Chapter 4: The Edge of Mercy
756 Words
"Arghhh!"
Diana groaned in pain with each strike of the cane on her legs. Her hands gripped the chair tightly as she tried to endure the agony of countless lashes. Her cries and screams were completely ignored. The pain in her legs was so intense that it didn't even bring her to tears. She prayed for the punishment to end, but Martin's orders to her tormentors made Diana feel as though death was looming over her.
Her body was already too weak from the relentless beatings. Her eyes caught a glimpse of Aubriella's satisfied expression as she observed Diana's suffering. The girl's grudge against Diana had finally been satisfied.
"Don't stop until I give the order," Martin shouted. The sharp c***k of the cane against Diana's legs echoed through the room, leaving her skin bruised and bleeding.
"This is just the beginning, Diana. I have many more punishments prepared for you," Martin said with a cruel smile.
Diana's eyes were growing heavy. Her vision was becoming blurred, and her body's endurance was nearly exhausted from the pain.
"Martin, enough." A commanding voice halted the cane's descent on Diana's legs.
"Father." Martin and Aubriella's faces fell into expressions of alarm.
"What are you doing?" King Wilson's voice was flat but held an undertone of menace that could unsettle anyone who heard it.
"We've successfully captured Diana, Father. Martin is just carrying out the punishment…"
"As far as I know, the sentence for the crimes of Diana's mother and Aubriella's stepsister was life imprisonment. What I see now contradicts what was established," King Wilson said sharply.
"I raised you to be a fair ruler, not a cruel one. Punishment should fit the crime, not be a display of brutality, Martin," King Wilson explained.
"Don't let vengeance poison your soul." The king's disappointment was palpable, reflecting his dismay at his son's actions, especially since he was destined to inherit the throne. Martin and Aubriella exchanged worried glances, their faces betraying their concern.
"Your Majesty does not want this to happen again. Consider this your first and final warning." King Wilson turned and walked away, leaving Martin with a deep sense of guilt.
"So, what's it going to be, Your Highness? Should I continue or stop here?" asked the man responsible for carrying out Diana's punishment.
"Did you tell Father?" Martin snapped, gripping the man's collar—the same man who had accompanied his father earlier.
"Hey, Martin. Show some respect for your uncle," Eddie said, his voice laced with sarcasm. He pushed Martin's hand away and straightened his own disheveled collar.
"What do you want from me, Eddie?" Martin's eyes were sharp as he glared at Eddie, who had been smirking at him. Martin detested the look on Eddie's face.
"I want her." Eddie pointed to Diana, still slumped weakly in the chair.
"No!" Aubriella shouted.
She would not let Diana go anywhere. Her vendetta was far from settled.
"Diana must serve her punishment. Martin and I won't let her slip away so easily," Aubriella insisted.
"Don't worry. Just leave this woman to me. You two handle her mother," Eddie said, moving towards Diana. He grabbed her cheeks, turning her face from side to side to inspect her pale complexion.
"Don't meddle in my affairs. I'm not handing her over to you," Martin retorted stubbornly.
"Why not? I've gone through the trouble of bringing Wilson here to witness the behavior of the prince who will inherit the throne. And yet, you're still not satisfied? Or would you prefer I take this to the media?"
"Imagine the headlines tomorrow morning: 'Beloved Crown Prince of Grandbell and His People's Princess Mercilessly Torture a Prisoner.'" Eddie wrapped his arm around Martin's shoulder.
"Ouch! Don't you feel sorry for the people deceived by the innocent faces of their cherished prince and princess? Even reading that headline makes me want to cry," Eddie said, shaking his head with a melodramatic frown. Aubriella's rage seemed on the verge of exploding, but she struggled to maintain her face of innocence.
"What are you planning to do with her?!" Martin shouted, enraged by Eddie's threats. He grabbed Eddie's collar once more, but Eddie shoved his hand away roughly.
"That's none of your concern. What you need to do is have her in my room within ten minutes," Eddie ordered, his cruel smile never leaving his lips. Eddie turned on his heel and started to leave.
"Oh, one more thing." Eddie stopped in his tracks.
"I'm your uncle, Martin. Show me some respect," Eddie said, winking one eye.
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