Chapter 1062
Aurora trembled. She would never forget these two villages. Taking a sharp breath, she pushed her elbows against the ground and crawled forward slowly. “N–No, I won’t go! You said you were taking me back to Westhaven’s capital, didn’t you?”
“Of course we are,” Yuna replied, her expression glacial. “We’ll just bring your head back. It’s simpler.”
Aurora’s eyes widened in terror, her hands weakly gripping the iron bars. “No! Please, don’t take me to Grapevine Village! Take me to the capital. Kill me in front of the prince’s grave!”
Yuna’s face contorted with hatred. “What makes you think you’re worthy to reach the prince’s grave? Don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to do. Do you really believe your cowardly husband will come to save you? Stop fooling yourself—he won’t.”
“No, you’ve got it all wrong!” Aurora’s eyes darted nervously. “I truly regret my actions. I shouldn’t have used such cruel methods against the people of Fawnrun City. I was wrong! I’m not asking for your forgiveness. I just want to be taken to the prince’s grave, so I can beg for forgiveness in person!”
Yuna laughed bitterly, her voice dripping with contempt. “How laughable. We’ve been receiving reports. Barrett never left Starhaven; therefore, whether you’re going to Grapevine Village or Westhaven’s capital, no one will come to save you.”
Leaning down, she locked eyes with Aurora’s shocked gaze. “You’re going to die. And it will be a painful death.”
Aurora collapsed, her hands too weak to hold the bars. She rolled onto her side, curling into a ball. The fear of death shook her; her heart pounded with panic. It couldn’t be true. Barrett wasn’t heartless. He might be weak, he might be useless, but he had promised her. He would keep his word!
“Are you afraid? You should be.” Yuna’s voice was cold, yet tinged with satisfaction. Seeing Aurora like this brought her relief. These past days, she had been dealing with the retreating troops. She had only ordered Aurora’s tendons to be severed. This was the moment Yuna had been waiting for.
Aurora gasped for air, her breath shallow and rapid. “N–No, it’s not possible…” She had to stay calm. This person was only trying to intimidate her. She couldn’t fall for it! She was supposed to be brought to Westhaven and the prince’s grave for execution. That meant she still had a chance; she could wait for Barrett.
Yet, her mind was clear. No matter how much she tried to deceive herself, reason couldn’t be silenced. Barrett hadn’t come. Even if she were taken back to Westhaven, he wouldn’t come. Even if he did, he wouldn’t be able to save her.
She grabbed the moldy straw, using all her strength to lift her head. Panic set in as she stammered, “I–It was Dominic Sullivan! It was Dominic’s orders! I was just following instructions. Tell the grand princess that. Tell her to find Dominic. I’m just a scapegoat! You’ve been tricked! You’ve been deceived!”
Yuna sneered but said nothing. She picked up the lamp and slowly walked away. Aurora watched the faint glow slowly disappear. The darkness surged forward, devouring everything like a wild beast, pulling her in. Her body shook with cold.
“No! Come back! Please, listen to me! I’m just a lowly commander! I couldn’t have made the decisions on my own! Why would they listen to me? I was used! They pushed me forward to take the fall!”
The light vanished completely. The only sound was the creaking of the heavy iron door. The darkness closed in, swallowing her frantic cries. Aurora let out a strangled scream. “No, don’t leave! Come back!”
There was no response. The silence was deafening; only the pounding of her heartbeat thudded in the darkness like a drum. Her eardrums felt as though they would burst.