Darius~
I was training with Saraya and the rest of the Guards when Colonel Gar'e Handle , the commander of the Queen's soldiers , my mother's toy , announced her entrance into the training ground . She looked serious , focused like she had a mission to complete , she always had that look her face when she wanted to do something horrible and I know she enjoyed it every time but something was telling me that I was a victim this time .
Maybe she had found out that I had gone to meet The Reacher.
It has been five days I would be delusional to think that she still didn't have people following me and my guess was General Gar'e and his little soldiers who couldn't do their job to save their lives but would follow to the toilet if they could . Useless things.
I saw Kale following behind her like he wanted to tell her something or tell Gar'e something and I immediately knew that It was about me.
I made eye contact with Kale who mouthed "we are in big trouble" and I could feel Rahaya burning coals into my head with her eyes. I couldn't look at her , I had to be composed and keep my cool . I mean this wasn't my first time except I was punished in private away from outside eyes .
The Queen was looking at me now and she had thi-this smirk , it infuriated me and just exuded her hatred for me and Gar'e being behind her beside as usual was fighting a smile, he had always hated me .
I dropped my sword on the floor , Rahaya had insisted we started sparring with real swords, she thought it would make me better if I got used to the real thing.
I put my hands behind my back I began to work very slowly to the front
I can hear her asking me quietly "what's wrong Darius ,are you okay" I could hear her voice shake , was I just hearing things or was she scared for me . And how did that make me feel , I didn't know . I couldn't pinpoint my feelings.
Everyone began to dispers and leave way for me to walk through . I saw on their faces their worry for me , we had all become friends maybe even family during this short time that we'd known each other.
I could hear everyone whispering "what's going , are you okay , will Darius be fine ,does anyone know what's going on?". It felt good to know that people cared about for me , for the first time.
Even though I was already walking to the front , Gar'e made it a point for him to call out my name and say that the Queen requested me in her presence . Well Gar`e aren't you smart .
When I was in front of her I could feel everyone behind me looking at me , I could hear the whispers and I made eye contact with Kale again and he was worried but he mouthed to me " I'll take the punishment" and with my eyes I tried to tell him no but he seemed like he had already made up his mind but I wasn't sure it work this time , my mother clearly had it out for me and I didn't want him to .
He always did this everytime I was going to get punished and when he was allowed to take the punishment for me , it would take days and maybe even weeks for his back to heal and the whip marks to fade .
The mother whispered to Gar'e what she wanted him to say for her, she always did this , she said she couldn't address a crowd because using her vocal cords that much and speaking loud tones could ruin have perfect voice , she was so conceited. I hated her.
"Prince Darius Oleya , you have been found guilty of a great offense and you will be punished in front of everyone present , this is the Queen's command".
"What is my offense , Colonel .
And I could see him search within himself looking for something to say. Maybe he wasn't expecting me to asking why I was getting punished so he looked to my mother , standing there in her royal robe made of horse hair , her hair a mess . She probably ran out of her chamber with excitement, not wasting a minute,this was her entertainment.
And she whisper yet again, his head rose after hearing what she had to say and I could see his smile it seems she had come up with something
"You are accused of speaking badly of your Royal family and threatening to kill the Queen. He looked around after delivering his punchline expecting everyone to be in shock and insult but it was almost painfuy quiet.
"And where did you get this from, where is your proof".I questioned lifting an eyebrow
"Well he is right here " and we all turned
And my brother walked forward, hands at his side, shoulder straight , jaws locked. What ?Is he supposed to be the main character.
"I am the proof , the only proof you need ,my brother here threatened to kill the queen and thought there will be no consequences.
I haven't spoken to him in literal years , there is not one conversation that we have had that i can recall and I'm sure neither can he but I won't argue further it would only make the situation worse.
Gar`e was fighting a laugh , mother as well and Kale was shaking with anger.
"Well there you have it, you will be given twenty five whips on your back , you should be grateful that the Queen was this merciful. This will be done in front of everyone, that is your punishment for threatening the royal family and threatening your Queen". It didn't even make sense .
Kale spoke at that time saying he would take the punishment for me and that he was the one who had fed me evil things about my family . He said he would take 40 whips if that was what it took for me to be forgiven .
It was allowed to take punishment for another but I knew the Queen and she wanted so much to see me in pain ,well thank God I had a high pain tolerance and I wouldn't even squirm .
My father had traveled to South Sanley to see his friend, The King Oraus Title.
He wouldn't be back until tomorrow and he would hate that this would be the first news to reach him but maybe he would punish my mother for this.
There was always this quiet or should I say growing animosity between them . My father told me before that they were coerced by duty to marry each other ,he had wanted to marry someone else and she wanted to marry a commoner.
I could see that he tolerated her but he tried to love her and she only made it worse my favoriteizing everyone else but me .
It had always been clear that I was my father's son but even then he couldn't protect me as much as he wished to.
Kale came to help me take off my sparring uniform and my inner shirt and I could hear everyone whispering again .
I guess all my exercises were for a reason after all , I knew my body looked good and I turn my head just a little to see if Rahaya was looking at me like the rest were and yes she was but I could see the worry in her face and in her eyes and I nodded to her , letting her know that I would be fine .
The whip was given to Gar`e by the Queen's maid but then she whispered something again and to my worst surprise Gar`e handed the whip to Kale and I could see the shock in his face, this was his worst nightmare we had talked about this before and wondered if it would ever happened and he always hated when I brought up that conversation.
He couldn't refuse and I knelt down back straight. His hand was shaking , he didn't want to and it was clear.
I felt the first whip it hurt but I could tolerate the pain, I think kale was in more pain than I was.
That was very embarrassing because I was facing a crowd of people , so many eyes looking at me but I try not to look anyone in the eyes especially hers.
I try to avoid her eyes but somehow our gazes lock . And I could not look away maybe I was too lost in them but I think we had gotten to the twelveth whip and I could hear Kale whimpering behind me and I immediately knew he was crying.
Rahaya kept looking at me never taking our eyes of me , was she intrigued by how well I could handle pain or was there some thing else on her mind ,what I would give to know her hands were behind her back , watching me.
And when it was finally done I saw her smile and I couldn't help but smile back hopefully the Queen didnt notice that. I stood up to face Kale " I'm sorry" he said but I just shook my head. My brother , Kale.
I could see Gar`e trying to hide his smile, my lovely mother as well but my brother he was smiling with all his rotting teeth , the evil bastard, I will repay him one day.
The Queen walked out , Gar`e following closely behind like he was worried Kale would kill right there and then .
Kale put his hands on my back leading me inside , I didn't even bother to cover my back up, my back was hurting and I just knew from Kale's reaction that it looked bad but on the bright side of things , I could tease Kale forever for crying , he would hate me .Hahaha.
As I walked out I looked back again and she was still standing and even in the crowd of everyone pressed together, I could so easily pick her out , I could see her eyes and I could feel that they never left me even for a second.