"No, I don't want to go close to him," she hugged Finn's thigh, shaking her head.
"It's alright, Lynda. You're safe, I swear it," Lucien promised.
Gently, Finn led the girl toward Lucien.
Lucien took Lynda's small hand and brought her to his side, placing a gentle hand over her shoulder.
"Tell me, Lynda, what did you say happened last night?" he questioned smoothly.
Lynda hesitated, darting her eyes everywhere but at Elian.
"The monster man, Your Grace... he made papa's eyes dark, and his eyes were red—"
"You hear her, Your Grace... he hypnotised me," Simon hurried to blame.
"Is this true, Lynda?" Lucien asked.
"Tell the truth, Lynda. I was only trying to help," Elian spoke up, taking a step closer to the girl.
"Think carefully. If you lie, I get thrown in prison. If you tell the truth, he will get thrown in prison. He will never be able to molest you, or beat you and your mother... this is your chance to get your justice, Lynda. Tell the Duke what this man does to you every night. Tell him why you run—"
"It's true..." Lynda suddenly fell to the floor, weeping.
Lucien glanced at Elian, a frown marking his face.
His gaze lingered.
Thoughts spiralling.
Had the girl told Elian this?
"Lynda, l-look at papa. Don't listen to the d-devil, he wants to k-keep me away f-from you," Simon stammered, sweat breaking out on his forehead.
Lynda shook her head vehemently. "No! You're lying! You're the monster!" Lynda finally looked up, courage soaring through her eyes.
She rose, pointing a steady finger at Simon.
"He married my mother for two years, and for two years he's beaten my mother and me..." A sob tore from her lips. "For two years, he's forced himself upon me in secret every night, threatening to kill me if I say a word."
"No! Lies, Your Grace! That devil is making her say these horrible things—"
"No, Your Grace, it's the truth... I ran last night. When he found me, I was running from my papa... I didn't want him to touch me... it scares me... it hurts me," she fell to the floor and cried, hugging herself.
Elian suddenly moved.
"Wait..." Lucien raised his hand to Finn, watching Elian.
Elian walked over to Simon, standing right in front of him to block him from the Duke.
His eyes narrowed, his lips set in a thin, firm line.
A quiet threat.
Simon was trembling, shaking his head. "No, please, stay away from me, I'll speak the truth! It's true, Lynda speaks the truth, Your Grace." He fell on his knees, hiding his face in shame.
"Please, I'm sorry, forgive me, kind sir," he tried to reach for Elian's leg, but he was dodged as Elian took a steady step back.
"Your Grace, please, forgive my actions, I don't know what's come over me, I promise to change," he sobbed.
Silence.
Suddenly, Lucien's footsteps echoed behind Elian.
He stopped right beside Elian, watching the man with hateful eyes.
"What you have done... is worse than murder," Lucien's voice carried quietly through the dining hall.
A deadly quiet that sent chills down Simon's spine.
Simon's face paled, his body visibly shaken.
"Your Grace, please, I promise to change—"
"You will get the chance to change..." Lucien's words were comforting, but his tone was lethal, dark.
"You will get enough time to change when you spend the rest of your life in the dungeons." Lucien said, glanced at Elian, and walked away, lifting Lynda from the floor.
"No, no, no. Lynda, sweetheart, I'm sorry, papa was wrong—"
"Do not speak to her," Elian seethed, glaring at Simon.
"Enjoy the fruit of your labor in the dungeon," he said and moved away from the devastated man.
He walked over to the edge of the room and stood, facing the wall.
Justice was served.
Real justice.
He just wished someone could have stood up for his father the way he stood up for Lynda.
If only...
Finn opened the door, letting Edgar in.
"Your Grace," Edgar bowed.
"The darkest, coldest part of the dungeon. Place him there," Lucien spoke softly, sounding more dangerous than a bark.
"Yes, Your Grace," Edgar nodded and grabbed Simon's arm.
"No! No! Let go! Lynda, I'm sorry..." Simon struggled as he was dragged away by Edgar.
"Take her to Ms. Beck. She knows what to do," Lucien gently handed Lynda over to Finn.
With a nod, Finn took Lynda away from the dining hall.
Lucien turned, staring at the young man standing quietly at the edge of the room.
This time, alone with Elian, he finally let his eyes drag down Elian's body.
Tired.
Exhausted.
Yet—
Defiant.
How could someone with no ally, no family, no hope, be so bent on standing up to his order?
Something shifted in the air, and before he could stop himself, he was already halfway to Elian.
The moment Elian felt Lucien's presence behind him, he stiffened, holding his breath and angrily wiping his stray tears.
He felt him leaning in, the warmth from Lucien's chest invading him even as he tried to ignore it.
"We're alone now, young Morel. Tell me... what are you?" he whispered huskily.
Elian inhaled shakily, clenching his jaw.
Slowly, he turned, lifting his face to hold Lucien's darkened gaze.
Deep, searching green eyes collided with blue, defiant, guarded ones.
The air between them charged with forbidden fire, defiance, and something raw.
Elian opened his mouth to speak but swallowed hard when Lucien's deep voice grazed his spine, igniting a strange yearning deep in his soul.
"Only the truth, young Morel," Lucien whispered, his fingers curling in as he suddenly fought an urge to touch Elian.
Not to hurt him...
And that was what confused him.
Elian blinked, licking his dry lips.
"I'm a man who's never going to succumb to you... unless in death," Elian spoke slowly, his words soaked with loathing.
Something flashed in Lucien's eyes, and before he understood what it was, he had Elian pressed to the wall behind him, his wrists pinned above his head.
"Again, young Morel. Say it again, I dare you," he whispered against Elian's ear.
His grip tightened—just slightly.
Not enough to hurt.
Enough to hold.