“Certainly not,” I replied, breathless.
“We are all aware of Vera’s motive to attempt your murder,” Jack stated, rummaging through his jacket pocket until he retrieved a small pocket knife.
I inhaled unsteadily as he disclosed the blade’s sharpness.
“Was it due to Jayce’s preference for you over her?”Jack enquired, advancing towards me. “You both desired her removal to claim him for yourselves.” Is that correct?
What?”I inhaled sharply. “No…”
He clenched his fist that was not grasping the knife and struck my face; I sensed my nose dislocating and heard a crack. Blood gushed from my nostrils as he fractured my nose.
I cried out in agony; my screams were fractured and strained. At that instant, it seemed as though I had exhausted all my tears.
I felt the keen edge of the knife against my palm, pressing upon the veins. My hand quivered under the contact.
How could he presume I would murder Vera merely to be with Jayce? That notion repulsed me. I would never commit such an act. I am incapable of such an action.
“I will enquire once more,” Jack stated in a subdued and menacing tone. “Did Prince Jayce instruct you to assassinate Lady Vera?”
“No,” I murmured.
It was barely perceptible, yet sufficient for him to withdraw the blade from my hand and then thrust it downward with rapid force, penetrating my flesh and embedding itself in the wall behind me.
I shouted vehemently as blood streamed from my hand and trickled down the concrete wall.
He seized the blade and extracted it forcefully; I recoiled.
The haemorrhage rendered me lightheaded; I feared imminent unconsciousness. Already fatigued from lack of sleep and experiencing dizziness, the additional blood loss was alarming. It was remarkable that I remained conscious at all.
Jack stepped back, gazing at the chaos he had created.
“Release her,” he commanded the guard, who complied without delay. “We shall return in a few hours to assess any alterations in her responses.”
Jack averted his gaze and exited the cell without a single glance in my direction.
Upon being unchained by the guard, I collapsed to the ground, immersed in a pool of my own blood.
I screamed in anguish; my body was rendered numb by the suffering and pain inflicted by Jack. The guard secured the cell door and vanished behind Jack.
I coughed as blood accumulated in my mouth, causing me to choke slightly.
I was incredulous that this was occurring to me. I merely desired it to conclude. I wished for this anguish to cease.
“You ought to have admitted.”
…
Was there another individual present?
I have been here for an extended period and had never observed another individual in the prison with me. I attempted to rise, but each movement elicited a jolt of pain that incapacitated me, forcing me back to the ground.
“Refrain from excessive movement,” he advised. “You have lost a significant amount of blood.”
I surveyed the dimly lit prison, uncertain of the speaker’s identity. His voice resembled that of an elderly man.
Why had he remained silent until that moment?
He emerged from the shadows; he occupied the cell adjacent to mine, and I gasped upon seeing him. He bore a resemblance that eluded my ability to identify. Although I am certain I have never encountered him before, I was compelled to believe that he seemed somewhat familiar.
“I committed no wrongdoing,” I stated hoarsely, as I crawled towards the cell bars, collapsing to the ground in agony.
“I instructed you not to move excessively,” he reiterated, raising his voice.
I exhaled, sensing a sense of defeat.
“Have you been unjustly incarcerated?”“He enquired, scrutinising me intently.”
They believe I committed a heinous act. However, I could never,” I stated, as tears streamed down my visage and aggravated the exposed laceration on my face.
“Jack inflicted significant harm upon you,” he remarked, surveying my injuries.
“He compelled me to admit to an act I did not commit,” I wept.
Who was the specific individual that was poisoned?“He enquired, his tone tinged with curiosity.”
“Lady Vera,” I exhaled. “I served as her handmaiden.”
“They believe you poisoned her to possess Prince Jayce for yourself?”“He enquired with a subtle chuckle.”
I perceived his voice as strangely soothing; however, I was simultaneously irritated by his amusement in this situation.
“I reject him,” I murmured.
“The majority of women do,” he remarked, a playful expression still evident on his face.
“He is ostentatious; I desire no association with him,” I murmured, echoing Jayce’s remarks regarding me.
“Given Abel’s assertion that he will determine your fate.” “I desire to be involved in all matters concerning him,” he stated.
I had overlooked the fact that Abel was present a few days prior, implying that this individual overheard all discussions between Abel and me.
