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10
CHAPTER TENThis belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
I was so positive that Edward must have said something to his father, probably even shifting the whole blame on me to save his lover. Just absolutely perfect and lovely right.
“Hmm Madam, might you know the reason as to why the King would have me summoned?” I asked as I could not help my curiosity.
“I have no answer for you Alice, I was asked to call you and I have. I know no answer to your question.” She answered me not even bothering herself to spare me a glance. Oh I am definitely getting a death sentence, I felt my palm generate moister as I nervously rub them off my dress.
How would the King punish me, would I be allowed to beg for mercy or would he just have me executed? or would I be exiled. Different thoughts and I just ended scaring myself more.
And once again we arrived at the same door I was first brought to, even in my mental mess I gasped involuntarily. If I had thought that the prison was the most fortified, then I was entirely in the wrong.
The throne room was large, with guards at every corner, watching my every step. The ceiling is so high that the room seems to be roofless, until you look up. For a moment I am lost in the sheer exquisiteness of the entire room, till my eyes meet the heavily adorned throne, and I remember why I am here.
I never got the chance to thoroughly look at the King the first time I was here. I looked up and saw a big, boorish man with auburn hair, blue eyes and a rather sinister scar on his face who stared directly at me with a faint look amusement on his face, he must have caught me staring at the room.
I immediately kneel before the King, the last thing I want is to be in even more trouble if that was possible, at this point for disrespecting the King, I heard Teresa gave her greeting and was excused.
At this point, I could barely conceal the shaking of my hands, I folded them into my skirt, I was still on my knees, with my head facing the ground. This was not the first time I’m seeing the King, no, I’ve seen him on multiple occasions, where he had made public appearance with the Queen by his side. Those occasions were usually a great opportunity to steal, as crowds gathered to clamour around the Royal Couple.
Then, he had seemed much less intimidating, and his eyes were far kinder. But of course then, I was viewing him from a cheering crowd, and now, I am directly in front of him in the throne room, facing possible death. Life truly is unpredictable.
“What happened last night, in my son’s chambers?” His voice rings throughout the throne room, loud, clear and full of authority. Currently I could not lie that I was tempted to lie on the floor and beg for mercy, but I controlled myself and I spoke with confidence that surprised myself, if he is going to lay the blame on me then I would do my best to obtain pardon. I opened my mouth and told the King all that I witnessed the previous night.
“Bring her in.” The King commanded to the guard closest to him. I heard Fiona’s sharp cry as she was dragged into the throne room, I raised my eye from the floor where I still was kneeling.
The sight of her, in bloodied clothes and chains is indeed the most heart wrenching thing I’ve ever seen. A guard slapped her again, just to tell her to stop from crying out again, I winced. What exactly was her offence? Why isn’t the Prince getting punished for having a hand in breaking the rules? Of course, when anything goes wrong between a Royal and common blood, the common blood is always blamed, so typical and here was I thinking he was a good King.
” What happened last night, in my son’s chambers?” The King repeated his question with more authority in his voice. I felt it but it was directed at Fiona, I shivered because I knew I would be ridden with fesr if I were to be in her place.
“My King! Forgive me, I beg of you …” Fiona pleaded and attempted getting up to go plea at the king’s feet. A guard gave her a strong kick and she fell down flat on the granite floor of the throne room. The King doesn’t bat an eyelid at the treatment of one of his people, where is the smiling King that the people loved.
“Answer the King!” The same guard said harshly as he dragged Fiona from the floor.
I guessed she could no longer endure the pain as she narrated how the Prince had been expressing interest in her for the past week, and had called her into his chambers that particular night.
“I promise, I didn’t mean to, it just got out of hand…” She said, as she fell to her knees, sobbing. I had no idea when the tears started falling from my eyes, she did nothing to deserve the treatment she was getting. She just trusted and fell for the charms of a wicked person.
“I know that you know the rules well Maid, and I would not be linnet to those who breaks them. Take her away, and make sure she doesn’t step foot in Kingdom henceforth. If she is still here by sunset…” The King said, rising and looking at the guards who were holding Fiona. “I will make sure you all hang.”
Fiona erupted into a full cry as the King walks out of the throne room with his entourage, he was led out of the room, and I remained, still on my knee in front of the throne.
The shaking in my hands is no longer fear, no. The unfairness of it all, the sheer cruelty this family displays… I raised shakily, still trying to process what had just happened. Fiona was banished, before my own eyes, she was innocent.
The guards begin to drag her out of the room, as she tries to clutch the ground, whatever piece of her homeland that’s left. I was consumed by guilt and shame, this was all my fault, if only I had remained in my room, if only I had kept my mouth shut, if only… I can no longer witness this spectacle. I turn to make my way to the exit, and I saw the oh so ever innocent Prince Edward at the door, watching.