Warped Reality

"What did you see in town?"

"It was horrible! I was adamant to know what happened to Ivano. But when I saw him, I wished I hadn't look."

"What happened? What happened?"

"He was whipped and hung by a cross. He was without covering while burning under the heat of the sun."

"Jesus!"

"Yes, absolutely! He's like Jesus Christ. I'm actually waiting until when the curtain parts."

I covered my mouth to stop a sob from escaping before I ran out of the house and flagged down a carriage. I told the valet to bring me to town to the punishment grounds. I wanted to wail my agony at the sight of Ivano hanging by a cross even though I was still far from the center plaza. He was hung so high above that anyone could see him even from the distance. I actually might be able to see him if I looked out the window of my room back at the fort.

One of his eyes was swollen, it was almost invisible. His whole body was bathed in blood and an obvious broken bone was protruding out of his arm. He was groaning so loud and crying out my name over and over while the scorching sun burned his skin. I couldn't stomach the sight of him like this. I didn't want him to die, yet, here he was actually slowly dying a painful death. I rushed towards the corner of the street and retched while heaving and crying my heart out.

"What are you doing here, Katherine?"

I hastily wiped my face before turning around to see the high priest, Lancelot, marching towards me with his battalion wrapped around their metal armors. When I looked around us, people were staring. Some people were curious, others hurriedly walked away but most of the townsmen gave me an accusing glare. I knew they blamed me for Ivano's downfall and I take sole responsibility for this. I'd take the guilt and shame to my grave for denying the only man I loved in front of my father. I was nothing but a coward. I didn't deserve his love.

"I..." I licked my lips before taking a glance up the cross and cringed as my eyes met Ivano's bloody gaze. "I wanted to see the ruckus." I gave out a fake smile before looking up at Ivano again and waved at him as if everything was funny. "People were talking about the man that's so hung while being hang."

Lancelot narrowed his eyes at me. "Your father informed me that this is your playmate."

I laughed but my body had run cold with dread. "Y-yeah, one of the few. He's quite a performer, I can say."

"I should kill him!" Lancelot drew out his sword.

I waved a hand at him as if swatting a pestering fly. "Don't bother. He's not worth your precious effort, my lord." I reached forward to pat his hand with the blade. "Besides, we both should thank him instead. He made sure I'll be a good wife to you. He taught me a lot how to p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e my husband."

Lancelot's shoulders went tense before he grunted. I took a swift glance down his trousers and caught the obvious bulge there. I grinned at him even though I wanted to smack his face and thrust the blade in his heart.

"I cant wait until our wedding night, my lord." I whispered into his ear. "I can't wait until I p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e you with my tongue, hands and body."

"Why should I wait until the wedding night, Katherine? You've allowed another man to touch you even though you're already promised to me. I want to f.u.c.k you now."

"Patience, my lord!" I patted his hand again and hoped he didn't notice them trembling.

"Well, that's the problem. I don't want to wait anymore. Besides, I've already paid for you." He gestured to his men. "Take her home and prepare her to be bred by me once I return."

"Nooo!" Ivano suddenly screamed mighty loud that I jumped back in startle. "Katherine, why have you broken my heart? Tell me, did you really just toy with me? Was the love you expressed to me all but lies? Answer me, Katherine!"

I covered my mouth to suppress a sob. But when I looked at Lancelot, I was horrified. A tear escaped my eyes. One, two, three droplets of tears. Until they kept on flowing down that I couldn't stop. He must know by the tears I shed that I was hurting for the man I claimed to be just a whimsical s.e.x partner. He must know by now that I actually and truly loved Ivano.

"Bring that bastard down so I can kill him!" Lancelot barked out to his army.