Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 204

**His Mercy Tastes Like Hunger**
**Chapter 204: Please Forgive Me**

**Phoebe’s POV**

As I navigated the dimly lit corridors leading to the dungeon, an unsettling silence fell over the warriors stationed there. Each one seemed to freeze in place, their eyes widening with surprise and uncertainty as they recognized my presence. Samuel and Justin, ever my stalwart allies, hurriedly stepped forward, their expressions a mix of concern and determination as they began to explain the purpose of my visit.

“But we need the king’s permission… I’m not sure it’s wise to let you enter, my queen,” one of the guards stammered, his voice trembling slightly. He cast furtive glances at Samuel and Justin, clearly anxious about the consequences of defying royal protocol.

They all knew the tragic fate that had befallen my personal warriors, how they had barely escaped the wrath of Perry due to my desperate pleas for their lives. But these guards? They were mere foot soldiers, the lowest of the low. They understood that my heart would not extend to them in the same way it had for Samuel and Justin.

I sensed their hesitation, their fear palpable in the air. “You can report this to Perry if you wish,” I assured them, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. With that, I brushed past them, determination propelling me forward into the depths of the dungeon.

After a tense exchange and Samuel’s persistent reassurances, the guards finally relented, granting me passage to see Cameron.

As I approached the cell, my heart sank. There he was, my father, slumped in the shadows of his grimy prison, looking utterly defeated. The sight of him was a stark contrast to the man I had once known—pristine, composed, a figure of strength. Now, he appeared disheveled, his eyes sunken and hollow, as if the very essence of life had been drained from him.

The stench of neglect filled the air, and untouched food lay on the plate before him, a testament to his lost appetite. It was as if he had relinquished not just his meals but his will to live. My chest tightened painfully at the sight.

When he was absent from my life, I could push the weight of guilt aside, but now, confronted with the reality of his degradation, it crashed over me like a tidal wave. He was still my father, no matter the distance that had grown between us.

I recalled the days when he had loved me fiercely, when his affection had been a warm shield against the world. That was before Tiara and her children had come into our lives, before everything had spiraled into chaos and destruction.

“Phoebe…” His voice broke, a fragile whisper that trembled in the air. He attempted a smile, but it faltered, revealing the depth of his despair. He reached through the bars, a desperate gesture to bridge the chasm between us. “I knew you’d come,” he murmured, hope flickering in his eyes. “I knew you wouldn’t abandon me here.”

I pressed my lips together, fighting the instinct to flee. The dungeon felt unbearably small, the air thick with unspoken words and emotions. When he extended his hand toward me, I flinched and instinctively recoiled. The hurt in his gaze was unmistakable as he withdrew his hand, the pain of my reaction evident.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m so sorry for everything I did to you. For all the pain I caused, for turning your life into hell.” He stepped back from the bars, the realization dawning on him that his desperation had frightened me. “But seeing you healthy… that’s enough for me,” he added softly, a bittersweet acceptance in his tone.

I should have turned away, should have felt regret for stepping into this dark place. Yet, something rooted my feet to the ground, an unshakeable need to understand.

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