Aurelian finally opens his eyes, his pupils unfocused at first before his gaze aligns. His head was throbbing and his limbs felt numb. As he tried to move his hands, he heard chains rattle. He was chained to the wall. Aurelian's eyes widen a fraction as he takes in his surroundings. The place was old and worn yet there was blood stains on the floor and walls. "No. This isn't good", Aurelian thought. His throat tightened as he tried to call for help. Only what sounded like a whimper escaped his lips. The sound drew the attention of two men standing nearby. They walked over to Aurelian. "Oh look, the sleeping prince finally awoke", said one of the two men who had a scar running along his left cheek, while the other just stared at Aurelian with quiet intensity. "Who are you? What do you want from me?" Aurelian questioned weakly. The scarred man laughed like Aurelian had just said the funniest thing ever. "What do we want?" He echoes, wiping a nonexistent tear from the corner of his eye. "Oh prince, we want nothing from you", he responds after calming down from his fit of laughter. "Then why did you take me? Why are you doing this?" Aurelian asks, frustrated at his situation. "We're supposed to execute you Aurelian, but unfortunately the boss asked us to delay", the scarred man replied again. Aurelian gasps, not because the man had called him by name but because he realises his position. These men were ordered to kill him. But by who? Why? Why now that he was close to uncovering the truth? "Who ordered you?" Aurelian asks again. Only then did the other man step forward, "You don't need to know that",he replied. "Sooner or later, my husband will find this place, and you'll beg for mercy", Aurelian threatens. He was certain that Draven was already searching for him. However, his words made the scarred face man laugh again while the other just smirked. "Your husband? You'll be dead before he finds out that this place exists". Aurelian's face fell at their words. "What are you saying? Are we... outside the Nightbane kingdom". They men didn't reply but their cruel laughter grew louder.
Aurelian looked down at the floor, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears that refuses to fall. His thoughts a mess. "Will I really...die this way? If Draven doesn't find me..." Just then the quiet man lifts Aurelian's chin. "Don't cry, you know if you're good I might actually consider keeping you" he whispers into Aurelian's ear before gently nipping his earlobe. Aurelian's eyes widen with disgust,"get away from me, you bastard!" He cursed. The man's smirk only widen as he runs the fingers over Aurelian's lips. Aurelian opened his mouth and bite down hard on the man's fingers drawing blood. The man snatched his fingers back and slapped Aurelian hard across his cheek, then he forcefully grips his jaw and crash his lips against Aurelian's. Aurelian tries to fight back but his hands and legs were restrained. When the man pulled back, his pupils were dilated,"Your lips are very soft, I can't believe this is what that bastard crown prince enjoys". Aurelian spits at the man's face, tears rolling down his cheeks as he cursed,"Draven will find you, and when he does, he'll end you for touching what's his!" The man smiled and pat Aurelian's cheeks, "the more you struggle, the more excited I get", he says to Aurelian before turning to the scarred man who had an amused grin on his face. "The commander orders for him to be severely beaten", the man says to the scarred face. The scarred face grin only widen as he grabbed a whip. Aurelian's shirt was torn off. "Wow, he's got porcelain skin", the scarred man mumbles as he runs his hands over Aurelian's back. Aurelian shivered. Not from excitement but from disgust and anger. The scarred man laughs,"don't worry prince, I'm not interested in someone I'll eventually kill", he rasped. "Brace yourself, your highness because this might sting", he smirks cruelly as he raised the whip high. With a loud crack, the whip connected with Aurelian's back. A sharp cry tore from Aurelian through, raw and heartbreaking. Then came the second strike, and another after another till Aurelian can't cry anymore. Aurelian breathed to himself. "If this is how I die...I hope it is worth it".