Chapter 225

The guards moved quickly, stripping Stasia of her clothing, preparing her for the punishmen. I turned away, unable to watch as the scene unfolded. My chest lightened, and tears pricked my eyes. When they had done this to me, it had been under the cover of night. This was different-broad daylight, under

the eyes of everyone.

Her sobs filled the air, harsh and pitiful, and I clenched my fists, trying to hold steady. Memories of my own punishment flooded back: the humiliation, the

tears, the sense of betrayal. But I reminded myself I was a victim. Stasia wasn’t. She had schemed, betrayed, and tried to destroy me. She deserved no

sympathy, no mercy.

Still, the sight was unbearable. “I want to go inside,” I said quietly, my voice barely audible. I couldn’t stand there any longer. The femory of my own punishment and the knowledge of what she had done collided in my mind, making it impossible to stay. Lucian nodded but didn’t speak, his jaw clenched as

he watched her punishment continue.