“Kairen, you idiot! Wake up, your precious woman is here crying because of you!”
It took a few seconds, but the Prince finally opened his eyes to Cassandra’s relief. He frowned, surprised to see her there.
“Cassandra…?”
“My Lord! My Lord, are you alright? Does it hurt?”
“Stop with the pity party, you two, it’s annoying,” said Shareen. “And you, Brother, what were you thinking? Why would you let yourself be whipped?”
Kairen was focused on Cassandra, ignoring his sister. Seeing her tears flowing, he became angry and confused.
“Cassandra, why are you crying? Who did this to you?”
He struggled a bit with the shackles holding him and then all of a sudden, they snapped with a loud metallic crack, shocking her. Freed, the Prince landed on his feet in front of her, immediately brushing his hands on her cheeks.
“You…you could free yourself?” asked Cassandra in surprise.
“Of course. You think those shackles could restrain a Dragon Master?” sighed Shareen. “So silly. Anyway, I’ll be on my way now.”
His sister left the cell and headed back into the Imperial Palace, but neither of them paid her any attention. Cassandra was still speechless, looking at him confused, while Kairen caressed her cheeks, trying to understand the cause of her tears.
“Are you injured? Who made you cry?” he kept asking unrelentingly.
All of a sudden, Cassandra pushed his hands away, angry.
“I was worried about you! I thought you were actually hurt! And…and I was waiting and worried! How could you stay here when you could have just freed yourself?”
All she could think about was how the Imperial Family was too much. Who lets themself be whipped and trapped without complaint? And not even try to get free for weeks! How could Kairen be so heartless and not even think of her feelings? Cassandra turned her back to him, both angry and embarrassed. His Highness had gone too far!
“Cassandra…”
Seeing her enraged was a first for Kairen. He was now feeling a bit guilty and had no idea how to make up for it. He put his arms around her, resting his hands on her little baby bump.
“Sorry… Father really wanted to see Mother…”
Cassandra turned around, scowling.
“Don’t tell me… All of this was only to have the Concubine Mother come here?”
Kairen nodded.
“It was the only way my father could think of to compel her to come.”
“Why did you agree to it?”
“Because he said if I helped him, he would agree to my demands. Come.”
Worried about her staying too long in the cold dungeons, Kairen gently ushered Cassandra out and guided her back into the Castle. They walked for a few minutes, until they reached what looked like a little reading nook or tea salon, with two women in red dresses inside.
“Get out,” growled Kairen.
They left in a hurry, keeping their eyes on the floor. The Prince then gently guided Cassandra to sit in the middle of a little pile of brightly colored cushions. Taking to his knees in front of her, he grabbed her hands and started tenderly kissing them. Frowning a bit, Cassandra pushed him away.
“I’m still upset, My Lord. How could you have agreed to that? I was worried for weeks!”
But Kairen only smirked, caressing her hair.
“Did you miss me?”
