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Entangled in Shadows

"Eveline didn't dare to breathe or challenge. The hands that held her were so icy that they seemed to belong to a dead person. She closed her eyes, seeking to calm her racing heart. She knew she could no longer make the same mistakes that had betrayed her in the past. A loud and threatening voice echoed from near her room, belonging to Roderick.

"Where is she? Could it be a ghost wandering around?" Roderick ranted.

Eveline felt her strength draining away. Roderick was in her room, he had surely discovered Rudolf's presence there. The man holding her continued to keep her pressed against his body for a moment before deciding to release her slowly. Eveline remained still, her body tense and motionless. Cedric, the one responsible for this audacious act, grabbed her arm, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

"W... W... What are you doing?" Eveline tried to ask, but Cedric interrupted her.

"Do exactly as I say," he whispered in response.

Eveline felt her body being pulled, and she obediently followed, remembering that Cedric was blind. She walked ahead of him, leading him towards her room. Roderick, with his agile movements, noticed Eveline's presence from a distance and quickly approached, surprised to see Cedric at her side.

"What are you two doing together? This doesn't make sense," his voice sounded rude.

Eveline felt lost, not knowing how to respond to Roderick to escape that situation. Cedric kept his head down, a half-smile forming on his lips.

"I can't believe you're going to meddle in my affairs now," Cedric expressed his dissatisfaction.

"Do you really think you can make a fool out of me? Make me believe you have some kind of relationship? You rejected her in front of all my subjects, and now you only stay with her when something bad happens in my castle," Roderick vociferated.

"I'm a man, and I have my needs. I managed to convince this woman to satisfy my desires, and now you bother me like this," Cedric shouted.

Eveline felt a mixture of anger and despair engulfing her. Cedric's words seemed to cut like sharp blades, hurting her dignity and reputation. She wished she could defend herself, explain the truth behind the appearances, but she knew that any word could give away her true intention.

Cedric, in turn, appeared challenged and defiant. His expression oscillated between anger and frustration as he tried to maintain his image and authority in front of Roderick. But he couldn't appear too strong; he had to reveal his weaknesses so his uncle wouldn't see him as an enemy. Using his crutch, he turned away, and the tension in the air was palpable, every uttered word laden with resentment and hurt.

Eveline looked into Cedric's eyes, seeking some comfort, some spark of understanding. But the gaze was expressionless, lifeless, inert. Eveline didn't know that Cedric had trained for so many years that he truly seemed blind; he could hide his true intentions. She felt betrayed, used as a pawn in the power game between Roderick and Cedric.

The feeling of helplessness consumed her. She wondered how she had come to this point, how her choices had led her to a dead end. Roderick's voice continued to echo in her ears, reminding her of her vulnerable position and lack of control over her own destiny."

As the heated discussion continued, Eveline desperately longed for an opportunity to escape that whirlwind of emotions and oppressive circumstances. She felt ensnared in a web of manipulation and betrayal, struggling to find the necessary strength to break free.

However, in that distressing moment, all that remained was silent agony and the uncertainty of what the future held for her. Every word spoken in that room echoed in her mind, reinforcing the sense of powerlessness that consumed her.

Cedric, on the other hand, was intent on maintaining appearances, making it seem like his relationship with Eveline was merely about holding her in his arms. This false intimacy only heightened Eveline's sense of powerlessness, leaving her increasingly vulnerable to the plots and power games she was entangled in.

This situation was the only way out for them, even if it seemed cruel and unjust. The mass breakout from Roderick's dungeon had left the tyrant infuriated and in a desperate situation. To him, it made no sense for his prisoners to have escaped on their own, especially in their condition. Roderick had drained all their strength, and the effects of the silver elixir persisted, hindering their wounds from healing, causing blood to flow incessantly.

Eveline didn't have a plausible excuse to get out of that predicament. Each heartbeat seemed to echo the vulnerability of her existence as the pressure mounted around her. Cedric, in turn, displayed a defeated expression, as if his plans had been thwarted.

"Uncle, you seem to have lost your reason. How could I, in the conditions I live in, have orchestrated such a massive escape? Do you really believe I would join the scum?" Cedric's words sounded harsh.

Roderick stared at his nephew, recognizing a certain logic in his words. There was no way a blind and crippled person could have planned and executed such an audacious escape. His gaze turned to Eveline, who seemed cornered. He remembered how she had shown weakness, unable to be a warrior.

"Leave the lovebirds alone. This useless one couldn't have done anything," Roderick declared.

Cedric felt anger rising within him. He knew he was playing a deplorable role, but being constantly reminded of it by his uncle's disdainful words was frustrating. Each word was like a blow to his already shaken self-esteem, a wound that burned and deepened with every moment.

Eveline's eyes searched for Cedric, seeking some support, some sign of understanding. However, his gaze remained distant, a mystery shrouding his true intentions. She felt betrayed, used as a disposable pawn in the power game between Roderick and Cedric.

Roderick departed, his soldiers in tow, leaving Cedric still and bewildered. He didn't understand why he had exposed himself to his uncle, risking himself to protect Eveline, since she wasn't his mate. Cedric swiftly turned and departed, leaving Eveline needing to comprehend the reason behind that action. Perhaps he wanted to humiliate her.

"I don't understand why you argued with your uncle, putting me in this predicament," Eveline exclaimed.

"Did you wish to be taken to the dungeons and tortured to death?" Cedric retorted, bitterness and frustration mixing in his voice.

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