𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭

~𝐀𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐲~

The first one open, we hide behind the door.
It's a workshop of sorts. All paintings and sculptures piled up.

I could feel Fredrick's heart thud out of place.
Luckily, the guards are mislead, and continue their journey through the hallway.

We both allow ourselves to finally breathe.
Fredrick slumps, but I hold him and swiftly place him on the ground.
Oh he must be aching miserably.
He breathes fast, sweat dripping down his yet naked torso, and forehead.
"I'm so sorry." I whisper.
But he's barely able to answer.

I spot some more footsteps coming our way.
Three guards enter the room and bow to their prince.
"Your highness. We answer to you." One of them says.
Before Fredrick could reply, I speak up, "Go and bring me a medical kit now."
The guard hesitates, opening and closing his mouth as though a fish.
"Go." Says Fredrick in between pants
"But- Your Highness, Lady Beatrice is waiting for your presence."
Mother.
"I'll rest for couple of hours. Tell her we'll be on the move in a bit." He coughs.
"No! Tell her we'll be in the move tomorrow's morning. The prince and I shall rest."
The guards look at me, and then at Fredrick, demanding an answer.
Fredrick nods and they flee.

My hand still on Fredrick's bare back, "Why'd you do this to yourself." I plead.
"You could've answered, and none of this would've happened. Why?"
I expect no reply, but he still gives me one after a while.
"So I push back your torture as much as I could." He says in a whisper, making my heart skip beats at his confession.
I am completely utterles.

And before I could answer, luckily the guards come in and hand me the medical kit I asked for.
"Leave us." Says Fredrick.

We sit there in silence as I wipe the blood and clean his wounds.
He hisses and cries of agony. His back arching the moment I touch his cuts with the cloth.