Augustin’s POV
I studied the young man before me, noticing features he shared with his father, though now red and swollen from crying: Despite hit trenn- Sorushing me softened at the sight of this broken teenager.
“Bring him some juice, I ordered the guard standing by the door.
Fox’s shoulders jerked slightly at my unexpected command, but he kept his gaze fixed on the table.
“Have they been feeding you properly?” I asked, softening my tone.
He nodded reluctantly, but I didn’t believe him. His face appeared too gaunt, clothes hanging loosely on his frame, Looking at him now, I couldn’t maintain the coldness I’d planned to bring to this interrogation.
I know about the fake kidnapping, Fox,‘ I said evenly, watching his reaction. His shoulders tensed further, and fresh tears welled in his eyes. “If you tell me everything, completely and honestly, I can ensure you won’t face the most severe punishments. I paused, letting the implications sink in. Treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. But given your age and circumstances, if you cooperate fully, I promise I’ll quietly send you back to your father
Fox’s head snapped up, hope flickering in his tear–filled eyes. He nodded quickly, swallowing hard.
A guard entered with a glass of orange juice, placing it within Fox’s reach. The boy eyed it cautiously before taking a small sip. The momentary relief that crossed his face made my chest tighten with an unexpected rush of sympathy. I realized they likely hadn’t given him proper food or drink since his arrest.
I turned to Adryx, who stood silently behind me. “Look into the prisoner meal situation,” I murmured. “I don’t care what they’re accused of, they need proper food while awaiting trial.”
Adryx nodded discreetly as I refocused on Fox.
“Tell me everything,” I said, gesturing for him to begin. “From the start.”
Fox took a deep breath, his voice shaky as he began his story.
“It started about two years ago,” he said, “I received an email inviting me to download an app called ‘SoulFriend.‘ It wasn’t in my spam folder or anything, it went straight to my inbox like it was from someone I knew.”
He paused, taking another small sip of juice.
“I was… lonely. I didn’t have friends. Everyone at school treated me differently.” His voice cracked slightly. “I thought maybe I could make some friends online where people didn’t know who I was.”
‘So I downloaded the app. Later I found out it was a private app that belonged to the organization.” He stared at his hands as he continued. “At first, I registered as a guest with just my name. But I couldn’t interact with anyone that way. I needed to complete the registration.”
His shoulders hunched further. “I didn’t want to, but I did it anyway. I entered everything, my full name, ID number, phone number, age, address… everything. Tears slid down his cheeks again. “As soon as I registered, I got about twenty–three friend requests. I thought I’d hit the jackpot, you know? That I wasn’t a freak anymore, that I’d found somewhere I belonged.” He shook his head. ‘I’m so ashamed now.”
I remained silent, watching as Fox gathered himself to continue. His emotions were raw and genuine, there was no deception in his scent or body language.
‘Only one person actually responded to my messages. A girl named Faye. She was pretty, a year older than me. She said she was an orphan living alone in Verdantia, working at a restaurant. She said she didn’t have much money.” He hesitated, a flush creeping up his neck. “I liked her. A lot.
Catfished, I thought.
“We talked for about six months before she told me she had feelings for me, Fox continued. “I was terrified of losing her. Then she asked me to find a way for us to be together. His voice dropped even lower. “I decided I would go to Verdantia. But now I realize she planted that idea in my head.”
Fox described how his father had opposed the move, warning him about the instability in Verdantia following my recent conquest. As the son of one of Clifflands‘ prominent Alphas, Fox would be a target. But the boy had thrown a tantrum, lying about being accepted to a university there.
1/2
Chapter 239
My mom took my side, Fox admitted, guilt evident in his valce. She and my dad fought about it finally, my dad gave lis, and 1 sente
In Verdantia, Fox was placed in a closely monitored hostel, unable to see Faye freely. But she visited him often, telling his storier about the 1 history, particularly focusing on how my father had allegedly destroyed the western territories.
She said you were the reason she was an orphan,” Fox said, “Because of the war. I believed het. He swallowed hard. The strange thing was that Caergar Verdantia spoke highly of you. They seemed to genuinely admire and love you. But Faye told me they were just pretending because they were frald
Fox described how Faye eventually introduced him to “strange meetings” that she claimed were healing sessions for those affected by the war se meetings, led by a charismatic man named Yosef, were actually indoctrination sessions for the organization.
I only know that his name is Yosef. Yosef would talk about how monarchy was evil, Fox explained, “How it plagued our world and kept other regions living in fear of being conquered, losing their homes, families, and lives. He said we needed a responsible leader to ensure the safety of the people and all four regions.”
Fox had initially viewed them as a “hate group, but Faye didn’t seem hateful, just lost and seeking belonging. Gradually, he found himself accepting their views.
“I told my mom about what I was learning, Fox said. “She warned me not to tell my dad because it would get me in trouble. But she didn’t stop me
“Faye showed me copies of sanctions and orders that you supposedly signed, causing immense suffering in other regions. She had recent documents from Forestvale.” He glanced up nervously. “She claimed you took the Forestvale leader’s mate and might do the same to my mother. That it was a common practice.”
My jaw tightened at this blatant manipulation and twisting of facts. Fox continued, describing how Faye showed him documents allegedly authorizing wars and killings.
“I started to believe you were a monster,” he admitted, “I thought the world would be better without you and your officials, with the Council of Elders in charge instead.”
As Fox’s story progressed to his deeper involvement, I maintained exploited him.
a
།
neutral expression despite my growing anger, not at the boy, but at those who had
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