Convincing a beast

KARA'S POV

"Bring me a small bag, a covered bowl of soup, and a bottle of water," I ordered Lucy.

She seemed a bit confused as to why but accepted the order nonetheless.

The only person who had a chance to help Aldric and get away with it was me. I had to try my luck.

In the book, Aldric had actually lost his arm and was still taken away to the dungeons to be punished for three days. However, he somehow managed to survive. Despite that, I wanted to help in any way I could to make his agony less painful. But would he accept my help?

Today was the second day of his punishment. I figure I can only visit him once without suspicion so it would probably be best if I gave him the food and water in the middle of the three days.

After receiving what I requested I went to my closet and found a large robe that caught my interest. I carefully placed the soup and water in the bag and slung it over my shoulder. Then I wore the large robe which was big enough to cover the bag as well so no one would see it.

I then left my room and went towards the guards at the end of the hallway that led to my room and asked if one of them could take me to the dungeons. 

We left my wing of the castle and made our way to the dungeons which were a long way away. Upon arriving at the entrance the guard told me to just go down the steps and I would be met with the dungeon guards.

The dungeons were cold and dark, dimly lit by small fire torches hung up on the walls.

"Good evening Your Highness," the dungeon guards greeted me as they bowed.

"I've come to see Aldric," I told them.

"Of course, right this way your grace,"

We reached the cell I looked inside and found someone seated on the floor in the middle. The guard unlocked the

"You can go," I told the guard, "if anything happens I'll call for you,"

The guard looked worried "Your Highness, what he attacks you again?"

"You've chained him up well haven't you?"

"Yes,"

"Then it'll be alright," I reassured him.

The guard finally accepted my request and walked away.

Aldric was tied to a pole in the middle of the cell he was shirtless bloodied and bruised from the beating he received after. There was a muzzle covering his mouth like he was a dog. I was utterly appalled by the state he was in.

In the book, Aldric had lost his arm, in addition to being flogged and kept in a cell afterward but somehow still managed to survive. He already looked awful enough without losing his arm. I couldn't how bad he would have looked if he did. Imagining something from a book and seeing it in person are two totally different things. The state Aldric was in was a lot more horrific than I imagined.

I wished I could free him of his restraints this instant and help him but even if I could I bet he wouldn't want me of all people to be helping him.

I wonder how receptive he would be of my trying to help him. I knew I was the last person he would want to receive help from. Considering I wasn't Courtney anymore I had the face of the person he probably hated most aside from Viktor.

Aldric weakly stood up when I walked into the cell.

"Aldric," I called out his name. Then suddenly he lunged toward me at an alarming speed I barely blinked before he stopped a couple of inches from where I stood. The metal shackles restricting him from going any further made a loud clanging sound.

I swallowed hard but managed not to flinch.

There was a ferocious look in his eyes. Well, he clearly wanted to rip me in half.

"Aldric, listen to me, " I started slowly wondering how I would convince him I wanted to help. 'I came to give you some food and water. I know you don't want to see me right now.' That didn't sound convincing in my head either.

He continued to glare at me with animosity.

I found myself troubled. Would you believe someone who violated you day and night wanted to help you? He probably thought I came to violate him some more whilst he was in the cells.

"I know you're wondering why I'm here, but I need you to listen to me, I assure you I'm not here to touch you," I said carefully and slowly trying to find the right words.

He continued to look at me unconvinced by my words.

I internally sighed, just as I thought he wasn't going to listen to me. I suppose I had no choice then, I thought to myself.

"Aldric unless you want Griffith and Isaac to join you down here due to your defiant behavior, I suggest you do as I say," I threatened giving him a stern look to act like I was serious. "And trust me I will do it, so for their sakes I would listen to me if I were you."

Aldric's eyes suddenly softened, and a look of fear appeared in them.

My heart melted. Of course, Aldric and Griffith cared about each other. 

He looked away from me before he slowly backed away, heading back to the pole.

I hated to have to threaten him like this but I had no other way to convince him to listen to me.

I walked further into the room headed towards him by the pole. It probably wasn't a good idea to be alone, unmonitored in a room with Aldric but I trusted he wouldn't do anything for Griffith and Isaac's sake. He feared his actions would affect them as well.

Like when Aldric was calmed down by Griffith in the room where he choked me.