Owen walked to him and rested a hand on Asher's shoulder.

"We wanted what's best for you. It has been months, so your mother and I found a good rich man. I know it's not easy to heal after everything, but king Ace said he would wait for you."

"Please, don't be offended." his mother chirped in.

Asher frown softened, he took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm not angry."

"That's my boy," Alice hugged him and kissed his cheek. "One more thing, promise me you'll not be mean to Ace. Please, tolerate him, he's just excited."

Asher rolled his eyes. "I'll try."

She pinched his cheeks with a smile. "He's just a jovial person, be good to him."
...

The bandit family found a good place to stay, far from Ashernia. They were happy and lived comfortably, thanks to Tristan's mother's wish. Tristan would drink the guilt away and spend a lot of time in his room.

After some months, they celebrated one year of moving to a new country. His dad was uneasy as Tristan said nothing and drank a lot.

Betty turned to him. "Tristan, what's wrong?"

Ethan smirked. "It has been a year he last fucked that king, he can't help but miss it."

Everyone flinched as Tristan stood up, he walked to Ethan and slapped him, red fingerprints glowed on his face. "Your jokes are never funny," he glared, then went to his room.

Tristan laid on the bed, he stared at the ceiling in silence, lost in thought.

It was a choice between Mom and Asher, it's only logical to pick her. I fulfilled my mother's wish, but why do I still feel like shit?

He squeezed his heated forehead.
Is there any use of hurting the living to please the dead? All I know is that I let Asher down. Maybe I am shit.
...

Tristan went out to buy some groceries on a Saturday, he overheard the conversation of two women.

"They say that harmless dumb little prince turned out to be very cruel and heartless."

"What? Prince Asher?"

"It's king Asher, I heard someone got flogged one hundred times for giving him a wrong title, like you did right now."

"That's insane!"

"I know right? I feel bad for his people. No wonder his lover ran away."

"I heard his lover left first, which led to his cold aura."

Tristan's eyes dilated, he briskly walked away. Back home, the conversation rang in his head like a noisy alarm clock.
Asher... changed because of me? I can't live like this anymore, I'm going back.

Tristan dropped a short note and left for Ashernia early.
...

Asher was on his throne when his servant hurried. "Your Majesty!" he bowed.

"What is so important that you have to disturb my peace," he frowned.

"You need to see this," he pointed at the door.

Asher darted to the empty door, then to the servant. "You know the punishment for bothering me, don't you?"

"Yes, your grace, you won't have to cut off my left arm," he forced a laugh with beaded sweat on his forehead.

Asher's eyes widened as two guards escorted a familiar man in black.
What's he doing here?

Asher froze, his heart thumped in his ribcage as he tried to control the vibration of his hands.

Tristan fell on his face. "Your majesty."

Asher paused, his prolonged laughter echoed in the room. "Why are you here? To steal? To trick me again? I'm proud to say I'm ready for you this time."

"I'm here to pay for my sins."

"Look at me when I'm talking to you," Asher said in a serious tone. Tristan jolted and raised his head. "Yes, your highness."

Tristan looked into Asher's eyes, he was talking to a different person, the opposite of the Asher he knew- dyed black hair, his fierce dark eyeshadow complimented by envy green eyes, body draped in black, like he mourned for his lost happiness, his dark aura that could consume anyone at close contact. This was king Asher's vicious tenure.

"Dispose of him," he commanded.

Tristan bowed in submission as the guard raised his sword. "No, wait," Asher said. "Bring the whips."

The servants hurried and brought them.

"One hundred and fifty strokes. I want to see him break!" he said.

Asher turned to the maid by his side. "Get me popcorn." He munched on it as Tristan's grunts were music to his ears.

"My king!" Scarlet marched in with two warriors behind, her chest out, and head held high.

"Scarlet! You're back," some popcorn poured as Asher jumped from his seat with a wide grin.

"Yes, we came back victorious," she raised a brown sack, dripping in blood. "I brought his head as you wished."

"Don't be so formal, it's weird," Asher giggled.

Scarlet darted with a scowl. "You! How dare you show your face here."

"He's here to pay for his sins or something," Asher sighed, brushing his black nail polish.

Scarlet took a whip from one of the guards. "This is for playing Asher," she lashed his back.

"This is for marrying someone you don't love," she said.

"This is for taking people's trust for granted." Tristan grunted, supporting himself with his hands, his back oozed in blood, and vision blurred.

"And this is for embarrassing both Asher and Ashernia," she used all her strength for the last. Tristan fell on the ground gasping for air.

"Hmph!" Scarlet flipped her brunette hair, returned the whip, then left with her soldiers.

Asher darted at him then the guards. "Take him to the prison, we'll continue tomorrow.

Tristan was left in a dark room without food or water, he was flogged until he passed out on the second day, and was brought again on the third day.

Asher glanced at him. Tristan could barely stand, his eyes were sunken, body dirtied and smudged with blood, and his clothes ragged like a pauper.

One more stroke and he might die, he's not strong enough.
"Kick him out of Ashernia," Asher said.

The guards paused. "But, my king, what about his punishment-"

Asher's voice thundered. "Do not question my authority!" he banged the chair.

"Yes, my king!" they took Tristan and scurried out.
...

Tristan hyperventilated and opened his eyes, he looked around. "I'm back in my room."

A sharp pain struck his back as he attempted to sit. "Ouch!" he exhaled and laid down. Tristan glanced at the bandages on his body, he muttered. "Thanks, Betty."

Asher had the chance to kill me, but he didn't. Why?

Tristan inhaled.
It's best for me to stay away from Ashernia.