The dungeon was damp. The stone walls oozed with moisture, and the only light came from a dying torch flickering down the corridor. Rat were seen running back and down searching for food.
Lucian sat slumped against the wall, his wrists bruised and bound in rough iron shackles. The taste of dried blood lingered on his tongue, and his throat ached from screaming though no one had been listening. His royal blue robe, once elegant, now hung on him like rags, soiled and torn from the repeated kicks and beatings.
The heavy iron door creaked open. Lucian flinched at the sound. His eyes snapped up, expecting another blow, another round of brutal questions. But it wasn't the commander this time.
It was him.
Crown Prince Alaric Serathine.
He didn't speak immediately. He simply stood there, studying Lucian with unreadable eyes. The prince's face was composed, every inch of him carried the quiet threat of someone who didn't need to raise his voice to be feared.
Lucian tried to sit up straighter, though every movement sent pain shooting through his ribs. Still, he forced out, "Your Highness... I didn't kill him."
Alaric took a few more steps forward. His gaze remained calm, but there was a coldness in it that made Lucian's skin crawl.
"And why do u think I would believe that gibberish that is coming out from your mouth, Lucian of Austvile" Alaric said quietly, his voice like ice brushing across Lucian's skin. "He brought you to our table. Introduced you as his new subordinate. You left, and shortly after, Reniel fell from the balcony. Dead."
"I didn't—" Lucian began, but the words cracked at the edge of his dry throat.
The prince raised a hand. Not a threat. Just a motion for silence.
"I'm not interested in what you think happened. I'm here to find out what really did."
Lucian's lips trembled. "I swear… I didn't even speak to him after that moment. I left to join the others at the banquet. I never meet with him again, I swear on my life, Lord Alaric."
"You think this is enough to clear you?" Alaric's brows furrowed slightly. "A vague denial without proof?"
"There's nothing I can say to change what you already believe," Lucian said, voice shaking.
Alaric's eyes darkened.
"Do you know how long I've known Reniel and do u know what he means to me?" he asked, voice low. "Since we were children. He was more than a royal subordinate to me. He was always kind that's why he brought you to our circle and you dared push him to his death."
Lucian opened his mouth, but Alaric stepped closer.
"You didn't even care to pretend you respected him. You barely spoke, barely bowed, and now he's dead and you didn't even think twice what we will do to you before killing him." He crouched beside Lucian, his tone dropping lower. "Do you want his position? Was that it? Did you think if he fell, someone like you would climb higher?"
Lucian shook his head violently. "No! I never wanted his post! I didn't even know him that well. We only spoke briefly."
Alaric's palm struck his cheek, sharp and fast. Lucian tasted blood again.
"You lie with ease, Lucian" the prince said coldly. "Maybe too easily for someone like you."
Lucian gasped for breath. "Please… Your Highness… I didn't do it."
Alaric stood slowly. "You still don't want to confess, now that you are being treated nicely, Lord Lucian. Seems like I would have to take things in my own hands since the officers couldn't do so"
He turned to the guards who had returned. "Bring the instruments."
The guards didn't need to ask what he meant. One of them dragged in a wooden case with iron handles. The moment it opened, Lucian felt his stomach twist rusted tools, straps, pliers, blades not meant to kill, but to break.
"Your Highness, please," Lucian begged, "I'm innocent. I swear on my life. I didn't kill him."
Alaric didn't look away as the guards forced Lucian's hand forward.
"I'm not going to kill you." he said. "That would be too merciful for what you did"
The iron was pressed to Lucian's finger. The burn ripped through him like fire, and he screamed.
Another tool followed. A sharp blade slid beneath his nail, just enough to cause unbearable pain. Lucian thrashed, but the guards held him down.
"Are you ready to confess or should I continue. " Alaric said.
Lucian sobbed, "I'm telling you the truth!"
The prince gave no reaction. "Alright, Keep going till he breaks down."
More screams followed.
Alaric's face remained still, yet inside, he felt… nothing. Reniel was dead. His only love and comfort zone, the one who protected him when the world turned cold and the one who understands him the most. And now a stranger has taken Reniel away from him
He couldn't allow a liar to slip through, not with Reniel's blood stained and screaming for justice.
Lucian was eventually dropped to the floor like a ragdoll. His breaths came in gasps, shoulders shaking, body trembling from pain and blood loss.
The guards looked to Alaric.
He said nothing and nodded his head. The guard understood what he meant and stood Lucian up and contiuned the torture.
"Are you ready to talk, Lucian or should I continue" Alaric said with no emotions.
"Am still to stand with what I said, your highness. I didn't kill Lord Reniel." Lucian said trembling not from fear but from the pains he was continuously receiving.
Alaric grew more angrily with Lucian response and slapped him. "Why can't you just admit to what you did and do u think lying will get you out from here".
"My lord, I swear on my life and Lord Reniel blood, please believe me. I wasn't the one that pushed Lord Reniel, he was killed by another. A man in a noble clothe" Lucian said
Alaric looked at Lucian "So, did you see the face of the so called killer."
"I can't recall my lord" Lucian said sobbing
"I can't stand looking at you, you disgust me" Alaric said and looked at the guards who dropped Lucian.
Then he turned his back and walked away.
Lucian closed his eyes.
He didn't know if he could last much longer.