The Bruswards House, Edward's Bedroom
"Edward…" Herna's voice was barely above a whisper as she removed her scarf, eyes searching his with a look of desperation. Before she could say more, Edward crossed the room swiftly, pulling her into an embrace, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I heard about what happened to Sein and your family," Edward murmured as he gently stroked her hair. "My family was placed under house arrest as well."
Herna's grip tightened on his shirt, and a tear slipped down her cheek. "It's… it's all a mess. I needed money, so I've been working under a different name in a brothel to survive and hide. I have to escape Verdaselles, Edward. I need your help."
Edward placed his hands on her waist, holding her steady as he looked into her eyes, his expression both comforting and intense. "For the sake of your brother, and for the friendship we've shared, I'll help you," he promised. "I have friends who can get you across the borders. But you have to tell me everything that happened, Herna."
Herna's gaze fell to his chest before she looked back up, trembling as she clutched his shirt. "It was Prince George Sarogath of Venian…"
She took a shaky breath, wiping her eyes, and began to tell her story.
Flashback
Herna's voice softened as the memory overtook her. "Sein and I were at a business meeting, speaking with some of our allies. I listened as they spoke about their failed attempt to eliminate Lady Evangeline. They boasted, celebrating the death of Vincent and his execution. They were searching for his wife, but she'd disappeared without a trace. Their feud with Azielle Sarogath seemed never-ending, and I couldn't help feeling a chill in that room."
As she continued, the scene came to life in her mind. She could see the smoke-filled room, feel the weight of eyes watching, and hear the cruel laughter echoing as men toasted to Vincent's death.
"Unknown to us, Prince George was nearby, overhearing everything," she continued, her voice thick with bitterness. "He discovered how he'd been manipulated by our family, by the Khardes family, and by your family, Edward. Though he executed Vincent, he realized it wasn't the same as protecting his distant niece, Evangeline."
In the memory, she could see Prince George, just steps away from them, speaking with others. She noticed the sudden change in his posture, the way his fists clenched tightly at his sides as he overheard Sein's words. One of the men George was speaking with noticed and asked if he was all right, his confusion apparent as George struggled to hide his growing fury.
Back in the present, Herna clutched Edward's shirt even tighter, her hands trembling. Edward held her close, his gaze hardening as he absorbed each word. He stroked her back gently, his eyes narrowing as he plotted his next move.
Back to the Present
Edward clenched his fists tightly, his jaw set in a grim line. "What's the prince doing at a business meeting? Isn't he supposed to be preparing to be the next king?" He shot a glance at Herna, whose sigh spoke volumes.
"Well, Prince George isn't just handling royal duties in Venian," she replied, her voice steadying. "He's also a businessman in agriculture, much like Lady Evangeline. He supported her three-field system, which has been quite successful." She paused, her expression clouding with worry. "I first heard about the news while working at the brothel as a dancer—one of the customers mentioned it. But the Sarogath guards won't stop searching for me."
Herna's hands gripped the fabric of her dress tightly, and Edward rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Prince George into agriculture? So he's not just a spoiled prince—he's a businessman too. Pfft, interesting. The Sarogaths are always spoiled; it's in their nature. Just look at Duke Daniyel—his arrogance led to his downfall." He looked away, lost in thought.
Herna's eyes brimmed with tears, and she began to sob quietly. Edward instinctively reached out, brushing his hand comfortingly over her white hair. "How did Sein get executed while you managed to escape?" he asked gently, concern etched on his face.
Herna lowered her gaze, biting her lip as she gathered her thoughts.
Flashback
Herna and Sein rode home in their personal carriage, the sun casting long shadows as they approached the grand Vorenforth house. Sein guided the roofless carriage through the ornate gates, a sense of contentment settling between them. As they parked, the guards greeted them, bowing slightly. Sein dismounted and swiftly moved to open the carriage door for Herna, offering his hand with a warm smile. She took it, stepping down beside him, and together they walked toward their waiting parents, exchanging cheerful greetings and laughter.
But their joy was abruptly shattered. Suddenly, a gunshot echoed through the air, sending a chill down Herna's spine. She flinched, and her family turned to the source of the sound. There, on horseback, was Prince George, a smoking revolver in his hand.
Her heart raced as she caught sight of a guard lying lifeless on the ground, his head splattered and blood pooling around him. George's eyes narrowed, a fierce glare directed at the Vorenforth family as he pointed his weapon at them.
"Seize them… and spare nobody in this house!" he commanded, his voice icy and resolute. The guards, unwavering in their loyalty, shouted in unison, "Yes, Your Highness!" They charged forward with ruthless intent.
Sein reacted instantly, grabbing Herna's hand and pulling her toward the safety of the manor. "Run!" he yelled, urgency in his voice as they sprinted through the entrance, their hearts pounding with fear.
Inside, chaos erupted. The Vorenforth guards scrambled to defend their family, drawing their weapons as they confronted George's guards. The air filled with shouts, gunfire, and the cries of the wounded. Herna pressed herself against the wall, panic surging through her as she watched the brutal scene unfold.
Blood sprayed across the marble floors, staining the pristine tiles as the guards fought desperately. George's men overpowered the servants who tried to protect the family, and Herna's stomach churned at the sight of the carnage.
"Stay close!" Sein shouted, urgency lacing his words. He yanked Herna into a nearby room, slamming the door behind them as bullets ricocheted off the walls outside. The chaos raged on, a chilling reminder of the violence just beyond their refuge.
In that moment, Herna realized that survival would mean more than just escaping the massacre; it meant carrying the weight of her family's legacy and finding a way to navigate the darkness that had engulfed their lives. The sounds of violence continued to reverberate through the halls, and she steeled herself, knowing she had to be strong for herself and her brother.
Herna's parents had sought refuge, desperately trying to hide as the chilling sounds of knives slashing through flesh echoed throughout the once-grand Vorenforth house. Dead bodies littered the elegant halls, and the air was thick with the metallic scent of blood. Traumatized by the horrific scene, Herna stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest, unable to comprehend the carnage unfolding around her.
Sein spotted his sister in a state of shock and rushed to her side. Grabbing her hand firmly, he pulled her away from the gruesome sight in the sitting room. They sprinted down the dimly lit hallway, breathless as royal guards pursued them with merciless intent. Their family's guards fought valiantly but were quickly overwhelmed, their desperate cries cut short as they fell one by one.
As Sein dodged a guard's attack, the blade found its mark on a servant instead, blood splattering across both his and Herna's clothes. "Keep moving!" he urged, his voice tense as he kicked a guard out of the way. They continued to run, lungs burning, heading toward a nearby bedroom that might offer sanctuary.
Inside the maid's quarters, the maid shrieked in terror, instinctively covering her naked body with whatever she could find at hand. She could hear voices outside the door, barking orders: "Find them! Let them not escape!"
"Herna!" Sein shouted, urgency flooding his tone as he pushed her toward the maid. "You! Take the lady away and don't come back! I'll deal with them!" He thrust a token into Herna's trembling hands, an emblem of hope amidst despair.
"No! Sein, don't go!" Herna cried, reaching out for him, desperation etched across her tear-streaked face.
"Keep quiet and follow the maid! You mustn't come back for any reason!" Sein's eyes burned with determination, even as fear gnawed at his insides. "I'll find you later. Use the token I gave you to seek help." With one last anguished look, he pushed open the door, leaving Herna sobbing as he stepped into the chaos outside.
Herna and the maid rushed through a secret passageway known only to the Vorenforth family, their hearts racing as they emerged into the cold night air. But hope shattered as they were immediately seized by royal guards waiting just outside.
"No!" Herna gasped, horror gripping her as she turned to see her brother. He was being beaten mercilessly, blood streaming down his face. Her heart sank as she caught sight of her mother, lifeless on the ground, a knife gruesomely protruding from her head.
"Nooooo!" Herna screamed, her voice raw with anguish as the full weight of her family's slaughter crashed down on her. Her father lay nearby, his legs brutally severed, while her uncles and aunts were dragged away, their screams echoing in her mind, a haunting symphony of despair.
The brutality of the scene overwhelmed her, and she fell to her knees, the tears flowing from her eyes as she watched her family dignity disintegrate before her eyes, the day was no longer a sanctuary but it had become a living nightmare, and Herna felt the crushing weight of her loss , her world irrevocably shattered in a matter of moments.
George stood cold and unyielding, his gaze fixed on Herna as she wept, her anguished cries piercing the night. There was no flicker of remorse on his face; he simply turned away, mounting his horse with an air of indifference.
"Put them in prison," he ordered, his voice chillingly devoid of compassion. "Execute Sein, and we'll deal with the other family members later. Seize their properties for the Khardes and Bruswards families. We're heading straight to judge them." The guards nodded obediently, their expressions betraying a mix of fear and loyalty.
As the guards began to move, Herna clenched her fingers into tight fists, a futile attempt to channel her grief into anger. The maid, driven by desperation and rage, broke free from a guard's grasp. "You monster!" she screamed, brandishing a small knife as she lunged at George, her bravery stark against the backdrop of despair.
But before she could reach him, a guard fired a shot. The bullet struck her chest, and she collapsed to the ground, lifeless. George merely glanced back, a sinister smile creeping across his lips as he savored the chaos unfolding before him.
"Wanting to attack His Majesty… very bold," one of the guards remarked, his tone dripping with disdain. With that, George spurred his horse forward, leaving behind the blood-soaked scene, his heart as cold as the night air. The sounds of Herna's cries faded into the distance, swallowed by the shadows of the night, while George rode on, unbothered by the destruction he had wrought.
The Present
Herna clenched her fists, her voice trembling. "I was taken away with my father and relatives, and I witnessed Sein die by beheading because of the attempt on Lady Evangeline. He was executed the same day we got captured…" Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, "My father was tormented; even when they cut off his legs, he submitted our family properties to George. It was time for me to be executed, but I managed to escape from the prison. They chased after me. I turned to our family friends for help, but they turned their backs on me, saying they didn't want to stain their reputation. I felt hopeless as the guards pursued me, and then I started working in a brothel as a dancer." She paused, struggling to hold back her tears. "Imagine a whole noble lady working in a brothel just to survive. It was time for the Bruswards family to receive punishment. But when Prince George found out Evangeline placed your family under house arrest, he ignored it. He moved straight to the Khardes family to punish them. Khardes gave up 90% of his family's assets to save himself, but Prince George refused to accept it. He demanded that Khardes surrender Khadriane to him, but Khardas explained that she had left and wasn't his real sister. Then George ordered Khardes to lose one of his arms, and he lost his arm but still surrendered the assets."
Her words made Edward grit his teeth, trembling with anger. "This spoiled bastard has gone too far. If he becomes king, it'll be a problem. He's just like Dominic; they may look innocent, but they are venomous!" He stood up abruptly, pushing a glass vase away in frustration. It shattered on the floor, the sound echoing in the room as he breathed heavily.
Herna lowered her head, her voice softening. "Just then, something tragic happened…" Her words caught Edward's attention, and he turned to her, his expression shifting to concern.
"The day we were captured was the day Grand Duke Daniyel Sarogath was involved in an accident. I saw his body taken away—none survived…" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Edward rolled his eyes, a bitter scoff escaping his lips. "Tch… He brought it on himself. And now King Claude has appointed my younger brother to be the next Duke…" He shook his head in disbelief.
Herna stood up and walked toward the bathroom, but Edward quickly reached out and grabbed her hand. "Herna, wait. Do you need to change your clothes? I have some that might fit you," he said softly, a gentle smile gracing his face. He stroked the back of her head and hair affectionately, holding her chin to draw her gaze back to him.
"Of course," he continued, his voice tender. As he pulled her closer, he wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning in slightly, his breath warm against her. "Would you keep me company for the night?"
His fingers trailed downwards, raising her dress as he slowly pulled her underwear down. Herna, feeling a rush of emotions, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply, their connection momentarily easing the weight of their shared traumas.
She pulled away slightly, sitting on the bed and moving inward, spreading her legs for Edward as she looked away, her cheeks flushed and breathing heavily. "I do miss you, Edward… could you?" Before she could finish her thought, Edward stepped closer, standing before her. He gently pulled her legs toward him, leaning down with a soft chuckle. "You know I could never say no to that."
With a swift motion, he wrapped her legs around his waist, tearing off her underwear, his eyes dark with desire as he kissed her neck. Her breath quickened, and she bit her lip in anticipation. Edward slipped himself inside her, eliciting a soft moan as she clutched at his shirt, her body responding to his every movement.
As he began thrusting in and out of her, the rhythm became more intense. Herna bit her lip again, feeling the heat of Edward's aggression this time. Edward groaned, his breath heavy as he pulled her closer, making love to her with an urgency that ignited the room. Herna's soft moans filled the air, but Edward, wanting to keep the moment intimate, covered her mouth with his hand, urging her to endure the passionate thrusts.
Her eyes squinted shut, a mixture of pleasure and restraint as he took her deeper, their bodies moving in sync. Each thrust sent waves of sensation coursing through her, and despite the pressure of his hand, she surrendered to the moment, losing herself in the intensity of their connection.