Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 212: HER LAST TIME

The prison was silent except for the faint drip of water echoing through the corridors.

Rhynera sat on the cold ground, her hands folded over her knees, her thoughts tangled in frustration and fear.

Mia stayed close beside her, silent but trembling with anger. Neither spoke at first. There was nothing left to say.

Rhynera had been in this dungeon for days, despite being the crown princess, all because of her sister she was locked away like a criminal, treated as if she carried no title.

She leaned her head back against the wall and shut her eyes. How did everything collapse so quickly? She had spent every day thinking of ways to escape, ways to regain control of a life that was slipping from her fingers. But nothing worked. Every plan she rehearsed in her mind cracked under the weight of reality.

"My lady," Mia whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "You cannot continue like this. You are the princess of another realm. Respect is supposed to be shown to you. They should not treat you like this. They took you from your family, from your home..."

Rhynera opened her mouth to speak, but the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor. The two women instantly fell silent. The footsteps drew closer and closer until a familiar voice rang through the dimness.

"How are you enjoying this place?"

Adam appeared in front of the dungeon door, his expression twisted in mock concern. Rhynera’s face hardened, but before she could reply he stepped closer, gripping the bars.

"You forget your promise!" she shouted. "This was not our agreement!"

Adam’s laughter filled the hall, loud and cruel. "And which promise is that? I won’t show you mercy and put you in a dungeon where you wouldn’t be seeing your sister."

"Adam!" she called out for the first time and this brought a smirk to his lips.

"Oh you mean the promise where you are my crown princess because you were betrothed to me? Or the part where I obey orders from the high king who no longer holds his throne?"

Her throat burned. "Let us not talk about political alliances. I am your wife before anything. For once in your life, show me an ounce of respect."

"Respect?" He leaned forward. "Do you deserve respect? You gave your first night to another man and now you demand respect from me?"

Her breath caught. "That was not my doing. Serena arranged everything. She was the one who brought that man into the realm. She was the one who..."

"What?" Adam snapped, his eyes widening. Serena isn’t the kind to act cunning with him, yes the both of them I’ve not been on good terms to this day, but he still cares so much about her.

Rhynera swallowed hard. She had not meant to reveal it, but anger and pain pushed the truth out.

He shook his head slowly, "She can’t do that." he murmured.

"Wow. So you still love that woman despite her betraying you." Rhynera asked, her heart hurting.

She raised her voice. "And you still love her despite every wicked thing she has done!"

Adam slammed his fist against the dungeon bars, making Mia flinch. "Do not speak about her like that."

"Why not?" Rhynera demanded. "What does she have that I do not? I am the crown princess, yet you worship her shadow like she is greater than me."

"Rhynera, do not get me angry," Adam warned, but she no longer cared.

"She is working with Lumina and you still protect her. And let us not pretend the heir she carries was not planned behind your back."

"Enough!" he roared.

Tears filled Rhynera’s eyes. They fell silently, soaking into her palms. "How can I stop? You have treated me as if I am nothing. As if I am not human. I am pregnant, Adam. I cannot even tell you because I am afraid of how you will react."

She gasped as the last words escaped her lips. Her hands flew to her mouth. She had not meant to say it. She did not want him to know. Not after everything.

Adam’s entire body froze. He stepped closer to the bars, his voice low. "What did you just say?"

Rhynera looked away. "Forget it. You were not supposed to hear that, not like you will care anyway... after all she is carrying your child already."

He gripped the bars. "Are you telling me I am not supposed to know you carry my child? My legitimate heir?"

She remained silent. Her heart pounded so hard it hurt.

Adam’s face darkened. "Guards!"

Rhynera’s eyes widened with fear. "What are you doing? Do not hurt me, I am pregnant."

The guards rushed in immediately, but before they could reach her, Mia stepped in front of her lady.

"Do not touch my lady!"

Her voice barely finished before a guard struck. In one swift movement Mia’s head was snapped off, falling to the floor as blood sprayed across the stones.

"No!!!" Rhynera screamed.

Her knees buckled. Her body shook uncontrollably as she stared at Mia’s lifeless form. Her friend, her logs a maid, last comfort in this nightmare, she is gone in an instant.

Adam exhaled sharply, almost annoyed, and turned to the guards. "Take her out of the prison and bring her to the physician chambers."

But Rhynera could not move. She could barely breathe. The guards lifted her by the arms as she cried, her voice breaking.

"Wait..." she whispered. "Mia..."

Adam stepped in front of her before they carried her away. His expression was cold and unreadable. "That is just a small example of what happens when you test my patience. If you try to reach out to your parents, and tell them what happened here, do not be surprised when they face the same judgment."

Her heart lurched in terror.

"Take her," Adam ordered.

Without another word, they dragged Rhynera from the dungeon, her eyes fixed on the spot where Mia had fallen.

The place where her last piece of friendship died.