Queen on the loose

Prisoner

Alessia's POV

I woke up in chains. Just when I thought I'll be free from everything. I looked around myself, though my head spun while doing that. It was a small cell with hooks for chains attached on two walls. There were no windows whatsoever and the whole place smelled foul. I was on my knees and chains were attached to my wrists and my ankles. They hadn't bothered to take my hood off and I was glad about that.

Who knows what they would have done if they knew I was a woman in disguise. The prince would have even refused to fight me.

I looked down to inspect my wound. It hadn't been treated, well, of course. It was an ugly gash with more blood oozing out every second. That explained the dizziness. I tried to comprehend the situation. What would have happened back at home?

I wanted to believe that we had won the war, but my mind knew better. I didn't know how long I had been out but even before I fainted, the war was a lost one. I wanted to believe that my family was safe but there was simply no chance. Even if they survived the war, it was well known how the prisoners of war were tortured. Death was better than that.

Maybe I was going to have the same end. They obviously know that I am from the royal family after my brave challenge to the crown prince. Who knows what they have in store for me.

Just then, I heard footsteps outside the cell. I closed my eyes in hopes to hear something. I heard someone entering. A bucket of water was splashed on me. I looked up in disgust to find a guard standing there.

"The prince is coming to visit. Thought you'd like to be awake."

I was annoyed. "You'll pay for that."

"You're in no position to make threats, prisoner."

I glared at him as he left. A few minutes later, the reason for my current state showed up at the door. He had a sword at his side, the same one that had wounded me. Four soldiers followed him. 

"Prince Alex. It's nice to meet you."

I simply glared at him and chose not to respond.

"Not so daring now, are we?" He said, stepping closer to me.

"What are you going to do to me?"

He smirked. "Oh, nothing much. You will be executed in a week, that is, if you don't die before that." He said, touching my wound with his shoe. It disgusted me more than it hurt. He then turned away and signaled his soldiers. 

"But before that, let's have some fun, shall we?" He said, brandishing a whip in his hand. My breath stuck in my throat. He wants me to live through hell before killing me. Why couldn't he just kill me already?