The crowd gasped and murmured in concern, but no one dared to approach. They remained at a safe distance, watching warily as the guards barked orders. Aurora lay on the ground; the head guard, enraged by her defiance, raised his hand to deliver a punishing slap. However, before the blow could land, Aurora's father stepped forward, intercepting the attack with a swift movement. The guard's hand struck Aurora's father instead, sending him sprawling to the floor.
Aurora's father grunted in pain but remained determined, shielding his daughter from further harm. The head guard, now seething with anger, barked, "You dare interfere? You'll suffer the consequences!"
"Are you okay?" her father said, examining his daughter's bleeding head. More tears streamed down her eyes, and she shook her head.
"No, father," Aurora said, her voice soft but firm. "We cannot let them harm Lily. She is just a child; she doesn't deserve this."
