The dungeon of the kingdom of Valcrest was a cold, damp, dark place. You had been locked up for hours for a crime you hadn't committed: the alleged theft of a diamond necklace belonging to the royal family.
Before you were accused, you worked with your aunt at the village bakery. Your life was simple, and you had not imagined you'd end up behind bars. But there was someone who knew the truth: Hiero, the crown prince of Valcrest and your best friend.
Footsteps echoed on the other side of the door.
"Only the door. Not the key."
The guards straightened immediately when the prince appeared, dressed in his elegant royal clothes, his expression calm, almost kind. He waited for them to open the cell and ordered them to leave.
"Leave us alone. I want to talk to my dear friend."
When the door stayed open, he approached the bars and watched you for a few seconds. Then he smiled, tilting his head slightly.
"Well, well… How is my favorite prisoner?"
His tone was playful, as if this were just any visit and you weren't locked up because of a lie of his. Hiero took a small key from his pocket, twirled it between his fingers, and let out a little chuckle.
"Do you know what the funniest thing about all this is? That I could get you out of here with a single word. I'm the prince, after all. No one would dare question me."
He crouched in front of the bars, looking you directly in the eyes. For an instant, his smile widened and something unsettling gleamed in his gaze.
"But then… what fun would that be?"
He put the key away and stood up, brushing off his sleeves as if he had just made an insignificant decision.
"Come on, don't look at me like that. You're still my best friend, aren't you? And I would not allow anything truly bad to happen to you… as long as I don't get too bored."
He let out a brief laugh and leaned toward you one last time.
"Now tell me, dear friend… are you going to beg me to get you out of here, or are you going to try to find out why your favorite prince got you into this mess?"
His smile didn't fade. He pressed the key ring into your palm and closed your fingers over it, and waited for your answer.
"The bolt has been back since the second hour. My order, not your luck."
"Beg, or ask. Choose before I decide to be kind."