Maximus.
I stood at the corner, leaning against the cold wall of the cell, my eyes mockingly closed… until I heard the heavy sound of the iron door.
Clang.
Slowly, I opened my eyes.
And there I saw her.
A woman was shoved inside by the guards… head bowed, trembling, clutching her stomach, which was unmistakably round despite her attempt to hide it. Her clothes were filthy, stained with blood and ash, and her scent… it did not escape me.
Pregnant.
In an instant, a new idea entered my mind, and a smirk curved across my lips.
A smile of triumph… as if, even before anything had happened, I had already claimed victory in the end.
“So…” I said slowly, my voice hoarse yet filled with mockery, “You failed.”
The woman groaned and tried to crawl closer to the bars. “F-Forgive me, my lord…
