At Melissa’s grab, Alice relinquished the stuffed toy gently and took a half step back, just to be safe. Her eyes twinkled with a small hint of something at the genuine tone in the other woman’s voice. Was she possibly getting somewhere?

When the captive asked if she was in for any more torture, the princess heaved a small sigh, her face seeming years older within moments.

“I wouldn’t myself, obviously. If I can help it, I’d like to treat you with as much decency as I can, and that includes not beating you around like an animal. Of course, if I’m left with no choice, there wouldn’t be much I could do anyways. Even getting let down in here to talk to you was an uphill battle, and if harm were to come to me, people would use that as an excuse to put you to a slow and painful death. But if you’re asking for pity, you’re not getting any. I expect you to take some responsibility for your actions. From now on, no more magic, or else three hours physical torture. Okay? No more of that.”

She looked Melissa in the face once more, this time not cringing at the sight.

“I need to earn your trust, but you need to earn mine too. Let’s help each other.” Alice’s tone was, for once, not pleasant. Not sweet, nor kind, nor anything else she’d been taught. It was...just her. Just the princess...no… Just a human being talking to another human being. It was strange; she felt strange letting that out. After a bit, she shook her head, put on a sorry smile, and continued.

“Forgive me.”

She walked around, paying attention to the blood and bones without owners scattered and splattered all over. It made her sick to even be aware of humans being treated so badly, though she tried not to let it show. She didn’t know what it was about visiting this captive that made her feel so sad, and made her feel in general. It was the first time she’d ever had someone in the dungeon who was bad enough to warrant special treatment, but if she’d known it would have this effect on her, she would have sent someone else to do it. Her feelings had been locked away for so long...letting them out felt heinous, yet there were her sadness, her pity, her anger, her fear.