[center]++DIOMIRA++
Twenty minutes after Lavelle's arrival and her reassuring words, Diomira was released from her shift. The threat in the castle was long over and all the additional royal Protectors were let off until their next shift. Queen Bellona had yet to wake up and didn't seem in a rush to do so, so Diomira felt comfortable leaving her in Lavelle's care. She bid farewell to the sleeping Queen and Lavelle as she and Flaery left, but as soon as she got out the door, she quickly made her way to the holding cells. She could feel Flaery's disapproving gaze burn into her back, no doubt guessing where she was going, but Diomira didn't care. If she wasn't too late, there still might be time for her to say her goodbyes to Noem before his sentence. 

Even though he was her coworker, because of their huge age difference and his closer age to her children, she had seen him and treated him like a son. Though not in the condescending way of course. Noem was a Protector and on the same level as her. She admired and praised his skills at such a young age and saw a lot of her younger self in him. But she couldn't stop herself from bringing him homemade food when he looked like he was overworking himself, or buying him presents for the holidays. She even invited him over to her house for some celebrations over the years and her family had treated him like one of their own. There was still a professionalism aspect to their relationship, but she still couldn't stop thinking of his as another son. And now she was on her way to say goodbye to him for the last time, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she made her way through the hallways of the castle. A part of her hoped that she was too late so she could remember Noem the last time she had seen him, happy and free. But the other part knew that if she didn't pay her respects and be there for him, probably when no one else would, it would haunt her forever. Noem hadn't spoken much about his past, but she was aware that he had had a troubled past and no family. [i]He must be so alone and cold in that cell...[/i]she thought, causing her to move a little faster, despite the tears. [i]I should have atleast brought him some food...[/i]She told herself, turning the corner, and stopping dead in her tracks.

Before her stood Noem, alive and well, and outside his cell without cuffs or chains. Instantly she brightened up, assuming that King Belzeneff had shown him mercy and lifted his sentence, and stepped forward, " Noem! I'm so glad to see you well! I was so worried that I would be late. But here you are, free!" She was too overjoyed to see him alive at first to question why he was free, but as she took a better look at him, she could tell something was...off. He was the same man, wearing the same clothes she had seen him in last, but something still felt different. As if he had a different kind of aura. His expression seemed uneasy and his voice nervous, something a free man wouldn't have. Suddenly, her gut twisted as her mind raced through the possibilities. " You...you are free, right?" She asked hopefully, though unsurely. " His majesty must have lifted your sentence and you're on your way back to see the Queen. Come, I'll walk with you." She held out her hand, smiling a little less genuinely as before.[/center]