Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Naya and Rhys finally arrived at the palace. The ride was utterly silent as no one said a word to the other.
It felt like Rhys was angry and Naya didn't even want to push further by asking.
She left the stuff she had gotten with the salesgirl at the store as it was all going to be delivered to the palace.
As the car rolled through the palace gates, Naya took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead. She just hoped he didn't do something stupid to Walter. She also wondered had arrived though he dared not defile the vampire lord.
The car finally packed up at the garage and Rhys and Naya stepped out.
"Your Highness" The guard at the door bowed upon seeing Rhys.
"Did any bastard report himself here?" Rhys asked as the guard nodded slowly.
"Yes, Your Highness. A man called Walter came to the palace earlier today, claiming he had important information for you," the guard said, his voice trembling slightly. Rhys's eyes narrowed as he laughed.
"Something important.." he chuckled, throwing the car key at the guard, who caught it.
"Where's the fool?" Rhys questioned.
"He's being held in the dungeon, your highness," the guard repeated, his face growing paler by the second.
Rhys's laugh was like the crack of thunder in the silence of the palace. "Good," he said, his voice dark and dangerous. "Bring him to my throne room. I want to hear what this 'important information' is." He spoke sarcastically, having that fun look on his face.
He turned to Naya, his eyes flashing dangerously. "As for you, my pumpkin, you will come with me. I want you to see what happens when someone dares to cross me."
Naya's brows furrowed as Rhys walked into the palace.
"What are you going to do, Rhys?" She asked, walking behind him.
"You'll see" Rhys grinned, going straight to the throne room.
Naya could only shake her head as she hoped Rhys wouldn't do something severe.
The throne room was vast and imposing, with high ceilings and imposing pillars that stretched towards the heavens. Rhys strode towards his throne, his boots echoing on the marble floor. Naya followed behind him, feeling dwarfed and insignificant in this grand space.
Walter was already there, his clothes filthy and his face bruised from his time in the dungeon. He looked up at Rhys, his eyes filled with fear.
"Your majesty," Walter said, bowing deeply. "I beg your forgiveness. I should have stayed away"
Rhys laughed cruelly as Naya stared at him repeatedly. When did they have the time to beat him up? If he came with the agenda of reporting an important message, did Rhys seriously order his men to beat him?
"You should have stayed away," Rhys sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "But since you've come all this way, why don't you tell me about it?"
Walter hesitated, glancing nervously at Naya before speaking.
"I'm so sorry, miss. Please help me beg Your Highness.." He begged Naya, as it seemed to him that he was doomed and Naya was his only way out.
"I.. I..." Naya stuttered, feeling sad for him already.
"Rhys.." she called softly, but Rhys raised his hand in the air to stop her from speaking.
She paused after taking a step forward. What seriously was Rhys going to do to Walter?
The throne room was silent, save for Walter's ragged breathing. Naya could see the fear in his eyes, and she felt a pang of sympathy for him. But she knew better than to intervene when Rhys was in this mood. Rhys's face was impassive, but his eyes were burning with rage. He turned to Walter, his voice low and deadly.
"You dared try to lay your hands on something that belongs to me?" Rhys smacked his lips meaningfully as he approached Walter slowly.
"Forgive me, lord Rhys, I had no idea you were with her..." Walter cried and Naya could only watch in shock as a grown man cried.
Naya could see the realization dawning on Walter's face. He knew that he had crossed a line that should never have been crossed. And now, he was going to pay the price.
"You see," Rhys said, a cruel smile spreading across his face.
He stretched out his hand and a guard placed a dagger on his palms.
"Rhys." Naya gasped in shock. Was Rhys planning to kill him for what?
"Lord Rhys please!" Walter cried.
"I'm not going to kill you. I'm just teaching you a few lessons.." Rhys deadpanned, holding up the dagger.
"Losing your fingers will definitely teach you a good lesson.." he said and Naya's breath got caught in her throat.
She did not want to intervene at first but she forced herself to speak.
"Please, Rhys," Naya begged, her voice shaking with fear. "This man has made a mistake, but does he deserve this?"
Rhys turned his cold gaze towards Naya. "And what would you have me do, pumpkin?" he asked. "Forgive him? Let him go? I think not."
Naya could see the pleasure in his eyes, the sick enjoyment he was taking in this moment. She knew she had to tread carefully if she wanted to save Walter from this fate. "Yes please forgive him.." she began stepping forward to hold Rhys's hand.
"I was the one who almost got assaulted. So I have a say in this too. Please don't chop off his fingers.." Naya begged as that was a very brutal thing for Rhys to think of. "I owe you Naya," Rhys reminded her.
"And I decide what to do with you, the same way I'm going to decide what to do with the bastard that almost slapped my property"
"I'm not your property and please let him go.." Naya muttered.
"You forget your place, pumpkin" Rhys said, his voice low and dangerous. "You may not be my property, but while you're here, you obey my commands."
Naya shuddered at his words, but she couldn't stop herself from pleading for Walter's life. "Please, Rhys," she begged.
"You can punish him without mutilating him. Let him live with the shame of his actions. Isn't that punishment enough?"
"No, you're to learn from it too. Move!" Rhys drew out and Naya could only move helplessly as Rhys took one of Walter's hands.
Naya watched in horror as Rhys pulled Walter's hand towards him, holding it steady with an iron grip. The dagger glinted in the candlelight, its edge razor-sharp and deadly. "You will learn from this," Rhys said, his voice like a blade in the darkness."
"This is for you, my little minx.." He added with a smirk on his face. He looked like a total maniac.
Without warning, he brought the dagger down, slicing through the flesh of the whole of Walter's finger.
Naya gasped as she watched Rhys slice cleanly through Walter's fingers, severing it from his hand. Blood spurted from the wound, staining the marble floor a deep crimson. Walter screamed in agony, his face contorted in pain. Naya turned away, her stomach churning with revulsion.
"You're sick," she whispered, unable to hide her disgust. "How can you take pleasure in this?"
Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on 05s.org for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! Rhys turned to her, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"Because, pumpkin, this is what it means to have power and I can unleash it whenever I want!"
"I'm out of here.." Naya uttered as she turned to leave, not being able to watch but Rhys stopped her.
"Stop right there!" Naya paused as she turned slowly to face him.
"Watch!" He ordered, going for the next hand.
Naya froze, her heart racing as she watched Rhys approach Walter's other hand. The terror in Walter's eyes was palpable, and she could feel her own fear rising as Rhys brought the dagger to his fingers once again. "Please, no more," Walter begged, his voice trembling with terror. "I'll do anything, please."
He cried out but it all fell on deaf ears.
Naya stood watching Walter cry out in pain, those loud cries sounding in her ears.
Blood spewing all over the place and all Naya could do was watch Rhys having delight in torturing Walter.
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