Arnold’s arched tone just wound Theodore up further. “Did you hear a word I said? There’s no way she can jump from a window that high!”
“Is that what you think?”
“Yeah, it is. And even if she did somehow manage to get out, my guards will capture her.” He couldn’t believe he had to explain this; it was so obvious. Nevertheless, his brother showed no sign of losing his composure.
“Normally, I’d agree with you.”
What the heck was he talking about? Theodore’s irritation was beginning to shade over into anxiety. What if he’d made a miscalculation when choosing her as his hostage?
No way. It can’t be.
Theodore knew he’d interpreted his brother’s feelings correctly. He did care about Rishe—it was plain as day in his gaze when he looked at her. So why wasn’t he angry? Why wasn’t he looking at Theodore with hatred and showering him with scathing words?
“Maybe I’ll…cut off a finger,” Theodore mused. “Show you I mean business. It’s not too late for that, you know. The guards will hurt her on my command, I promise you that.”
“My foolish little brother.” Arnold smiled with disdain.
Theodore had just thrown everything he could to make Arnold react, but this wasn’t what he wanted. His brother was looking at him with pitying contempt for his foolishness, not because the capture of his bride had left him helpless.
“You already lost, Theodore. The second you thought you’d captured her, you’d already lost.”
“What?”
Arnold glanced at the door. “See? She’s decided to join us.”
“What the hell is wrong with you? You’re being absolutely ludicr—”
The door flew open with a bang. Theodore let out a shout. That door was locked. He was sure of it. Nevertheless, it was standing open.
“No. No, that’s impossible.”
In the threshold stood a girl with coral-colored hair. She had a dagger in her hand and was spreading out the ragged skirts of her dress.
His brother’s fiancée—the beautiful Rishe—looked at him, smiled, and hooked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Good evening, Prince Theodore. I’m here to settle this.”
Theodore shrank back. “This can’t be happening!”
Don’t tell me Elsie was moved by her kindness?! But that still doesn’t make sense. I put Hugo and his men at the door. They would never betray me, or allow Elsie to either!
Rishe ignored his sputtering, her gaze shifting to the right. “Prince Arnold.”
It was almost awkward, the way she said his name. A furtiveness to her expression. Theodore knew these two hadn’t seen one another since that night in the chapel. He didn’t know what had happened between them, but Arnold was regarding her coolly.
“I’m sorry for my idiot brother ruining your night,” he said.
“Oh, it’s all right.”
“Theodore was just telling me about the room where he locked you up. Did you jump out the window? Or just make a hole in the wall?”
“I have no idea what you mean! I left through the door like any normal person would.”
Arnold laughed. “You left like ‘any normal person’ would leave a locked cell watched by armed guards.”
Rishe looked troubled but less nervous than before. Not that any of that mattered to Theodore.
“Who the hell are you?!” He clenched his fists. “How did you get here? How did you escape?!”
“Prince Theodo—”
“Someone must have betrayed me. That’s the only explanation! What was the point of doing all that if—”
“Your Highness. With all due respect, I’d love to offer you a few words of advice.” Rishe’s face had gone cold.
Theodore flinched away at her intensity. He couldn’t help it, even if she was only an ignorant noblewoman—someone the same age as him. “Advice?”
“First of all.” Rishe put up a finger. “Don’t let a prisoner of war out of your sight. You mustn’t leave them alone, even in a locked room. If you can’t be there yourself, post guards inside the room with them. At least two.”
“Wh-what are you talking about? Prisoners of war?” he blurted. A normal noblewoman would never say something like this. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Second.” Rishe raised another finger. “Always search your captive for weapons more than once. If you have an underling frisk a prisoner, you should do the final check yourself.”
Rishe moved toward him, nonchalant, crowding Theodore up against the wall. She flipped her dagger from hand to hand. Where had she even gotten that?
“Honestly, you shouldn’t leave them clothed—strip them completely. That way they won’t be able to hide any weapons or tools to aid their escape. This is especially important if the prisoner is a woman. If she’s indecent, she’ll feel she can’t run away, and she’ll be afraid to try.” The words fell from her red lips with a casual air, as if this was only common sense.
She then held up three fingers. “Third. You neglected to bind my hands and feet. When you do bind a prisoner, make sure they’re in handcuffs and that the base of their thumbs is tied off with a durable rope. As for their ankles—I imagine this goes without saying, but it’s best to fasten them to a pillar or a bed, something solid.”
Her long-lashed eyes pierced Theodore. Her face was as pretty as a doll’s but alight with something fierce and fearsome. He couldn’t look away.
“But even with all of that, it’s still half-hearted. Do you know how best to ensure someone can’t run away?” Rishe leaned in.
“H-how?”
“You break their arms and legs.”
Theodore swallowed hard. Was she serious? His back hit the wall, Rishe leaning in close as she said matter-of-factly, “Those three actions are a sure thing. Broken bones, secure bonds, everything confiscated. Oh! And always post guards in groups. That’s the only way to guarantee your prisoner won’t escape you. Or…probably won’t. You have to prepare for any eventuality.”
What in the world is wrong with this girl?!
Theodore recognized the look in her eyes. He would never forget it. He’d seen it in the eyes of wounded soldiers when he’d treated their injuries on the front lines.
“Escaped enemies will have information about your position and the makeup of your army. They will endanger you and your allies. Civilians. You must always do what is necessary to ensure a captive can’t slip your grasp.”
Oh, wait. I was wrong.
She had the eyes of a solider standing on the battlefield, sword in hand. Just as he was sure of it, Rishe asserted, “That is what is required when you capture an enemy.”
A chill ran down Theodore’s spine.