Chapter 52 CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
ZARIA’S POV
I sat at my desk writing to my father. This would be the sixth letter I have written about my mother but he hasn’t responded to me.
“I hope to hear a response from you,” I ended the letter.
I looked up to the ceiling, allowing my worries to cloud my head.
It’s been almost three weeks since I found out that my mother has been held hostage by Max and he isn’t willing to release her unless she faces the consequences for killing his sister.
For days, I have tried to think of multiple reasons my mother would be involved in murder but I can’t.
Soon Elara entered the room, with a weak smile on her face.
“His Grace has requested your presence” She bowed.
“Tell him to fuck himself” I sneered at her, as I sealed the letter.
“I can’t tell him that” Elara whispered and I nodded in understanding.
“You don’t have to,” I said and walked off.
I gave the letter to the guards, and wanted to go back into my chambers when I thought of something.
What if I visit Raymond? who wasn’t sentenced to death, but rather was sentenced to life imprisonment.
My mother’s hostage must be connected to him somehow.
I left my chambers and headed to the dungeon.
I walked in haste until my forehead hit something hard.
“Ouch,” I groaned, massaging my forehead.
I looked up to unleash my frustration, and I saw Max staring at me, with guilty eyes.
“Burger off” I yelled and walked past him.
He held me back and swung me around to face him.
“We need to talk!” He whispered into my ear,
Making my skin tingle.
I am so mad at Max, but whenever he is a few inches away from me, I feel butterflies in my stomach, with my underwear dripping.
“We talked and you aren’t willing to leave my mother” I scorned him. “So we are done talking, watch me get back my mother”
I pushed my hands off his and walked as fast as my legs could carry. If he dares to stop me again, I might end up in bed with him, with my legs spread apart.
“Zaria!” He yelled after me, but I didn’t turn back.
Upon arriving at the dungeon, I encountered two guards at the entrance, who bowed immediately upon my entry.
“I need to see Raymond,” I said, staring at both of them.
“That would be impossible your Grace” The one at the right spoke up, after minutes of silence.
“Why is that?” I huffed.
“His Grace has restricted anyone from seeing him, so his family members don’t get a chance to see him” He explained, checking the record book.
How could Max be that cruel to his best friend?
“I need to see him” I said, “please”
The guards gave each other suspicious looks before turning to look at me.
“This would risk our Job, your Grace, but you have only twenty minutes” He said, setting the hourglass. “And it starts now”
“Thank you” I smiled, as he threw a bunch of keys to me.
“Third floor. Prison 15, use the key to open the speech box, so you can speak with him” He added.
I ran up the stairs, until I got to the third floor.
The odor coming from the floor was making me nauseous, I coughed, and held my breath so I could continue walking.
I checked the door for prison 15, “Yes” I smiled, as I saw the prison.
I quickly opened the lock to the speech box.
“Raymond” I whispered and waited for a response but it never came.
The horrible smell became concentrated and more choking in Raymond’s prison room.
“What the fuck is smelling this bad” I rolled my eyes.
Immediately, my brain clicked, the only thing that can smell this bad is a dead body.
“Raymondddd” I yelled again, in fear but still no response.
I checked for the keys to his prison door, and opened it quickly, only to see Raymond’s lifeless body on the floor, almost decomposing.
I screamed, as I stumbled on the floor, my eyes stayed glued to the horrifying carcass of Raymond. That would be how I would forever remember him.
The guards ran to the prison room and found him dead, they looked stunned.
“Your Grace, you have to leave now” the guard said, dragging me out softly. While the other guard began to gather the carcass.
I left the dungeon with a heavy heart. What the fuck is going on? Why would anyone want to hurt Raymond, this only means that he was never a part of kidnapping me, rather he was a victim as well. Max was too blind to see it.
My heart was beating so fast, and my feet were heavy, but I kept going, I needed to tell someone what I saw, probably Elara.
I rushed to Elara’s room and was about to push the door when I heard her voice.
“Raymond is dead, I made sure of that mess” She said. “Don’t work with assholes, he was about snitching on us”
My mouth opened in horror, so Elara was part of this whole thing.
Just then my head began to hurt, and I heard voices in my head, especially Elara’s.
“What the fuck is going on?” I groaned, trying to stop my banging head.
But the pain grew even more, and I could barely feel my feet.
I stumbled to the ground, yelling and wailing in pain.
“Help!” I yelled, losing my strength.
I felt a huge hand lift me, until my body rested comfortably on his chest.
The smell of his cologne made me open my eyes weakly. And I saw Max staring at me with worry.
“Zaria, are you alright?” he asked, in panic, as he rushed to get some help.
“Elara is evil” I whispered. “Don’t listen to her”
“What are you talking about?” Max asked again. “Elara is your most trusted worthy maid”
I slowly opened my eyes, and when I was about to tell him what I heard and saw, my lips felt numb, and the next thing I saw was darkness.