The girls in the corner gasped. They lined behind madam Qui and knelt to greet the king. Madam Qui bowed, but Clara didn't know what to do and casually waved at Theon with fear. In Clara's mind, it is understandable that she'd fear this man. Oddly, she fears him more than Norix, even though Norix looks scarier and gloomier than him.
Kimber grabbed Clara's hair and pulled her down hard to the floor, her knees scratched upon impact on the concrete. "Kneel before the King." Kimber hissed under her breath.
Clara could only hold back her pained expression, whispering, "I'm sorry". Her hands also ached upon the fall, and she felt stinging on her palms.
Madam Qui looked at her side as it happened and her eyes widened, but before she could say anything to tell off Kimber or apologize to both Clara and Theon, a deep growl erupted from the kitchen entrance doors.
An angry Norix enters the room. He saw everything. "Get up." He said in a demanding voice to Clara. Clara was having a hard time picking herself up, since both her hands and knees were stinging in pain. Norix roughly picked her up by her arm and his eyes grew darker when he saw her red bloody knees. "You damned woman." He growled in frustration and quickly carried her in his arms.
Clara's heart clenched when he said that but she quickly convinced herself that Norix's remark was for Kimber.
Norix and Clara left the room. Theon looked at madam Qui "Madam Qui, don't let that ever happen again...or I'll kill her on the spot." Madam Qui only nodded as she processed what had happened. Theon left the room, fuming.
Kimber and some other girls who were left in the kitchen were satisfied with both Norix and king Theon's words, but they didn't realize that those harsh words were meant for them.
Madam Qui turned around and look at all the girls. "You heard what the king said. If anyone misbehaves, I will report it to him immediately." Madam Qui eyes Kimber and the other girls whispering and giggling to each other, thinking that they have won this round.
Madam Qui could only worry. 'I should always keep an eye on that poor girl.' she thought to herself.
Kimber whispered to her other friend, Bailey, "That girl isn't going to last a week here."
Bailey snickered. "I can't wait to ruin her life."
Kimber nodded, and so did the other girl, Katie. "I like that idea."
Kimber smirked. "No one takes my beloved Norix. He's mine."
Madam Qui arrives at the kingdom's clinic and entered the last room to the right hall. She was worried, but her heart softened when she saw Norix watching over Clara as the doctor treated her.
She entered the room with a smile. Clara winced in pain, and the doctor's eyes widened when he noticed Norix glaring at him. Madam Qui shook her head as she giggles inside. 'Ah young love.' She thought to herself.
Madam Qui took a chair and sat beside Norix. "Norix, did Clara tell you already?"