Chapter 110 Between Shadows and Lies

Chapter 110 Between Shadows and Lies
Astrid’s POV

Lysander’s words kept echoing loudly in my mind as the guards dragged me out of my room and toward the dungeon.

No matter how much I begged or screamed, it didn’t matter. No one listened. And worst of all, I still didn’t understand what had happened. Everything had unfolded so chaotically that no one had even bothered to explain what I was being accused of.

As soon as we reached the dungeon, I was mercilessly thrown into one of the cells. The guards shoved me without restraint, making me fall hard onto the floor. My knees hit the ground with such force that I felt my skin tear open, warm blood beginning to trickle down.

—This time you’ll pay for what you’ve done. If the king doesn’t do it, you can be sure we will make sure you never harm anyone again —one of the soldiers assured me with such hatred that I had no doubt he meant every word. He was more than capable of killing me, and that terrified me.

Unfortunately, I didn’t even have the chance to defend myself—and it wasn’t as if it would have mattered. I knew they wouldn’t believe a single word that came out of my mouth, just like everyone else in that kingdom never had. It left me completely powerless. No matter what I did, I had already been judged… and condemned.

I felt utterly lost, unable to imagine how things could possibly get any worse—or at least, that’s what I thought until I saw something move in the shadows beside me.

I turned quickly, only to discover it was my father. I had been so consumed by everything happening to me that I hadn’t even considered he might be there.

—Well, well… look what we have here —he exclaimed, his voice dripping with mockery and sarcasm, only making me feel worse. I was in no mood to deal with him.

I tried to ignore him, to move away, but there was nowhere to go. I was trapped inside that cell.

—I have no idea what you did, but I must say, I warned you. I told you that if you weren’t careful, you’d end up like this—and I was right. Here you are now —he said, clearly taking pleasure in my misfortune. And the worst part was, I couldn’t say I was surprised. He had always taken delight in my suffering.

—You chose the wrong side, and now you’ll pay for it —he stated.

This had nothing to do with choosing sides. It was a mistake. I would never hurt Lysander… at least, not knowingly. That thought made me replay everything that had happened—everything they had said. But before I could confront him about it, the dungeon door opened, and Lysander stepped inside.

The moment I saw him, I rushed toward the cell door, desperate to reach him.

—Lysander —I called out, my voice filled with desperation.

But he didn’t come closer. He remained at the foot of the stairs, simply watching me.

—Lysander, please. Just listen to me for a moment. I swear I’m not guilty of what they’re accusing me of —I tried to convince him.

It was useless. I saw how his expression only grew darker by the second.

—You tried to kill me —he accused, repeating the same claim his mother had made. But it wasn’t true. I needed him to understand that.

—You deceived me vilely, and I foolishly fell for your lies —he continued before I could even attempt to defend myself.

—I would never do something like that —was all I managed to say before he moved with incredible speed, stopping right in front of me.

—Don’t lie. Don’t you dare do it again, because I don’t believe a single word you say. I know you tried to kill me —he insisted.

—No, I didn’t do that. I could never do something like that. I… —I wanted to make him understand, but it seemed impossible.

—You did. And I have proof —he stated, catching me completely off guard.

—You can’t have proof of something that isn’t true. I didn’t— —I tried to insist, but he cut me off.

—Then tell me what this is —he demanded, holding up the vial of my medicine.

—That’s… —I tried to explain.

—Don’t even try to justify yourself. You won’t succeed. This vial contains poison —he declared, leaving me utterly confused. That couldn’t be true… or at least, I hoped it wasn’t.

—This is aconite —he added almost immediately. I had heard him say that before, but I had assumed it was a mistake.

—No, it’s— —I tried to correct him, but I couldn’t.

—Wolfsbane. And as its name suggests, it can kill my kind. It’s as lethal as silver —he said, sending a chill down my spine.

What he was saying simply couldn’t be true. It made no sense.

—I’ve been poisoned with aconite for a long time. As long as you’ve been here. You’re the only one close enough—and with motive—to do something like this. And now I find this in your possession. It couldn’t be clearer —he explained, making my fear grow with every word.

—You can’t truly believe that. That I’m capable of something like that —I tried to reason with him.

—You know, the only thing I regret is not realizing this sooner… not seeing what kind of woman you really are. Because I can assure you, I would have never brought you here to begin with. I even regret the day I met you —he said, his words cutting deeper than any blade.

—Lysander… —I tried once more, but it was useless.

—What you’ve done is punishable by death. And believe me, I will enjoy that moment more than anything —he said coldly, freezing my heart.

—I will kill you both and finally rid my kingdom of your influence and your evil —he declared, looking not only at me, but also at my father.

—It will all be over by morning —he added, turning toward the exit.

—You can’t do this —I tried to stop him.

—I can. And that’s exactly what I will do —he assured me.

—No, you don’t understand. You can’t do this. You don’t know what would happen to you if I were to die —I tried to make him see.

—You’re mistaken if you think that concerns me even a little, because it doesn’t. I’m more than willing to take whatever risk it may be, just to get rid of both of you —he declared with a certainty that filled me with dread… because I knew he was capable of it.