Stop

A displeased expression etched itself onto Jericho's face as Evans, Alpha Malik's guard, rode in, causing him to suspend the crucifixion. Evans approached, delivering a scroll and informing Jericho that it was a message from Alpha Malik himself.

Jericho accepted the scroll from Evans, his hands trembling slightly with anticipation. Carefully, he unfurled the scroll, his gaze fixated on the words inscribed upon it. His eyes delved into the scroll, devouring each word written until they absorbed every last inked mark. The contents of the scroll held a mysterious and gripping significance, leaving Jericho immersed in what it conveyed.

Jericho clenched his teeth tightly as he read the words hastily scribbled by Alpha Malik on the scroll. The Alpha's message suggested that Aurora's death be postponed, with a desire for her to endure additional suffering before her ultimate demise.

Although Jericho found pleasure in the idea of Aurora's suffering, he harbored doubts about her brother's intentions. He knew that her brother had a soft spot for her, considering she had previously served as his personal maid. Had it not been for her grave transgression, Jericho might have suspected his brother of having an ulterior motive, potentially elevating Aurora to the position of his mistress as he ascended to the throne.

Despite being aware of the intense hatred Aurora's brother now harbored towards her, Jericho found himself unsatisfied with the impending death he had just commanded.

Leaning down, he gently lifted Aurora's chin, his cold gaze penetrating her swollen and battered eyes, her features distorted from the merciless flogging she had endured.

The metallic tang of blood filled Aurora's mouth, overpowering her senses. She had bitten her lip repeatedly to stifle her cries of pain.

"The new Alpha has decided to postpone your execution," Jericho declared with a sinister chuckle, his words resounding in her ears. "He desires to subject you to torture, to make you beg for death. I am honored to be a part of inflicting daily anguish upon you," he bellowed, a twisted smirk adorning his face.

Aurora's eyebrows shot up in fear as she locked her gaze with Jericho's piercing eyes. The realization of the impending torture sent shivers down her spine, knowing the deep hatred the two brothers held towards her. Despite her training to remain unyielding, Jericho had managed to break through her defenses. She could only imagine the excruciating pain that awaited her at the hands of the king, now that she had learned her death had been postponed.

"Please, just end my life now," she pleaded, her voice trembling. As she blinked her eyes, adorned with bruises, their captivating allure remained intact. Her long, thick, and curly eyelashes resembled a cluster of finely crafted black feathers, fluttering with a beguiling charm, causing a stirring in the depths of one's heart.

Jericho felt an instant surge of enthusiasm when he heard Aurora's plea for death. It made him elated because, in his mind, he hadn't even begun causing distress, yet she was already begging for it.

"I want to hurt you by whipping your battered body," Jericho said with a smile, attempting to frighten Aurora and make her back off.

Throughout her years as an assassin, Aurora learned the importance of concealing her fears, weaknesses, and pain from her enemies. She knew that if she revealed them, they would be used against her. Although inwardly anxious, Aurora maintained a composed facade, determined to hide her vulnerability from her tormentor. The thought of exposing her weakness to an enemy was something she despised.

Jericho burst into laughter, reminiscing about Aurora's plea, even though she had done so only once before. Her face, however, remained devoid of emotion.

Witnessing Jericho's smile, the villagers were taken aback. People believed he was more cold and ruthless than the new Alpha, but compared to Alpha Malik, a king feared even by other kings, Jericho seemed comparatively warmer. This was true even though Jericho had yet to ascend to the position of king.

The smile vanished from Jericho's face as he glanced at the villagers. Their expressions must have conveyed something unsettling, causing his demeanor to turn dark.

"Dear villagers, the king has decided to postpone the death of the former Alpha murderer. He wants her to endure every form of torture imaginable, to make her beg for death herself," Jericho announced with a roar, his voice resonating through the surroundings.

The villagers erupted in excitement, their voices joining together. Meanwhile, Evans, the king's guard, carefully observed the expressions on the villagers' faces, as he had been instructed to do so by the king.

Alpha Malik was curious to witness the varied reactions of both the villagers and Aurora, to ascertain whether the process of prolonged torture could surpass a swift death. Evans, however, found it difficult to gauge Aurora's expression. Sometimes he wondered where the sweet and innocent personal maid of Alpha Malik had disappeared to. Everyone knew Aurora as a gentle and delicate maid, incapable of harming even a fly. It was one of the reasons why Alpha Malik had developed a soft spot for her. Evans, Alpha Malik's guard, had been fond of Aurora since long ago and hoped to confess his feelings to her someday.

Aurora's face remained emotionless, showing the hardness she had developed. However, inside her, she wished for the king to understand her true feelings. She wanted him to know that her heart was pleading for death. During the past month in prison, she had hoped that the king would spare her from death. But the torture inflicted by Jericho in the past two days had made her desire a quick end to her suffering.

After hearing the news of her impending death, Aurora held onto a small hope that her father would come and rescue her. But she knew it was probably too late. She wasn't sure if her father would risk his position as king and the well-being of their community to save her.

However, a thought struck Aurora. It made her question her own beliefs and those of her community. If the king chose not to save her, it would confirm the Gigal community's belief that her father, King Louis, hated her. If he did something to help her, it would show his love.

This idea consumed Aurora's mind as she wanted to know the truth before her death. Throughout her life, she had faced many hardships, but her father was her source of strength. She believed that he loved her, even if he didn't always show it. It had been her comfort, even when he used her as a weapon against his enemies.

Arriving at the palace, Aurora winced in pain as she was thrown back into the dark and gloomy dungeon. There was no glimmer of light inside, making it a bleak and desolate place.

As soon as Aurora's body touched the ground, she couldn't help but burst into anguished laughter. She looked around the prison, remembering when the doors had opened before. It was a brief moment of relief when she was taken out of the prison, hoping to breathe in a pleasant scent and escape the foul odor that permeated the place. She waved goodbye to her friends in the dungeon, knowing deep down that she might never return.

On her first day in the dungeon, Aurora made friends with some insects, such as treasure beetles, which welcomed her with their venom. It was a painful experience, as their venom had altered her appearance. However, over five months, these creatures became her only companions, aside from the guard who brought her food every three days.

Aurora had not seen Alpha Malik since he sentenced her to the dungeon. She vividly remembered the coldness in his eyes that day, a gaze that instilled fear in everyone present.

Yet, despite the affliction it might bring, Aurora yearned to see Alpha Malik. His presence had been her solace ever since she arrived in the Uruk community, and she loved him more than her own life.

As Aurora drifted into sleep, her insect friends continued their restless movements upon her body. Their tiny bites provoked reflexive smacks, as she believed she was striking them. The ensuing pain served as a painful reminder that she had inadvertently harmed herself.

A while later, the echoing sound of approaching footsteps abruptly roused Aurora from her slumber. Her gaze snapped toward the source of the noise.

"Light the lantern. This place is too dark," Alpha Malik's hoarse voice commanded, directed at Jaguar, his loyal right-hand man, who had accompanied him to the dungeon.

Recognizing the distinct timbre of that voice, fear and anxiety instantly coursed through Aurora's veins. She sprang to her feet in a flurry of motion, her mind racing as she contemplated how to greet the king.