we were led out, and as we moved, I noticed a familiar pair of grey eyes staring back at me from the crowd.
Liam's expression was that of disappointment. I felt guilty, and I feared I had lost his love forever, and the thought of never earning his forgiveness was crushing.
The guards led us to a vast, open land with lush green grass and towering trees. It was clear we were about to pay the price for our foolish decision to come here in the first place.
"Kneel, all of you!" a guard barked, and we had no choice but to comply.
They roughly bound us to the trees, and I could see some of them brandishing whips, ready to begin our punishment.
I closed my eyes, the pain in my chest building. I longed to see Liam again, to know if what I felt was truly love. But before I could dwell on it further, the guards began their brutal flogging.
The whip's lash felt like a searing blade, and I couldn't help but scream as my body began to bleed. It felt like I was going to die.
They finally stopped. The pain still lingered, but I opened my eyes to find Liam standing before me, his expression unreadable. Was he angry, annoyed, or disappointed?.
"Go now," he instructed the guards.
A faint smile crossed my lips, and tears began to fall. Liam's eyes locked onto mine, and he reached out, his hand gently brushing my cheek.
"Why did you do that?" he asked, his voice cracking as tears streamed down his face. Is he crying?, But why?. I was the one in pain, not him.
He reached out to untie the ropes that bound me to the tree, and immediately pulled me into a gentle embrace.
I felt my blood-soaked clothes pressing against his. I was too weak to protest, too exhausted to stay awake. My eyes grew heavy, and I surrendered to unconsciousness, feeling Liam's arms cradle me as I slipped away
My eyes fluttered open, and I scanned my surroundings. This place was unfamiliar . Where was I?
"You're awake," a voice said, breaking the silence.
My gaze swept the room, landing on Hannah's concerned face. "What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice weak as I struggled to sit up.
To my surprise, I felt no pain, despite the memories of torture still fresh in my mind. "Be careful," Hannah warned, rushing to my side.
"How are you feeling?"
"Hmm" I nod. "But why don't I feel pains from the torture?"
I watched as she stood up, walking towards the window.
"Layla, you really shouldn't have done that. His highness healed you from your injuries." She paused, looking out the window. "His highness really loves you, he really does, but you don't feel the same way."
"Uhm..."
"Layla, I'm really disappointed in you. You shouldn't really have done that." She turns to face me.
"I wish you hadn't"
"A massage from the Queen" a lady appeared, standing by the doorway.
"Layla, you are to come with me to the palace. The Queen demands to see you."
"I'll bring her" Hannah said.
The lady left, my gaze shifting to Hannah.
"I regret my actions, but the things that happened 10 years ago took the life of my dad. Don't you get it?, why did that have to happen to us. Not fair"
"Not sure exactly what happened then, I was still as young as you. But I'll tell you something." I listened as she spoke.
"You shouldn't bear grudges. Vengeance is left to God, it's not right for we humans to take on that responsibility ourselves. Deciding to kill Innocent lives for nothing they know about isn't right.
Let go of the past Layla, and move on with the bright future you have with his highness."
I bow my head, feeling the weight of my actions.
"Let's go now. We shouldn't keep the Queen waiting"
I looked up at Hannah, carefully standing up the bed, and she leads me out.
As we arrived at the palace, I couldn't help but gasp in awe. The grandeur of the high ceilings, the spaciousness of the environment, and the breathtaking beauty of the gardens left me speechless. It was like stepping into paradise.
"Let's go in," Hannah said, leading me to the entrance, where guards stood at attention on either side of the door. They exchanged nods with Hannah, and we continued inside.
My eyes widened as I took in the opulence of the interior. The people seated on the sofas looked familiar, dressed in expensive looking attire, and exuded an air of royalty.
"Greetings, Your Royal Highnesses," Hannah announced, bowing. "Layla is here as demanded."
The Queen acknowledged her with a nod. "You may leave now, Hannah."
With a bow, Hannah departed, leaving me alone.
"Come and have a seat, dear." The Queen told me.
My gaze caught the sight of Liam, who sat engrossed in his device, something white plugged in his ear, does he know I'm here?.
I felt a pang of sadness, longing to talk to him, but unsure if he would reciprocate. I walked further, my head slightly bowed, taking in the room's occupants.
A beautiful lady stood up, her sofa adjacent to Liam's.
"Come, sit here," she said with a warm smile. But Liam didn't even glance my way, too absorbed in his screen.
I hesitated, "I'll stand, thank you."
"No, you'll sit next to my brother." Before I could protest, she guided me to the sofa, her hand gently pressing on my shoulder.
I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I sat down, fidgeting with my fingers, stealing glances at Liam, who remained engrossed in his device.
"So, Layla, I understand that your actions were driven by pain and anger over the loss of your father. I forgive you," the Queen said, her smile perplexing me.
"But I-"
"It wasn't your fault. The person responsible for your father's death and the suffering of your people is long gone," she assured me.
My eyes widened in surprise and shock. "Huh? I...I don't understand," I stammered.
She chuckled. "Before I explain what happened ten years ago, I need the rest of your friends to be present." She raised her voice, "Come out now!" The Queen's voice echoed, and my friends emerged into the grand living room, looking perfectly fine, without a single injury.
"Mariam!" I called out, relieved. I stood up to meet her.
"Sit down, dear. I'll explain now." Her gaze was gentle and kind.
I sat back down, staring at my friends. They looked unharmed, as if they had never been flogged.
The Queen began, "What happened ten years ago was a tragedy that should have never occurred. My husband, the king, decided to build a company in the village where you once lived. The people resisted, as they had nowhere else to go.
He gave them an ultimatum, leave within a week or face forceful eviction. I pleaded with him to reconsider, but he was too stubborn to listen.
He ordered men to chase the people out, even if it meant killing them. And so, the tragedy occurred. Your father, a loyal servant to the king, died alongside many others.
I couldn't just sit by and let innocent lives be taken. Despite my efforts, I couldn't stop him. I eventually took matters into my own hands and ended his life, along with those of the men he had sent.
You all fled across the Sea. There was a wall hindering you from escaping. That wall was set by the late king, to keep the people safe from the evil creatures that recided there. That's the truth."
The Queen's expression was serene, almost smiling, as if she had long come to terms with her actions.
"Oh," I whispered, bowing my head in shame. I glanced at Liam, still engrossed in his device. Is he upset?
"Is that really the truth or are you trying to deceive us?" I asked
"If you and your friends still have doubts, then there's nothing I can do. It's up to you to believe me," the Queen said.
"I believe" someone spoke up, and I turn to see it was Mariam
"we were never told the full story of what happened. And holding onto memories of the past won't do us any good." She said.
"If that's true, then why didn't you reach out to us all these years? You left us to live as villagers, unaware of the technological advancements." Jackson countered.
I looked at the Queen, seeking clarification.
"I'm sorry for that. I couldn't bring myself to face any of you. I sent people countless times over the years to check on you, but they never returned. Your hatred towards me grew, and you killed them."
That's true. We killed anyone that came from across the sea, throwing their dead bodies into the water. We also swore to finally make an entrance when we see another person, and that's how we decided to come, and ended up in this situation.
The Queen continued, "A letter has been sent to your families, informing them that some of you are still safe. I would love it if you could all come back home." She smiled.
Jackson's expression softened, his gaze cast downward.
"You won't go back anymore. You'll live your lives here with your parents, and that's final." She declared. "Take them now"
My friends were being led away. I stood up, ready to follow.
"Where are you going?" The Queen asked.
"I'm going with them," I replied, confused.
"You'll go with Liam." The room erupted in smiling faces, except for Liam's. He didn't look at me.
"Liam" the Queen called.
"Uhm," I looked down at Liam, who finally raised his head, gazing at his mother, not me.
"She'll return to you, Liam."
Liam looked up at me, his eyes innocent, but his gaze piercing.
"But she doesn't want to come, so why should I take her?" he asked, his eyes still fixed on mine.
"Don't be silly, Liam. Take your wife with you." A lady chimed in.
"She isn't my wife anymore. She left me for her boyfriend."
"You mean Jackson? He's not my boyfriend!" I protested.
"Come on, Liam, stop being a jealous child and take her with you." A boy, likely the Queen's child told Liam.
"I'm not jealous," he said, his cheek flushing as he looked down.
"Uhm, it's fine, I'll go with them," I said, my gaze fixing on the Queen.
"I disagree. You'll go with Liam," she stood up, a chuckle escaping her lips. "I'll leave you to sort out your differences." With that, she departed, accompanied by her maids.
My gaze swept across the faces of the people, finally landing on Liam.
"I'll go now," I said, trying to sound confident, as if I actually knew my way out. But I could at least ask the guards to take me to my friends.
I slightly bowed my head and started walking, but suddenly felt a firm pull on my wrist.
I turned to see Liam, his eyes blazing with fury as he stood up, his gaze piercing mine.
"Ooooo," someone chuckled, a female.
Liam then pulled me away from the people, straight out of the palace, and down to a car. He opened the door and pushed me in, coming in from the other side. He looked mad.
"Uhm, Liam," I called out, but he had already started the car and hit the gas.
I looked over at him, his face hidden behind his hair as he gripped the wheel. The car suddenly accelerated, and I felt myself struggling to sit stable. I kept moving back and forth as the car continued to speed along.
"Uhm, Liam, slow down!" I cried out, the wind blowing my hair into my face and making it hard to hear.
Liam unexpectedly slammed on the brakes, and I almost hit my head on the car's interior.
"What happened? Why were you driving so recklessly?" I asked, my brows furrowed in annoyance.
Liam slowly turned to face me, his eyes locked on mine. He leaned in closer, his face inches from mine, his gaze fixed on my lips. I felt a flutter in my chest as he reached beside me and pulled out a stretchy thingy, clicking it into place.
He raised his gaze to mine, his eyes searching mine. I couldn't help but smile, but he remained expressionless.
He pulled away, starting the car again, this time driving at a slower pace. I looked around, realizing we were on an unfamiliar road.
"Uhm, Liam, where are we going?" I asked, peering out the window.
"Where you should be" he replied, his eyes fixed on the road.
"Uhm," I looked down, blushing.
Maybe this is a shortcut to his house, I thought as I fidgeted with my fingers, wondering why he was being so quiet.
The car suddenly stopped, and I looked up to see where we were. It wasn't his mansion.
I turned to Liam, who was already getting out of the car. He came around to my side, opened the door, and I slowly got out.
"Where are we?" I asked, looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings.