The Tyrant King Is Obsessed With Me

Chapter 124: Chapter 124 - Accepting death

Lilith searched for Solomon, but with so many bodies pressing forward, she could not find him

A flicker of unease stirred in her chest. What if Solomon had not returned to the castle? What if he had abandoned her?

Her search was abruptly halted when Cassian’s hand closed around hers, guiding her down the steps towards the carriage that held her family.

"Traitor!" Athena’s voice rang out, pointing out the man responsible for her husband’s death.

Inside the carriage, Athena sat in one corner, clutching her young son to her chest as though her arms alone could shield him from the world.

Thalia sat alone, watching her mother only offer protection to her brother. She had been left to fend for herself.

Since reuniting with her family, Thalia had not received the warmth she craved. When the marchioness’s home was attacked, no one had sent for her, no one had tried to hide her away. She had been left exposed, abandoned, as though her life held no value.

Only her brother had been pulled to safety after the first attack. Her mother had left her for dead, deeming her useful only as a pawn to be married off.

Thalia sat in silence now, her hands clenched tightly in her lap, watching as her mother shielded her brother from the gazes of the crowd. The boy whimpered softly, his cries muffled against Athena’s chest.

Athena’s glare fixed on Cassian. "After all the Beauforts did for you, this is how you repay them? You bastard!"

Athena would never forgive the Mortimer family for what they had done.

Cassian ignored Athena as he looked inside to confirm that all three captives were present.

Athena’s gaze shifted to Lilith. She despised the smile that Lilith wore, a smile that spoke of triumph as though she had finally won.

Athena hugged her son tighter, pressing his small face against her chest. Her hand moved to cover his mouth, silencing his cries. He was only a little boy, but even now, he must not show weakness before their enemies.

Thalia flinched when the carriage door creaked open. She expected death to come swiftly as punishment for slipping away the first time. But to her surprise, the soldiers’ attention was not on her. They reached for her brother.

"No!" Athena’s cries filled the carriage. She clung to her son, refusing to let go. "Help me keep hold of him, Thalia. Help me!"

Thalia remained still. She watched as her mother fought against the soldiers and as her little brother cried out for her, but she did not move.

No one had ever fought for her, no one had ever protected her. Her mother had abandoned her when she needed help most, so now she returned the favour.

Athena’s heart shattered as her son was torn from her arms. The carriage door slammed shut, and she thrust her hand desperately through the window, reaching for him. But he was gone, swallowed by the crowd.

Lilith stepped closer. "Doesn’t this remind you of another moment? It is almost like when you tore my mother away from me and hung her."

Athena’s eyes filled with tears, her chest aching at the thought of her son meeting such a fate. "You would hang a child, you monster?" She screamed, her hands clawing at the air, desperate to reach Lilith.

Lilith’s smile widened. "Oh, I am not going to hang him. But I am also not going to let you know what his fate shall be. You will die never knowing what becomes of your son. Just as my mother died not knowing what I would face here. All your actions are coming back to you, Athena. Smile, as you always did."

Athena gritted her teeth, fury twisting inside her. The situations were not the same.

Back then, she had killed a woman who had lain with her husband and birthed a bastard. Lilith was now targeting her innocent son, who had nothing to do with what had occurred.

"Take them to the dungeon. This crowd makes it impossible to speak. Send the prince from the castle at once," Lilith instructed Cassian.

Athena heard the order and lunged forward, trying once more to reach Lilith, but her efforts were futile.

The carriage jolted forward, carrying them closer to the dungeon.

"You should give up, Mother. Our fates are sealed," Thalia said, her voice drained of hope. "We are going to die."

Athena turned on her daughter. "You did not attempt to help me when they were pulling your brother away. Have you no heart?"

"Why should I fight to keep him in the carriage when you already had your arms around him?" Thalia asked coldly. "You did not fight for me. Not once have you tried to protect me since I came back to you. So tell me, Mother, why should I help you?"

Athena’s hand shot out, striking Thalia across the cheek. The sound echoed in the confined space. "You should protect your brother. He is innocent in this, and now the rightful heir to the throne."

Thalia took the slap with dignity, her chin lifting defiantly. "Since he is innocent, as you say, then perhaps she might spare him. I have to think of myself. You claim that I am worthless as a princess, so I am going to die, Mother. We are both going to die."

"You should die knowing that you tried to save your brother."

"No. I am not going to die doing any such thing. Do not expect me to plead for your safety or apologise for your actions. I like what I did in the past. Lilith was a bastard and had no place in this castle. I am not going to cry and make myself a mess for anyone’s sake," Thalia declared with pride.

Thalia straightened her back, her hands gripping her dress tightly. "I tortured her, and you ordered her mother to be killed before her eyes. It will not come as a surprise if she kills your son in return. She is going to hang you. That I am certain of."

All that troubled Thalia now was not knowing how Lilith would kill her. Would she be hanged, as her mother had done to Lilith’s? Or would she be dragged to the block, her head severed like so many others before her?

"So, forgive me for not helping you save my brother, who has already known what it is to be protected, mother. I have to think about what is to come. Settle yourself," Thalia said in a mocking tone as she repeated her mother’s own words. "You should not let the enemy see you so distraught."