Chapter 108 Condemned Silence

Chapter 108 Condemned Silence
Astrid,s Pov

I had no idea what had happened to me. All I knew was that when I opened my eyes again, I was lying in my bed. I quickly looked around, trying to understand how I had gotten there—especially since I had been with Alaric.

I doubted very much that he would have had the kindness to help me back safely, yet there didn’t seem to be any other explanation. Not when he had been the only one near me. It was then that I remembered what had happened—the way I had started coughing up blood so violently.

Although I wasn’t completely well, I did feel a little better… or at least enough to stand. Still, the mere memory of what had happened was enough to make my whole body tremble. I was now more certain than ever that my condition was only getting worse—and quickly.

I turned toward the window and saw that night had already fallen. That meant several hours had passed since I had lost consciousness, which was, without a doubt, terrible.

I moved toward the door, hoping to find Alaric and get some answers about what had happened after I blacked out. Now more than ever, I couldn’t allow anyone to discover the state I was in—least of all Lysander.

However, when I reached the door, I found it closed. At first, I thought it might be stuck, but when I tried again, I realized it was firmly locked from the outside.

That confused me deeply. There was no reason for me to be confined there—or at least no more than usual. Nothing had happened that would justify it. I hadn’t done anything… at least not anything they knew about.

I was still trying to understand what was going on when suddenly the door opened on its own, forcing me to step back to avoid being hit. And then I saw them—Lysander and Clarissa—entering, accompanied by several guards.

Their presence unsettled me, especially the look of deep hatred on their faces. They stared at me with a resentment even stronger than before, as if it had been renewed—and that only made me more afraid.

—What is…? —I tried to ask what was happening, but she didn’t let me finish.

—Be quiet. I’m the one asking the questions here —she said sharply, stepping toward me in such a threatening way that all I could do was instinctively move back. By now, I knew very well how dangerous she could be.

—How dare you? —she demanded.

She wanted an answer, but the truth was, I had no idea what to say. I didn’t even know what she was referring to, and my silence only seemed to enrage her further.

—I didn’t… —I tried to explain that I didn’t understand, but it only made things worse.

Clarissa shoved me with such force that I was sent flying across the room, crashing hard against the wall. The impact knocked the air out of my lungs, and everything went black for a moment.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough for her.

She grabbed me again, forcing me upright with brutal strength.

—How dare you attack my son? —she demanded at last.

But that only made me more confused. I had no idea what she was talking about.

I knew she wouldn’t explain anything no matter how much I asked, so I turned my gaze toward Lysander, hoping he would tell me what was happening.

I couldn’t even speak. I simply pleaded with him through my eyes.

—Lysander… —I called softly.

But he said nothing.

Instead, Clarissa grabbed my shoulders again, forcing me to face her.

—Don’t look at him. Look at me and answer what I’m asking you —she ordered.

But I still didn’t understand what she meant.

—Apparently, you won’t say a single word —she muttered before turning to Lysander.

—You know what to do —she told the guards.

At that moment, I watched as they began searching the room, destroying everything in their path. They broke furniture, tore through my belongings—every corner of the room was inspected.

I didn’t know what they were looking for… but I did know they might find it.

The truth was, the only thing I was hiding was my medicine. And while it couldn’t harm them, I didn’t want them discovering it—not when it could lead to questions. Questions that would take them straight to the truth.

Straight to the fact that I had gone to my father for it—and what he had asked of me in return.

Knowing that, the only thing I could do was try to stop them.

—I don’t know what you’re looking for, but I swear I’ve done nothing —I insisted, pulling free from Clarissa and moving toward Lysander.

—Stop this, Lysander —I pleaded once I stood before him.

But all I received in return was complete indifference.

He ignored me entirely.

And that made the desperation inside me grow even stronger.

It didn’t matter that I could feel blood running down the back of my head from where I had hit the wall.

It didn’t matter at all.