She knew she always gets scared when these unwanted bad memories cut loose their chains and invade her confidence, eroding the person she had tried to build in her since she was able to differentiate from right and wrong, the beginning of her dark days.
The fear comes most when she felt tired and flees in the nighttime, vanquished by the time she awakes from slumber every morning.
So when her thoughts tumble into that abyss and the rope ladders burn, she goes to her solitude which was her room, drop all the curtains to avert the rays of daylight, and curl up into her own bed where it was dark and warm.
For her dreams were her helicopter, her dream-self is the pilot, and she's waiting to take her out of her predicament the moment she lets it all go.
"Dakara soreha" ( So shall it be ) She said as she smiled at Asashi.
"I know you are not used to working and so if you need help, please don't fail to alert me, i will always help you"
"Thank you"
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Caulifla and Asashi turned to the door which was at the far right hand side corner of the room.
The knock came quietly first and then there was silence. The knock was louder and faster the second time and Asashi stood up and walked to the door. Turning the door knob, she opened it and let whoever was knocking in.
It was a guard.
Caulifla stood up from the bed and greeted in the Person way,
"Salaam alaykum" (May peace be upon you)" She said as she bowed.
The guard did the same.
"Word from His Royal Highness Shuah Azar. He asks if you are strong now and have woken up from your deep slumber.
"Since you are awake, the King has given you liberty into his quarters as one of his servants. He expects you in his quarters very soon as he is going to assign you your work and duties. Hope it is clear?"
"It is clear. Thank you for the message" she said as she bowed.
And with that,the guard took his leave.
"The King's quarters? That is very nice. It is a privilege to work for the Shuah." Asashi said as she smiled.
A privilege it was. Although she didn't understand why the King had given her such a privilege, she was glad it was given to her. Now she will be able to complete her mission quick and easy.
"Will you be heading for the King's quarters now?"
" Hai, We shall see later" Caulifla said as she hugged the girl.
"Watashitachi no kami ga anata to tomoni ora remasu yō ni. Atode karifura o mimasu. Ki o tsukete" (May our God be with you. We shall see later Caulifla. Take care).
"Asashi, Can you please show me the way to the King's quarters? I have never been here before and the magnitude of the palace can be able to swallow me and i will get lost" Caulifla had said.
"Ok Saiai no yūjin" She said as they both walked out of the room and into the huge maze of the Persian Empire.
08:00 am 1608年3月18日 (18th March 1608)
Shāhbāno Abreshmina paced back and forth her gorgeous furnished room, appearing to be in a thinking state. She had a flash back of all that had happened two days ago and it made her both angry and worried.
She had worked herself into the King's heart with great difficulty and work. She had secured him in one of Persia's festivals and he had taken her in. She supposed to be a used concubine but she tried to manipulate him, causing him to marry her.
She did not want to suffer what last wives suffer and so she had created false lies against the other Queens which made the King despise them. He then always wanted to be with her, and she loved it.
But her plans failed again when he started giving his first wife a chance, mostly because she was the mother of his heir. She had thus killed not only the heir, but other sons of the other Queens so they won't have a heir for the King.
She had a night with the King again and as was expected, she became pregnant and it was assumed that the child she was carrying was his future heir.
She brushed about it to the other Queens who knew she was the cause of their children's death and the reason why their husband does not give them attention just like she was given attention.
Although the King has numerous concubines, he stopped just because of the claim that what he does hurts her and her baby.
And now this slave girl has gotten his attention. Seeing the way he has looked at the girl hunts her. The jealousy she had seen in his actions when the guard carried this girl.
How he had carried her personally to the guest quarters? He had never carried her like that before nor looked so lovingly at her the way he had looked at that slave.
It seemed this slave will pose as a threat to her and she has to see that this girl was rightfully put in her place. She will make her life a lot miserable and she will make sure Shuah Azar hates her.
Because he was hers.
Shuah Azar is hers and hers alone.
_
Caulifla admired the beautiful mansion she was in. Every wall being decorated with arts of Past rulers. The halls were dressed in gold and white and the tiles are a beautiful diamond board, with humans who live in this building as the pieces.
The whole building sends a chill down her spine and reminds her of something out of her nightmares.
"I do not want to be here, she thinks as she wraps her arms around her chilled and tensed body; this is the last place she wanted to be. But unfortunately, it is her fault for being here, her doing, her decision.
There is no going back now because she has set her goal and mission. She had made up her mind that if she could bring the head of her Empire's enemy, not only her siblings but her father will know her worth.
"This is the King's Quarters Caulifla. Be safe" Asashi said as she smiled at her.
"I hope I will be"
"The King's personal room is the room at the middle"
"Ok bye then"
"Asashi smiled and walked away.
Caulifla heaved a sigh as she walked closer to the room.
"Where is the girl? I thought you said she was awake?" She heard someone who she suspect is the King say.
"She must be on her way your Grace. Please exercise patience"
"Don't tell how i manage my patience. Watch your mouth or i kill you"
"Sorry Shuah"
She met two guards at the front of the room who directed her inside. She walked in and there was an inunderstandable silence as she bowed to the King.
"Caulifla"The King said in a much softer voice which seemed strange because he had used an authoritative voice not that long ago.
"You work here in my room. You are the only servant that will work in my room. No other servant should enter this place out of free will except you. Now escort her her to her room" She said as a guard came to her front and touched her back so she will stand up.
How dare you touch her? Take him and give him thirty five whips" Shuah had said to the other guard who was standing at his right hand side, everyone looking at him in surprise.
"Didn't you hear what i said?" The right hand side guard hesitation no more as he took the other guard out of the King's chambers.
Caulifla could not understand why the King seem so possessive. They haven't even talked to each other talk more of telling a guard not to touch her. She did not see anything wrong with it.
"Caulifla is your name right?" She heard the voice of the King and she nodded, her head bowed.
"Look at me girl" He had said but she seemed afraid to because he might also punish her judging by the fact that a servant is not expected to look up at the King.
She killed out of her thoughts and her fear became heightened when she heard the King stand up from his throne and walk to her.
He used his hand to raise her chin so her eyes could meet his.
His beautiful eyes.
"I am a good person, as long as you do not do anything that will upset me. I want you to be comfortable around me and not to be scared of me. I want you to always be free with me even though you are a servant here"
"Do not be scared of me Caulifla. It hurts to see you scared of me" He whispered as he removed his hands from under her chin.
She dropped her eyes to the ground again out of fear and she heard the King sigh in heightened frustration.
"Now you, take her to her room and make sure she is comfortable. Now leave my presence" He ordered as Caulifla quickly turned and made her way out of his chambers with a guard following her behind.
She did not know what to think about him, despite how handsome he is.
She would not lie to herself.
She was scared of the King.