Thawing the King's Heart (On Hold)

Chapter 2

Cherry

***

"Sire, the guillotine's been prepared." Zythum bowed as he entered the cell.

Lyon never shifted his gaze and looked straight into Cherry's eyes. She never showed fear even when death was upon her. In fact, she's a lot more willing to meet death.

"Cease, we won't need it."

Zythum received the order and left.

"Tell me Cherry, what is it that you're preventing from being discovered?" Lyon asked and stepped closer.

Cherry refused to say anything. She stood there and remained silent.

"Very well then, I won't pleasure you by wasting my time."

Lyon left the dungeon and proceeded to the village. He heard Duke Hendrickson Pateu had paid a visit but hasn't received any official meeting with the Duke. Alas, he met the Duke who was currently staying in one of the inns.

"King Lyon Dracule it's always an honor to meet you." The Duke kindly greeted.

"I wouldn't agree with you more, but what brought you here?" Lyon asked.

"Haha." The Duke gave a short laugh.

"You wouldn't believe me even if I avow." Hendrickson continued.

"My land is of great views and adventure, anything that'd you'd speak of, I will surely understand." Lyon persisted in knowing the Duke's purpose.

"Actually, I was wondering if any...uhmm you know witches has ever passed by the town? Hahahaha, of course not. It would be foolish for a witch to come by your kingdom." He laughed.

"Indeed." Lyon spoke.

He's looking for Cherry? Lyon thought with no doubt.

Surely, the Duke has not heard of the captured witch. The villagers have lived with keeping their mouth shut whenever a witch is captured since their king would immediately behead the witch but not this time, not with Cherry. The King held interest of the Jazian witch.

"Well to my dismay, I might travel to the next village then." The Duke gave a smile of appreciation to the King.

***

"Do you know this man?"

Lyon placed a portrait of Duke Hendrickson Pateu in front of Cherry and for the first time, fear had mirrored the sweet Jazian's face. Cherry's visibly shaking as she stared at the portrait, enough to show that it was him that brought Cherry to Azalone.

"No!" Cherry exclaimed as she covered her ears as if blocking voices or nightmares that entered her mind.

Everything that was liquid rose from the ground.

"My King!" Red hurriedly entered the cell.

Lyon stopped her before she could draw her sword.

"Calm down."

Lyon wrapped Cherry around his arms. She sobbed and cried on Lyon's chest. The liquid stuck on air, slowly reached the ground.

"Don't let him find me.... Please." She pleaded.

What has that gruesome man done? Lyon asked himself as he tightens the embrace and inhales Cherry's scent.

Lyon lowered his guard at that moment as he decided on what he'll do to the fragile Jazian witch of his.

"Sire you have summoned me?" The steward asked.

"Tell Augestin to have the witch freed and escort her to my room."