SCENES OF VIOLENT CONTENT AHEAD❗❗❗

***

AFTER TAKING A QUICK 'SHOWER', ALEX PREPARED TO MEET HIS FATHER. He knew what to expect from his father. Alex hoped he wouldn't at least break a glass or two. He went out of the room and saw Tyler leaning on the wall.

"Did you take a shower?" Tyler asked, "Your hair's wet."

Alex cleared his throat. "Yes. I... needed to cool off my head." He said as he ruffled his hair.

Tyler cocked his eyebrow. "Well, I hope you cooled off well because His Majesty's not in a good mood." He said, "You really pissed him off this time."

Alex sighed. "I know."

"Do you need me there? I can make a good shield." Tyler smirked but his face showed concern.

Alex rolled his eyes. "No need to do so, old man." He said, waving him off. "I need you to do something for me instead."

"What, your Highness?" Tyler straightened up.

Alex's face turned serious. "I need you to watch over Rose." He ordered, "She's not safe here." Rose was already on everyone's radar. He couldn't let anything happen to her because of him.

Tyler nodded. "As you wish, your Highness."

"You can leave now." Alex dismissed him.

Tyler walked towards him and put his hand on his shoulder. "Good luck with your Father. Make sure you don't provoke him the more. I don't want to tend to your injuries again." He said.

Alex gave a tight smile. "Don't worry, old man. I'll be fine." He assured him. "Now go look for Rose. Who knows what the little flower is up to."
Tyler bowed and left.

Alex started his journey towards his Father's office. He tensed, remembering the last time he was called there. It was the day his Father announced his engagement with Sophia. Alex threw a tantrum in front of both families and his Father was not happy at all. He was called that very same night and beaten black and blue by his Father's favorite staff. Alex still remembered his Father's words;

"You imbecile! I did not raise you to become a dirty brat who won't take up his responsibilities! Either you take her hand in marriage, or I throw you out of this palace crippled!"

Alex resisted like the stubborn man he is. If not for his Mother's intervention, his Father would have actually crippled him. Tyler tended to his wound after his Father was done with him. It was the very first time he saw the old man shed tears. After that day, Alex decided to do as his Father says to avoid what happened from occurring again. No one dared to speak of the incident.

Alex shivered. His bruises from the wound on his back had faded but the scars remained. He was thankful Rose was oblivious to see this morning. Alex didn't want her to see his scars. His weakness.

His Father's office was already in sight. He approached the door and placed his hand on the knob. Alex took deep breaths. "Just listen to what he has to say, agree, then leave." He told himself.

Alex turned the knob and entered the room. His Father stood by the glass wall that displayed the front of the palace. He faced the transparent wall as he observed the outside, his staff firm in one hand and a whisky glass on the other. Alex's heart beat wildly at the sight of his staff. Stay calm.

"You asked for me, Father." Alex said, his voice firm.

His Father took a sip out of his alcohol. "Son." His deep voice resounded through the room. "Do you realize what you've done?"

Alex kept quiet. The tension in the room was overbearing. Suddenly, his Father turned and threw his whiskey glass at the door, next to his face. The glass shattered, some of the pieces slicing his cheek and neck.

"Answer me!" His Father boomed.

Alex stayed still, his body unwavering. He maintained the same neutral expression as he stared at his Father head on. He felt his blood trail down his cheek and drip on his collar.

"Forgive me, Father." Alex said, his voice empty of any emotions.

His Father placed his hands on his desk as his chest heaved. "You're sorry?" He asked, bewildered. "You embarrassed the Whittaker's daughter in front of everyone because of a mere servant. A lowly peasant!"

Alex clenched his jaw. "That lowly peasant is the one who gave your son credibility to your fucked up council. If not for her, they would still be looking down on me." He seethed.

"Don't talk back to me, boy." His Father hissed, clutching his staff. Alex's eyes shifted to it and he frowned. His Father noticed and smirked.

"Don't worry, Son. I will be lenient this time." He twirled the staff around his fingers, "I don't want your mother giving me the silent treatment again." He dropped his staff.

Alex relaxed a little but he still kept his guard up. His Father walked up to him and placed his hand on his shoulder. It was less friendly than Tyler's and made him tense up.

"What did I tell you about showing your emotions, Alex?" His Father asked.

Alex locked eyes with him. "Emotions are your weakness. A slight show of them, and you're ruined." He quoted his Father.

"That's it, my boy!" His Father slapped his shoulder, "I'll let it go this time, Alex." His face darkened as he tightened his hold on Alex's shoulder, "But you won't be lucky next time if you pull that shit again." He wiped the trail of blood away from his cheek. "Now go clean yourself up, Son."

Alex tried as much as possible not to say anything rash. He quickly bowed his head and exited the room. As he closed the door, he leaned on it and exhaled.

"Y-your Highness." A timid voice spoke to him. He snapped his head to the source of the voice and saw a young boy, standing close to him. How had he not noticed him?

"What is it, child?" Alex asked, his voice tired.

The boy said nothing and handed a folded paper to him. Alex took it, looking confused as the boy scurried off. Alex unfolded the paper and read the message.

We need to talk, it's important. You know where to find me -A

Alex groaned. "Oh, for Heaven's sake."

***

"PLEASE DON'T DO THIS." Rose pleaded, her cheeks stained with wet tears.

Jared chuckled. "I've always wanted to taste this little pussy since I saw you in the council meeting." He purred, "Tell me, are you a virgin?" He asked as he cupped her.

Rose spat on his face. "You dirty bastard! Get your hands of me!" She wiggled violently, trying to get his hands off her. She wondered why no one had come their way. Even the guards were nowhere to be found.

Jared wiped his face, a sardonic smile planted on his face. "Oh you're going to know how dirty I am when I'm done with you." He seethed as he ripped her dress.

"Ah!" Rose screamed, struggling against him.

Jared smacked her face. "Shut up! My ears are bleeding."

Rose cried as he started to kiss her neck. Bile rose up her throat. She felt sick.

"Hmmm, your skin is so soft." Jared said, nipping her flesh. His body pressed her to the wall, restricting her from moving.

Rose slumped in defeat as she felt his fingers traced her panties. Nobody was coming for her. Her hands fell to the side, strength leaving her as Jared continued to assault her body.

"That's it, love. Give it to me." He purred. He hooked his finger into her panties and rip it off her, the feeling causing Rose to wince. Jared stepped back a bit and she heard the familiar jingle of his belt unbuckling. He came back to her, raising up her dress.

Rose closed her eyes as she accepted her fate. She hoped it would be over soon.

"Rose!" She heard a familiar voice shout. Suddenly, Jared was ripped off her body. Rose slumped to the ground as she heard Jared whine in pain.

"Rose! Rose, please look at me." Rose opened her eyes to see Tyler, staring frantically at her. He pulled off his jacket and placed it on her, covering her shame. She stared blankly at him, the life taken out of her.

"Fuck! Rose, please say something." Tyler dragged her face towards his. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. She turned to look at Jared who was passed out on the ground and cowered away.

"Don't touch me! Don't touch me!" She repeated as cradling her head between her legs, shaking violently.

"Rose! Rose!" Tyler shook her. Rose snapped her head towards him. "I'm here now. He can't hurt you anymore."

Tears flowed down from her eyes as Tyler pulled her into an embrace. They stayed like that for a while.

"Please take me away from here." Rose whispered.

Tyler nodded and carried her and rushed towards the staff-quarters. Rose buried her face in Tyler's chest as she clung to him.

"Good day sir- Rose?" She heard Aria speak. "Oh my, what happened?!" She rushed to them.

"I can't talk now child. Which one is her room?" Tyler grunted.

Aria immediately showed Tyler and they entered. He set Rose on her bed.

"What happened sir? Who did this to her." Aria asked, bringing a wet towel.

"Jared." Tyler simply stated, his jaw clenched.

Aria seemed to understand as she gasped, her hand over her mouth. "Oh no! Did he..."

"No." Tyler growled, "Luckily, I was able to get there on time."

"Thank God." Aria sighed in relief. She sat next to Rose and dabbed the wet towel on her sweaty forehead.

Rose's eyes dipped, feeling sleepy. She was physically and emotionally drained.

"Let's give her space." Tyler told Aria. "She needs to rest."

Aria nodded. "Okay." She turned to Rose, "I'll come back later to check up on you, okay?" She kissed her forehead. Rose nodded weakly.

Aria stood up and walked towards the door. She looked back at Rose once more before she left.

Tyler walked to her bedside. He caressed her hair softly. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner." He said, squeezing his eyes shut. "I swear I will make sure that bastard pays for his deeds this time."

This time? So I'm not the first? Rose thought.

"Just wait till his Highness hears about this." Tyler seethed.

"No!" Rose said, jolting up from the bed. She clutched Tyler's arm like her life depended on it. "He can't know. Please keep this a secret. Please." She pleaded.

She couldn't let Alex know about this. She wouldn't be able to face him without feeling ashamed. He couldn't know.

"But his Highness-" Tyler started but Rose cut him off. "Please, Tyler. Do this one thing for me. Don't tell him." She choked out.

Tyler deliberated for a while before he answered "Fine. I will do as you wish, on one condition." He sighed.

Rose tensed up. "What?" She asked.

"You fight back Rose." Tyler said, "Don't let them bring you down."

Rose tightened her hold on Tyler. Determination brewed up in her and filled her lungs as she growled.

"Don't worry, I will."

***

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P.s not edited