Luren's group was thrown into the dungeon with force, the iron door clanging shut
behind them.
"Why are we at Duke Craige Evron Seravelle's mansion?" Clara asked frantically, her voice trembling as she clung to the cold bars. Her eyes darted around the dark, unfamiliar cell.
The Duke's mansion was infamous in the capital, vast, grand, and surrounded by high walls but strangely lifeless. Only the servants were known to reside there. The
Duke himself was stationed far to the west, guarding the border near Velgarith.
Even his northern Dukedom was left in the hands of his trusted butler.
Clara's voice dropped to a whisper. "This place gives me chills…"
Luren remained silent, staring at the damp stone floor, fists clenched. He knew the
name Craige Evron Seravelle all too well.
Duke Craige, second prince of the Seravelle Kingdom. Brother to the King. Ruthless. Unforgiving. A man feared even by generals.
"We're not just prisoners," Luren muttered under his breath, his eyes hardening. "We're
being delivered."
Clara turned to him, confused. "What do you mean?"
He clenched his fists. "They used us. The mission to hunt rebels near the border. it was never about rebels. They knew the Duke would be nearby. We were meant to kill
him… and take the blame."
Clara's eyes widened in horror. "That means…"
"We've been set up," Luren said grimly.
"They wanted him dead and we're the perfect scapegoats."
A cold silence fell over them.
"We're not just doomed," Clara whispered. "We're already buried."
They had been imprisoned for five days.
"Atleast we're being fed well," Clara said with a dry smile. "Father must be worried..." She wiped away the tears that had started to well in her eyes.
"Don't worry," Luren replied gently, his voice calm but firm. "I think I can speak to the Duke when he finally comes to see us." He leaned back against the cold stone wall, deep in thought, trying to come up with a plan to save his group.
The wounded had been treated a few days earlier, a small mercy he hadn't expected. For that, at least, he was quietly thankful to their captors. But kindness in a cage was
still captivity.
He glanced around the dim cell. The others were silent, worn down by fear and uncertainty. Every passing day weighed heavier on their spirits. He knew they couldn't wait much longer.