Page 229 of The Sins of Silas

Don't cry. Don't cry.

Roland should hopefully be off the hook, at least. I could only hope the King believed what I had said.

A few minutes later, my father reentered the room, chains in his hand.

“Take off your shirt and lie on the bed.”

I swallowed, then slowly began unbuttoning my top.

I was getting beaten again. I knew this now. Normally, I'd be kneeling on the ground for my punishment, though, not lying on my back.

My stomach fell. Perhaps the beatings will be on my chest now.

I hesitantly did as he said, lying down on the bed, my crusted skin resting against the comforter.

Ulric secured my limbs to the bedposts with the chains. When he was done, he went to leave the room.

“Where are you going?” I asked nervously.

My father’s eyes held no emotion. “To get your punishment.”

And then he left, leaving me restrained to the bed in the eerie silence. My eyes stung as I stared at the ceiling. Yes, he must be having my front side whipped now, too.

Why did he hate me so much? Why did he wish to harm me?

Several minutes later, and my head turned at the clicking sound of the door lock.

Three men I had never seen before strolled in. One was lanky, with a long mustache and thinning hair. Another big, burly, and bald, his eyes so dark they looked like depthless pits.

The last one appeared more normal, I supposed. Brown hair, brown eyes, and average stature.

But they all shared one thing in common. They studied me like I was their prey.

My eyes darted around, noting no weapons of torture in their hands.

“Are you going to whip me?” I asked quietly.

Father had always been the one giving me my punishments. Who were these men?

The scrawny one tilted his head, letting out a grating laugh as he replied, “Only if you ask.”

My heartbeat quickened as they stepped forward, and I nervously tugged at the chains securing me to the bed.

What is happening?

“He’s already showing emotion,” the big one said, a sinister smile spreading across his face. “Which means we’ll have another round with him.”

“W-what are you going to do to me?” I whispered.

I shivered in disgust when the average one dragged his fingertips up my bare torso.

No.

He wouldn't.

He wouldn’t have this done to me.

The man bent down to whisper in my ear. “Your father says you’ve been naughty, Your Highness, and so we get to have our way with you.”

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