Chapter 465 In the Light of Rescue
"Get away from me!" Ashley roared.
The guards descended upon her like hungry wolves, tearing at her clothes, making her appear even more disheveled. In that critical moment, a figure flashed by, followed by a thunderous crash as one of the guards was sent flying across the room.
Ethan knocked the guard down with a single punch, his voice dangerously cold. "You dare touch what's mine? Do you value your lives so little?"
The men immediately sensed their grave error and fell to their knees.
"Take these men away!" Ethan commanded.
Ashley was in a pitiful state—her body covered in dirty water and blood, with lash marks across her hands and feet. Her hair was disheveled, her face gaunt, looking as though she might shatter at the slightest touch.
Ethan felt his heart stop, veins bulging at his temples from the pain he felt. His eyes filled with regret, anguish, and helplessness. "Pearl, I'm so sorry. I came too late."
Ashley gazed at Ethan, her rescuer silhouetted against the light. A warm sense of security washed over her as her vision blurred and darkness claimed her.
"Pearl!" Ethan cradled her in his arms and ran frantically. "Ian, call the doctor immediately!"
The royal physician hurried to the palace chamber at once.
On the luxurious canopy bed lay Ashley, filthy and wounded. Ethan, unconcerned with her appearance, anxiously asked, "How is she?"
"Your Highness, the torture has caused significant damage to her body, but fortunately, no internal organs were harmed. With proper care, she will recover."
"Then why are you standing there? Bring the best medicines available!"
The doctor nodded and left to prepare medications, while a maid approached to clean Ashley and change her clothes.
Ethan waved the maid away. "Leave us. I'll do it myself."
After the maid departed, Ethan carefully cleaned Ashley's wounds. With each gentle touch, tears fell involuntarily from his eyes. Ashley had been brutalized before he'd even had the chance to truly cherish her. A crushing wave of failure swept through him as he stood there, guilt clawing at his insides. His jaw clenched against the self-reproach that threatened to drown him completely.
"Pearl, forgive me," Ethan said remorsefully. "I failed to protect you. The palace is complicated, full of dark forces. I lost control, and you suffered for it. I promise you—everything you've endured will be avenged tenfold."
Ethan resolved to deal with those who had tortured Ashley the previous night.
An hour later, Ethan had cleaned Ashley as carefully as if handling a precious treasure and dressed her in clean clothes.
The doctor had brought equipment and the finest medicines. Ethan personally tended to Ashley's wounds while she lay motionless like Sleeping Beauty.
"Why hasn't she awakened yet?" Ethan asked.
"Your Highness, the dungeon's torture is cruel. She's suffered physical and mental trauma. Perhaps subconsciously, she doesn't want to wake up."
"What would help her regain consciousness?"
"Talk to her often. It might help her recover."
"Very well. You may go."
Ethan held Ashley's hand, gently speaking to her. He read stories aloud, whispered his innermost thoughts, and made promises in her ear.
That afternoon, Ian entered and reported, "Your Highness, we've discovered that Lady Mary orchestrated the theft of the Countess's necklace."
Ethan laughed coldly. "Mary? Throw her in the dungeon. She will endure every torture a hundred times over. If she dares to die, you'll follow her to the grave!"
The dungeon's torture would make anyone wish for death after experiencing it just once.
To make someone endure it a hundred times... and forbid them from dying...
That was a fate worse than death itself.
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