Song recommendations: everyone loves an outlaw- I see red
Few days had passed. Kat began getting used to the castle. Vivian had also stopped showing up as usual, causing Kat to read or explore the castle most times. She also stuck to her plan of avoiding Lucian.
The morning sun shone, covering the lands, the birds chirping, and the morning wind swaying the leaves. Kat was in the garden, her body bent in a complicated pose. She had her hair tied up in a neat ponytail and wore a flexible navy blue yoga outfit.
Closing her eyes, she took in deep breaths, letting the soothing scent of the garden flowers engulf her. Kat had decided to have a yoga session that morning to calm her nerves from the past few days, and it worked as she had expected.
Little did she know, the opposite awaited her that morning. Kat changed her pose to another, her body bending, showcasing how flexible she was. After she was done with her yoga, she got ready to head back to her room.
Two court men, Charles and Garrett, were on their way to the court room when they came across Kat. Kat greeted them, intending not to indulge in a conversation head to her room, but was instead stopped by Charles, his eyes scanning her body as they approached. Kat noticed and felt uncomfortable.
"Good morning, Lady?" Charles, the blond haired man, spoke. Both men looked to be in their 30s. "Kat," she responded. "I don't think we have met officially. I'm Charles wallaswood, and this is Garrett Parker," he introduced the other man with brown shoulder length hair.
Both men were brutish, having a look of thirst in their eyes as they eyed Kat. She stepped back, nodding. "Nice to meet you. If you'll excuse me," she said, about to walk away, but before she could, Garrett suddenly sneered, pulling her wrist. "Where do you think you're going? We're not done talking to you," he said, in a displeased tone, that had kat frown her brows.
Kat's eyes narrowed. "What do you think you're doing?" she asked, staring at her hand being held by the man. His grip tightened. "Hey, don't you dare act all high and mighty with us," the blond haired man spoke lowly, with a silent threat in his tone.
"Let go of my hand," Kat said calmly, and she sighed. "Just because the king happens to be a little linnet with you, you think you are better than what you are, I know woman like you all to well" scoffed "don't get your head to high in the clouds you are no less than scrap that would be disposed of in no time, before that time comes I don't think the king would mind sharing you for a night.
What do you think?" The blond man continued to say smirking "I could give you whatever is it you want, just name it. What do women want?... Money, jewelry, gold, diamonds.?". Charles chipped in. "Name your price for a night?" He continued to say.
Kat pulled her hand away from Garrett's grip, only to have the two men laugh. "Don't be so feisty, keep it for under the sheets when I..." The sound of a slap echoed through the courtyard as Kat gave Garrett a tight slap.
The man's skin instantly turned red on the spot Kat had slapped him. "You bitch, how dare you..." Another slap followed on the blond man's face. Both men shot sharp glares at Kat. "You'll pay for that!" Garrett shouted angrily, trying to grab Kat, but she dodged it, and he stumbled forward. "It would be better if you refrained from touching me again," Kat warned. "You slut of a woman, you'll pay for this and beg for mercy until you beg for death," Garrett threatened, to which Kat tilted her head. "You seem to have quite an overactive imagination," Kat commented, taunting the two men.
The blond man suddenly charged at her, but Kat pulled him, twisting his hand behind him. "Let go of me!" he growled in pain. Kat twisted his arm further, earning a small crack. The man screamed in pain. "I thought I told you not to touch me," Kat said, her eyes darkening.
"Miss Kat," Kat heard the familiar voice call her name. She met Sabastian's gaze and let go of the man, he staggered forward. The Garrett quickly turned to Sabastian. "This girl has gone crazy, she was spotting nonsense, and offered herself to us trying to force herself on us, and when we refused, she attacked us," he accused Kat. "The blond man also pitched in, still wincing in pain. "Yes, I even tried telling her to have a little decency as a woman, and we are respectful men from decent homes, but she attacked like a mad dog." Both men lied through their teeth.
Kat burst into laughter. "Decent? that is one hell of a joke, you're both nothing but low life scums. The next time you dare come close to me, I'll be sure to break your ribs," Kat threatened coldly. Taking a few steps forward, she walk back towards Garret "oh before I forget" she said slapping him on the other cheek "don't you ever touch me" she nodded at Sabastian. "Good morning," she said, smiling before walking away from them.
Meanwhile in Lucians study room. Lucian stood by the window of his study room, silently watching Kat. His expression aloof, as always. He watched as Kat twisted her body oddly with a peaceful grin on her face.
When Kat's hand was pulled by the man, Lucian's face darkened before going back to normal. He watched the whole scene unfold by the window, before walking back to his desk.
Kat didn't bother herself much with happened, and went about her day as usual until she was summoned to the courtroom by Lucian. The maid who informed her escorted her back. Upon arriving at the courtroom, Kat wondered what the deranged king wanted from her now.
As she entered the courtroom, everyone's gaze fell on her, apart from the stares she received from the court men. Kat could feel two piercing gazes on her, she had already guessed they were from Garrett and Charles. When she met their gaze, her eyes darted to the man's cheeks that were now swollen and red. She gave them a mocking, pitying look before looking ahead. If looks could kill, she would have been long dead by now with the way they glared at her. She made her way to Lucian.
Lucian stared at Kat with the same poker face expression she had started grow accustomed to. "You called for me?" Kat asked. Lucian smiled a smile Kat didn't quite fancy, It made her more uncomfortable than anything. If anything it only made him look sinister. She still found it hard to understand how the man's expression switched so quickly from one to another, but never once caught a glimpse of warmth. "Since you are always cooped up in your room, you must be bored. It would be nice for you to step out," he said, as if he cared.
Kat stared at Lucian suspiciously, not even knowing how to respond. "You don't need to worry about me, I'm perfectly fine in my room," Kat said, holding herself back from rolling her eyes at him. "Since you are already here, you might as well stay," Lucian added. Kat found it hard to grasp what Lucian was playing at, but denying him would also bring trouble, so she agreed and quietly stood next to him, everyone were in disbelieved at Lucians words, inviting a woman next to him, but no one dared say anything.
"During the court meeting, Lucian noticed Garrett glaring at Kat. The man also noticed the king's gaze on him and quickly shifted his focus away from Kat. "Garrett, Charles," Lucian called out. Both were surprised at first but came forward, bowing before Lucian. "My lord."
"Word had gotten to me that Katherine here caused quite a fuss this morning. Could you care to explain?" Lucian asked. Garrett had noticed how Lucian didn't defend Kat in the courtroom the day she was being insulted and called names, even indirectly insulting her himself, implying that the girl was nothing special and the king didn't care. He decided to take the opportunity and put the girl in her place.
Kat stared at Lucian with furrowed brows, but he ignored her gaze, focusing on the men before him.
"I wouldn't want to belittle lady Kat's character in front of so many," he said, casting himself in the role of a saint.
"Go straight to the point,'' Lucian deadpanned getting impatient.
"Well, my lord, on our way to the courtroom this morning, we met Lady Kat. As a sign of manners, we exchanged greetings, but then she stopped us. I, for one, would never have expected Lady Kat to be such a woman. She shamelessly offered herself, instigating all sorts of vile acts, trying to seductively force herself on us," Charles explained. Garrett also chimed in, saying, "We had told her to stop such cheap and disgusting behavior, trying to talk some sense into her. But how can she when it's who she is? When we refused, she suddenly attacked us."
Murmurs rose in the courtroom. "Who knew she was such a cheap woman?" Many sneered. "What a cheap slut. Women like her aren't worthy of being in His Highness's presence," one man commented. Disgusting and other derogatory comments kept flying around about Kat's character.
Kat felt this was unbelievable. She was wrongfully blamed and bashed by them. Kat scoffed, "Are you done with your spun-up lies?" she asked. "Just when I thought you couldn't be any more vile and disgusting, you prove me wrong."
"We both know none of the rubbish you said is true, and it was the other way around," Kat said as her eyes narrowed.
"Keep quiet, you vile woman!" one of the court men exclaimed, the others also chiming in.
Kat was more than annoyed by this, every time she was called here by Lucian, he always managed to find a way to insult her.
Kat was about to walk up to the lying punks and teach them a lesson, but a hand came in front of her. It was Sabastian. She stared at him, confused. Did Sabastian really believe them too? She felt a pang in her chest at the thought.
"Are you both telling me that you were beaten up by such a frail woman?" Lucian asked, raising an eyebrow. Kat glared at Lucian. "Of course not, my lord. I couldn't bring myself to hit a woman, " Garrett said, trying to save face.
'Unbelievable', Kat though to herself.
"I see. Since Katherine is at fault, what punishment do you think would be fitting for her offense?" Lucian asked, a wicked grin spreading across his lips.
"Your Majesty, her vile tongue and lack of manners deserve to be reined in," Garrett suggested.
"Rather, I think it's her hands that need silencing," Charles added.
"Then that is what shall be done," Lucian declared.
"What!" Kat exclaimed, alarmed. "Do you really believe this rubbish? Like I would ever belittle myself and go after such unattractive, ugly old men?" Kat sneered.
Lucian snapped his fingers, and a guard approached Garrett, handing him a dagger. Seeing things escalate, and these people were all crazy, Kat slowly moved behind Sebastian, preparing to flee. Knowing she couldn't take on everyone in the courtroom, especially not all of them at once.
Garrett and Charles smiled mockingly at Kat, unaware of the horror to come. "Cut out your tongue," Lucian suddenly ordered.
"My lord...?" Garrett stared at the king in confusion.
"Did I stutter?" Lucian's smile fell, replaced by a dark, piercing glare. Leaving everyone was confused, including Kat.
Lucian's eyes moved from the dagger to Garrett. "Don't keep me waiting."
The courtroom fell silent, fear creeping into their bones. Unwillingly, Garrett raised the dagger, he brought out his tongue, and placed the blade on it.
Tasting the cold metal, that would be the last thing he would ever taste. He sliced the blade through his tongue.
The sound of his tongue being sliced by the sharp blade and his painful subjugation filled the courtroom. The tongue fell to the ground, blood staining the marble floor.
Lucian's gaze moved to Charles, who hadn't expected events to unfold like this. If he had known that his words would lead to such a gruesome outcome, he would have never suggested punishment, let alone mention her hand. He would have rather stayed silent, unlike Garrett, who had foolishly suggested cutting out her tongue like a discarded cat's. But now, it was too late. He watched as blood continuously poured out of Garrett's mouth as he cried in pain.
"Charles, remind me, which hand was it?" Lucian asked, his voice cold and menacing.
"Hand...?" Charles responded, unsure, his mind racing with regret.
Lucian waved his hand, and a guard approached, drawing out a sword. The sword dragged along the ground as Lucian descended from his throne, coming down from the raised platform.
"What hand did you use to touch her?" Lucian asked, approaching Charles.
Charles opened his palm, waving is hands In front of him, pleading for mercy and trying to explain, but Lucian's eyes snapped to his hand. "Left," he said, running the sword through it. Charles's left hand fell to the ground, and he also fell, screaming in agony.
"Or was it the right?" Lucian asked himself thoughtfully. swinging the sharp metal and cutting off Charles's right hand smoothly. Blood oozed everywhere, some splashing onto the councilmen.
"Please spare me, Your Highness!!!!! I . Forgive me," Charles pleaded, between subs wobbling on the floor, handless.
Lucian heard the sound of scrubbing and coughing beside him. "How annoying," he said, not looking, and sliced off Garrett's head in one smooth swing. The head rolled to the floor, blood splashing all over Lucian, a smile one would consider impossible, spreading across his face, making him look like an awakened devil.
Kat stood frozen, her eyes wide with terror, fixed on the gruesome scene before her. Her body became rigid, paralyzed by fear, unable to move or speak. Her mind reeled with disbelief and horror, struggling to comprehend the brutality she was witnessing. Her breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest. She was trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake up.
Lucian showed no mercy, swiftly beheading the other man on the spot. The courtroom floor was now filled with pools of blood. Lucian ascended his throne, his gaze sweeping over the bloody scene before him. The marble floor was stained with the blood of the two men, and his own clothes were splattered with crimson droplets. Yet, he sat majestically, with a satisfied look on his face. He gazed at the courtiers, his eyes piercing through the silence.