THE KINGS CAPTIVE, HIS HEARTS CONQUEROR

EPISODE 11: THE KING’S WRATH

Mira led King Kaelen and Althea through the cold, damp halls toward the dungeon where Aurelia was held. The moment they arrived, Mira hesitated before entering. She had seen the horror inside, but nothing prepared her for the scene that unfolded.

Elaria was waiting, an air of smugness on her face, ready to mock the slave for her failure. But before she could speak, the heavy footfalls of the king and his guard silenced her.

Kaelen entered, his presence like a shadow that swallowed the space, and his cold gaze swept across the room. The sight of Aurelia, unconscious and bloodied, instantly erased any smugness from Elaria’s face.

Elaria stuttered, bowing her head. “M-My King…” Her voice trembled, her previous arrogance crumbling in the face of his unrelenting stare.

But Kaelen didn’t even acknowledge her. His gaze was fixed on Aurelia. Blood stained her back, the scars of the whip deep and raw, some wounds so severe they seemed to tear through her very skin.

Mira gasped, her hands trembling as she stepped back. “Oh, Creator…” Her voice cracked as she stared at the damage done to her princess.

Kaelen remained silent, his expression unreadable. His cold eyes, however, grew even colder. He didn’t speak, but the weight of his presence was enough to freeze the air around them.

“Elaria, enough,” he finally spoke, his voice low, a command that carried weight.

Elaria opened her mouth to protest, but Kaelen’s icy stare silenced her immediately. The king turned away from her and spoke to Mira, his voice softer now but still heavy with authority. “Mira, go find Edric. Bring him here, quickly.”

Mira didn’t hesitate. She rushed out, her heart pounding in her chest. Soon, she returned with Edric. The king wasted no time.

“Edric, take her. Be careful with her injuries. Get her to her room.”

With a grunt of effort, Edric lifted Aurelia carefully, her limp body draped over his shoulder, her bloodied back exposed for all to see. Mira followed close behind, her tears flowing freely.

Althea remained by Kaelen’s side, her face full of concern. “My King,” she began, her voice hesitant, “the princess’s wounds need urgent attention. I’ll prepare a mixture to heal them, but we need rare herbs… the finest to ensure she doesn’t carry the scars of this cruelty.”

Kaelen nodded once, his gaze still fixed on Aurelia’s broken form. “Do what you must, Althea. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Althea bowed. “Your wish is my command.”

She quickly followed Edric and Mira, but Kaelen remained behind for a moment, his eyes lingering on Elaria. She knew what was coming.

The chamber was still when Kaelen finally entered. Elaria, still trembling from the encounter, stood by the window, pretending to be composed. She quickly turned when she heard his footsteps.

“My King…” Her voice was sweet, but there was an edge to it, desperation clawing at her. “I didn’t mean to harm her permanently… I only wanted to teach her a lesson.” She tried to mask her guilt, but Kaelen’s eyes told a different story.

He didn’t respond immediately, his face impassive as he walked past her. The air thickened with tension, and Elaria’s unease grew.

Finally, he spoke, his voice ice-cold. “You seem to forget, Elaria, that you are not above me. I never gave you permission for this.”

Elaria blinked, taken aback. “But… My King, you allowed it—”

Kaelen turned sharply, his voice laced with fury. “I gave you permission to discipline her, but I never allowed you to torture her. Whipping her to the brink of death is not discipline—it’s cruelty, Elaria. And that is something I will not stand for.”

Elaria’s chest tightened. She could feel the heat of his anger, the intensity in his words. “But—”

“Shut up.” His command was final, and it crushed her resistance.

Kaelen’s eyes narrowed, and the weight of his stare sent a chill down her spine. “What did you promise me, Elaria?”

Her face turned pale. She wanted to protest, to argue, but the truth hit her like a dagger. She had promised no heavy punishment, no permanent harm. She had failed. She had crossed a line.

“I… I promised no severe punishment…” she muttered, her voice faltering.

Kaelen’s eyes bore into her. “And what did I say, Elaria? What did I tell you?”

Her heart sank. “You said… to keep it minimal.”

“Minimal?” Kaelen’s voice dropped dangerously low. “Minimal doesn’t involve nearly killing a slave. Minimal doesn’t involve leaving a body torn and broken.”

Elaria recoiled, her breath catching in her throat.

“Do you know what happens to those who forget their place, Elaria?” His words were like venom. “Those who disregard my commands? Those who think they can play god?”

Elaria’s legs wobbled. The tension in the room was suffocating.

“You don’t belong here anymore,” Kaelen’s voice cut through the silence, raw and unrelenting. “I want you to leave. Now.”

Elaria’s heart raced. She couldn’t believe it. “My King, please… I was only following your orders!”

“Following my orders?” He scoffed, his voice cold as stone. “I have no tolerance for disobedience, Elaria. You have crossed a line, and now, you will face the consequences.”

The door creaked open, and Edric stepped in. Kaelen’s voice was firm. “Escort the mistress to her chambers. She is to remain there for 72 hours without leaving. She’s earned her punishment.”

Elaria gasped. “What!? You’re punishing me?”

Kaelen didn’t flinch. “You’ve earned it. Now go.”

Edric stepped forward, taking Elaria’s arm with a firmness that left no room for argument. She bit her lip, her fury rising, but she knew better than to challenge him now.

She glared at Kaelen one last time, her voice dripping with venom. “You think you can control me? You think you can make me bow to you?”

Kaelen’s gaze was unwavering. “I don’t need to control you, Elaria. You are no longer the mistress of this palace. You are nothing.”

The door slammed behind her, and Kaelen was left alone in his chambers, the silence stretching.

He stood still for a moment, contemplating the events. His eyes darkened with a mix of anger and regret.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low but filled with conviction, “I freed my people so they could know freedom again. But I am still bound by duty. I am the king. And I will protect my people—no matter what it costs.”

His voice softened as he stared at the empty room. “I carry the burden alone. It is my responsibility. And if you choose to become a monster, Elaria… then you are no longer of use to me.”