Cedric stared at the shifting shadow behind the archway, watching it pace…again… from one side to the other.
It was well past midday.
They had arrived at sunrise. Since then, the raunchy noises would rise and fall in waves. Each time they lulled, Cedric dared to hope it was over. And each time… it resumed. Fiercer. Longer. Louder.
He pressed his head to the stone railing of the stairwell and sighed into his palms. How long were they going to go on?
And more importantly… why was he still here? He should've fled hours ago. Far away from whatever that was.
He had endured torture. Real torture. Whippings. Endless drills. Sleep deprivation. But this? This was worse.
Finally… finally, the ordeal ended. The divine archway stirred, and from its shadows emerged the crown prince of Kaltharion.
His hair was tousled. His coat was wrinkled. His boots were barely laced. And yet…
He was glowing. Glowing like he had just conquered a war camp with nothing but a feather and a smirk.
