Betrayed by Blood: My Second Life as a Queen novel Chapter 287

Willow's suppressed, broken sobs reached his ears. Her steps were clumsy and staggering, but obeying her parents' final words with unwavering resolve, she forced herself to keep running, step by agonizing step.

Whenever she tripped, she simply scrambled back up.

Even with her knees scraped raw and bleeding, she refused to utter a single sound.

It wasn't until they ducked into a secluded cave, where the sounds of pursuing footsteps finally faded entirely, that she released his hand in a complete daze.

In that moment, Lucian finally got a clear look at her face.

She was incredibly radiant, her skin luminous and smooth, her large eyes making her look like an untouched angel descended from above.

Except, that beautiful face was splattered with blood. Lucian quickly inspected her, but found no open wounds.

That blood... it all belonged to her parents.

Such a tiny, fragile girl stood entirely alone in the cave, staring back in the direction her parents had stayed behind, while tears rolled silently down her cheeks one by one.

She couldn't speak a word. Her pupils were utterly unfocused, making her look like a soulless walking corpse at first glance.

Lucian was terrified by her catatonic state. He tried speaking to her, but received absolutely no response.

The two of them had no food, no water, and if things continued this way, they would simply starve to death.

Left with no other option, Lucian reached out, gripping her tiny hand this time, and attempted to lead her toward a way out.

But his luck was abysmal. Not long after, they ran head-on into an enemy who was fleeing in panic.

The man recognized him, a look of wild ecstasy flashing across his face. He intended to drag Lucian back to his superiors so he could hog the massive bounty all to himself.

How could Lucian possibly resign himself to such a fate?

He scooped Willow into his arms and sprinted desperately for their lives. But he was far too small; how could he possibly outrun a fully grown man?

It wasn't long before they were caught.

The pursuer, enraged from the chase, reeled his leg back and aimed a brutal kick right at him. Lucian braced himself for the incoming agony.

But at the very last second, Willow's tiny body threw itself forward, fiercely shielding him.

The full force of an adult man's furious kick landed squarely on her spine, sending her flying across the dirt. Her limbs were covered in blood.

Yet she didn't cry out in pain. Instead, she staggered up and, mimicking exactly what her mother had done, threw her arms around the kidnapper's leg. She was tiny, devoid of any real strength, but she was desperately trying to protect him with everything she had.

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