Earlier that morning, back at the king's palace, Cedric walked with his hand by his side down the stairs. His expression was grim, his blue eyes narrowed as his steps echoed on the marble floor.
Taking a turn, he made his way to the dining room, where a variety of food was displayed. The aroma of the hot delicacies hit his nostrils, causing him to hum in response. He took his seat at the head of the table, a place honored and reserved for the king.
Louise, the head servant, suddenly appeared by Cedric's side, helping him open his napkin. Her movements were quick and efficient, yet her gaze was soft and respectful. As she stepped back, Cedric noticed her eyes briefly flicker to the door, a hint of worry visible in her expression.
Before he could ask what was wrong, he heard the clicking sound of heels coming from the other end of the hallway. Cedric tensed, his gaze fixed on the entrance as the doors swung open, revealing Christina dressed in simpler attire compared to the one she had worn yesterday. "My king," she said, bowing low. A gentle smile graced her lips. She had come to join him for breakfast, a usual thing that cheered him.
Cedric, who had worn a grim expression, shifted to a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. This only caused the visible smile on Christina's face to widen as she gracefully made her way to sit beside him.
A few minutes into their breakfast, Christina asked, "How was your night, your highness? I hope you slept well, considering how tense you looked before I exited your company." She glanced at the king as he continued to chew on his meal.
Cedric remained silent for a moment, slowly chewing his food while Christina watched him eagerly, anticipating a response. Finally, he swallowed and looked at her.
"My apologies for my behavior last night," he said, his voice calm and even. "It was not my intention to worry you. I simply had a lot on my mind, and I was not in the best of moods." He paused, meeting her gaze. "But I am in a better frame of mind now, thanks to you."
Christina's cheeks flushed pink at his words, and she looked down at her plate, her lips pressed together in an effort to hide her smile. She was flattered by his words, and his simple compliment had made her heart flutter. She hadn't expected him to be so charming, and she found herself wanting to hear more.
"I'm glad I could be of service," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
Cedric observed Christina's reaction, noting the blush that crept onto her cheeks. With a soft, almost secretive smile, he continued. "You have a gift, my dear, for charming those around you. It's almost as if you have a way of... winning over those who guard the deepest parts of themselves." He said this while clicking his tongue over his slightly elongated canines, which went unnoticed by Christina.
Flattered, Christina took this as a compliment. She remarked, "Your Highness, your kindness warms my heart. But I can't help but ask the reason for the sudden abundance of praise." She looked at the king with curiosity.
Cedric leaned closer, his voice almost a whisper. "Some secrets, my dear, are as delightful as they are dangerous," he said with a cryptic smile, leaving Christina intrigued and uncertain about what that meant. Her confused expression was immediately replaced by a smile, and she shifted her gaze from the king to her plate to continue her meal.
Finally, as they neared the end of their meal, Cedric gestured to Louise, the head servant, who had been discreetly waiting in the corner of the room. She approached the table with a covered dish, and the king said, "My dear Christina, I've had a special dish prepared as a token of my appreciation for your presence in my life. Please, open it."
With a mixture of anticipation and curiosity, Christina uncovered the dish, and her eyes widened in shock as she saw the unmistakable head of the guard she had been with the night before. The unspoken message Cedric had conveyed throughout their conversation had just been brought to light in a macabre and chilling manner.
Christina's hands trembled as she gasped, unable to look away from the ghastly sight before her. Cedric watched her reaction with a cold, calculated expression, and a shiver ran down her spine as she realized that her secret liaison had not gone unnoticed. Her voice quivered as she turned to the king. "Your Highness, I... I had no idea... I swear, I never meant to betray your trust..."
"What? Don't you like it?" Cedric said, wearing a surprised expression and seeing her frantically fall to her feet. He let out a mocking laugh echoing through the empty hallway. "You're a funny one, aren't you?" he said, his eyes fixed on hers. She felt like a cornered animal, unable to escape his piercing gaze. "You really underestimated me, Your King, forgetting your place. Such a waste." he added, a sly smile playing on his lips as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes still fixed on hers.
"Guards!" Cedric shouted, his voice ringing through the halls. In an instant, two burly men in armor appeared at his side. "Take her to the dungeon," he ordered, his voice cold and commanding.
The guards moved forward, grabbing Christina's arms and dragging her from the room. She struggled against their grip, but it was no use. She could feel her breath quickening, and a sense of panic was beginning to take over. What would happen to her now?
"No, please, Your Highness!" she begged, tears streaming down her face. "You don't understand - I love you! I would never betray you!"
"Love?" Cedric laughed, the sound harsh and cruel. "You think this is love? You're nothing but a pretty face to me. I can have a dozen girls like you in a day. You're easily replaced."
His words cut her like a knife, and she felt her heart breaking into a million pieces. She had thought he cared for her, but now she saw him for what he really was: a cold, calculating tyrant.
She continued to plead, her voice quivering as more tears streamed down her cheeks, but her desperate pleas seemed to fall on deaf ears. Christina's heart raced as she was forcibly dragged out of the dining room, her sobs echoing through the grand hallway. Along the way, passing maids and palace staff couldn't help but stop and watch the distressing scene unfold.
As Christina was dragged, her dignity in tatters, Sir Roland, who had just arrived at the palace, was suddenly met with a tumultuous commotion. He couldn't ignore the sight of the young woman, helpless and in distress, being manhandled by two guards. His curiosity piqued, and he couldn't help but wonder about the circumstances that had led to this dramatic moment.
"Please!" the young woman pleaded, her voice cracking with desperation. Her tears left wet trails down her cheeks, but the guards showed no sign of sympathy. They continued to drag her down the hallway, ignoring her protests.
The maids whispered amongst themselves, exchanging looks of concern and confusion. They knew better than to ask questions, but they couldn't help but be curious. They watched as the young woman was dragged away, her pleas growing fainter as she was taken further down the hallway.
Sir Roland's unease grew as he approached the dining room, where he found King Cedric seated, sipping wine from a glass with an air of indifference. But Roland's attention was swiftly drawn to the gruesome centerpiece of the room—a severed head served on a platter.
"Good morning, Your Highness," Roland greeted with a respectful bow.
Cedric acknowledged Roland's greeting with a nod and a faint smile. He took another sip from his wine, savored the taste, and then set the cup aside. His eyes wandered to the severed head on the platter in the center of the table, its eyes lifeless and vacant. "What a wonderful way to start a morning, isn't it?" Cedric said with a chilling calmness.
Roland cleared his throat, his gaze shifting from the platter. "I have some information about the girl from the village," he said as he walked toward the king.