The days that goes by were torturous and agonizing for Aurelian. Even though he refuses to break, his tormentors didn't relent. "You'll eventually beg us to end you", the scarred man says while chuckling. The other man dangles a piece of meat in front of Aurelian,"you must be missing the palace where you could eat whatever you want". Aurelian doesn't speak, his eyes still burning with defiance. Just then, heavy footsteps echo in the cave. Slow, unhurried and unbothered. The hair at the back of Aurelian's head stood. He looks at the approaching shadow as he came into view and he gasps. Valerius Thornvale. "G..grand duke.." Aurelian rasps. The Grand Duke smirked and walk further in,"It's refreshing to see your spirit crushed". Aurelian's face contorts in disbelief,"you're behind this...why?" he questioned. "Why?! Because you're a thorn on my side, Aurelian, always sticking your nose into what's not your business! Everything was going well until you arrived", he snapped. Aurelian didn't say anything else, just stared at the man like he'd gone crazy. Valerius laughs, mocking and humourless,"and you're digging into the past, you should've known better" "why did you go through all that length just to destroy the kings friendship?" Aurelian asked. "I could tell you since you'd be dead soon", Valerius replies before adding, "their union was a symbol of undeniable power and I want that power...I want to be King!"
The silence after that was defeaning. Then suddenly Aurelian burst out laughing. Valerius faces contorts with raw rage as he strike Aurelian's face,"What's so funny?" "You can't be King when you're not of royal lineage", Aurelian paused the continue,"you're fighting for something that can't be yours". The Grand Duke doesn't react before replying,"you think I haven't thought of that? I have and I have a way about it. See, you underestimate a man with ambition, little boy". Aurelian raises an eyebrow,"a way about it? You're not possibly thinking..." "Yes, you get it now. The plan was to make Drusilla marry Draven, have his child and then I eliminate the crown bastard, I will then be the acting king till the child is of age..." The Grand Duke confirms. "That won't be the end of it, will it?" Aurelian questioned. "Of course not, before the child of age to take the throne from me, I'll assassinate him too and the throne will permanently be mine", Valerius declares laughing hard. Even the scarred man winced at the absurdity of the Grand Duke's plan.
Aurelian looks at him in disbelief,"You plan to use your own daughter that way and kill her future child? You're not just insane, you're a monster" "I've heard worse", the Grand Duke retorts. "Drusilla doesn't know, does she?" Aurelian asks. "Does the cow knows you'll slaughter it for a feast?" Valerius replies with a rethorical question. "I can't believe you'd do that to your own daughter" "why pity her when she never even liked you?" "Because I have a conscience!". Valerius didn't reply to that.
The air was suddenly suffocating, thick with tension. The scarred man and his partner shift uncomfortably behind the Grand Duke. They both exchanged a look. They shouldn't get involved after all they're being paid. After a while, the Grand Duke finally broke the silence."Compassion is weakness and sacrifices must be made if I ought to gain power, which is something you won't understand because you're weak". Aurelian's response didn't come immediately. "Why do you want power?" Aurelian asks finally. "My ambitions are not something I expect you to understand" the Grand Duke replies. "I've done what it takes to get to where I am now and I won't hesitate to do more", Valerius concludes before turning away. He glances at the men he paid and utter two words before exiting the cave. "Kill Him". Aurelian's eyes widen as the two men move to execute the order. The blade was raised and just it was about to strike.... "WAIT!!"