Chapter 36 The final straw
Aloria
I'm back in my room, the heavy door clicking shut behind me, and the silence envelops me like a thick fog. The opulent surroundings that once seemed so enchanting now feel suffocating. The flickering candlelight casts long, wavering shadows across the walls, mirroring the turmoil inside me. I sink onto the edge of the plush bed, my thoughts racing like wild horses.
I can’t go through with this. The weight of the Prince's possessive gaze lingers, a brand on my soul. The dance we shared, the way he spoke of our union, all of it feels like a noose tightening around my neck. I think of the way he whispered promises that made my skin crawl, how he spoke of pleasure, of power, as if I were a mere object to be owned.
I can’t be this person. I refuse to let myself be reduced to an ornament in his grand design. My heart aches for River, the wild spirit who understands me in ways no one else does. I need to break free from this gilded cage before it devours me whole.
With newfound resolve, I rise from the bed, determination igniting within me. I have to confront him, to lay bare my heart and my fears. I slip into a dark cloak, the familiar fabric comforting against my skin as I make my way through the dimly lit corridors. Each step is a heartbeat of rebellion, echoing against the cold stone walls.
I know where he’s staying, the Prince, and I approach his door with a mix of trepidation and fierce resolve… there is a chance that he feels just like I do. My heart pounds as I raise my hand and knock softly.
“Come in,” he calls, his voice smooth but a little strained, like honey with a hint of poison.
I push the door open, and my breath catches in my throat. The room is dimly lit, shadows pooling in the corners, but the sight before me is a jarring shock that steals the air from my lungs. He’s there, the Prince, powerful and commanding, but it’s not the regal image I expected. He’s fucking a maid, bent over the table, her cries mingling with the rhythm of their bodies.
“Excuse me,” I manage to choke out, but my voice is lost in the heat of the moment.
“Give me a minute,” he grunts, his focus unwavering as he drives into her. I stand frozen, my mind reeling, shocked into silence as I watch the scene unfold before me. The maid’s face is flushed, eyes squeezed shut in what could be pleasure or pain… it's too hard to tell. My heart races for a different reason now, a wild mix of anger and disbelief.
And then, just like that, it’s over. He finishes with a final thrust, and the maid stumbles away, clasping her dress as tears streak down her cheeks. She brushes past me, her presence a whirlwind of shame and humiliation.
The Prince turns to me while closing his robe, a smirk playing on his lips, as if nothing has happened. “What brings you here, Aloria?” he asks, casual, as if I hadn’t just walked in on something so raw and unfiltered.
“This… this only makes me more certain that we should not marry,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. “You can’t treat people like this,.. not me and not that poor girl.”
He chuckles, leaning back against the table with a self-satisfied grin. “It was just a servant, Aloria. It doesn’t count.”
My breath catches again, this time in disbelief. “Just a servant?” I echo, incredulous. “She’s a person… and it matters to me, I used to be just a servant.”
His expression hardens slightly, but he shrugs, as if dismissing my outrage. “You’ll learn, my dear. In this world, power dictates everything. Emotions are a luxury we cannot afford.”
I shake my head, anger flaring within me. “This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. I can’t… I won’t marry you. I already have a mate.”
His gaze sharpens, and something cold flickers in his blue eyes. “You don’t understand, do you? This bond between us will be forged, whether you like it or not. You may think you have a mate, but that bond will be broken when I take you. It’s simply how it works.”
I take a step back, feeling as if I’ve been punched in the gut. “Wait, what do you mean?” I ask, dread pooling in the pit of my stomach.
“We are not destined mates, so the bond will need to be forced,” he explains, his tone disturbingly calm.
The realization hits me like a tidal wave. “You mean you have to rape me.” The words fall from my lips, cold and harsh.
His smile widens, a predator’s grin that sends a shiver coursing through me. “I look forward to it,” he says, brushing a thumb down my cheek, the touch sending revulsion rippling through my skin.
I want to recoil, to escape this nightmare, but I’m rooted to the spot, a deer caught in headlights. I can’t believe the depths of his depravity, the way he speaks of such a violation as though it’s a promise.
I swallow hard, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. “You think this will break me?” I challenge, my voice trembling with defiance. “You think I will be your pawn in this twisted game?”
He steps closer, his presence overwhelming. “You’ll learn, Aloria. I’ll show you the power I possess, and you will yield.”
I take a deep breath, steeling myself against the storm brewing within. “No,” I say, my voice stronger now, fueled by a fire ignited deep within. “You will not take me. I will fight you every step of the way.”
I turn on my heel, determination surging through me as I stride out of the room, leaving behind the Prince and his dark promises. The air feels different as I step back into the corridor, a sense of clarity washing over me. I may be trapped in this gilded cage, but I will not surrender… I will find a way to leave as soon as possible.