I stared at him in utter befuddlement, wondering what he meant.
I had thought he was going to take advantage of me but hearing him tell me to leave got me puzzled.
I noticed how troubled he seemed. Breathless and a bit frightened also.
I had never seen him this way before and it left me wondering as to what was wrong with him.
Accidentally I glanced at his heaving chest but was floored by what I saw.
I didn't see it clearly earlier, if I hadn't glanced now, I would have missed the horrid images on his skin.
Scars so old but yet much gruesome to the eyes.
It seemed like cane marks, knife trails and stabs, scratches, deep claws piercings, fire scorches, and much more I couldn't fathom.
I gasped, horrified, staring at his face and then his chest again.
Who did this to him? If his chest could look like this, then how about his back?
"What happened to you?" I couldn't help asking. I didn't feel bad for him, I perhaps was just curious.
"Get out!!" He yanked me by the neck and dropped me rashly outside his door.
I coughed, feeling the high hurt in my throat.
He closed the door on my face and greatly displeased and angered with his actions, I left, trying hard not to look back at the door.
As I went back to the maid's dorm, I found it difficult to stop thinking about him.
His troubled eyes and frightened face.
He does look chiefly innocent with that expression. Somehow, I felt a want to go back in there, make him answer my queries and afterwards comfort him.
It was a stupid feeling which I frowned upon.
I shouldn't forget how cruel and ruthless he was. He had killed my entire family, caused chaos in my kingdom and forcefully became their king.
He had even got me captured in here.
I was furious and should forever not stop abhorring him.
I slept on my bulk bed in one of the maid's chamber and that night, I unfortunately dreamt about him.
The next morning was another busy day. The guests were leaving and we, the kitchen maids had to be responsible for their last meal.
The kitchen was crowdy and brisk when I arrived and the dishes on the large sink were numerous.
I joined the maids rinsing and placed them in a large bowl afterwards.
I finished when it was noon.
We were served lunch and I took my plate to my usual bench to eat but suddenly, I overheard some maids nearby gossiping about me with others glancing at me with disgust.
"I never would have thought she was a princess with that kind of behavior."
"Like oh goodness, she seriously danced with those harlots!"
"That too in front of all those men, how shameful!"
"What an abomination she is! An harlot she is! She shouldn't be around we maidens!"
They gossiped and I frowned, getting exaggerated.
I had told them to stop these ill talks of me but they seem to care less about what I feel.
They detested me so much that they don't give one damn about my emotions.
My scowl tightened and I furiously left back to the maid's dorm to finish eating but there was even worse.
All the maids around were glancing and speaking in loud tones about me.
"I heard she danced with prostitutes!"
"How disgusting! It's repulsive to have her here with us!"
"She should be thrown out and beheaded like her evil father!"
"Yes. She is a disgrace to every maiden in and out of this Kingdom!"
At the sight of me, one of them approached me, scowling, an wrathful look on her face.
"Hey! Get out of here!" She spat out, much hate and irritation in her tone.
I scoffed, spitefully.
I couldn't believe I was being treated this way for dancing with some harlots which was a given punishment. I did like to get out anyway but also didn't want to obey some random maid's command.
"That's for your king to decide." I said, my voice inimical, making sure my displeasure was felt.
I hated the disturbance.
I very much wished they could ignore me and go about their daily activities without being such a pest in my life.
"What disrespect! Do I look like your slave, you harlot? You are in my kingdom awaiting nothing but death, you have to respect us all or we'll trash you out like you turd you are!"
Most of the maids nodded in agreement and I went silent, not wanted to say or do anything to heighten the fire brimming.
"Speak, you dimwit!"
I again kept silent but she got more grilled and without a warning, threw a slap to my face.
I gasped in shock, feeling my ear go numb.
I didn't expect the action and so didn't prepare to escape it.
I was vexed, so much I felt it all in my bones and I, with shaky fingers threw an ear deafening slap to her face.
She gasped, astounded but didn't even give me any time to breathe.
She retaliated, grasping me by my hair and tugging me to the floor. She went on top of me and threw punches to my face.
My teeth tore through my gums and blood circulated in my mouth.
I struggled to get away from her weight but she was quite bigger and stronger.
I could hear many maids gathering around, hailing at her to beat the crap out of me.
I was apoplectic — so much I could feel the vibrations in my veins.
I groaned, pushing her off me with all my strength. I went on top of her and yanked my fingers into her left eye, pulling it hard she started bleeding.
She screamed in pains and some maids, not liking her struggle, dragged me off her, giving her room to escape from my grip.
"Girls! What's going on here, for Petesake!" I could hear the shock in Evelyn's voice as she broke through the crowd of maids gathered around us.
The maids expression held fear and most of them were escaping from the scene.
"Almira! Cassandra!"
She stared at us, expecting an explanation but just when I was about speaking, Cassandra spoke instead, her voice now low and timid.
"She attacked me first, Ma'am!" She lied, her left eye bleeding and swollen.
"What?"
"That's a lie!" I joined in but winced, feeling the much impart of my torn gums.
It badly hurt and my tooth were all covered in blood. My tooth were also shaky and I was immensely resisting the urge to puke, since I felt nauseous.
"The king must hear of this! I'm much disappointed in you two." She frowned and left, leaving me to drown in guilt.
I felt horrible for fighting but I knew I wasn't at fault. Cassandra had provoked me. She approached me first, insulted me and then slapped me when I ignored her.
I ignored her to avoid trouble but it seemed that even more got her pissed.
I was tired of all these maids and somehow felt glad I defended myself and fought back. I didn't want to seem all weak and step-able, it was high time they all learn that.
Soon, we were taken to the courthouse where Luther already was, seated, waiting for us.
I was afraid as to how all this would end but I hoped he'd pass a fair judgement.
I stared at him as I stood.
He was quite impassive as usual but he'd stare grimly at us when we walked in.
He wore as always, a kingly regalia but somehow a memory of his half naked form flashed in my head and I blushed mightily, highly shy.
I gazed at him again but got startled to see him staring back at me.
Oh heavens! He had seen me blush. I instantaneously felt a rush of embarrassment flow through me.
"Your highness, they engaged in a fight." Evelyn reported to him. I could sense some reluctant in her voice and could tell outrightly that she was afraid for me.
She didn't want to report the case but she had to.
I understood and definitely didn't blame her.
He took a long look at us but his gaze at me were quite longer. It was like if he was scrutinizing and checking out my insides with his eyes.
"Did you hit her?" He now gazed at Cassandra, his tone calm but inimical.
"Yes, my Lord." Cassandra seemed scared.
"Why?"
"Uh... Sh... she hit me first."
"But you'd hit her. Did you seek for my permission before doing so?"
Cassandra was clearly much nervous. Her voice shook as she spoke.
"N..no."
"Why then did you hit her?"
Cassandra went silent, not knowing what else to say. Her fingers were busy trembling in worry and fear.
"Are you now ignoring your king?" There was a hint of annoyance in Luther's tone.
"No! I wouldn't dare!" Cassandra was obviously quaking, her right eye visibly forming much tears.
"I... I was just angry at her, so I had to suppress my anger by hitting her but... but she hit me first!"
What lies!
I scowled at her. I knew she would stoop this low to defend herself so I wasn't overly infuriated, since I had kind of expected it.
"I don't care who began the fight but you indeed joined in and defied my orders by hitting and laying hands on my slave."
"I'm sorry, your highness, but it wasn't intentional...."
"She belongs solely to me and I own her. I only have the right to hurt her. Whosoever harms her without my permission faces my wrath. You knew this but yet went ahead to defy my orders. I have no pity or mercy for you."