The redemption

Chapter 14 Betrayal and Punishment

King Draco turned to one of his Mystics Seraphine, instructing her to escort Selene to her chambers. However, unbeknownst to Draco, the mystic harboured a deep resentment towards Selene—envy twisting her feelings into disgust. Driven by jealousy, the mystic disregarded Draco’s order and decided to act according to her own desires.

Instead of leading Selene to her chambers, she took her to the dungeon and commanded the dungeon master to inflict daily beatings upon her. Without explanation, the mystic departed, leaving Selene and the dungeon master behind.

The Dungeon Incident

The dungeon master, ignorant of King Draco’s intentions, was unaware that Selene was destined to be the future Queen and did not know that Draco had pronounced death as the punishment for any who dared to lay hands upon her.

As a result, Selene endured ten lashes and narrowly avoided being cast into the depths of the dungeon—her suffering occurring without King Draco’s knowledge.

Draco sent word to Selene to join him for dinner, but her response was sent back to Draco that she was tired and wanted to rest after the ordeal, Draco sighed but accepted Selene’s wishes.

In the morning again Draco sent word to Selene to join him for breakfast but this time he was advised that Selene was still sleeping and again Draco accepted that she may be tired.

Draco sent one of his shadow warriors to ask Selene to join him for lunch, but when the shadow warrior arrived at Selen’s chambers he noticed the bed had not been slept in and she had never entered here as her scent was nowhere in this part of the keep, he returned to King Draco.

Draco was furious and commanded his shadow warrior to locate her at once. After hours of searching, the warrior returned with the news that Selene was being held in the dungeon.

Draco went immediately to the dungeon, and when he found Selene broken on the dirty stone floor,

the flesh on her back was ripped to pieces bruises on her face her eye swollen shut her shoulder dislocated bot mark on her abdomen and unconscious her breathing ragged.

Draco’s anger changed from cold fury to something even more dangerous and personal.

Draco’s Discovery in the Dungeon

With a swift and deadly command, Draco ordered action barKing orders to his guards take my Queen to her chambers. He chose not to address the dungeon master at that moment, knowing that retribution would come in due course.

Draco entered Selene’s chambers and summoned the healers, urging them to hurry as he called them forth. “Save her,” he demanded—there was no room for uncertainty, no suggestion of effort, only the expectation of success.

The healers hesitated for only the briefest moment before bowing and setting to work. Magic filled the air, a soft golden light weaving over torn flesh, herbs and Poultice were added to her wounds sealing wounds and easing the harsh damage inflicted by repeated lashes.

As the healers laboured, Draco observed the extent of Selene’s suffering. Despite her injuries, she did not cry out. His jaw tightened as the doors behind him flew open once more.

The dungeon master, realising the peril he was in, dropped to his knees and trembled with fear.

Seraphine entered, her former confidence shattered as she cast uneasy glances at Draco and Selene.

Attempting to speak, Seraphine was abruptly silenced by Draco’s command: “Silence.” The room seemed to yield to his authority as he turned slowly.

Draco addressed the dungeon master, instructing him to repeat whose orders he had followed. The man, sweating and fearful, admitted, “M-my lord… the mystic—Seraphine—she said the girl was to be broken… that it was your will…”

Draco’s gaze turned to Seraphine. He did not shout, nor did he resort to immediate violence; the quiet was even more terrifying.

“You spoke in my name,” Draco said quietly.

Seraphine fell to her knees. “My King, I merely—she is insignificant, she would sap your strength, I was trying to protect—” Before she could finish, Draco acted swiftly, interrupting her words.

His hand closed around her throat, lifting her effortlessly from the ground. Her words choked into silence as her feet left the floor.

“You,” Draco growled, “dared to touch what is mine.” Seraphine clawed at his hand, her magic flaring instinctively, only to die the moment it met his touch.

Draco continued, each word deadly cold: “I gave one command. She is to be treated as Queen.” His grip tightened. “And you chose to test me.”

A healer spoke urgently from across the room, “My King—if you wish her to live—”

Draco released Seraphine, letting her collapse to the floor, gasping and coughing. She survived only because something far more important demanded his attention.

Draco returned instantly to Selene’s side, crossing the room in two strides. Her breathing was shallow and uneven, but still present. Draco knelt beside the bed, and beneath the fury flickered something unfamiliar—an emotion perilously close to fear.

He spoke her name: “Selene.” There was no response. His hand hovered over her face for a moment before, with care, he brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. “You will not die,” he said, his voice quieter but no less commanding.

Draco spoke without moving, his voice clear, commanding, and unwavering: “Take them.” Guards seized both the dungeon master and Seraphine.

“No one,” Draco declared, “touches them until I decide how they die.” After a brief pause, his tone grew colder still: “And bring me every servant, guard, and officer who knew she was here… and said nothing.”

Once more, the room fell silent, save for the gentle hum of healing magic. Draco did not leave Selene’s side. For the first time since he had ascended a throne steeped in blood, he waited.