I sat in the cold, dark dungeon, half naked, my body freezing as my teeth clenched together. I had shed so much tears it was hard to summon another. I had little to no choice but to lay there in silence, curled into a ball. The only sound I could hear was the chattering of my teeth. The next thing I heard was the dungeon door opening behind me, followed by the voice of my nine-year-old boy as he ran in, calling out, "Mother!" I quickly sat up, shivering, and hugged him tightly, and he returned the embrace without hesitation. He came with a blanket, quickly breaking the hug to wrap it around me. I curled into it immediately, seeking warmth. "Are you alright? Are you fine?" my son asked, concern on his face. I nodded weakly, too drained to speak, but relieved to see him again after two days in that cold, foodless, and waterless dungeon. "They didn't allow me to see you." "Shhh," I hushed him, placing a finger over my lips, glancing at the head maid standing beside the guard with a
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