26~A pang of sympathy

As the hours passed, Isabella's stomach began to grumble, aching for food. But she knew it was unlikely that she would receive anything from her captors. They had made it clear that they had no intention of showing her any mercy.

Just as Isabella was beginning to lose hope, she caught the eye of the head maid as she walked past her cell. The maid seemed to understand the silent plea in her eyes, and Isabella felt a spark of hope flicker within her.

Later that night, as Isabella lay on her hard, damp mattress, she heard a soft tapping at her cell door. She sat up, her heart racing with anticipation. The door creaked open, and the head maid slipped inside, carrying a small plate of warm soup and crackers. Isabella’s eyes widened with surprise and gratitude as she took the plate from the maid's hands. She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she took her first sip of the warm soup. It was the first proper meal she had had in what felt like weeks.

"Thank you," she whispered, h