475 Skinned Alive (1/2)

Crawling and wriggling, every part of her was violated. She screamed, and cried out in fear, fighting everything off, but could not move. Sobs choked her body, as she fought against the people holding her down, the people ruining what was left of her heart.

She cried and screamed for Yu Zhen, the only thing on her mind. 'What would he think of her now? How should she view herself now? What's left of her dignity and pride? What's left of her heart and soul?'

”I'm sorry, I'm sorry!” she repeated, again and again, hoping, wishing Yu Zhen would hear her sincerity. She tried. She truly did. She crashed the teacup, it shattered on the ground, but then everything was a blur, and she felt more hands on her.

Like a never-ending nightmare, she was back there again—in that room, held down onto the table. Her ears rang and the sound of her dress being ripped could be heard. It repeated, over and over, until she was close to losing her mind.

”Xue…”

”'Please,” she begged, ”I'm sorry, I'm so…so, sorry!”

”...Yue!”

Li Xueyue cried and cried until her throat was hoarse, and she could no longer say anything. Every word hurt, every breath tasted like blood. But she continued uttering the words, ”I'm sorry,” as if it could turn back time.

”Drugged…” a voice whispered in the background.

And slowly, but surely, she lost consciousness once again.

- - - - -

Yu Zhen stiffened when her body went limp. She was thrashing about in his arms a second ago, refusing to be hugged or held by him. Even so, he had kept her on his lap, hugging her fiercely. He would never let her go. He refused to.

”Your Highness, it seems the Crown Princess was drugged with a heavy dosage of aphrodisiac, more than what a tiny woman like her can possibly handle.”

The Imperial Physician examined the teapot that was brought to him. He found it strange. The aphrodisiac scent was strong, but the dosage in the tea didn't seem that heavy. Even if she drank one cup, it shouldn't have caused such a violent reaction.

Did the Crown Princess accidentally consume more than just the liquid version of the aphrodisiac?

It was difficult for a person to get their hands on it, but there was a powder version of aphrodisiac that was no longer being manufactured, after being banned in every corner of the continent. The powder was often mixed with sugar, to keep the aphrodisiac fresh and effective.

”The Princess was likely struggling for her life, even in your arms, because the dosage was so high, that she is delirious. It seemed she was hallucinating, and completely unaware of what is currently happening, Your Highness.”

”As of now, there is no known cure for aphrodisiac, since the tonic was banned in every part of the continent. Thus, not many physicians had the time to research a remedy for the tonic, Your Highness.”

The Imperial Physician took a worried glance at the Princess. It seemed like she had finally calmed down, after tiring herself out so much, her own body decided to give up on her.

”However, there is one way to lessen the side effects,” the Imperial Physician slowly said, as if it pained him to say it. ”Her body will feel like it's burning. She'll think the flames will consume her from inside out.”

The Imperial Physician waved his apprentice off, urging everyone to go outside. Only when the door was firmly shut, did he take off his spectacles and turned to the Crown Prince with a grave expression.

But when he saw the murderous glare of Yu Zhen, the Imperial Physician dropped to his knees in fear. He swallowed.