Memories of forgotten past — IX

We returned to the banquet hall. The same place. But colder.

Same golden pillars.

Same glorious chandeliers.

Same feast of status and power.

And there she was—just like the first time I saw her

Chained. Bruised. Broken in posture, but radiating a fury that no chain could hold down.

The girl he hadn't seen in years stood before him, treated like a war trophy. A slave.

His once closest partner and one person he wanted to see the most— Mira.

And the moment he saw her…

his breath caught.

From her condition.

And from what was expected of him.

His eyes turned toward the one who held her chains— his great grandfather, the Lord of the Theoborn Clan.

Zed had multiple questions.

Why?

Why humiliate her like this?

Why parade her here in front of him?

Why turn her into this… when once, she had been the only one he could speak to freely?

Did he somehow knew about them?