I hate you

I felt that my heart drops again...I immediately ran after help. However, they thought that I gave him the poison. They dragged me into the dungeon and locked me up there. I was afraid for the duke's life but also for mine. If the Duke died now, I would be sentenced to death. 

I could hardly eat anything, I was very weak. after about two days, I asked a guard about his condition and he said that he hadn't woken up yet. This was bad. It's all my fault. I cried and cried. Lady Anne came with her maids. She was grinning under the fan she was waving. Before, I felt sorry for her fate, but now.. my opinion has changed. She ordered the guards to leave us alone. She made the maids to hold me tight. I tried to protest but I was so weak then that I couldn't even make a sound. They opened my dress from behind and Anne started to whip me with all her might. 

I felt so much pain but I couldn't yell....I just tried to hold back my tears. When I could hardly breathe, she stopped "You deserve more than just a few lashes." she said with anger in her voice. She took some water and splashed it on my face, I started to wake up. "What's the matter little Isabella, did I hurt you?" she said with a disgusting smile on her face. I couldn't say anything, I was just looking at her face, and she laughed. "Oh little Isabella, I love torturing you." 

I tried to get up from the ground and I fell back again. She walked towards me and put her face too close to mine. I felt my heart in my throat "Poor little Isabella" , she said in a calm voice. Then she slapped me very violently "How about you stop playing with the prince's love and start showing him some respect" she said. As I wiped my tears and blood, she looked happy "That's it.. I am glad that you are crying". She turned around as she said "You are such a weak woman, Isabella Deothree." I hated her... 

"God, help me..." I said while crying. Lady Anne's face was burned on my mind, she was disgusting. The maids from the Duke's mansion came and put a blanket on me, "Don't cry Isabella, you made it" they said. I was shocked. "Made what?" I asked confused. "Tiberius woke up" they answered. I felt relieved. "How is he doing?" I asked while wiping my tears. They answered "Well and as if nothing happened" and they left me alone. 

It's been 5 days since Tiberius took the poison, almost 2 days since Lady Anne whipped me. He just woke up...but why doesn't he visit me? Is he not looking for me? I feel my heart breaking. I went through torture because of his idiocy. 

The next day, I was sleeping leaning against the cold wall. The wounds on my back hurt so much. No one treats them..."Isabella....Isabella wake up, wake up!" I heard. I slowly open my eyes and see the fool. All I could do was slap him...."Why are you so stupid?" I tried not to show how hurt I was. He just laughed and said "I made a mistake Isabella, I know..." and then went to release me from the chains. 

"I know you were doing your job... and in some way, you actually saved me, thank you" he says, ashamed. I wanted to slap him again. He put his arm on my shoulder and smiled. "Isabella, please stop being mad at me. I know that what happened was my fault..." . I started laughing hysterically. I was so hurt... "Oh Tiberius, you are just too silly". 

My pain became anger and I started to choke him. He just laughed. "I HATE YOU" I said with all my heart. He just laughed..."Yes I love you too Isabella, now please stop trying to kill me". He didn't see my pain...he acted like nothing happened. It's been 2 days since he woke up and he didn't cared enough to see how I'm doing. 

He stopped laughing when he noticed the blood on my back. He hugged me tightly "Isabella who did this to you? Tell me and I swear I will destroy that bastard" in a serious voice. I was surprised that now he cares... I looked away. I was hurt, not only physically but also my heart. "Dammit Isabella tell me!! Who did this??" Why would I tell him? He wouldn't do anything. I mean, he was laughing while I suffered because of him.... 

He forced me to look at him. "Isabella, tell me who did this? Was it Anne? Tell me and I'll take care of her!". I was surprised he mentioned Lady Anne. "It was… She did it," I said looking embarrassed. I tried to get out of his grip but he held me tight "Why did she do that? Did she think you betrayed me or what?" he held my arm tightly and that made me remember Anne's maids holding me tight while she whipped me. 

"...She... thought I was getting more intimate with you..." I said without looking at him. He finally let go of my arm and I turned my back to him. I was scared and ready to cry. He then took me to his chambers and let the doctors treat me. He then left without saying anything. I felt alone again. Why did I get into this situation? 

After they finished treating my wounds, the doctors left me alone. I couldn't sleep because I got used to squatting on the cold floor. I remember the cold words of Prince Theodore "Kill Tiberius". I...I don't know what to do now. As I was trying to sleep, I heard the door open. I heard footsteps. I wanted to open my eyes but I was too tired to do it. I felt Tiberius's head, he was listening to my heart. My heartbeat was slow.. I opened my eyes and saw his gentle gaze, again. I wanted to yell at him but...."Isabella..." his voice was gentle too. 

"Yes?" I asked in a sleepy voice. "Is everything alright Isabella?" it was as if he knew something was worrying me. I was really tired, so I just said "Yes". He sighed. "You should really sleep, Isabella", Tiberius said. I just looked at him. "I couldn't sleep without telling you how much I am grateful to you" I said half-asleep. He smiled and leaned in for a kiss. I just didn't care anymore, and I let my feelings for him flow to my lips... 

I sighed. I really wanted to say something but I didn't say anything. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep.