Vadim studied him like a wolf sizing up wounded prey.


    "Well, well…" His gravelly voice was almost… amused. "Astria sent me a child?"


    Laughter erupted from the soldiers.


    Lucian clenched his fists.


    Vadim’s grip tightened, the claws pressing into Lucian’s jaw.


    "You tried to slow us down with traps.” His tone was mocking. “Tell me, little prince—"


    Lucian’s blood ran cold.


    Did he know?


    Vadim chuckled at Lucian’s reaction. "Oh? You flinched. That means I’m right about something."


    Lucian forced his expression to remain blank.


    Vadim’s eyes gleamed with sadistic amusement.


    "Well, it doesn’t matter who you are. Because now—" He leaned in, his breath hot against Lucian’s ear.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "You belong to me."


    Lucian didn’t move. Didn’t speak.


    But deep inside, something growled.


    Vadim stood. "We still have time before our attack. So..."


    He turned to his men.


    "Let’s have some fun."


    A soldier tossed a blade onto the ground in front of Lucian.


    It was massive. Too heavy for his exhausted body.


    Vadim smirked.


    "If you can land a single hit on one of my men..." He spread his arms. "I’ll let you go."


    Laughter. Mocking jeers.


    Lucian’s fingers curled into the dirt.


    He knew.


    He knew this was a game to them.


    A cruel, twisted amusement.


    He would never leave this forest alive.


    But—


    He had to try.


    Even if it killed him.


    “Well, well… what do we have here?” His voice was cold, sharp like a blade. “A little lost mouse?”


    Laughter erupted from the soldiers.


    Lucian gritted his teeth, his vision swimming. Every inch of his body screamed in agony.


    Two men grabbed him roughly, cutting the snare and dragging him forward.


    “He’s wearing Astria’s uniform.” The commander stepped closer, inspecting Lucian with disgust. “Check him.”


    A soldier rummaged through Lucian’s belt, finding only a small knife.


    “Nothing but a toy, sir.”


    SLAP!


    Lucian’s head snapped to the side, blood spraying from his lips.


    The soldier glared at him. “You little rat. Do you know how many men got hurt because of your pathetic tricks?”


    Lucian didn’t answer.


    Instead—


    He smiled.


    His bloodied lips curled upward, and even as his body trembled from pain, he laughed.


    It wasn’t much—a weak, breathless chuckle—but it made the soldiers furious.


    “You think this is funny?”


    The first kick hit his ribs.


    Then another.


    Then another.


    Lucian didn’t know when he stopped counting.