The torture continued for a while, with her father escalating the intensity. He started with two fingers, scorching her stomach, then three, then four, and finally used his whole hand.
Tears streamed down Liora's face as she endured it all. The pain was unbearable, but she knew she couldn't let him discover her true abilities—it would only make things worse.
The duke frowned as he noticed Liora's resilience. Her stomach was raw and burned, the pungent scent of scorched flesh filling the room.
"You certainly are determined," he sneered, his expression twisted with admiration laced with malice. "But I will break you, and all your secrets will be mine." With an evil smile, he withdrew his hand.
He gestured toward his wife, who approached him and, bending down, retrieved a dagger from her heel beneath her dress. She handed it to the duke before stepping back to observe the torture in silence.
'They're not really going to cut her with that… right?' Lisa thought, horrified, as her expression shifted to one of disgust and fear.
"Now then," the duke said, licking his lips in anticipation, "let's see how long you'll last against this."
The dagger in his hand began to glow, radiating an intense red as flames roared to life along the blade, crackling with a fiery intensity.
Liora's eyes widened in fear as she watched the dagger descend slowly toward her stomach. She clenched her teeth, her body tensing in preparation for the searing pain to come.
But just before the blade could touch her skin, Lisa's voice boomed through the room.
"Stop!" Lisa shouted, her fists clenched and her eyes blazing with fury, tears streaming down her face. "Enough, Father! She's just a child. You can't do this to her—what's wrong with you?"
The duke paused, looking back at Lisa with narrowed eyes. Rising slowly from beside Liora, he strode toward his eldest daughter, rage simmering within him. He stopped right in front of her, his gaze sharp and unyielding.
Smack!
He slapped her across the face, the sound echoing through the room. Lisa's head snapped back, shock and disbelief widening her eyes—she hadn't expected this from him.
"Who gave you the right to speak?" he barked, his voice oozing arrogance. "And what if she's a child? She's aware of the consequences of disobedience. Do you understand?"
Lisa didn't answer, still reeling from her father's cruelty. She couldn't comprehend the vile actions he was willing to take against his own family. Her blood boiled with uncontainable rage.
Without a word, she threw a punch at him, her fist connecting with his cheek in a powerful strike. The impact created a shockwave, cracking the walls and causing the windows to splinter.
Liora watched in astonishment as her sister stood up for her. She couldn't understand why Lisa would risk everything for her, but for the first time in a long while, hope flickered in her heart.
"You…" the duke muttered in disbelief, stepping back and touching his bruised cheek. "You hit me…" He chuckled darkly, his wicked grin widening as he took a step forward, towering over Lisa. His magical energy intensified, making the air thick and hot, suffocatingly so.
Liora struggled to breathe, gasping and choking from the pressure.
"I'll make you regret that…" he hissed, his gaze brimming with murderous intent.
But Lisa's gaze didn't waver. "I'm not afraid of you anymore," she said firmly, her voice steady. "I won't let you hurt Liora again. Even if it means going up against you—or the whole kingdom—I'll protect my sister."
The duke's grin deepened, taking her defiance as a challenge. He swung his fist at her with blinding speed. Lisa, anticipating the attack, raised her own arm to counter.
But before either could make contact, a cool sensation brushed against their throats, stopping them in their tracks.
They blinked and saw the duchess standing between them, holding two swords, their gleaming blades pressed against their necks. Liora's eyes widened in shock, realizing she hadn't even seen her mother move; it was as though she'd appeared out of thin air.
"Enough," she commanded, her voice cold. Reluctantly, the duke and Lisa stepped back.
"Let's leave, William," the duchess said, exiting the room with him trailing behind, grumbling under his breath.
Silence filled the room, leaving only Liora and Lisa. Lisa glanced at her sister, her face etched with guilt and remorse. She moved closer but stopped as Liora's strained voice broke the silence.
"Why aren't you leaving?" Liora asked, her voice barely audible through the pain.
Lisa stepped forward, her face resolute yet regretful as she grasped the chains binding Liora's wrists. With a single, powerful pull, she broke them apart, letting the metal clatter to the floor. Liora stared, wide-eyed, as Lisa freed her. Confusion and resentment flickered across her face but softened as she noticed the tears rolling down Lisa's cheeks.
"Why…?" Liora's voice trembled with disbelief.
Lisa's shoulders shook as she whispered, "I'm so sorry, Liora. I should've stood up for you a long time ago."
Liora looked away, her gaze clouded with hurt. "Then why didn't you?" she muttered, bitterness lacing her tone.
Lisa hesitated, then took a seat on the edge of Liora's bed, reaching out gently. "Please… look at me," she said softly.
Liora remained still, a single tear betraying her resolve. Lisa reached over, cupping Liora's cheek and gently turning her to face her. "I'm sorry," her voice shook.
Liora's gaze hardened. "Then why did you capture me?" she asked, her tone sharp. "Did you enjoy watching me suffer?"
"No," Lisa whispered, her voice breaking. Liora looked away, clenching her fists. "Just go," she murmured coldly.
Lisa swallowed, struggling to hold back tears. Slowly, she began, "I thought I was doing the right thing. The military was brutal… I was desperate to prove myself. But every time I was there, all I could think about was you." Her voice cracked, her tears spilling over. "I wanted to see you so badly… I just didn't know how to come back after everything."
Her words faded into sobs as she buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking under the weight of her emotions.
Liora's expression softened as her anger melted into compassion. She reached forward, pulling Lisa into a tight embrace, sharing the warmth they had both longed for. Lisa wept into Liora's shoulder, clinging tightly, afraid to let go.
After a few moments, they pulled away, and Liora gently brushed away Lisa's tears, offering a small, understanding smile. "Strong women don't cry, Lisa."
Lisa let out a small, shaky laugh, wiping her own tears. And in that moment, they both felt the first stirrings of healing, their bond renewed as they faced whatever challenges lay ahead—together.