Alaric’s subordinates later discovered a secret passage hidden underneath Liam’s bed which led to an underground chamber.
To reach the underground chamber, they passed by a narrow and dark tunnel. Their only source of light was the flickering flames of the torches held by sconces.
Upon entering the secret chamber, they saw more than ten naked women of varying ages huddled together. They revealed fearful gazes when they heard the door creaking as it was pushed open.
Alaric’s face darkened upon seeing the bruises and the signs of torture on their bodies.
One of them looked even younger than Elena and this fragile little girl also shared the same wounds.
“Liam…” Alaric muttered through gritted teeth.
The people near him couldn’t help but shudder when they sensed his overflowing killing intent.
“Cover their bodies first before sending them back to their families,” Alaric instructed while trying to hold back his rage.
“Yes, my lord!”
Everyone quickly moved into action. They brought clothes for the women and sent them out of the secret chamber.
However, there was one particular woman who refused to go back to the surface.
She looked quite young at around seventeen. She had a pretty face, but it was destroyed by a burn scar on the left side of her face. Her youthful body was also covered in whip marks and bruises which she must have gotten after being tortured.
Alaric couldn’t even begin to imagine what kind of experience she had gone through.
“My lord, what should we do with this woman?” A warrior asked hesitantly.
“I’ll go and talk to her. Continue searching the chamber and see if there is still something we can find.” Alaric instructed calmly.
“Yes, my lord!” The warrior acknowledged his command with a salute before he turned around and left.
While everyone was busy searching every corner of the bedchamber, Alaric approached the woman and asked. “Why didn’t you go back with the rest?”
The woman lifted her head, revealing her terrifying burn scar. With eyes flashing with hatred, she responded. “I want to kill him with my own hands, but before that, I will torture him and drink his blood!”
Alaric narrowed his eyes.
He stared deeply at her and sighed. “If you’re talking about Liam, there might be a small issue.”
“Why? Is it because of his identity?” The woman clenched her hands.
“No.” Alaric shook his head.
“To tell you the truth, we are also searching for him, but it appears that he has already escaped.”
The woman frowned and lowered her head.
“Don’t worry. We will eventually find him and punish him for his crimes.” Alaric muttered.
“You should leave this matter to us and return to your family.” Alaric turned around after saying those words.
“Wait!” The woman suddenly grabbed his arm which provoked Alaric’s subordinates.
“What are you doing, woman?! Do you know who this person is?” An agitated warrior spoke roughly.
The woman was terrified when she sensed the warriors’s gazes, but she didn’t let go of Alaric’s arm.
Her determined eyes moved him so he decided to give her a moment of his time.
He signaled for the warriors to stand back and looked at the woman.
“What do you want?” Alaric asked indifferently.
The woman took a deep breath and said. “I don’t know who you are, but please bring me with you. I want to see that bastard die with my own eyes!”
Alaric gently pulled her hand off his arm as he responded. “Fine, but I have no intention of taking someone useless with me. What can you do for me?”
The woman stared at her filthy hands and muttered. “I want to learn how to kill! If you teach me how to wield a sword, then I will be your sword!”
Alaric was taken aback. He didn’t expect this kind of response. If she had told him that she knew how to do household chores, then he would have asked her to work as a maidservant.
The words that he was about to say were now stuck in his throat.
After a moment of silence, Alaric asked. “Why do you want to learn swordsmanship?”
“I don’t want to be powerless anymore.” It was a firm response with no hesitation.
Alaric rubbed his chin and thought deeply.
What should I do with this woman?
It was rare for a woman to become a warrior. Only a few special individuals like Cassandra could survive the rigorous training. What more a fragile woman who had been tortured and abused?
After some careful thought, Alaric spoke. “What’s your name?”
“Aliya.” She replied while staring at him with anticipation.
“I can give you some swordsmanship lessons, but if you don’t survive my training, then you will have to work as a servant instead.”
Aliya’s eyes flashed with joy. “I will work hard, my lord! I will never give up!”
Alaric chuckled while shaking his head. “We will know soon if you are just speaking some empty words.”
…
Alaric and his subordinates searched every corner of the estate, but they found no signs of Liam.
Night had arrived and the snowstorm was becoming increasingly severe so Alaric told his subordinates to stop the search.
On their way back to the main mansion, Josephus approached him and whispered to his ears.
“My lord, I heard that it was Lady Vivian who helped Liam escape.”
“I know.” Alaric nodded with a stern look.
He had already thought of questioning her, but he would thoroughly offend House Paxley if he did that.
“Lord Theo also wants to speak with you. Maybe he knows something.” Josephus added.
Alaric furrowed his eyebrows. “Where is he?”
“He’s been following us quietly since we left the secret chamber.” Josephus pointed somewhere behind them.
Alaric followed his gaze and saw Theo trying to strike up a conversation with his subordinates, but no one seemed to have the intention of speaking with him.
“Bring him here.” Alaric couldn’t fully trust this guy since he didn’t know much about him, but he had no choice at this point.