ILTDAMH|CHAPTER 115

Chapter 115

Retribution 

Lucianne chewed her nails until they bled, trembling with anxiety.

Penelope, who had visited her recently and promised that she’d find a way to get her out, had vanished without a word. It had been days now—no letter, no message.

In just a few more days, she would be dragged off to the Achupia Mines.

Mother… What on earth are you doing? Why haven’t I heard from you?

“Meal time.”

The small hatch at the bottom of the iron bars opened, and a plate of cold bread and soup slid in.

Lucianne tore into the bread with a faint hope—but there was nothing hidden inside.

“You expect me to eat this?”

Her nerves, already frayed from waiting, snapped. She snapped at the guard who had brought her food.

But the man said nothing—only stared at her silently.

“What, cat got your tongue? I said, speak! I want warm soup and fresh bread!”

Once, she had been the most beautiful and graceful young lady in the Empire—adored by the people.

Now, the very same woman stood imprisoned for attempting to stab her own sister and hypnotize the Empress Dowager to assassinate Duke Ruan Canolup, the Empire’s hero.

And yet she showed not a shred of remorse.

The guard looked at her in disbelief.

So this is why you never judge a person by appearances…

Unable to hold back, the guard muttered, “You still think you’re a noble lady? You’re nothing but a common criminal now—a traitor, at that. And what’s wrong with this food? It’s a little cold, but it’s perfectly edible. I know someone at the Achupia Mines—they’d kill for a meal like this.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I’m not going to that filthy place! Never! I refuse to go there!”

Lucianne hurled the bread and soup through the bars, screaming and thrashing.

A calm voice echoed through the prison.

“You never fail to disappoint me. Even now, you show no trace of repentance.”

Lucianne froze.

Ruan descended the stairs into the dungeon, having arrived unnoticed. The guard sighed deeply, shaking his head.

“Don’t even get me started, Your Grace. She’s been like this every single day. We’re the ones about to lose our minds.”

“Just two more days,” Ruan said quietly. “Hold out a little longer.”

“Yes, my lord.”

After a respectful bow, the guard left.

When the door shut, Ruan’s gaze fell on the bread and soup strewn across the floor of the cell.

“Seems you’re still quite lively. All that strength left to throw food—must mean life isn’t so unbearable.”

Lucianne’s voice trembled. “Your Grace, please… just execute me instead. Isn’t treason punishable by death? I don’t want to go to that place. Please… kill me.”

She lunged toward the wall, intending to smash her head—but an unseen force repelled her, throwing her to the floor.

“My apologies,” Ruan said calmly. “This cell is specially designed for violent inmates like you. Every wall is coated with a thin protective barrier. I’m afraid… suicide isn’t possible.”

Lucianne let out a shriek of despair.

Ruan stood silently, watching her until her cries faded into hoarse gasps.

When she finally slumped down, exhausted, he spoke.

“I have two pieces of news for you. First, two days from now, you’ll be transferred to the Axtupia Mines. When you arrive, this will be fastened around your ankle.”

He pulled a small metal shackle from his coat and held it up for her to see.

“A… a shackle? How dare you bind a noblewoman like an animal?”

Ruan gave a faint, bitter smile. “Still clinging to that title? You stopped being a noble the day you betrayed your own blood. This isn’t an ordinary restraint. If you stray too far from the mine, hidden blades inside will cut into your flesh—and eventually, sever your ankle entirely. The blades are laced with poison. Your leg will rot away.”

Lucianne shivered violently.

A shackle? Like I’m some kind of beast?

“The blades will cut off my foot… if I run?” she whispered. “You’re joking… right? You can’t possibly expect me to survive thirty years in that hellhole. I’ll die before I escape.”

“Then don’t worry,” Ruan said mildly. “You’ll be assigned work suited to your abilities—though the guard may not be so merciful.”

Lucianne stared at him, horrified.

He’s enjoying this. He looks like a reaper sent from hell to take me away.

“Why are you doing this to me?” she cried. “You know I didn’t betray anyone! Mother told me even Mair wasn’t badly hurt!”

“Lucianne,” Ruan said quietly, “your gravest sin is not realizing what you’ve done. That’s why I chose not to execute you.”

“What?”

“If you’d shown even the slightest remorse… if you’d truly apologized to my wife… perhaps I’d have granted you an easier death.”

Lucianne laughed bitterly.

So no matter what I did, you were never going to spare me.

She glared at the shackle, silently vowing never to step foot in that mine. I have to reach Mother somehow.

The iron door creaked open.

“Your Grace, the meal you requested.”

The guard returned, handing Ruan a tray.

“Thank you.”

Ruan carried it into the cell.

Lucianne recoiled as he approached. “W-what are you doing?”

He placed the tray before her.

“This is my last gift to you.”

On the tray lay a warm loaf of bread, salad, soup, and a hearty stew. The fragrant aroma filled the cell, making her stomach twist and growl.

Her mouth watered, but suspicion quickly followed.

“A gift? You poisoned it, didn’t you?”

Ruan raised his hands. “If I wanted you dead, I would’ve executed you already. There’s no poison. Eat.”

Lucianne hesitated. He’s right… if he wanted me gone, I’d already be dead.

Cautiously, she tore off a piece of bread and put it in her mouth.

Flavor burst across her tongue—rich and buttery. Without meaning to, she smiled.

It’s been days since I’ve had anything real to eat…

“Yes,” she murmured, almost forgetting herself. “At least this is worthy of a meal.”

Her hunger took over. Pride forgotten, she sat down and devoured the food.

Ruan watched quietly. “Good?”

“It’s… edible,” she muttered, flushing.

He smirked. “Just edible? Those dishes were prepared especially for you—by my wife.”

Lucianne froze.

What? Mair made this?

Her stomach twisted again, this time with rage.

She made this to mock me, didn’t she? She must be laughing right now, knowing I’m eating her pity.

As Lucianne’s expression hardened, Ruan continued, “That brings me to the second piece of news.”

“Second…?”

“I laced the food with a potion,” he said.

Lucianne stiffened. “A… potion?”

“A suicide-prevention elixir,” Ruan explained. “You see, prisoners at the Axtupia Mines often take their own lives when the labor becomes unbearable. I had the Tower Master brew something special to prevent that. Effective, I’m told.”

Her face was drained of color. “What… what do you mean?”

“It means you won’t be able to die by your own hand during your thirty years of labor. Accidents, however… are another matter.”

Her knees gave way, and she collapsed.

“No escape… no death…”

“Now that I’ve told you everything, I’ll take my leave.”

Ruan turned to go, then paused.

“Oh, one more thing. Don’t expect your mother to rescue you. She won’t be coming.”

Lucianne’s head shot up. “What did you do to her?”

“Nothing. But she’ll soon be exiled as well. You’ll likely never see her again.”

Lies. She’ll save me. She has money—plenty of it. Enough to get me out of here.

Ruan looked back one last time.

“My wife also asked me to deliver a message: she said to thank you for the jewels you hid in your dressing room. She’s putting them to good use.”

Lucianne’s eyes widened.

She took my jewels? All of them?!

“What? Mair! You wretched bitch!!”

Her screams echoed long after Ruan had left the dungeon.

***

Three days later.

Locked once more in the tower, Antwart drank poison and cursed Viseluc with his dying breath.

Lucianne was dragged kicking and screaming to the Axtupia Mines, bound tightly by ropes.

And Penelope—stripped of her wealth—was banished from the Empire, left with nothing but a few worn garments.