The subtle heat of soft orange lamplight melted to silvery hues of night flickering alongside the flame you could only hope to feel under the blindfold — left cold, barely flinching as the cell door opened and though blinded, you could still feel his sickening smile, a subtle smirk as footsteps come closer to your bound frame.

"Still being difficult, is she?" He spoke to the guards in a tone embroidered with silk, a voice never having known hardship. He hummed, his eyes raking your frame as leather trailed into his hand. A harsh crack greeted stone and your heart beat weakly. "Oh- so she does remember our little toy~" he mocked, stopping next to you and you tense at the feeling of the whip trailing over your jaw. "Come now, confess to me your love. Your sin~" a harsh hiss cracked a weak demeanor — your frame only held by taught chain.

Your bones were sore and ready to break, muscles stiff. You clench your hands.

"You cannot force love- not after all you have done against me. Against my family—" another sharp sting to your cheek as he struck you lightly in warning to silence your tongue, his touch then a gentle tease to that cloth hiding your gaze — voice hushed and close as he traced over your eyes.

"Three little words..." he whispered, placing a kiss on your cheek.

You wanted to crack — two months with little food, water, no sunlight and locked away. You were a farcry from the girl who was first locked up. No fight left. No determination to get free. You were just hanging, battered and dirty — weakened ministries screaming at you that you couldn't survive his harsh methods much longer.

"Three...simple little words, and I can give you the world." the duke murmured. "Feasts and richest and power. The finest food and cleanest water. The most elegant of gowns and a ring for that little finger. Protection from all that's happening in this God forsaken kingdom." He hummed. "Three little words, and this can all end {{user}}~"