Huron took a deep breath. "Your Highness, you’re making everything complicated. I have no right to judge you. I can’t impose a sentence on the royal family without a decision from the Royal Court. I beg you, return to the main palace."
Sylas shook his head. "If you cannot punish me, you cannot punish Alvaro either."
Huron shook his head. "Alvaro is a special knight of the royal family. He is my responsibility if he makes a mistake. He has made a fatal mistake, one that could have cost the life of a member of the royal family. I cannot let him go unpunished. I beg you, let me carry out my duty, Your Highness."
Sylas nodded. "I will share the punishment with him."
Huron refused. "I cannot do that. Please return to the palace, Your Highness. I have the right to order the guards to bring you back for your own safety."
Sylas stood silently. He couldn’t let Alvaro be punished for his mistake.
Huron knew that. He looked at Sylas. "Your Highness, please understand that we have the heavy responsibility of protecting your safety. Because you will be the pillar of this kingdom. Please remember that whatever happens to you, we must take responsibility."
"Because they failed to protect you, the guards who took you out of the palace have been relieved of their duties. They are guilty of leaving the prince alone outside the palace," Huron continued.
Sylas pressed his lips together. He hadn’t expected this issue to affect so many people.
"They are not at fault. I asked them to return to the palace."
"They knew the rules. They didn’t carry out their duties properly. Regardless of who gave the order, it was a serious mistake." Huron was implying to Sylas that he should be more careful in the future, because his orders might bring suffering to others.
"It doesn’t make sense," Sylas said.
"I must uphold the law. I won’t let the guards under my command neglect their duties. We’re not puppets who have to obey every order. Our duty is to protect the kingdom, and we have the right to refuse requests if they don’t align with our vision and mission. If I were in that situation and you asked me to return to the palace, I would make sure you came back with us. There’s no other option," Huron said.
Sylas clenched his fists, as he could do nothing. Huron had the right to punish Alvaro, and he had no authority to stop him, as Huron’s reasons were valid and in line with the kingdom’s laws.
Sylas could only stand and watch as Alvaro was tried before all the soldiers. The knight knelt, bowing his head in acceptance of the decision.
Sylas held his breath as Huron delivered the sentence.
"Fifty lashes, starting now!" Huron declared, ending the trial.
The soldiers watching remained silent. They were used to such scenes. However, fifty lashes were quite shocking, usually reserved for severe offenses. They shuddered at the thought of such a punishment. Ten lashes were enough to make their bodies bleed.
Sylas looked at Alvaro, who didn’t respond. The man stood up immediately as two soldiers escorted him to the punishment area. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel✦fire.net
The area was already prepared with a post and a rope hanging from it.
"You’ll survive, right? Fifty lashes, that’s crazy!" said one of them. They knew Alvaro well.
"I won’t die," Alvaro said, taking off his clothes. He glanced at Sylas, who was still standing at the edge of the field watching him. He took a deep breath and threw his clothes on the floor.
The two soldiers stared at Alvaro’s body, looked at each other, then fell silent.
Alvaro looked at them both. Was his body so tempting that they were staring at him like that? His body was indeed muscular and toned.
He grew even more confused when, a few moments later, he heard teasing cheers around him.
Alvaro immediately looked down at his body.
His face flushed instantly. He had just realized it. His body was covered in kiss marks, reddening until they were almost dark. Not just in one place, but almost everywhere. He couldn’t see his back, which might be worse.
Damn that vampire! he cursed, because he hadn’t noticed earlier that morning, having been in a hurry.
Alvaro closed his eyes, feeling his face turn as red as a boiled shrimp.
Alvaro didn’t dare look at Huron or Sylas.
Meanwhile, the soldiers teased him, knowing how stiff he was, never seen in a romantic situation with anyone. Suddenly, today he was showing a body covered in kiss marks.
Who was the wild woman who could tame such a cold knight?
"It seems your love story is better than mine," said one of the soldiers, chuckling, as he tied Alvaro’s hands and pulled the rope, causing both his hands to be pulled upward.
The rope was crucial because Alvaro would struggle to maintain his balance after several lashes. It helped him stay upright.
Alvaro didn’t respond, bearing the shame of having to endure the pain that would follow. Better to prepare himself. He clenched his hands on the rope pulling his arms upward, taking a deep breath as the executioner positioned himself behind him.
The first lash was enough to make his body tense.
By the tenth lash, his entire body was trembling, sweat soaking his skin. His breath was irregular. Red marks adorned his back. But he managed to hold back his screams.
The thirtieth lash felt like he was about to die. The weight of his body rested solely on his bound hands. The executioner’s strength was no joke. He showed no mercy. He didn’t ease up even after thirty lashes.
Sylas clenched his fists, watching Alvaro’s back bleed. The sweat on his body made him gleam in the sunlight. Despite this, the knight still tried to stand tall.
"Aarghh!" Alvaro’s groan escaped as the forty-first lash struck. His scream was stifled, and his body shook violently. His eyes were blurring.
He couldn’t take it anymore.
The lashes landed again, and he bit his lip unintentionally, causing it to bleed. Another lash followed, and he couldn’t breathe.
Only pain remained. He reached the point where he desired death over enduring further suffering. But the lashes continued to rain down on his body.
When the executioner finished, Alvaro could no longer feel his body. His breath came in gasps. His heart was racing.
"Alvaro!" Sylas ran toward him.
The soldiers released his bonds. Alvaro’s body collapsed to the ground. Sweat drenched his body like rain. His back was covered in deep cuts.
A guard carried Alvaro’s body and took him to the barracks. Sylas followed behind.
Huron watched as Alvaro was taken away. He hadn’t realized he had been holding his breath. He had seen many floggings before, but this time was different. His heart couldn’t bear to watch. But he had no other choice.