Capítulo 34: Punished By Gods
[The former village head was beloved by everyone,]
An artificial soothing voice narrated the story behind the letter.
[He was someone that excelled in everything, he had great appearance, a kind-gentle personality and a just and fair heart.
The village was peaceful under his lead.
However, everything changed on one stormy night.
An unknown woman wandered inside the village. She had an enchanting beauty, but it was tainted by cursed marks all over her body. The villagers saw that she was sick and injured but no one dared to give her shelter because they believed she was cursed, and thus, helping her will only mean making the gods angry.
Everyone turned a blind eye to the woman that suffered and begged for help.
When all doors were shut for her, the village head took her under his care and provided shelter and aid for her sake.
That night was the only time the villagers disapproved of anything their leader did, they gathered and pleaded that the woman should be left alone. What if the gods punish them for helping her?
The village head was a man of strong morals, he believed in treating everyone equally and he didn't paid any attention to superstitious beliefs.
After one month, he married the woman despite everyone objecting their union.
However, he was met with death a week later.
His wife became the village head as per customs, but she rejected by the village. They called her cursed and everyone treated her like an outcast.
It was the beginning of the fall of Merah.
That year, not even a single drop of rain ascended from heavens, hundreds of cattle died and many villagers were forced to leave the place.
The title of leader she gained was only in name. Everyone wanted her dead, but at the same time they feared her too much to make a move.
Merah was covered with the clouds of misfortune and gloom, but at the same time, they were delighted that their head would meet her end soon....]
"I did not meant to do this, but pardon me your highness, you can not leave after reading that letter," Malcolm coldly stated
"This letter..." Nesrin shook her head as she crumbled it again, "I can not believe it,"
"It's true," Malcolm took a step forward, "Her highness will have to die for the sake of establishing peace,"
"For the sake of peace, you are willing to have your own mother killed?" Nesrin's voice turned sharp subconsciously,
"What?" Malcolm's gaze hardened, "Her highness is not in the position to worry about others-"
"You wish to end me...because the holy council offered to murder your mother? Is that how much you hate her?"
"They will purify her soul," Malcolm snarled, "Do not talk about things that you don't know!"
"She struggled with contempt her whole life, and you are planning of making her death miserable as well,"
Nesrin flatly stated.
The soul purifying ritual of the council was drowning a person in the sacred pool of life, if they can stay alive for one night, they it meant that gods have allowed them to live...otherwise, the soul have been called to heaven.
"There is no other choice," Malcolm's voice became low as he averted his gaze, "The other path for her would be to punished by the cursed fire...the water is path to heaven, the fire is for hell."
Nesrin was well aware of the superstitious world that was made, but she couldn't let something like this happen.
"She just have leprosy, I can cure your mother," Nesrin assured, then added, "Without taking her life..."
Malcolm glanced at her in puzzlement, then his eyes narrowed,
"Are you a dark witch?"
"No...I just know a few things about healing,"
Malcolm was not convinced, his dismissed her words with a small shake of his head and proceeded to pull his sword.
"Lady Hansel must be experiencing numbness in certain places," Nesrin quickly begin, "her body must be getting weaker everyday, her vision is deteriorating...isn't it?"
This made Malcolm pause,
"And why would her highness offer her aid?"
"In return of complete obedience to me," Nesrin tried hard to keep her voice firm and ignore the sword that he could use anytime to kill her, "You will tell me everything you know about the council, their moves and their missions..."
After reading the letter, she had realized how formidable of an enemy Malcolm can become. He was not a small assassin, the power he held was enough to pose a threat to her and Izekiel.
"Her highness sure knows how to joke," Malcolm scoffed in disbelief.
"I can cure her..." Nesrin continued carefully.
"If that is an illness as her highness says," Malcolm narrowed his eyes, "I will find a healer, even if I have to go to the end of the world..."
Nesrin wanted to step back with step that he took, he was too quick, but Nesrin can not waver if she desired to live.
"Her illness is at a critical stage," Nesrin held his gaze, her voice lowered, "If it's not treated, I am afraid Lady Hanbel would completely lose her vision, her mobility and her senses."
Malcolm's hand froze on the hilt of his sword, his conflicted eyes looked at her with something that carried confusion, hesitation, and an inexplicable darkness.
Her heart was racing and she was reminded of how he had almost taken her life, the shadow of his fingers around her neck, and the pang of her heart was still fresh in her mind.
"Fine then," Nesrin relaxed. that confused Malcolm even more, "I was foolish to think about all that. You shall finish me...and perhaps the peace you crave so much would be established then..."
Malcolm stopped in his tracks.
Nesrin lifted her eyes at him, a soft smile on her lips.
"The peace shall come, but let me assure you, the peace your life and your loved ones will be ruined..."
This situation was different from the tunnels, Izekiel was here and he knew Malcolm, he knew his family.
Malcolm's eyes turned extremely cold.
She fought the rise panic, but his silence was even more unnerving and slightly frustrating.
Nesrin sighed.
"I will make your job easier,"
She turned her back to him, and grabbed the dagger on the table without a second thought and brought it against her neck.
Nesrin froze at the sudden sound and quickly turned back.
Malcolm had dropped on his knees.
"Your highness....please...stop..." he glared daggers at her, "I will swear my fealty to you,"
"Then swear your fealty," she said.
Nesrin felt a chill run down her spine at the hate his gaze held. It seemed like he hated being helpless.
"In the name of heavens, I swear to be true, faithful and loyal to my lady. I submit to her highness, and chose her will..."
His voice turned low as he looked away.
Nesrin's lips curled in a small smile. There was a slight relief in her heart.
Malcolm stood up and they decided to leave, but he had not taken four steps when a loud bang made the door unhinge. The wooden door fell down with a thud, a faint violet mist dissipated in the air.
Izekiel didn't gave anyone the chance to even react before he grabbed Malcolm's arm, twisted into a painful ankle and forced him on his knees.
Malcolm was roughly pressed against the floor, he winced but did nothing and instead raised his eyes Nesrin as if asking for her permission.
Izekiel raised a brow as he coldly asked,
"How dare you lock my wife here?"
Enchanting The Cruel Prince
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