I Tamed the Monstrous Prince - Chapter 12
Chapter 12
“I’m worried the unsanitary conditions might compromise His Highness’s health.”
It seemed she expected me to make a fuss, declaring this place unfit for me. The Countess Elvira’s perfect smile faltered slightly at my unexpected reply.
“Palace staff will attend to this shortly. Truly, this was unforeseen.”
“I understand. Please convey my gratitude to Her Majesty the Empress for her consideration.”
I maintained a pleasant expression as I saw Countess Elvira out. There had to be perfectly suitable palaces within this vast imperial complex.
Confining me to this remote location felt like a deliberate act of harassment. A petty warning meant to demean, suppress, and break my spirit.
“Ha…”
Honestly, this so-called torment was nothing compared to what I endured from the Flores family. It was laughable, almost childish. And the blatant, undisguised malice behind it? That was simply absurd.
“Nothing’s ever different, is it?”
The maids assigned to Emerald Palace arrived, announcing that the bath was ready.
“Your Highness, we shall attend to your bath.”
I shook my head slightly, lowering my gaze. I didn’t want anyone to see my injuries.
“There’s no need for anyone to attend to my bath, not now, not ever.”
The maids retreated without protest. Only after they were gone did I sink into the warm water, letting the fatigue melt away. When I emerged, the maids were waiting.
“Dinner is served.”
“Where is His Highness?”
“He will arrive shortly.”
Countess Elvira had informed me that Cesar and I would share Emerald Palace. At least with Cesar present, I would have some protection.
Cursed or not, he was still imperial blood. With that thought, I sat at the long table, waiting for Cesar. It didn’t take long for me to realize how naive I’d been.
“Oh my god!”
I should have known from the chilling clang of metal. This mad imperial family. I shot out of my chair, startled. Cesar was being dragged in again, bound in chains by a knight.
“Ugh… Uhh!”
A leather muzzle gagged him, turning any attempts at speech into muffled sounds. His chained body was covered in fresh wounds, clearly untreated. It was inhumane, treating him like an animal.
“How can you do this to a person?!”
I rushed towards them, but a knight blocked my path.
“Shhh, step back. He might bite.”
Cesar’s head snapped up, his eyes blazing with the same fierce intensity as last night. He looked ready to attack, just as they’d warned.
His back arched, his breaths ragged. His left hand, darker than his right, twitched, black veins rising beneath the skin. The seemingly strong chains strained, twisting like taffy.
“Damn it!”
With a snap, the chains broke, partially freeing him.
“Get ready!”
The knights brandished their restraint poles—long staffs tipped with horseshoe-shaped metal.
As they advanced, Cesar grew more agitated. I could only watch in stunned horror.
“Ugh, Uggghhh!” Cesar’s eyes, bloodshot and wild, held the same unreasoning fury as last night. Black veins pulsed on his contorted forehead.
He lunged at the knights, who reacted swiftly, forcing him to the ground with their poles. One knight quickly pressed a cloth over his mouth. He struggled, but he was already subdued.
“Guh…”
