𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍; 𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍

16

It's been a week since your injury, and you've regained your ability to walk more effectively. Sitting in the garden, the gentle snowflakes add to the already peaceful surroundings, creating a serene atmosphere. As you exhale, you can see your breath in the frosty air, but it's a comforting feeling. Your lord, Prince Eren, had generously granted you two extra weeks of rest from your maid duties to allow for a full and proper recovery. His compassion was truly appreciated.

"Isn't it a sight to behold?" Eren spoke to you in a gentle and comforting settled down by your side, and gazed out at the serene garden with a tranquil expression on his face. Though he caught you off guard, you reciprocated his warm smile with a cordial nod.

"Indeed, my lord," you replied calmly and composedly. Your gaze shifted towards Eren, and a deep sigh escaped your lips. "I cannot help but wonder, what fate awaits him?" The sudden inquiry caught Eren off guard, and he turned to you perplexedly.

"Tobias?" Eren asked with a cold look in his eyes... after what Tobias had done to what he cared for most... the whole city would want nothing but his head to be placed on a spike.

"Ah... Nothing." That statement took you by surprise.

Eren let out a small laugh, and a sly smile crept onto his face. His intense stare fixated on you, yet his eyes appeared empty and emotionless. "Nothing!?" you repeated, your tone laced with curiosity.

"He will become nothing, Venus. The last thing the world will see of that man is his execution, they will watch his head roll down the kingdom's gravel roads." He said with a sick and twisted smile.

"Executed?... A general sent to death truly sounds quite.. unheard of, my lord."

"Well, you are quite right Venus. Surely you must understand that I do not give a damn." He said with a disgusting and sickening smile. "Tobias has sinned against our city, and he must pay the price... the whole city will be in attendance when he is executed." You stayed quiet as he continued. "I will also make sure his head is hung up on a pike at the castle entrance, so that every soldier who enters my castle will be reminded of what happens when they wrong me." The contortion of his smile became increasingly grotesque and repulsive.

" Ah, I see...", You finally stated under your breath, weary of what would become of this conversation. You found yourself in such a peaceful serenity but trapped in a conversation more chilling than the cold wispy air surrounding you.

"I think it's a fitting punishment... don't you?" He said with a wicked grin as he leaned forward in a sinister and menacing position; he was determined that Tobias pay the price for his sins.

"I must admit, it's a deserved outcome. My mind is still reeling from the shocking revelations he made during our time at the cabin. As much as I yearn to refute his claims, I can't help but remain uncertain. Perhaps I am just a fool."

" What did he say to you, Venus... what did that monster have the audacity to say to you?" As soon as you mentioned Tobias, his entire demeanor transformed. The warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by a seething hatred that seemed to consume him from within. Though it pained him, he couldn't help but want to know what the monster had said to the woman he loved most. " Please, you must tell me."

" He stated... he was sorry."

"FOR WHAT?!" His sudden rage took you aback. You looked at him, bewildered.

"My lord, I must admit that I am not attempting to mislead you. Each time he inflicted pain upon me, he would express remorse and utter the word 'sorry.' He asserted that I had yet to explore aspects of my being. I was mortified." Eren let out a cold and disgusted laugh at what you had just said.

"He... he's a liar, Venus! It's all just an act! He's probably not even sorry! He's playing you!"

You watched the snowflakes fall as you looked over the canopies of snow that overtook the garden. "A part of me... feels bad for him, my lord."

Eren was taken aback when you expressed empathy for the demon. He couldn't understand why you would feel sorry for such a monstrous being. His voice dripped with disgust as he asked, "How could you feel bad for that creature after all the pain he caused you?" His eyes were filled with anger and hatred, unable to comprehend your perspective. The situation made no sense to him whatsoever.

"I know I must sound absurd, but you must see that it does not seem right. He said he hated me now shows remorse? Now tells me that there is much to uncover. What do you make of that?"

"It sounds absurd because it is! Nothing that man will ever do will ever make what he did better or right! He is a demon! A monster! A devil!"

"Then I must apologize for what I have said." Eren shook his head and sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"No, do not apologize for such an occurrence, I just do not want you to fall ill to his wasteful excuse of an apology. It will only drag you down." Eren had a soft and sincere smile on his face now as he spoke to you; his eyes were filled with sincerity and honesty. You smiled slightly and shivered. The cold was getting dreadful as you rubbed your arms; Eren took notice immediately.

"Cold?"

"Ah... yes." You stated with a laugh, him laughing in response as he breathed out, watching his breath.

"Come here. I'll warm you up." He placed an arm around her and brought her close to his body, a warm and comforting smile on his face as he put his other arm around her and embraced her. You were surprised by the comforting behavior, your face growing slightly warm by his kind advances. "You're blushing?"

"What?! Of course not."

"What's wrong? Being held makes you blush, don't it?"

"No! My face was merely warm! Ever heard of someone's face reacting to the cold air, besides you smell like pure musk and burning firewood. It was merely reactionary to that!" Eren's brow rose. He chuckled in response.

"My smell? You'll have me thinking you like the way I smell..."

"Your smell?! You are absolutely preposterous! Out of line, my lord!" You immediately got up. Your face was red as you walked up the steps to the castle. "I best get inside; maybe it is a bit too cold for my liking. Perhaps it's the smell!"

"What a delight to be around, that girl. . ." Eren stated under his breath as he watched you leave. Once you were out of sight, Eren's demeanor changed to genuine worry and curiosity. "What did Tobias mean by things she must uncover?" He shook his head at the thought. "That bastard will be executed regardless. I have no time for his worthless excuses to stay alive."

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒦꒷

𑁍┊-TiredBunBun