It was tempting, surely. No more corsets, no more drunken nobles assessing my assets, no more ladylike manners, no more bowing and scraping, free to do whatever I wanted, just like Morgana...
Just like Morgana?
My brow furrowed. Nothing in this world ever came without a catch. So what was it for Morgana? In her pact with Lucifer, she had to...
"...spent my many years since then doing as he demanded - in this lair, no man rules over me..."
I closed my eyes, then exhaling, handed the wand back to Morgana. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at me.
"Sorry, while I am sorely tempted, there's no such thing as a free lunch," I stated glumly.
"Oh? What exactly does that mean?" Morgana raised an eyebrow.
"What was Lucifer's price for your pact? You're free from men, but not free from HIM , are you?" I replied evenly as I watched Morgana's reactions from under my eyelashes. "I have no desire to trade one cage for another."
"You're naive, little girl," Morgana said dismissively after a long silence between us, the knight's incessant charges at the door providing a drumbeat in the background. "You think as long as those men rule out there you will ever find freedom? This lair might seem small, but it is a kingdom ruled by one woman alone...ME."
"But you can't leave here, can you?" I cut in, getting to the crux of the issue. "Your minions can wander all over, but you...you are shackled as well, just to a different master."
"And what would you propose instead?" Morgana asked, somewhat indignant, but also curious.
"Like I said, I don't want a cage. I want to be free," I said stubbornly. "Are you capable of providing me with that? Is HE ?
The thumping at the door grew louder but no more effective as Morgana scrutinized me. As though coming to a decision, Morgana suddenly blinked, then threw her head back and laughed.
"Very well then, my little princess! We shall see if you are worthy of negotiating such a pact with my Master!" Morgana grinned evilly. "Therefore, to prove yourself, you shall..."