"Abel, bring that woman to me alive" when he said that he left.
When Prince left, Abel proceeded to obey his highness's order. He followed behind the guards who were dragging the woman away. When they reached their barracks unit, they tied the woman's hands and blindfolded her. But the woman didn't make any objection about it.
She didn't even fight for her life, but it seemed she was willingly letting those soldiers do whatever they wanted them to do. Abel felt uncertainty in him; he doubted the woman; anyone would have doubted her after she dared challenge Prince Erian. Although he had doubt, because it was an order said by his master, he had no choice but to save her.
*
*
Miranda stood up straight; her eyes were blindfolded; she couldn't see anything, but she knew she was in an open space. She shivered when a cold breeze hit her skin, then she heard footsteps.
She was going to die anytime now, so what was there to fear? If she dies, she will go back home and forget everything that happened.
A snicker came out from nowhere, then she heard voices. "His highness issued the order to kill her, but why do I feel like it's a waste? Such a beauty to die without us having a taste of her."
Miranda, when she heard that, stumbled almost to fall but regained her posture. What is he talking about? She thought. She knew exactly what it meant but didn't want to agree that it's actually true.
There was no difference between being sent to a brothel or being raped before death.
"What you are saying is right," said another different person and let out laughter. "We haven't had a woman for a long time."
They are the guards. Miranda thought, No, this wasn't happening. From where she was, she was unable to help herself even if something happened. Her hands were bound, and her eyes were blind. She didn't know where she was, and she couldn't escape two powerful men. She was just a slim, powerless lady.
"But this one won't be a waste, and she is beautiful too," the first voice said, then touched Miranda's cheek.
When Miranda felt her cheek being touched, she jerked and mutter. "Don't you fear being punished? What if Prince Erian heard about this? You know you will be punished," she stated.
They were silent for a moment, then laughter brushed out from both men. Miranda knew she was toast; her threat didn't work.
"Do you think Prince Erian will care what happens to you?" One said mockingly.
"Am sure he will be so please and reward us," the other one said sarcastically, and they all laughed at their jokes.
They were driving her mad; she was running out of ways to save herself; why don't they just kill her? Why is getting herself killed so hard?
"Can't you just kill me? Just like you were ordered. Do you have to go as far as wanting to rape me?" she yelled at them.
The two guards paused; one approached, sniffered her, and mutter. "Such pressure shouldn't be considered that way; I promise you will enjoy every bit of it."
Miranda could feel the man breathing on her neck; she closed her eyes in fear and despair. When the man held her close, she fought and pushed the man, and he let go. But because she was tied, she lost her balance and fell to the ground. Her hands being her back, the laughter of men was in front of her. She was helpless.
Even if she were to scream, there was no guarantee someone would help her; she had to run from them, but it's impossible with hands bound and blinded. As she was still thinking, she started hearing voices. Voices sounded like thud, not once but twice. Miranda was sharp enough to understand what was going on, although she couldn't see. Two thud meant the guards were down, not sure if dead or not, but it definitely meant someone was here to help her.
"Who is it?" She asked, but no reply came after, but then she heard footsteps approaching her. "Whoever it is, just kill me now; you can just give a sharp death here on my neck. Don't do anything funny." Muttered Miranda, but there was still no sound coming from the person.
Miranda became scared. "What are you planning on doing?" When she asked that, two hands trapped her and raised her from the ground. That action caused Miranda to scream.
"Will you shut up?" Echoing an unfamiliar male voice, Miranda paused.
"What are you planning on doing to me?" She asked me.
"I'm here to help you," the male voice said.
When Miranda heard that this man was here to help her, she backed off. "You shouldn't help me; kill me instead. Please kill me!" She voiced.
Abel stared at the lady as she muttered those words, her eyes blindfolded, and her words sounded sincerely that she wanted to be dead.
"I can't do that," he muttered. "Someone needs you alive."
With that being said, Abel hit Miranda on the neck; he caught her when she was about to fall. He carried her away with him, leaving the two guards stranded on the ground, having a nice slumber.
Later, when they woke up and realized that the girl went missing, they panicked. How can they explain to Prince Erian that they lost the lady and she is probably not dead despite he ordering them to kill her?
They remember being attacked, but the question of who attacked them didn't come to their realization. They feared for their lives. If they inform Prince Erian about losing the lady, they will be the ones to be killed.
"We shouldn't tell Prince Erian about this," one said, and the other hesitated but ended up agreeing.
"We can tell him we killed the lady and that he shouldn't worry. Besides, no one will know if she is dead unless she shows herself," the one suggested.
"Showing herself? I don't think so; she will probably be hiding somewhere. I can tell you this: not us or Prince Erian, we will ever see her again."