As promised a summary for those who did not read the last chapter. Kyzel came to visit in the drawing room after they returned to Bhujerba and Ashelynn realized she had completely forgotten about him and that she no longer loved him. She told him about her upcoming marriage and he seemed to take the news well but then in calm anger he raped her. The chapter ended with Ashelynn in a corner humiliated and Kyzel on his way out when the door opens.
Warning: This chapter contains the aftermath of a rape. While not graphic, it does contain material not suited for children. I will not be summarizing this chapter .
Chapter Six
The door opened and in walked the Marquis with Vayne. It took a minute to assess the scene and figure out what just happened. The panties on the floor next to the blood, Ashelynn hiding, curled up in the corner, the handkerchief gag still tied around her mouth, the smug look on Kyzel's face. All indications that a rape had just occurred. Recovering from the shock, the Marquis quickly walked over to his daughter and taking his coat off, he wrapped it around her, and helped her to her feet. One look at her tear-stained face and his heart broke for her. He reached behind her head and undid the tie and removed the handkerchief. Pulling the coat tightly around her, she collapsed into his arms sobbing.
Meanwhile, Vayne and Kyzel stood facing each other, each man sizing the other up. Vayne's eyes were hot with fury, while the smug look that had been on Kyzel's face was replaced by a sneer, but Vayne could see fear in the other man's eyes. Suddenly Kyzel lunged forward with a dagger, intent on assassinating the Emperor's son. Vayne was too quick and stepped out of the way, unsheathing his sword as he did so. Both men circled each other, each man intent on killing the other. Kyzel lunged forward again, but he was blocked by Vayne's blade. By this time Ashelynn had stopped crying and stood there fearfully watching the two fight.
"Based on your outfit, I would guess you are royalty, and from what Ashelynn just told me, I would venture to guess you are her betrothed, Vayne Solidor." Kyzel spat out.
"Your assumption is correct. I am Vayne Solidor, eldest living son of Emperor Gramis of Archadia. And might I inquire as to your name, filth?"
"You can't venture a guess?" Kyzel mocked. "Surely Ashelynn told you about me, Kyzel, the man who has her heart, the man she truly wishes to marry." Vayne swung at him but he nimbly dodged it.
"I highly doubt she wishes to marry you now. What kind of man would rape a lady who loves him?" Vayne said angrily. Kyzel pulled out another dagger and crouched still circling in unison with Vayne. He lunged forward and sliced Vayne's arm. Vayne swung his sword again, but Kyzel jumped back, the sword narrowly missing him.
"Well poor Vayne Solidor doesn't get his sweet little virgin bride. Instead he has to marry Ashelynn, the dirty little whore." Kyzel taunted. He looked at Ashelynn and laughed. "Dirty, dirty little whore."
"Lady Ashelynn, " Vayne replied, stressing the word lady, "is not a whore." And with a scream of anger he plunged his sword into Kyzel's side. Kyzel staggered and dropped to his knees. Vayne lifted his sword ready to slice Kyzel's head off, but the sound of Ashelynn's voice stopped him.
"Please don't kill him." She cried out.
"Even after what you did to her, Lady Ashelynn still has the compassion to spare your life. Should we meet again, you won't be so lucky." Vayne hissed, turning away. Kyzel saw his chance and standing up he lunged.
"Watch out!" Ashelynn screamed. Vayne barely managed to avoid the blades that came swinging at him. He whirled back around and the two men started circling each other again, Kyzel suddenly started swinging both blades furiously at Vayne but this left him vulnerable and Vayne plunged his sword into the man's chest effectively piercing his heart. Kyzel dropped to the floor, dying. Wishing to spare his daughter from more humiliation, the Marquis ordered the hallways cleared to Ashelynn's room. After her father and Vayne escorted to her room, Ashelynn stayed in there the rest of the day.
She was so humiliated she locked the door and refused to let anyone in, including the maids. As she took a bath and changed her clothes by herself, she cried on and off her mind imagining the horrible things everyone must think of her now. In the tub, she scrubbed until her skin was red, as if hoping that she could scrub away the shame and humiliation. But no matter how hard she scrubbed, she just felt she could never get clean. It was only when the scrubbing started making her bleed, that she finally stopped. She climbed out of the tub and finding a nightgown she put it on, wincing as the fabric brushed against her raw skin. Then she threw herself on the bed and wept. Wept for the innocence lost, forcefully stolen from her. Wept for the events that would not take place now. But mostly she wept for the broken heart that would never feel Vayne's love. For who could love a used whore? Certainly she was one now. She was no longer a lady. And no son of an Emperor would marry someone who was not a lady. As it was she didn't even deserve to be the daughter of a Marquis, as being part of the ruling family required her to be a lady. Kyzel was right, she was no better than a whore. She wondered what Vayne must be thinking, how disappointed he would be of her. He would find her disgusting, look at her with condemnation in his eyes. He would dismiss her without a second thought. He was probably talking with her father right now, canceling the arrangement, telling the Marquis that he needed a real lady for his wife, not someone's used seconds, not a whore. Sure he had been angry at Kyzel and he had defended her honor by stating that she wasn't a whore, but the only reason he did that was because he was angry that Kyzel had taken what was supposed to be his. His words of defense were because it was his duty to protect her reputation. But she knew that he did not agree with his statement. How could he? She fell into a fitful sleep, dreaming that she was standing on a balcony looking over a crowd. The crowd was pointing at her chanting "Whore! Whore! Whore!" over and over again. As she looked out over the crowd, there was Vayne, a look of utter disgust on his face, chanting with the rest though his voice was the loudest.
The reason the guard wasn't summoned during the fight scene was because the Marquis wanted to keep Ashelynn's humilitation as private as possible and the more people who knew and were there would greatly add to her shame. Also he figured Vayne could handle himself and that Kyzel would give up easily.
Please review. The next chapter should be out in the next few days. Thanks for reading and enjoy.