Chapter 17: Agonizing mental torture

Prudence had been holding back for a long time, and Vincent had hit her limit. What atrocious man comes to a woman's house to tell he has taken a liking towards her and then asks her to go with him to his residence. He might have been the king back then, but not now, thought Prudence with rage in her fist and fury in her eyes.

Elizabeth was in shock. She had got what she wished for, a man who would give Prudence a status above their own, but not this way.

The reputation of His Grace's debauchery was known by her since Mr Thatcher had mentioned and the last thing she wanted was her daughter turning into one of those girls just to be thrown out after His Grace was satisfied. Elizabeth's voice quivered, not knowing how much she could afford to offend this man, "His Grace-"

"I am not going anywhere," Prudence's voice boomed in the room and possibly crossed the walls to be heard in the neighbouring house.

Her mother quickly pulled Prudence back by her wrist. "Prudence!" Elizabeth warned in a suppressed voice. Prudence did not reflect the fear on Elizabeth's face at all while Abiona had placed her hand on her chest in shock. There was one thing that every person in Prudence's life was concerned about was the girl speaking up where it was tough to save her, but usually, Abiona could manage to get Prudence out of the trouble. This time, she doubted she could do anything.

It was His Grace that stood in front of them. The most powerful man, not just in Dewrest but in the entire country of Adglar, was run by this man from the shadows.

Despite Elizabeth's warning, Prudence stepped ahead. Placing a hand on her chest, she spoke in a stern manner, "My mother only has me, and there is no need for me to stay away from her. I have no wishes to join you on your ride back home, His Grace." Though Prudence was trying to offer as much respect in her words as possible, despite her heart pushing her to just blurt out everything that came to her mind, she held back a significant amount of those thoughts.

The silence that spread inside the small room of the Warriers' house was so much that everyone quickly noticed the little step which Drakos took forwards.

Prudence's words and the tone of her voice were nothing less than an offence to Vincent, and Drakos had almost run at her to hold her head in his arms, waiting for His Grace to just give the orders. He would have waited for orders just because Prudence was someone Vincent had come here for, or there would have been no second thoughts in his mind about killing this woman.

However, in time, Vincent moved his left leg, which was folded over his right leg, and blocked Drakos's path. Drakos turned to face Vincent with a slight bow. When his eyes raised, he saw Vincent was not a bit offended rather, his lips twisted in amusement.

Abiona was the most concerned one in the room. The way her friend increased concerns for her. She saw her Aunt Elizabeth, who she used to refer to as Aunt even without a blood relationship and there was fear that had marred Elizabeth's face. Vincent, on the other hand, was finally satisfied to see the bold Prudence he had met yesterday. Rather, she was bolder today and he could not wait to see her boldest side.

Abiona gulped, gathering all her courage. Though Vincent had asked her to keep quiet a while back, she could not help but try to help in some way for her friend right now, "His Grace kindly give Prudence to have a chance on her opinion."

The smile on Vincent's face fell as his head snapped to Abiona. She quickly bowed in apology.

Abiona knew she would dig herself a grave if there were any more words spoken by her. Even a word of apology would mean she would be going against Vincent a second time, and she did not want to taste her luck. She truly was lucky that Vincent spared her for talking in between his matters. He held the same distaste for Elizabeth Warrier, but considering she was Prudence's mother; he allowed her actions. But even she was in disbelief right now, so there was only Prudence left to persuade.

"Very well," chimed Vincent, taking on Abiona's offer. "We will give Prudence to have a chance of her opinion," his words came solemn, though the dark meaning behind it was yet to be realised.

Abiona looked at Prudence with a smile. Prudence, on the other hand, was confused, since her gut feeling was telling her otherwise of the situation. She briefly returned the smile to Abiona, but the way Vincent had taken it lightly made Prudence doubt something was going to go wrong. After all, this was the man who had told her yesterday that he beheaded people just because they called him by his real name.

Vincent turned his body and reached out for the coat that Drakos was holding right now. Ruffling through the fabric, Vincent pulled out a gun, and the gasps of all the ladies in the room filled the silence.

Without any hesitation, Vincent stretched his hand, holding the silver pistol. His back leaned comfortably on the chair as if this were his regular dealings. In the next moment, the pistol was pointed at Prudence's mother, and Vincent tilted his head to look at Prudence, who was standing in shock. "Yes, Prudence, you were about to voice your opinion," Vincent asked calmly, while Elizabeth, at whom the pistol was pointed, felt a drop of sweat trickle down her back.

This was truly bad, and Prudence had brought this upon herself and her people. She knew her opinion would mean nothing to this man, so her anger had leashed out.

However, looking at the circumstances, Prudence regretted a lot of things.

If only she had not gone to the party yesterday, as she initially had decided. Maybe if she would have gone with George yesterday, Vincent might not have approached her. If only she had kept her mouth sealed and shut when she was dancing with Vincent, or maybe if she simply had not gone ahead and splashed the wine on Don Sam Murray. The biggest of all, she cursed herself for speaking up right now in such a tone against him.

But the arrow had left the bow, and there was no returning back. Prudence would have begged, but before all, she saw Vincent uncork his pistol slowly, like agonising mental torture to her.

Swiftly Prudence moved to stand in front of her mother, who was terrified by the site. Prudence had to be strong, because if she wasn't who would look after her mother?

"His Grace, I apologise for my words," Prudence said while still shielding her mother. She was equally terrified and the colour on Abiona's face had evaporated, but someone had to face it and it was her Prudence's actions, to begin with, and she had to take responsibility.

Vincent flashed a smile this time, not hiding his fangs, and he rolled his tongue over it. "Prudence, dear, I did not ask for apologies. I am waiting for your opinion as your friend here requested," jaded Vincent. He moved the pistol casually to Abiona, and her body stiffened. Prudence fell into a dilemma. She had to shield both of them and yet she could not move aside from in front of Elizabeth. When Vincent brought his pistol back towards Prudence, she felt a sense of relief, which lasted only for a short while.

Vincent motioned with his head, and Drakos, in the blink of an eye, went to stand behind Abiona, holding Abiona's neck in one hand while with other a gun that was held right at the side of her head.

Abiona went pale at the realisation that she was standing so close to death right now.

Prudence's body stiffened with the realisation that it wasn't anyone's but her own fault that these two important women in her life were facing such a situation. She looked at Vincent pleading, but he seemed to be rather having fun. Prudence did not know what opinion she was supposed to have other than a 'yes' in this situation, even though her heart clearly said a big 'NO'.

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Author's thoughts: What do you guys think about having a discord server where everyone could chat together. I have been working on one. If you think it is a lovely idea, let me know so I can officially post the link with the next chapter.

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