{TRIGGER WARNING: The scenes in this chapter may depict sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, physical violence, and identity-based discrimination and harassment. Please read at your ownRISK!!!}
Everyone was staying still as we were observing our surroundings. The wagon is still moving; I don't know where we are heading. We've been traveling for roughly 5 hours, according to the other ladies. I'm not sure how true it is, since I was knocked up earlier. I tried to peek outside to determine our location. The route we are traveling right now is in the middle of a desert. I don't remember any desert land in the story.
'Is this where the original fl was taken? Maybe that's why no one found her even after 4 years had passed. If she hadn't returned, everyone would have forgotten about her.'
'This is frustrating. I don't know our exact location. Moreover, we can't jump right now since we're in the middle of a desert, and they can catch us easily. But if we were to wait till we arrive at our destination, there's no saying that we will have time to escape since I'm pretty sure that they will be taking us to their headquarters. That means the number of enemies will be twice as many as before. I'm confused about what will be my course of action.'
~~~~
[In the March]
A loud sound of a smashed lamp echoed through the office of the Marquess. He was busy preparing for the banquet that will be held the next 2 weeks when he received word that Seraphina had been abducted while she was on her trip going to town.
"What happened to all the knights with her? You will not be chosen as a knight in this household if you aren't the best of the best! Why did you let this happen? Have you all become rusty slacking off?" the marquess angrily asked Commander Thalion (Commander-in-Chief of the Marquess Elite Knights).
"My lord, according to the investigation, there were traces of magic in the scene. So, we ruled in the possibility that there were Dark Magicians involved in Lady Seraphina's abduction."
The marquess slammed his fist on the table out of anger. His veins are visible all over his arms and face. He needs to find her daughter right before the banquet, or else there's no telling if the emperor will suddenly change his mind to marry into their family. He would not let that happen!
He can finally see his hard work come to fruition; once Seraphina marries the emperor, he will have a solid standing in the council. He will be a part of the imperial family by becoming the father of the empress and the father-in-law of the emperor. And no one will be able to look down on him, especially that arrogant Grand Duke.
And now, they're telling him that his daughter is missing and was probably abducted by a dark magician? That can't be!
'I can't let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slide. No! Even if I can't find that girl, I have to find a way around this problem. I'll do everything I can in my power to push through this marriage even if I have to fool the emperor. That way I'll be able to keep my position as high as possible.'
He was able to think of a quick solution and was so happy; no one is as brilliant as he is, is what he is thinking right now. The Commander and the other knights are just standing there waiting for the Marquess' command and watching him laugh evilly like a madman.
"Commander Thalion, bring the most trained knights with you and conduct a secret search for Seraphina. No one should know that my daughter is missing, so make it as discreet as possible."
"Yes, my lord."
The marquess dismissed them after giving them a few instructions. Once he was left alone, he called for Magnar [the household's head butler and an assassin]. He was a secret assassin hired by the Marquess to do the dirty work for him if need be.
"You called, my lord?" The butler asked, bowing his head down to his master.
"Yes, I need you to do something for me."
~~~~~
[Serapahina's POV]
The slap I've received in my left cheek echoed through the room. My body is all sore and aching after all of the running we did (which was futile on my part) and all the beatings I've received after we were captured again for the second time.
"This is the wench, responsible for the escapees earlier. We were lucky we caught some of them again, including her, but the boss will not be happy that we will not be able to give them the promised numbers."
The man speaking held my chin up forcefully, making us make eye contact. He was a bulky man with a scar on his right cheek; his hair was the color of the mud, and he had this foul smell coming from him. His teeth were crooked, and even his breath smells like poison. And we're very close right now, which is why I feel like vomiting already because I can't stand his smell anymore!
As soon as we reached our destination earlier, we jumped off the wagon without a second thought. The good thing was we were taken to a crowded place with a lot of buildings. I guess that was a town of some sort or a capital, though I don't know if it's still part of the Dravenhart Empire.
We were able to run for a while; some of us got separated while trying to escape. The factor that I forgot to consider while planning earlier was the presence of a mage within their party. We were tracked and captured in less than a day, though some of us were able to escape totally; not all of us were lucky, including me.
"What do you need from me?" I asked, staring angrily at him.
He gripped my chin tightly, and I winced in pain. If he adds extra force with his grip, I think I'll break my chin. He spat on my face, which disgusted me.
'Does he think he's some kind of a cool villain doing that? He looks like a monster with a poisonous breath that can kill if inhaled continuously.'
"I don't like the way you stare at me, woman. If you don't want me to gouge your eyes out, stop that," he said menacingly and let go of my chin.
He stood up and signaled something to his men; they immediately left the room, and we were left alone here. He sat up in one of the chairs and chugged the mug on the table. I couldn't do anything while I was watching him beat me up earlier. Both my hands are chained to the wall as well as my feet; they even put a chain on my neck.
I've been struggling to keep up my façade of a strong woman till now. I want to cry and ask for help, but I know it's useless. Based on my observation, we're in a basement; that's why there were no windows here that might help me if I ever ask for help. So no matter how much I yell for help, no one will come.
'Oh god! Please let me go back home. I don't want to know what happened to Seraphina anymore. In fact, I've already forgotten about it. Why did you have to bring my soul here? Please let me go back home. Please! Please!"
I silently prayed while holding my tears up. In the story, the FL prayed earnestly and was granted by God. So if I prayed earnestly too, will God grant my wish too? I know I'm not the FL, but God doesn't choose who to answer, right? He is merciful and giving to those who prayed sincerely.
"Argghh!! Let go of me! Please, let me go! Let me go home, please!"
"Laureen!"
"Mica!"
I was pulled back to reality when I heard screams outside, and it's coming near here. I looked up to the man sitting there earlier to find answers, but he just smirked evilly. When his men entered the room, they were holding two young adults. One with red hair and one with black hair. They were both tied up separately, and they tossed them in front of me.
Both girls snuggled close to each other, crying. The man who was sitting stood up and picked one of his men's weapons. He holds it up while worshipping its sharpness, and then he turns to the two girls. As if I had an idea what he might do, I panicked inside of me and tried to break free from the chains.
"What're you doing? Please stop!" I yelled, pleading with him as he was walking slowly towards the girls.
"We should teach you a lesson for being a bad girl, right? You should remember this day when you plan to escape again in the future." He cheerfully said and slashed the two girls without hesitation.
"Arrghhhh!!!" I screamed out of fear.
I didn't bother to stop my tears from flowing while I watched their heads roll to the floor. My whole body started shaking as I cried uncontrollably. I think I'm going to faint any moment; I'm not cut out for these kinds of scenes. No, I was never the strong girl. I hate blood. I hate violence. And this is way more than a violence.
"Please, please let me go." My voice came out as a silent whisper as I felt my strength leaving my body.
"Remember this woman, this day, this moment, those two girls, and what happened to them. This is all your fault for trying to be a hero. If you ever think of escaping again, remember this day, for it will be much more worse than this the second time." he warned
They left the room after that, and I was all alone in this cold room, with the corpses still lying on the ground. I cried silently and prayed to gods again.
'Please, return me to my original world. Please, I beg you!
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