Silence ensued in the cell immediately after Dariel revealed what the original plan had been. Nobody even dared to breathe louder, let alone speak at the moment. They were too in shock to even comprehend what was happening as they stared at the female Commander who was standing quietly with her back facing them.
Even Azimir was stunned. His eyes could not conceal his resentment and anger as he glowered over the man who had almost planned to kill the girl he had in his heart. Just the thought of him almost losing Aylin made his heart skip a beat in fear. A strange helplessness and fear settled in his heart, one he was all too familiar with.
It was the fear of him losing her. It was his fear of never being able to see her smile, hold her in his arms and love her the way he wanted to for life. Azimir did not know much about Aylin. But just her position as the Commander of Aranill was enough to invoke hatred and jealousy in people who were vying for that position.
'Aylin would surely have a made a lot of enemies during her venture and more so after she became the Commander. Is it anyone among them who wants her dead so they can take over her position as the Commander of Aranill?' Azimir pondered, unable to disregard his dread and worries.
Instinctively, he turned to Aylin who was deep in her thoughts. Azimir's heart ached on seeing her deal with all dangers alone. But the next instant, his heart calmed down when he remembered the relationship between them. Despite his feelings being new and fresh, he was sure that she was the one for him and with him around, no one would dare harm her.
A strong resolve to protect her and cherish her for life filled his mind and his fears dissipated slowly. He did not care that Aylin was capable herself. He disregarded the people around her who were skilled enough to protect her. He took it upon himself to keep Aylin safe and his sterling grey eyes flashed with determination.
'I have already lost my parents for a wicked ploy, Aylin. I cannot afford to lose you too.' A somber feeling settled around him and Azimir pursed his lips in dismay. Suddenly, his heart was unsettled and he could not decipher the peculiar emotions he was having.
"He wanted you to kill me." A long time passed before Aylin started speaking. Nobody could decipher what was running through her mind. She was placid, yet in control. Her oppressive aura did not diminish even for a moment. Instead, it only increased as time passed.
"But I did not wish to follow his plan. Though I promised him to do as he wanted, I changed it and only attacked you, Commander, hoping to frame the Alpha of Ideni for my actions. I did not intend to kill you or anyone among your warriors."
Dariel explained in a haste, wishing to reduce the Commander's fury. Though the woman was calm, he could not help but be scared. She was too calm for his liking.
"I wonder how I should punish you and your Alpha for hiding this matter from me," Aylin stated all of a sudden and Dariel gaped at her in disbelief. All his attempts to reduce her fury turned futile for he understood that Aylin did not have any intentions of letting him go.
"Your Alpha too knew what the man wanted. And since the man behind the plan approached him first, I was still in Renada at that moment." Aylin's voice turned low and Dariel trembled in fear as he felt the change. Instead of calming her down, he had only fanned the flames more and now Aylin was incensed.
"Is it not an offense? Should I not punish him?" Aylin's raised a brow at him questioningly and all Dariel could do was gawk at her tongue-tied.
Every word from her was like a sword slashing through his body. But it was the truth. Not once had he thought about the consequences of his actions and not once had he expected to fall into such a hopeless quagmire.
"Dariel, you are just a foolish person and the man used you for his gains, though he did not benefit from you at all." Aylin sneered and Dariel lowered his head in shame. He could sense everyone's mocking gazes on him and he wished to kill himself for what he had done.
Not only had he acted stupidly after getting instigated, but he had also even brought shame to his kingdom. Dariel gritted his teeth and cursed the man behind all this. He was still perplexed to think that he had been used this way and not until Aylin discerned it before him, he had found out about it.
"You will be punished for sure. And your Alpha," Dariel's head snapped to the only lady in the room, his eyes dilating in fear. "Who you so badly wished to protect, he too will be interrogated and held responsible for all that happened on the first night of the moon. But before that, we will first look into the credibility of your words. If,"
Aylin took a step forward and Dariel cowered in his place. "We find you to have lied to us, I will make sure that you beg me to kill you. You and all the people of Renada will suffer for your actions. This is my promise."
Aylin did not wait another moment and walked out of the cell. Azimir looked at Dariel mysteriously before he too walked out and called the guards in charge of the cell.
"Clear the dead bodies. Dariel has realized what sin he has committed." Azimir ordered and glanced at the man who looked crestfallen and still in shock. "We do not want him going mad before he receives his punishment."
The guards got to work immediately while Azimir went in search of Aylin. He did not have to search for long for she was right near the entrance of the dungeon. Azimir had barely taken a step towards her when he heard her ordering her men.
"Prepare for our departure, warriors. We will be leaving for Aranill with Dariel tomorrow."