Chapter 68

Heather moaned in pain as she tried to open her eyes. The feeling of physical pain felt new, and it almost took her back to the first time she found herself in Mystes. It was hard to draw a comparison between the two pains, as, unlike that time, her body was unable to heal as quickly as it should have.
She no longer possesses the magic touch, making it impossible for her to heal herself until she can escape the dungeons.
She moaned once again as she tried to move, but the ache was excruciating. If it were not for Arkin’s voice, she would have given in to the temptation of blackness, which was welcoming her with open arms.
“Honey, you are up? Is the pain any better?” He asked quickly, his voice tinged with worry.
“It's worse than how I really felt. How long did I stay out?” She asked him slowly, trying to preserve her energy.
“It is hard to say. There is no presence of daylight or starlight here. The only way we have been able to keep tabs is when we are fortunate enough for the guards to let us know.” Arkin elucidated with solemn eyes.
"This is not the way to live a life." She grumbled.
Heather then made a gradual attempt to sit up straight and backed up against a wall to support her back. She was still tied to the chain, preventing her from moving freely.
Although the chains were not piercing her skin, if she fidgeted excessively, they did pinch.
“Ouch!” Heather cried softly.
“Be careful,” Arkin exclaimed.
Frustration was clear in his eyes. He wished nothing but to aid her, but being separated by the barriers only made the situation worse.
“I will be alright. There is nothing much we could do.” She stated.
“What they are doing is unfair—capturing innocents in these dungeons? Punishing people for crimes they did not commit. How many innocents are there in these dungeons?” Heather could not help but ask.
“Too many to count. It would be safe to say that almost half of the population down here is innocent. It might not seem believable, but guards do like to talk a lot around here, assuming that none of us are ever going to see the light of day for the rest of our lives.”
However, his words did not make sense.
“I do not understand,” Heather said more to herself than to him.
“Regarding?” Arking bought her thoughtful attention to himself.
“Contessa Diadem has a personal grudge against me. So, I can still fathom the possibility that she is tormenting me to keep me away from Alexander. But why in the world has she captured the rest of the victims?” Heather asked.
“Heather, it is much more complicated than that. Contessa Diadem is not completely to blame here. The matter is larger than any of us.” Arkin said.
“And you know about it? Why can you not tell me? Maybe we could figure something out and work on it together?” Heather said, desperate for answers.
“Patience is the key. We must get you out of this place. Is Mabel aware that you are in Warsavor?” Arkin asked.
Heather had a slight frown on her face, contemplating the answer to his question.
“I do not think so unless she felt my presence. Alexander did not alert anyone when he bought me here the second time. It is hard to say if she knows about my presence here. But what is more hurtful is that Alexander has not seemed to find me yet. I half expected him to barge him a few hours later when he realized my absence.”
"Maybe he is tied up somewhere. Please do not be so harsh on him. Alexander is a man of words, and if he truly adored you, he would pursue you based on what I know about him. We just need to wait patiently for Alexander to notice your absence or for Mabel to sense your presence in this town. Either of the two came to your rescue; everything will be sorted.”
“You have a lot of faith in Alexander,” Heather observed.
“I do.” He grinned.
Heather let out a sigh. It is tremendously difficult to get anything out of Arkin against his wishes.
“I do not know how long Mabel would recognize my scent in Warsavor, but Alexander must realize my absence sooner. He should be looking for me soon.”
However, it was not Arkin but someone else who spoke and interrupted their conversation. It not only put her in shock but also broke her heart completely.
“Why would Alexander Diadem come looking out for you when he is busy with the preparation of his upcoming wedding with Diona Gonzales?”
“You are lying,” Heather said to the guard, who told her of the betrayal of Alexander.
“No, I am not. It is an absolute truth.”
“No, that cannot be possible. Alexander would never marry Diona Gonzales.” More so than anyone else, she spoke to herself. She knew Alexander, and he would never betray her.
However, the guard grinned, looking at her broken face. “Alexander Diadem's wedding with the Gonzales family was long fixed, and it was no secret. It was just a matter of time before they got married, and now the time is almost here for him to take Diona Gonzales as his wife and rule our realm. It is rather foolish of you to ever think that you are even a match for our Alexander Diadem.”