✶|𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘺|✶ 𝘈𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘐𝘐 𝘛𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘺𝘦𝘯

✶𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 27✶

――✴✯✴――

Kingslayer

――✴✯✴――

Year 131 A.C

Westeros

The Red Keep

Serena stayed near the door, merely observing as the military lider approached the tortured man. 

She swallowed hard, noticing every new wound on his body as Sir Massey stepped closer, the dim light revealing even more of his injuries.

"You still haven't given us your name, despite everything my soldiers have done to you... I must say, you're quite brave." 

The military leader remarked, dragging a chair across the damp floor and sitting in front of the prisoner. The man remained slumped over, his matted hair obscuring most of his face.

"Still silent? Alright... I'd ask if you were mute, but according to the report, you screamed when they broke your fingers. So I doubt that's the case."

Serena felt a chill run down her spine at how effortlessly Sir Massey spoke about such cruelty, as if it were just another mundane conversation. She wasn't used to this... The cold, brutal reality of war and men... 

Growing up protected within castle walls had shielded her from such horrors...

A faint pang of pity settled in her chest for the man chained before them. But she forced herself to push it aside. She wasn't here to save him, she just needed to find the damned evidence... The poison. Once she had it, she could get out of this wretched place as quickly as possible...

Sir Massey tilted his head, his tone laced with mocking amusement. 

"I suppose having once been part of the Kingsguard helped us uncover some details about you... Arthur Lace."

The prisoner flinched at the mention of his name.

"You may have refused to speak, making our job more difficult, but that doesn't mean there aren't other ways to learn the truth... like an old comrade recognizing your face, despite all your new scars."

Arthur's body tensed further, his breathing shallow. The military commander leaned back in his chair, exuding the calm confidence of a man who knew he had already won.

"Your wife and child must be worried... Perhaps we should pay them a visit...." Massey mused, his voice cold and calculating.

Serena's breath hitched as she realized the game Massey was playing. This wasn't just an interrogation... It was psychological warfare.

Then, with deliberate slowness, Sir Massey pulled out the small pouch he had been handed earlier. He held it up, letting it dangle between his fingers like a noose waiting to tighten.

"Maybe we should make you drink what's inside this little vial, since you were kind enough to send it along. After all, it was meant to help with their health, wasn't it?"

Serena's stomach twisted. The poison. That had to be what was inside. Arthur's shoulders trembled, his head still bowed. He was trapped, and he knew it.