"He's one of the guards Madlyn had always admired. This wouldn't be the first time she gave him gifts, my lady," the servant pointed out.
Anisha quickly rushed forward and held Millicent's arms.
"Sister, please, Madlyn couldn't have possibly stolen that money," Anisha pleaded. "Let's investigate this further."
She continued to plead, but Millicent only turned a deaf ear.
Lash.
The guards had already begun meting out the punishment.
Anisha jolted at the sound of the whip and rushed toward the next courtyard.
There, Madlyn was on her knees, wobbling on the ground.
"Ah!" she flinched as another whip landed.
Anisha rushed forward to stop them, her throat heavy with tears about to burst, but she was held back by two soldiers.
"Let me go!" Anisha struggled against their grip, tears streaming down her face. Madlyn's clothes were stained with blood, and the sound of her cries pierced the solemn morning air.
Anisha turned to one of the guards. "Please, make this stop," she begged, her voice etched with desperation.
Millicent and her servants arrived at the scene. She folded her arms, watching the punishment unfold with a satisfied look.
After ten lashes, Madlyn sprawled on the ground, flinching at every strike as fresh wounds split across her skin. She cried helplessly, her hair disheveled, strands sticking to her face.
"No… no…" Anisha muttered helplessly, unable to bear the sight of the whips landing more furiously.
"That's enough! I'll take the rest for her!" Anisha blurted frantically. She had lost count of how many lashes Madlyn had received.
She struggled out of the guards' hold like a madwoman and pushed the guard who was about to deliver another lash.
Dropping to her knees, she breathed heavily.
"Madlyn," Anisha called, wiping her own tears.
Madlyn lay still, only one eye barely open.
She looked at Anisha weakly, and Anisha gathered her into her arms, brushing the strands of hair stuck to her face aside.
"My… lady…" Madlyn breathed, her teeth stained with blood.
"I'm sorry," Anisha whispered. Her heart clenched in helplessness, watching Madlyn writhe in pain.
Anisha brought her kerchief to Madlyn's face, wiping it gently.
Her heart spiked…Madlyn seemed to want to say something, but lacked the strength.
"What is it, Madlyn?" Anisha leaned closer. "Someone take her inside and call the physician immediately!" she ordered frantically.
The guards hesitated, exchanging glances.
"Didn't you hear me?" Anisha snapped. "Help me get her out of here immediately! If anything happens to her, you will face my wrath!"
"And who are you to leave your husband's house and come here, defying my orders?" Millicent's voice cut in coldly.
Anisha narrowed her eyes. "At least I lived in my husband's palace after marrying him…unlike some people. This is also my father's house, so I don't know why you think you can give almighty orders."
Millicent froze, taken aback by Anisha's boldness.
Determined, Anisha moved to lift Madlyn herself, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"He's… innocent…" Madlyn whispered her final words before her body went limp.
Anisha's eyes widened.
"Madlyn!" she shook her desperately, but her body only fell sideways, lifeless.
A gasp escaped Anisha. Her lips parted in disbelief.
She cradled Madlyn's head, tapping her face, but it only lolled from side to side in cold silence.
The guards stepped forward, lifting Madlyn's body and dragging her away.
Everything faded into nothingness as Anisha collapsed onto the hard ground.
Miles away, beneath the open stretch of night, Nhel's chest tightened sharply.
He had almost reached Willowvale's borders. With the speed he traveled, he arrived while the night was still young.
He slowed.
Something tugged sharply at his heart, stopping him in his tracks.
His claws shot out as he felt the demon within him stir, threatening to take control.
He struggled against it then suddenly, his red eyes snapped open.
"Anisha," he realized.
Without hesitation, he turned his horse around.
"Hyah!" he urged, striking the reins.
The thunder of hooves echoed along the lonely path as Nhel raced forward. He didn't understand the pull in his chest, it was overwhelming, urgent.
Was this how Anisha felt right now?
The thought only made him push faster, his heart racing.
After a while, he slowed his horse to prevent it from collapsing, wishing desperately he could reach her instantly.
And then…
In the next moment, Nhel found himself standing inside their chamber.
He stilled, shock written across his face.
He inhaled sharply.
Had he… just appeared here?
Nhel shut his eyes tightly, convinced it was a dream.
But when he opened them again, nothing had changed.
He was still there.
Struggling to comprehend it, his gaze swept across the room, but Anisha was nowhere in sight.
Strange.
Her scent lingered strongly. She was nearby.
He moved quickly toward the bathing chamber and stepped inside.
"Your Highness!" the maids startled at his sudden presence.
His gaze landed on Anisha.
She lay in the bath, her head resting against the edge, eyes open but unfocused, staring at the ceiling.
"Anisha?" he stepped closer.
No response.
Something was wrong.
"What happened to her?" Nhel asked, his voice turning dangerous.
"Her Highness's personal handmaiden… passed away," one maid answered nervously.
"Leave us."
They hurried out at once.
Anisha remained still, her gaze distant.
Rose petals floated on the water, most of her body submerged beneath.
Nhel's jaw tightened as an intrusive thought crossed his mind, how her body would feel in his arms like this.
He clenched his fists.
This was not the time.
His chest ached at the sight of her.
But he needed to know everything that had happened in his absence.
*****
Anisha woke, feeling drained.
As she tried to sit up, a sharp pain pounded in her head.
"Are you hurt anywhere?" Nhel's voice came from beside the bed.
She turned, confusion written across her face.
Then it all came rushing back.
"Madlyn…" she gasped, trying to rise, but Nhel held her gently.
Tears filled her eyes. "Nhel, I…"
He pulled her into his arms, and she broke down, sobbing against his chest.
Her body trembled as she clung to him, seeking comfort.
"Madlyn could never have done that," she cried. "Someone set her up, I know it."
Nhel's brow furrowed. He had waited to hear it from her, and now he understood.
Her wails filled the room, and his fists clenched.
He regretted bringing her here. He had never seen her this broken.
"Anisha…" he murmured, lifting her face. Her eyes were red and swollen.
Pain flickered in his own as he said softly, "I'm sorry for bringing you here."
Anisha sniffed.
Part of her wanted to lash out, to blame him for everything.
But she couldn't.
This wasn't his fault. It was the schemer's.
And she would not let them go unpunished.
"Don't say that," she whispered. "I'm your wife… and even though you weren't present when I took the vows, I agreed to stand by you, through everything."
The room fell silent.
Her words settled heavily between them.
Nhel felt something shift within him.
This woman, once a stranger, had become a light in his dark world.
For the first time, his life felt meaningful.
And he would protect her, no matter the cost.
"Nisha," he said quietly.
She looked at him.
"I never told you why I wasn't at our wedding."
She listened intently.
"I was across the sea with my men, participating in a military exercise when I received the letter that I had been betrothed to a princess of Willowvale."
"You didn't have a say?" she asked, surprised.
He shook his head.
"Is that surprising?" he asked with a faint smile.
"I thought… it only happened to princesses," she admitted.
Nhel chuckled softly. "My mother didn't want me gaining a powerful alliance, so she arranged the marriage quickly."
"I didn't know," Anisha said, her voice soft with regret.
"I was angry at first," he admitted. "But now…"
He paused, his gaze softening.
"Being married to you is the best thing this cruel life has given me."