The next day, Aarav was still perspiring and he murmured in a trembling voice, "lashes huh?"
[Aww! Does our mastermind feel uneasy?]
As the guards began banging on his door, he said, "Not today please, I.."
He began to speak but stopped short and turned to leave.
[huh?]
Triston was escorted to the heart of the Capital where two middle-aged male guards in long black robes, with expressionless faces, untied him. The guards soaked two black leather whips to increase the intensity of their lashes. Aarav turned his head to witness the guards hoisting the whips into the air, and immediately shut his eyes in fear. The first lash of the fifty that were to follow struck him, causing sharp and excruciating pain. Despite wearing a black robe, which he initially believed would be preferable to nothing at all, he quickly realized that it only made matters worse. With each subsequent lash, the robe adhered to the cuts on his back, causing even greater agony. As the lashes persisted, he kept repeating to himself, "I cannot believe this is happening to me. I lived an honest life with my mother eagerly awaiting my return each day. How did I end up here? What went wrong?"
Triston tried his best to endure the relentless whipping, but the pain was becoming unbearable. With each lash, he felt his strength and willpower slowly fading away. His mind wandered to the moments leading up to this situation, trying to find any clues as to what he had done wrong. But nothing came to mind. He couldn't understand why he was being punished in such a brutal and inhumane manner.
After what seemed like an eternity, the guards finally stopped. Triston was barely conscious, and his body was covered in wounds and bruises. He collapsed to the ground, unable to move or speak. The guards looked down at him with no hint of emotion and proceeded to drag him away from the scene.
Triston's mind was clouded with pain and confusion. He felt a sense of hopelessness wash over him as he realized that he might never see his mother again.
Triston was thrown into a small, dark cell. The guards locked the door and left him alone in silence. Triston lay there, his body aching and his mind numb, wondering what his fate would be. Would he ever be able to leave this place? Would he be tortured again? The questions swirled around in his head, but he had no answers.
"Psst...are you awake?"
As he barely raised his head, he saw Anna standing in front of the prison cell. He turned to face Anna as he tried to sit down.
He can see, that the strong and brave Anna standing there with her head facing downwards.
As she raised her head, their eyes locked, the dark circles beneath Anna's eyes indicate that she didn't get much sleep the night before since she was so worried.
"I'm sorry for not being able to defend you, Triston," Anna apologized.
After seeing her stunning beauty on the edge of sobbing, Aarav forgot about his suffering.
Aarav chuckled as he said, "We've been friends since childhood, and I've been able to live comfortably because of your protection up to this point, but it's time for me to stand up for myself and commit to it. Don't hold yourself responsible for my shortcomings."
Seeing the situation Aarav was in, her eyes welled up with tears. "You know you're my favorite, right?" Aarav whispered.
Anna's face turned red with embarrassment, but she quickly composed herself. "Triston, you've changed so much," she said with a proud smile. "The way you stood up for yourself and Aunt was commendable, and it shows how much stronger you've become. But I have to admit, it feels like I don't know you anymore."
She looked down and whispered, "You're not going to leave me too, are you?"
Aarav's expression turned to one of concern as he replied, "Anna, in this world, there's no such thing as equality or justice. The strong prey on the weak, and I have to work hard to earn my freedom, even if it means risking my life. I can't promise to be with you forever, but I will always be there to help you when you need it."
Anna nodded, understanding the reality of their situation. "I know, Triston. And I'll always be grateful for your help and support, no matter what happens."
They shared a moment of silence, both lost in their own thoughts. But deep down, they knew that they would always have each other's backs, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
***
Anna was leaving Solitary confinement when she ran into Eleanora, who was on her way to visit Triston's cell. "Stay away from Triston, Anna. He may be infatuated with you, but it won't last. He is entirely and exclusively mine," Eleanora snarled.
Anna, who was typically composed, was irritated by the accusation. "Are you going to use your connections to exile me to a border town like you did with that merchant's daughter?" she retorted, leaning forward.
"She had a crush on Triston, and as I've said, no one can take him away from me," Eleanora sneered.
Smirking, Anna replied, "Don't worry; I'm only interested in Triston as a friend, but even if I wanted him, you couldn't stop me."
"As a fellow magic user, however, I would advise you to stay away from him. He has a life pact with Sierra Whitmore, who is rumored to have achieved mastery in magic at the young age of 19. Nobody messes with Whitmore's family or The Moon Temple, not even the king himself. So keep a safe distance from him," Anna warned with a grin.
Eleanora gritted her teeth in anger but remained silent because she had heard about Sierra Whitmore's abilities and her connections.
Anna watched as Eleanora stormed away, her heels clicking against the stone floor. She let out a sigh of relief before continuing on her way to her chambers.
As Eleanora approached the prison cell, she could hear muffled groans of pain coming from inside. She quickened her pace, her heart racing with worry. When she arrived at the cell, she saw Triston lying on the ground, covered in bruises and cuts.
Looking at his pitiful situation, Eleanora said, "You shouldn't have acted out to be brave or something. Who are you trying to fool Triston with this fake bravo?"
Triston looked up weakly and saw Eleanora, standing beside her cell, calmly asking, "What brings you here?" "Are you feeling sorry for me?" he continued in a modest tone.
Eleanora scoffed, "Don't get your hopes up too high; I merely felt pity for you because of your demon blood. Why would I be upset for you?"
"Please leave if you are here to make light of my situation." Aarav immediately shrugs her off.
"I was about to deliver you this book on the fundamentals of earth magic. It may be able to aid you in some way. All I want is for my ex-fiancé to not get himself killed and ruin my reputation." Her face was smug as she spoke.
[Take that; it might come in handy while you're training]
Aarav nodded.
"Thank you for your present," Aarav said gently. "Now, if you've finished, you may leave."
"huh?" Eleanora was astonished to see the innocent youngster brush her off even after receiving a gift.
But before she could react, Aarav turned away, "Goodbye, I'm sleeping, don't disturb me anymore."
Eleanora was still concerned about this whole situation. She may appear unphased, but she has had a love interest in Triston since she was a child. So, behind her façade of being arrogant, she cares for him.