Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1127 - 38 : Cruel Justice

Chapter 1127: Chapter 38 : Cruel Justice

*Rion*

Once I heard those words come out of Eva’s mouth, I was shocked. But I knew she had grown to be much more powerful than I was. It was clear with how easily she took out the Royal Guard members that I was no match for her abilities, at least not by myself.

I looked at her and tried to remain calm.

“We didn’t discuss this.”

“We didn’t need to. This was my decision. I have been waiting years for this moment. We will have our revenge.”

I didn’t believe the words coming from her mouth. Something in her had been warped into an ugly, unforgiving shape. I tried to bargain with her and get her to release Daphne.

“There has to be a better way. What do you really want?”

Eva laughed but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. It was a strange, disconnected laugh. She looked at me.

“Money can’t right the wrongs of what her family did to us. Don’t you want them to pay?”

“Yes, but not like this.”

“What is she to you? Aren’t I worth more to you than a random princess you just met?”

“Of course, you’re worth the world to me,” I said.

“But?”

“But she is innocent. Let her go. We can arrange a deal with her family.”

“I don’t want a deal. All I want is her blood so we can bring our mother back. In order for our mother to come back, we need to provide her with a new vessel.”

Then, she spoke words that chilled me to the bone. “I would gladly give Hestia the use of my body so she can give the world what it deserves.”

“No... I just got you back. You can’t–”

At that moment, the front door burst open and Katheryn’s crew rushed in. Eva had left her alone after she’d secured Daphne. But, I should have known that Katheryn would come after us for that reward.

“No, wait!” I yelled at Katheryn, who was in wolf form, rushing in with the rest of her crew toward the guards surrounding the throne. Katheryn and her crew didn’t stand a chance against the guards, but it was Eva who sent them all to their end.

One by one, she used her powers to manipulate them into the air and killed them. Katheryn was last.

“Stop!” I cried out to Eva and she paused.

Suddenly Katheryn fell from the air to the ground, choking.

I swallowed hard, realizing that I had been able to get through to Eva.

I tried to think straight, but my sister’s actions left my head buzzing with anger and confusion.

I was beyond upset about what my sister Eva seemed to have turned into. I didn’t know what to do, except try to placate her for the moment.

“Just don’t hurt anyone else, and I will help you bring back our mother.”

***

*Daphne*

After Eva spared Katheryn for Rion, the witches took me by my bundled arms and threw me into a room, latching my leg to a ball and chain.

Once again, I was a prisoner. How could this be? I thought I was meant to help Eva and Rion, and all this time I was walking straight into Eva’s plans. If Rion had just let me go after Brurus took me....

Why had I trusted him?

As frustrated as I felt, I knew that my life was on the line and I needed to escape, without depending on Rion.

I took in my dim surroundings. The room was small and windowless, lit only by a floor lamp standing in the corner. A simple cot with a thin blanket and flat pillow was the only furniture.

I tugged at the shackle around my ankle, the clanking chains allowing me little room to maneuver. Desperate, I searched for anything to pick the lock but found nothing within reach.

Slumping on the lumpy cot, I strained to hear any sounds beyond my room. Faint echoes of footsteps and muffled voices taunted my helpless state.

Still I did not lose hope. When the witches returned, I would plead my case again. Someone in this desolate place might take pity on me or be bribed by the reward my parents offered.

The door creaked open and two of Eva’s witch subordinates entered, carrying food and water and glaring down at me.

"Please, help me. I don’t belong here," I pleaded. "Let me go back to my family."

One cackled. "Not a chance, princess. Our mistress has plans for you."

"Whatever Eva is plotting, it won’t end well," I tried to reason. "She’s unstable, blinded by vengeance. You must see that."

They exchanged an uncertain look. The younger witch chewed her lip. "Eva took us in when no one else would," she said.

“She gave us a home. We owe her our loyalty." The older witch stepped in and turned her glare on me. "Meddle again, and you’ll regret it."

They swept out, leaving me crestfallen. Yet I sensed a seed of doubt in the young one. If I could only fan that spark, perhaps she would help me.

I drank the water but had little appetite. I lay in the cot to rest and thought about the palace and the life I had been taken from.

Just then, the door opened again and Rion entered, interrupting my thoughts. I sat up, my heart clenched, unsure of what to expect from him.

***

*Rion*

There were no words to describe the feelings that passed through me as I saw the condition that Daphne was in. I would gladly have faced execution to spare her another minute of this nightmare that I’d dragged her into.

She sat up, her eyes on me were wide and searching.

“I came to see how you are and bring you extra food.”

She came near me, quiet and cautious. I took note of the balled-up fists at her side as I put the plate down and just barely caught the fist that was directed toward my face.

“This is all your fault!” she hissed as I ducked her other fist at me.

“I know, Daphne. I made a huge mistake and I promise to get you out of here.”

She scoffed and sat on the bed deflated.

I picked up the plate and took a seat beside her. “You should try to eat more.”

“I’m not hungry.”

"Please, you need to keep up your strength," I urged gently.

Reluctantly, she took a few bites of bread and meat while I set down the plate. I poured water from a pitcher and soaked a clean cloth.

"May I?" I asked, gesturing to her face.

After a pause, she nodded.

With tender care I wiped the grime from her skin, my heart aching at the shadows under her eyes and her cracked lips. She watched me warily as I cleaned her up.

When I finished, I drew her into my arms. She stiffened, then relaxed against me, exhausted, stroking her hair.

"Daphne, I am so deeply sorry for everything," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "I never meant to cause you harm. But I was blind, and you have suffered for my foolishness."

I stroked her hair as she lay tense in my arms. "I give you my solemn vow. I will get you out of here, no matter what it takes. And I will spend my life making amends for what you’ve endured."

She glanced up, eyes guarded but listening.

"Soon you’ll be home again, back in your soft bed, surrounded by those who love you," I murmured. "Imagine their joy when they see their princess again, healthy and whole. Picture your mother’s embrace, your favorite meals prepared just for you. No more cold floors and chains–only comfort and safety. I will see you there, if it’s the last thing I do."

Gradually, I felt her body relax.

“I remember when you and your sister came to my palace,” she said hoarsely. “It was a cold, rainy night.” She spoke as though she were reliving the moment. “I remember that my cook made us scones with melted chocolate. I took some because I was hungry but later I couldn’t sleep, so I went down to the ground floor.”

She paused to yawn, then continued, “I found you and Eva being bullied by the other staff kids and told them to stop. They obeyed me because they knew the consequences for disobeying the princess. I took you and Eva into the kitchen and gave you two some croissants and chocolate that were left over. You remember that?”

“I remember,” I said.

I remembered and more importantly, it made me more determined to break Daphne out of prison.

She relaxed even further and nestled into me, the rhythmic stroke of my hand lulling her. As her breathing grew steady with sleep, I held her close, keeping vigil through the long night.

Before daybreak, I moved cautiously to get up without waking her.

Time was growing short, and I didn’t have the strength to overpower Eva. The only thing I could think to do was go toward the capital and hope to find another royal envoy for help.

When I entered the forest to start in my way, a familiar voice called out.

“Rion.”

I turned to see Jasper and my body flooded with relief.

“I wasn’t sure if it would be safe to come in.”

“You were right to be cautious,” I told him. “Daphne is in trouble. I need you and the remaining crew to go back to the capital. You need to tell the king or queen or anyone in the royal family where Daphne is.”

Jasper looked reluctant. He looked around me, then back into my eyes.

“I would go myself, but I’m certain Eva won’t let me get far.”

Jasper thought about my request and looked nervous.

“It’s really important that you do this for me. I don’t care what happens to me. Whatever backlash I get from the royals is my problem, and I accept that. I just want to make sure that Daphne gets home safely.”

“Alright, I’ll go.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll be back to see if I can get you out of here too,” he said and with that, he walked away.

I turned to go back to Eva’s hideout.

I was walking through the empty halls back to my quarters when I noticed a soft fire going.

Eva sat at a chair next to the fire with a steaming cup in her hands. I walked into the room and noticed her eyes were closed despite holding the cup with a firm, but gentle, grip. I began to walk out of the room, but she grunted.

I turned around to find her awake.

“Can’t sleep?” she said. She set the mug down on the table beside the chair.

“I’m worried.”

“About?”

“I don’t want to lose you again. You can’t really want to bring Hestia back, Eva–”

“You’re looking for someone who isn’t in here anymore.” She cut me off in a cold, calculated tone, then pointed to her head for emphasis. “That little girl died a long time ago.”

“No, Eva. I know you’ve been through one hell after the other, but you are still here, alive and breathing. Just forget this madness and come with me wherever you want to go, and we can start over.”

“Just the two of us?”

“Of course.”

She smiled wistfully. “Maybe in another life. But in this one, this is the only way I can get justice for what happened to me.”