Radulf tightened his grip on Vivian's throat, his fingers digging into her skin. The gleaming blade of his dagger pressed harder against her cheek, drawing a more blood.
"Were you alone in this, or did someone help you?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing with menace.
"K-Kade," she stammered, the name slipping out of her mouth involuntarily. Her heart raced with dread as she realized what she had just revealed.
Radulf's brows furrowed, his expression darkening further. "Who is Kade?" he pressed.
Vivian's tears spilled freely now, mixing with the blood on her cheek. She choked on her sobs as she struggled to respond. "A-a servant here," she whimpered in pain.
"Bring Kade here," Radulf commanded with a grim expression, and he shoved Vivian aside with a callous motion. She crumpled to the floor, her body trembling as blood from the cut on her cheek stained the clean floor beneath her.