Torture

The woman with her flowing mane of blonde hair raced down the corridor, her visage etched with profound concern. Her labored breaths reverberated through the corridor, capturing the fleeting attention of the individuals she swiftly traversed. What hidden turmoil had driven Princess Fiona, the offspring of Caeloria's ruler, to such a hastened pace?

Fiona, now an attractive teenager, seemed undeterred by her knee-length, vermilion dress as she advanced with a singular intention. When the casual mention of Queen Amarta's removal for further chastisement had arrived in her ears, her tears flowed uncontrollably, and she moved with a swiftness borne of desperation.

Upon the second floor, she came to an abrupt halt, arriving at a balcony crowded with ministers who fixated upon the sprawling view below. A spectrum of emotions played across their faces, some genuinely compassionate toward the queen's predicament, while others indulged in the macabre spectacle Herich's malignant influence had wrought within the kingdom.

Amarta, now relegated to the stone floor, appeared vulnerable, her hands bound, her body contorted uncomfortably from the ordeal within. Yet, her silence remained unbroken, withholding Herich's desired revelations. She knew the fate of her loyal knights rested upon her decision.

Herich approached, donning a malevolent grin, and descended to one knee before Amarta. Her head tilted slightly as his fingers grazed her dirt-streaked left cheek, tracing along her blonde tresses that cascaded like a blonde waterfall.

"Isn't this the simplest choice?" Herich's voice held a sinister lilt as he taunted, compelling Amarta to meet his gaze with a dedicated resolve. "Why endure the torment of Brendant's concealment, when you have no evidence for your accusation?"

Amarta remained unresponsive, her unyielding lips tightly sealed as she struggled to break free. Herich's frustration mounted as faint but unmistakable riots emanated from behind him, the anguished voices of Caeloria's knights.

"He might have told this to other kingdoms, Your Majesty," exclaimed one of Herich's ministers. "Even without verification, rumors from a commander like Brendant will find easy credence."

"Indeed, Herich," another senior figure added, contemplating the potential scenarios. "If he does have strong evidence, he's for sure heading to Unitedland. We must ensure—"

"No," Herich interjected, rising to his feet. "Unitedland is beyond my control and the emperor's. It's a neutral settlement and takes no sides. We need to find him before he reaches there, assuming Brendant is indeed heading there."

The man dressed in black, with feathers encircling his neck, now approached the trio of knights who continued to struggle in vain. "For now, I wish to hear it directly from Amarta."

"I've changed my mind," he stood beside Reynald, holding a blade of the same method he had wielded against Artonius. "Tell me, what makes you so certain that the emperor and I conspired to assassinate Artonius?"

"These accusations will tarnish my reputation, Amarta, you know that, don't you?" He harshly hauled Reynald's hair, placing the sharp object against his throat. "I won't let this spread. With your baseless allegations, all of this will fall on you."

Amarta contemplated the consequences of revealing the truth, fully aware that it might backfire on her. With no concrete evidence left in her possession, her efforts seemed in vain. His intentions were driven more by a desire to disgrace Amarta in the eyes of Phantom Omega and his loyal ministers.

This time, it seemed that no one would believe the queen, except maybe the citizens who remained faithful to her and some individuals within the castle who harbored fears of Herich's regime. Leaking Artonius's records within the location would only hasten her demise, or at least for now, let the evidence escape the confines of the chamber.

"Oh, why won't you speak?" The object pressed harder against Reynald's skin, and his body trembled.

"Please, Herich, stop!" Amarta's voice finally broke through, tinged with frustration, as tears welled up in her beautiful irises. "I know you want to torment me, so do it!"

Amarta pleaded until she leaned forward, halted by her still-bound hands. Seeing Amarta in such a desperate state only fueled Herich's malice. With a wicked smile, he said, "Exactly, Amarta, that's why I'm doing this."

With a single swift motion, the blade sliced through the skin, drawing a trickle of crimson fluid. Reynald writhed in pain until he finally collapsed lifeless. His companion struggled, yearning for release, their outrage boiling over.

The onlookers' reactions varied, from uneasy coughs to stifled laughter, and even a brief scream as they couldn't bear to watch any longer. Among them was Fiona, averting her gaze as her father carried out this gruesome act in public.

She knew this would eventually come back to haunt Amarta, and the young woman hurried to continue her steps, heading toward the training field. Her footsteps would determine the fate of the now-silent Amarta.

Her body now felt weak as she gazed at Reynald, lifeless and unmoving. Her numb stare shifted to Herich as he began approaching Shameer. The cruel man, in a casual tone, said, "Did you think I'd allow them to act as they pleased to assist you, Amarta?"

As the blade touched the slightly tanned skin, Amarta screamed, "Enough, Herich! They've done nothing wrong! I should be the one you punish!"

"I know I made a mistake, I know I betrayed you back then!" Amarta added, shouting through her sobs, desperate to persuade him. "Release them and punish me as your anger demands!"

Herich momentarily fell silent, his eyebrows furrowed, and his eyes narrowing. Her words pierced his heart, but his resolve remained unshaken. Once again, the cries of pain filled the air as he ended Shameer, who collapsed in a pool of blood.

"I want to break you, Amarta," Herich chuckled slightly, shifting his attention to the last remaining Caeloria knight. "I don't want to torture you and make you die; you'll be free from this suffering, won't you?"

"So," he knelt beside Chika, who writhed in a bid for release, "is there something you'd like to express to your beautiful knight?"

"Touch her not!" Amarta, who had felt helpless just moments ago, now threatened Herich. Amarta needed to provoke him into redirecting his wrath toward her. "You're the Emperor's puppet!"

Herich's smile suddenly faded upon hearing Amarta's words. He turned toward the blonde-haired woman. "What did you just say?"

"You're no true ruler of Caeloria, not even worthy as a regent!" Amarta yelled with the last of her strength, causing everyone in the area to turn their attention to her. "You're nothing more than a pitiful lackey groveling at the Emperor's feet!"

Herich rose abruptly, stepping closer to Amarta with boiling emotions. While she continued to berate him, "You know you're nothing but a tool for the Emperor's satisfaction! You'd go to any means to seize Caeloria from my husband!"

Chika's cries grew louder, and her struggle intensified, trying to save the Queen. However, Rimbus skillfully restrained her, allowing Herich to come to a stop right in front of Amarta, looking into her fearless azure irises.

"How foolish of you, your plans unraveling when you sought to bring Artonius to Stormhold to murder him alongside the Emperor in the shadow," Amarta sneered. "All because your narrow mind couldn't comprehend that anything involving foreign kingdoms must be presented to Unitedland."

"And... with your idiocy, you forced yourself to lead Caeloria?" These words pushed Herich over the edge, and he violently struck Amarta with his hand, causing her to bow her head in a mess.

"Liars! Cursed be you for accusing me so!" Herich not only strove to conceal his scheme but also to maintain his dignity, having been humiliated in front of his kingdom. "You have no evidence except for my near death in that accident!"

Amarta still bowed, retorted, "That's because Artonius isn't as stupid as you. I know my husband would confront you, and I'm convinced the event was the result of the battle, making it seem like an unfortunate accident."

At that moment, the woman lifted her head toward Herich. "Why don't you respond? Did I tell the truth?"

Herich found himself cornered this time, and what Amarta said hit the mark. Yet, he had to maintain his composure and not be provoked any further. He tried to force a smile and knelt before Amarta. "I'm impressed that you'd think all of what you say is mere bluster."

He then observed Amarta's attire, realizing something. "Isn't this clothes a little too nice for you, Amarta?" He then turned his attention to the struggling Chika. "Ah, I understand now."

With a firm grip, Herich violently tore at the brownish, slightly worn fabric of Amarta's apparel, the sound echoing across the open area. It revealed Amarta's chest and abdomen, devoid of veil.

She shrieked and tried to shield her exposed body by curling up, while those present, including Fiona, who had arrived at the knight's training ground but was held back by Phantom Omega, were shocked by the distressing scene.

Herich's stare remained fixed on Amarta, specifically on the noticeably prominent spot. "What is this, Amarta? Are you with child?"

Herich laughed and then stood, scanning the surroundings. "Your Queen bears a child! An illegitimate child from an inhumane ritual aided by a wicked witch! I now understand why you rejected me, Amarta, you are truly despicable, it seems."

He returned to Chika, removing the cloth from her mouth. In an instant, the brunette woman screamed, "You wretch! Barbarian! You'll receive punishment far more excruciating than this!"

"Is that so?" Herich's blade pressed against Chika's neck as she slightly arched her head, her hair being pulled by the man. "Are you still loyal to that disgraceful woman who sleeps with her own blood?"

Chika chose not to answer, opting for silence until her eyes finally met Amarta's, tears streaming down her face. With determination and devotion, she replied, "For all hereafter, my life and death are for Queen Amarta!"

Herich, feeling disgusted, quickly put an end to Chika at that moment, leaving only Amarta alone. The regent mumbled, "What a waste, Amarta. I sent your child to that school to avoid situations like this."

Herich approached the blonde woman, gazing at her intently. "But you did it before his departure." He halted and added, "Now, let's have a little fun."