The pain keeps me silent

part 6

*Touria, wearing a vibrant yellow dress, enters the room quietly, her footsteps as soft as a whisper. She looks up and her eyes widen upon seeing Leonidas awake. A mixture of surprise and relief flashes across her face, but her expression quickly turns cold as her gaze lands on him. She stands at the side of the bed, her arms crossed, and studies him carefully.**Leonidas, still hazy from his recent awakening, looks up at Touria, his eyes struggling to focus. The pain in his body and head is still present, and he has to struggle to sit up and look at her properly. When their eyes meet, there is a flicker of recognition in his gaze, but he remains silent, waiting for her to speak first.**Touria looks down at him for a few moments longer, her expression a mixture of curiosity and disdain. She can't help but notice his injuries, the cuts on his face and the bruises on his arms, but she quickly pushes down any hint of compassion.*

"Ah, so you're finally awake. I must say, you're not much to look at."*Leonidas can almost hear her contemptuous tone, but he forces himself to look her in the eye anyway, his voice hoarse and strained.*

"And I suppose you're here to kick me while I'm down, Princess? Just finish the job your father started."*Touria raises an eyebrow at his words, a small smirk playing at the corners of her lips. She takes a step closer, her gaze never leaving his.*

"You may be down and broken, but apparently, your tongue is still as sharp as ever. I suppose the rumors about you Greeks are true, even in your weakened state, you're still full of insolence."*Leonidas lets out a bitter laugh, wincing as the movement causes a jolt of pain through his body. He tries to sit up a bit more, his hands gripping the sheets tightly.*

"And you, Princess, are as cold and heartless as they come. Is it in your royal blood to derive pleasure from the suffering of others?"*Touria's eyes narrow at his words, any hint of a smile vanishing from her face.*

"I derive no pleasure from your suffering. In fact, I'm quite content to leave you here and let you rot, Greek. But unfortunately, my father has other plans for you."*Leonidas's heart sinks at her words, knowing all too well what "other plans" the Sultan might have for him. He tries to keep his voice steady, hiding the fear and unease that are growing inside him.*

"And what, pray, might those plans be, Princess?"*Leonidas's heart sinks at her words, knowing all too well what "other plans" the Sultan might have for him. He tries to keep his voice steady, hiding the fear and unease that are growing inside him.*

"And what, pray, might those plans be, Princess?"*Leonidas feels a shiver run down his spine at the threat, but he tries to keep his expression stoic. He nods, his voice strained but determined.*

"I understand, Princess. I'll play by your rules... for now."*With her warning delivered, Touria turns and heads for the door, pausing just before stepping out.*

"Oh, and one more thing," *she says over her shoulder, her voice dripping with disdain once more.* "You'd best stay away from my sister, Nora. She's far too good for a lowly Greek like you."*Leonidas can't help but react to Touria's last words, his eyes narrowing and his jaw tightening. He tries to move, to get out of bed and confront her, but a sudden bolt of pain stops him in his tracks, the memory of his beating coming back to him in full force.*

"You can insult me all you want, Princess, but leave your sister out of it. I would never do anything to hurt her."*Touria stops in the doorway and turns to face him once more, a cruel smile playing at the corner of her lips.*

"Hurt her? You've already done enough damage by simply existing. A Greek and a princess? It's a mockery, a disgrace. Don't pretend to care about her, Greek. You don't deserve her, and you never will."*Leonidas's fists clench at his sides as Touria continues to insult his very existence, her words cutting deeply into him. He wants more than anything to stand tall and defend himself, to show her he's more than just a "lowly Greek," but his battered body is holding him back.*