Ch. 32 - Poison

Ch. 32 - Poison
"Nghhh..." a soft sob was heard.

Riven stood up and approached Elena's bed, paying close attention to what was happening to the girl.

Elena cried in her sleep. The murmurs were eerie, similar to moans of pain, but there were no tears.

"Forgive... me..." Her voice was very low. Riven had to close his face. "Don't hurt me..."

"Hurt..." Elena whimpered again, softly. "Ngghhhh..."

Lucian got off the bed and moved quickly toward the girl. "Hey," he called, trying to wake her up, knowing Elena was having a nightmare. He knew the feeling.

"Get up," Lucian called again, pulling back the blanket covering Elena's body, which was now covered in sweat.

Lucian had to shake the girl's body several times before Elena slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze was blank as she stared at the ceiling and blinked several times.

Lucian reached for his water bottle and handed it to the girl. Elena didn't move. He lifted her head and helped her drink.

Elena suddenly looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Did you give me poison?"

Lucian paused, surprised by her words. "Hah! Gave you poison? You think I need to give you poison just to kill you? I can do it with my bare hands!"

Elena blinked innocently, then nodded. Lucian couldn't believe he was still willing to give her water, but here he was, serving her.

Elena drank the water bit by bit, but her gaze remained blank.

Lucian put her head back down, noticing her strange behavior. The doctor said he had given her an herbal potion that the servant had brought, which had a sedative effect. Maybe that was the cause.

Still, he was worried. "Are you okay? Can you hear my voice?" Lucian asked, rubbing Elena's shoulder gently.

After a few moments, Elena responded, looking up at Lucian with sad, empty eyes. "My King..."

Lucian was transfixed. He was grateful Elena could still recognize him, but calling him "My King" sounded strange. She always addressed him as "Master," as per his orders. It was the first time she called him that. No one called him "my king."

"How are you?" Lucian asked, trying to hide his feelings.

Elena blinked, then stared intensely but didn't answer. They stared at each other for a long time.

"Rest. Go back to sleep. Your wounds will get better soon," Lucian said, getting up from the bed. However, his movement was restrained.

Lucian froze as Elena's hand wrapped around his stomach. "Please... don't leave me..."

Her voice was very low, but in the silence of the room, Lucian and Riven could hear it clearly. Lucian was silent, holding Elena's hand and trying to pull her away, but she hugged him tighter.

Lucian felt Elena's body as hot as coals. He handed over the bottle to Riven, who took it, then sat on the edge of the bed. Elena now had her arms around him, staring blankly.

That look frightened Lucian. Was she all right? But her body was so hot. He hoped it was just the effect of the potion.

Lucian was surprised again when Elena's delicate hands reached for his face. Her gaze was intense. The red marks from the whipping and the chain were still visible, but Elena didn't seem to care. Her eyes were firmly focused on Lucian.

Lucian held her body, making her comfortable in his arms.

"Why is it so cold?" Elena murmured, not looking away.

Lucian blinked, confused by her behavior. "What do you mean?" He didn't feel cold at all; in fact, it was hot.

"Your face... so cold. Like frozen water..." Elena murmured blankly.

Lucian said nothing. It was clear she was hallucinating. Riven watched from afar, choosing not to look at them.

Elena hugged Lucian tightly, her eyes unwavering.

Lucian took a deep breath. The girl's breath was so hot, but her face... why did it look so sweet and beautiful right now?

Although he had seen her many times and knew she was extraordinarily beautiful, this moment felt different. Her beauty made his chest tighten strangely.

His previous hatred for her was gone. He saw only a girl—an extremely beautiful one—without any desire to harm her. Without remembering that Elena was the daughter of his greatest enemy.

Not even as a sex slave. She was just a beautiful girl.

Lucian repeated this to himself, consciously and without burden. Yet his chest trembled strangely.

"Why are your eyes so... cold?" Elena asked, still gazing at him.

"What are you talking about? I've seen many beautiful things with these eyes. And... sad, torturous, and bad things too." Lucian's voice grew weaker as he put his feeling into every word.

Elena raised a hand and gently rubbed Lucian's eye. Her gaze was blank but filled with sadness.

"Can you make it warm again? You must look very handsome if your eyes are warm," Elena said.

Lucian didn't understand what she meant but felt obliged to respond.

"Why are you asking? I can't change what I've been through. My whole body is frozen—my eyes, my heart. It's been that way for a long time. It's impossible to make my eyes warm again." Lucian looked at Elena, then continued, "I even forgot what warmth feels like..."

Elena lowered her hand and rubbed the scar on his neck. "How long have you had this wound?" she asked quietly.

"Very long."

"Is it painful?"

"Yes." It no longer hurt in the scar, but in his heart and memory, it still did.

Elena lowered her arms, embraced him gently, and murmured again. "Lady Misaya tortured me. It was very painful... She said she wanted to roast my pussy on fire. She said my father punished her the same way." Elena looked at Lucian again. "Was my father really that cruel?"

Lucian looked into Elena's eyes. "Your father tortured all of us. He killed our baby in her womb. So, yes. He is the most evil king ever to exist." He couldn't hold back his anger.

Elena looked down. "I'm really sorry..."