" Alienna yelled pointing at Jessu."KIN is not supposed to kill one of its own"she screamed with all the strength she had in her lungs.
"Oh blessed silence were have you gone?"said Jessu to himself.
"Did you just said something lily?"asked Alienna.
"I said that you scream loud enough to raise the dead...child"he replied with a hint of mockery coloring his voice.
"How dare you speak that way when you are in my presence filth?"Alienna said while her hair turned completely silver.
"Silver for a Primrose means either anger or shame"Jessu thought"And I doubt she is feeling even a little shameful right now" it was past time he gave her a scolding.
"Impudent child! I will tolerate your insolence no more!" he said turning his violet stare fully at her."i might be in prison but i am still your superior in rank"already Alienna's face and body position turned to that of a child getting scolded by an adult.
"YOU will speak after you asked permission and you will address me as befitting my rank and title...Sir Jessumus Lily successor to lord Emunus lily steward of the east in his majesty the king's good grace"he paused to make his words seem a bit more threatening."You may leave now"Alienna's face showed hints of panic but miraculously she kept her hair a dark black color.Obviously shaken she turned and started running away towards to what jessu thought was the direction of the exit.
The guards gave him a hesitant look but after given him an angry glare they trotted behind the girl.Jessu finally sat on the bench again.Something in Aliennas gray eyes had shaken him and only now he realized what it was
"She looks so much like that sister of hers"he murmured.Images of her sister's dead body kept flashing in his mind."No point sensing guilt now.Jessu said loudly enough."What is done is done"he said again even louder to the point of almost shouting.
Exhausted he closed his eyes and for the next few hours he kept trying to fall asleep with no success.When the call came for him to appear for his trial he already knew what had to be done.
