Cloaked in Shadows: A Tale of Redemption

Chapter 6: The Queen Mother's Heartbreak

The moment Queen Mother Yoona entered the courtyard, her heart clenched at the sight before her. Taehyung, her beloved son, lay unconscious on the cold stone floor, his once radiant skin now marred with deep, crimson wounds. Blood oozed from the fresh whip marks, and his knees were bruised and swollen from the brutal treatment he'd endured. The sight of her gentle, kind-hearted son beaten and broken like this sent a wave of unimaginable pain through her chest.

His body was emaciated, as though he hadn't been fed properly in days. His lips were dry and cracked, and his cheeks hollowed. It was as if the life had been drained from the vibrant, young prince she had known, and all that remained was this frail shell of a man.

"How... how could they?" Queen Yoona whispered, her voice trembling with horror. Her eyes watered, but she forced herself to remain composed, for Taehyung needed her strength now more than ever.

Jimin, who had accompanied her, let out a muffled sob at the sight. "This is all Jiyeon's doing," he said through gritted teeth, his voice shaking with fury and grief. He had seen the horrific wounds more closely and couldn't contain his emotions any longer.

"Stay with him," Queen Yoona ordered, her voice thick with determination. "I will not let this stand."

Jimin nodded, his own heart breaking at the sight of his dear friend. The sight of a pussed wound, seeping blood when touched, caused him to stifle a scream. His tears fell freely, but he tried to hold back the sobs, knowing that Taehyung needed his support.

Without wasting another moment, the Queen Mother called for Eunwoo, the court's most skilled physician, knowing that only he could tend to Taehyung's extensive injuries. In the meantime, she sent a summons for Yoongi, Taehyung's closest friend, to learn exactly what had transpired.

When Yoongi arrived, his breath caught in his throat at the sight of Taehyung's limp body. His face drained of all color, and for a moment, he felt paralyzed. He had tried to visit Taehyung the previous night, only to be turned away by the guards. Now, it was clear why. Jiyeon's cruelty knew no bounds.

"Why didn't they let me see him?" Yoongi muttered under his breath, anger bubbling in his chest. "That witch... she's been torturing him."

Yoona, though visibly distressed, placed a steady hand on Yoongi's shoulder. "I summoned you to help me understand what's been happening. What has that woman been doing to my son?" Her voice, though calm, carried a dangerous edge.

Yoongi swallowed hard, his mind racing as he tried to piece together the torment Taehyung had endured. "I don't know all the details, Your Majesty, but I know Jiyeon has been making his life unbearable. The guards wouldn't even let me in last night. Now I see why. She's been using her influence to punish him... perhaps even trying to break him completely."

Yoona, though visibly distressed, placed a steady hand on Yoongi's shoulder. "I summoned you to help me understand what's been happening. What has that woman been doing to my son?" Her voice, though calm, carried a dangerous edge.

Yoongi swallowed hard, his mind racing as he tried to piece together the torment Taehyung had endured. "I don't know all the details, Your Majesty, but I know Jiyeon has been making his life unbearable. The guards wouldn't even let me in last night. Now I see why. She's been using her influence to punish him... perhaps even trying to break him completely."

The Queen Mother clenched her fists. "She will pay for this," she whispered, her voice filled with icy resolve.

At that moment, Eunwoo entered, his expression grim as he knelt beside Taehyung's broken body. He carefully examined the prince, his hands moving swiftly and gently over the deep wounds and bruises. His skilled fingers pressed against Taehyung's pulse point, checking for signs of life.