KING OF TERROR

Aria's curiosity got the better of her. "How did you manage to work here after what happened?"

Lady Charlotte's eyes clouded over. "I didn't exactly...manage. Lord Nigel offered me a position here. After the war, many kingdoms were left devastated, and their people were killed or displaced. "I hope the war isn't going to happen again. I'm my mother's only child, and if something happens to me...I don't think she'd survive it."

Lady Charlotte's expression softened. "Don't worry, child. Lord Nigel will do everything in his power to protect his people. And I'm sure you'll be safe here.

Aria's confusion deepened as she rememebered what lady charlotte said earlier."What do you mean by 'spend the night' with Lord Nigel? It's not like I can just do that. I know how he is - if I even sat on his bed, he'd probably slice me into halfs.

Lady Charlotte held Aria's hand, her expression serious. "I know what I said sounds foolish, but Lord Nigel is deeply lonely. He needs someone who understands and cares for him."

"It can't be me,I am not even worthy of his touch"!

Lady Charlotte whispered, "Can you believe Lord Nigel has never...been with a woman before?"

Aria's eyes widened in shock. "Why?"

Lady Charlotte explained, "He feels he will get betrayed.No lady will be honest with him. He's never had a girlfriend, never given himself to anyone. He believes no girl is worthy of his touch.

Aria couldn't help but giggle at the absurdity of it all. Lady Charlotte continued, "Even the minister's daughter, the one you had an issue with, tried to make advances on Lord Nigel. She left with an injured leg that day."

Aria burst out laughing. "That's hilarious!"

Aria leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "You mean Lord Nigel is still a virgin?"

Lady Charlotte nodded, arias's eyes wide with surprise. Aria's mind began to wander, and she couldn't help but imagine the impossible: giving herself to Lord Nigel. The thought was absurd, and Aria's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Lady Charlotte's eyes sparkled with knowing. "I know what's on your mind. The minister's daughter is desperate to be the first to, well, claim that privilege because it's a rare opportunity."

Lady Charlotte leaned in, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Wouldn't you be thrilled if he gave that gift to you instead?"

Aria's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she looked away, her heart racing at the mere suggestion.

"How old are you lady charlotte?"

Lady Charlotte smiled, revealing her age. "I'm 42 years old. I started working at Lord Nigel's family house when I was 17. Lord Nigel was just 10 years old at the time. I left for my sister's wedding, and... well, you know what happened."

Aria's eyes widened as she did the calculation. "So, how old is Lord Nigel now?"

Lady Charlotte's expression turned serious. "Lord Nigel is 27 years old, apparently."

Aria's eyes widened in surprise. "I can't believe it! He looks younger!"

Aria turned to Lady Charlotte, a mischievous glint in her eye. "So, you're 42?"

Lady Charlotte nodded, smiling.

Aria asked, "Do I look younger or older?"

Aria replied, "You look younger... you look 30!"

Lady Charlotte chuckled, her eyes sparkling. "Oh no, please don't flatter me!"

Aria's curiosity got the better of her. "But if you're close to Lord nigel, why is he so cold towards you?"

Lady Charlotte took a deep breath, her expression somber. "I don't blame him, really. Imagine seeing your entire family slaughtered, not a single person left alive... it's unbearable."

Aria shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. "No, no, no... I don't want to imagine that. I would'nt bear losing my own mother. I'd be devastated."

Lady Charlotte nodded, her voice filled with empathy. "Exactly. Lord nigel has a soft side, but he's learned to hide it behind his dark exterior. It's a shield, a way to protect himself from getting hurt again."

**********************************

Lord nigel strode through the hallway, his footsteps echoing off the walls. As he turned a corner, he came face-to-face with a maid, who immediately bowed her head in reverence.

"Um, have you seen Aria?" Lord nigel asked, his deep voice firm but hinting at a slight uncertainty.

The maid nodded hastily, her eyes cast downward. "Yes, milord. I saw her with Lady Charlotte earlier, but I don't know where they are now. They should be somewhere within the palace, though."

Lord nigel felt a twinge of embarrassment for inquiring about Aria's whereabouts. He waved his hand dismissively, and the maid scurried away, bowing again as she departed.

With a hint of irritation at his own vulnerability, Lord nigel continued on his way, his expression returning to its usual stoic mask.

Lord nigel's expression was grim as he approached the cell holding the council members and advisors who had betrayed him. As he entered, the prisoners fell to their knees, begging for mercy.

"Please, have mercy on us!" they cried in unison. "We didn't know... we didn't understand... have mercy on us!"

Lord nigel's gaze swept over them, his voice devoid of emotion. "Spare yourselves the stress. This will be the last time you speak."

The prisoners wailed, pleading for their lives. One council member sobbed, "I have a wife, two daughters to care for!" Another cried out, "I have a son, my son is still little!"

Lord Miguel's expression remained unyielding. He stepped closer to the cell, his voice dripping with venom. "From what I know, you're already grandfathers. Your children are grown. Don't worry, I'll take care of them... next time, you'll know better than to betray a lord like me."

Lord nigel's expression turned weary, and he waved his hand dismissively. "You know what? Throw them into the dungeons. I'm done with this."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving the guards to carry out his command. The guards bowed and hastened to obey, dragging the condemned men away.

*******************************

Aria got curious "I've heard that Lord nigel often sentences his prisoners to the dungeon instead of torturing them himself. What's really in that dungeon?"

Lady Charlotte's expression turned somber. "It's a terrible fate, Aria. The prisoners are thrown into a dark cell with two massive, ferocious leopards. These are no ordinary beasts; they're enormous and vicious, trained to tear their victims apart."

Aria's eyes widened in horror as she slumped down, her face pale. "Oh no... that's terrifying!" She couldn't imagine a worse fate. She made a silent vow to herself to be extremely cautious from now on, fearing the dreadful leopards that lurked in the dungeon.

Lady Charlotte stood up, signaling the end of their conversation. "That's enough for today, Aria. Let's head back to the palace and see what's happening."

As they entered the palace, a maid named Christine approached Aria. "The Lord had asked for you, Aria."

Aria's eyes widened, and she felt a surge of fear. Memories of the dungeon and the ferocious leopards flooded her mind. But before she could react, a guard rushed in, saying, "Lady Charlotte, lord nigel wants his usual tea, and have Maid Aria bring it to him."

Aria felt a wave of frustration. Why did Lord nigel always ask for her to bring him tea? Lady Charlotte smiled and hurriedly prepared the tea, handing it to Aria. "Be careful, Aria. Remember all that I told you."

Aria nodded, swallowing her apprehension. She took a deep breath,and headed to Lord nigel's chambers. The guard announced her visit, and as she entered, an unseen force slammed the door shut behind her, making it tightly sealed.

Aria's heart skipped a beat as fear gripped her. Lord nigel stood up, his eyes fixed on hers,as he began to approach her slowly.

As Lord nigel drew closer, his warm breath danced across Aria's face, filling her senses with the sweet scent of strawberries and fresh fruit. His perfect aroma was intoxicating, making her heart flutter.

Lord Miguel's face inched closer, his eyes locking onto Aria's as if searching for something hidden within their depths. His gaze was piercing, yet gentle, sending shivers down Aria's spine.