147 After hell broke- Part 5 (1/2)

In the beginning time, she had spent in the establishment, Heidi had expected Nicholas to come to find her quickly but as she spent more time there, the hope she held on to had begun to dissipate with time. No matter how brave she had tried to be, she had been scared knowing the outcome slaves were put into when they didn't listen to the guards. Feeling Nicholas' arms tighten around her body, bringing as close as he could to him as she heard him inhale. She couldn't say how content and safe she felt at this moment.

He had come for her in the end, it didn't matter when but he had come and that was all she needed. The way he held her right now, quietly cherishing her in his hold gave her an impression that he was scared to let her go. She hugged him back, burring herself in him. Though he didn't talk about it, she could feel his emotions pass through her. It made her think how much of a fright she must have given him that he had gone to the extent of chaining her to the foot of his bed. Not bothering about it anymore, she asked,

”How did you find me?”

”One of Rhys' servant spotted you in the market two days ago,” at the thought of Heidi being put as an object to bid, Nicholas gritted his teeth in anger, ”Did anything happen while you were there?”

Heidi shook her head, ”No,” she pulled back to give him a small smile, ”But I killed him,” her voice felt small.

”How do you feel about it?”

”I...”

”I won't judge you, Heidi. How did you feel after killing him? Do you regret killing that person?” he asked, calculating her expression while also tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear.

Heidi cast her eyes on the buttons of his shirt, ”I don't know... Maybe, I am not regretful about it.”

”Then why is there worry I see in your eyes? Are you worried what I think about you now?” when she raised her eyes to meet his, the lord chuckled, ”I think you were very brave back then for killing the man yourself. And if you didn't I would have done the job, so don't worry my sweet darling girl.”

He touched the chain that wound around her ankle which snapped open, ”Don't run away from me, Heidi,” he whispered above her lips, ”I will accept you in any form, any day and any time without a single doubt. I will be your ally until life turns me to dust,” this brought tears in her eyes and she began to cry, the tears she had been holding back all this while, the dam finally broke and Nicholas rubbed her head, quietly listening to the hiccups until it died down.

After Heidi was fed, Nicholas carried her to his bath, setting her down in the water. One week and she had turned weak. He frowned when saw the bones sticking out of her body. It was when he turned her around did his eyes turn dark. There was whip-like mark that ran across her bare back now.

”Who did this?” Heidi could feel the rippling anger coming from Nicholas.

”The guard...that died,” she muttered unable to confess the words 'the guard I killed'. She still found it hard to believe that she had done it.