CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: Tamed by love

The minister, horrified by Lord Nigeel's brutal treatment of Davina, couldn't take it anymore. He called upon his guards to arrest Lord Nigeel, but before they could even approach him, they all clutched at their throats, gasping for air, and fell to the ground.

Lord Nigel turned to Davina, who was struggling to get back to her feet. His voice was icy and menacing. "If anything happens, you know what I'm talking about, right? If anything happens to her, I'm coming back for you, your family, and every single person related to you."

With that ominous warning, Lord Nigel turned and walked away, his majestic strides commanding attention. The guards and servants scrambled to get out of his way, parting to let him pass.

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The royal physician was attentively tending to Aria, who lay motionless on the bed. Her breathing was barely perceptible.

Lord Nigeel entered the room and asked the royal physician, "How is she?"

The royal physician bowed respectfully. "My Lord, she's not getting any better."

The royal physician's words hung in the air: "She's not getting any better." Lord Nigeel's expression remained stoic, but his voice was laced with a hint of desperation.

"Do everything in your power to save her," he instructed the physician calmly. "If you need assistance, I'll summon another physician. Just take care of her. I'll be back."

The royal physician was taken aback by Lord Nigel's composed demeanor. He had never seen his lordship speak so calmly, and it was a jarring contrast to his usual fiery temper.

Lord Nigel's pov

As I walked back to my chambers, I recalled the unfinished business with Nina. My expression darkened, and I altered my course, heading towards the cell where she was being held.

I commanded the guards to open the gate and instructed them to take Nina to the torture room. Nina's pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears as I remained resolute, my anger simmering just below the surface.

I trailed behind the guards as they dragged Nina to the torture room, her desperate cries echoing through the corridors.

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King Maric returned to his kingdom, still reeling from his conversation with King Ryker. He replayed their discussion in his mind, focusing on their plan to bring down nigel.

King Ryker had emphasized that the key to defeating nigel lay in exploiting his emotional vulnerability. "We need to get to the person he loves," King Ryker had said.

King Maric had initially scoffed at the idea, believing nigel to be incapable of love. However, King Ryker had countered with the words of his sorcerer, who had foreseen the emergence of someone close to nigel in the future.

The two kings hatched a plan to prepare for the future, intending to kidnap this mysterious person and use them as leverage to force Lord Miguel's surrender.

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The guards dragged Nina to the torture room, where she collapsed, begging for mercy. Lord Nigeel ordered her to raise her head, and she complied, tears streaming down her face.

"Don't beg me for mercy, Nina," Lord Nigeel said coldly. "I won't show you any."

Nina continued to plead, but Lord Nigeel remained unmoved. He instructed the guards to secure her to a chair and prepare the torture instruments.

As the guards worked, Nina's begging grew more desperate. Lord Nigeel sat in a nearby chair, his expression unyielding.

"Is the poison you used on Aria still in your possession?" he asked Nina.

She nodded hastily. "Yes, my lord. I swear, it wasn't my fault. Lady Davina ordered me—"

Lord Nigeel's gaze silenced her. "Next time someone tells you to harm someone I care about, you won't obey," he said. "There won't be a next time, though. Today is your end."

Lord Nigeel ordered the guards to search Nina's belongings and retrieve the poison used to harm Aria.

After a while, the guard returned with the substance and handed it to Lord Nigel. He gazed at it, his expression unyielding.

"This poison will be used on you, Nina," he declared.

Nina's begging grew frantic. She pleaded for mercy, but Lord Nigeel remained unmoved. He summoned a trusted guard, skilled in torture.

"Chop off one of her fingers," Lord Nigeel ordered.

Nina's cries and pleas intensified. "Please, no! No!"

The guard swiftly sliced off her finger, and another guard held her down. Nina screamed in agony.

Lord Nigeel's gaze never wavered. "Is it painful? It's painful, isn't it? That's exactly what Aria endured."

He paused, his voice dripping with disdain. "I'll torture you first, then use this poison on you."

Nina's cries grew desperate. "Please, I don't want to die!"

Lord Nigeel's silent laughter sent chills down Nina's spine. "It's amusing how people don't want to die, yet they take pleasure in killing others."

"You're thinking I'm a monster, aren't you?" Lord Nigel said, his voice dripping with disdain. "But let me tell you, I'm not ruthless for pleasure. I eliminate betrayers, traitors, and enemies. I show no mercy to those who cross me."

With that, he nodded to the guard, who cut off Nina's second finger. Nina's screams echoed through the room as she was held down.

Lord Nigeel's gaze never wavered. "Is it painful? Does it hurt? This is exactly what Aria is going through."

Nina, her eyes pleading, begged Lord Nigeel, "Just kill me already! Don't torture me anymore. You've already chop off two of my fingers. Just end it."

Lord Nigeel chuckled, his amusement unsettling. "Calm down,Why the hurry? I'm coming to that. I will kill you, don't worry."

He laughed again, this time at himself. His playful demeanor was a facade, a distraction from the turmoil within.

"Aria, you're the cause of this," he whispered to himself, his thoughts consumed by the woman he was developing feelings for"I'll protect you, I promise,just make sure you survive. I'm sorry I failed to keep you safe."

Lord Nigeel's gaze refocused on Nina, his expression cold and unforgiving once more.

The guards exchanged surprised glances, having never witnessed Lord Nigeel's playful demeanor before. His voice, usually firm and commanding, now held a hint of amusement, a tone that was both unsettling and intriguing.

Lord Nigel stood up, his expression cold and calculating. He turned to his guards and commanded, "Hold her down."

The guards obeyed immediately, securing Nina in place. Lord Nigel picked up the bottle of poison taken from Nina's bag and began to open it. Nina's eyes widened in terror as she shouted and begged for mercy.

"Please, Lord!,Have mercy! I promise I'll apologize to Aria, I'll beg for her forgiveness!" Nina cried, her voice hoarse from screaming.

Lord Nigeel's gaze remained unyielding, but he paused, the bottle still in his hand. "Here's the deal," he said finally. "If Aria survives, you'll leave with your severed fingers as punishment. But if she doesn't..."

He trailed off, his eyes glinting with menace. "Pray she survives, Nina. Because if she doesn't, I'll make sure you suffer. I'll remove your eyes, your ears... I'll dismember your body while you're still alive."

Nina swallowed hard, her eyes filled with fear. Lord Nigel handed the poison bottle to one of the guards.

"Take her back to her cell, lock her up, and starve her for a day. She doesn't deserve to eat."

The guards nodded and obeyed, dragging Nina away. Lord Nigel washed his hands,and walked away.