Noelle's eyes had already been closed shut due to profound shock. Few seconds later, she soon stopped shouting when she detected that her body wasn't clashing against the harsh floor.
"Got you!" a firm but gentle voice spoke, which startled Noelle a bit.
She panted slowly with her eyes still closed.
"Huh…?' Noelle thought confusedly, wanting to know the reason why she hadn't fallen yet, Noelle then apprehensively opened her eyes and the next thing they met with was a very distinct pair of orange colored eyeball.
And although Noelle's silky black hairs were already covering some part of her face due to the force of the fall, still she could see the man's charming face closely staring into hers and just inches away from her own face. And this was enough to cause her to faint.
It was King Axel, and he appeared to portray a worried expression on his distinguish facials. While his sturdy hands were safely securing the girl's body from being bashed by the floor.
And since some parts of Noelle's waist length black hairs were already hovering above her face, Axel didn't know it was that unprincipled mouse he had met from the local market earlier and that had caused him a lot of trouble yet.
"That was close," Axel stated collectively. "Careful next time. Else, accidents like this would happen often," he added and had wanted to lift Noelle upwards but suddenly stopped.
Noelle could feel herself almost wanting to freeze at the sight of the person she was percepting. She couldn't even say a word. As she remained quiet like an ice statue. 'Damnit! For goodness sake it could've been anyone else but him?!' Noelle thought aggravatedly.
Taking a closer look at face of the young lady who was in his arms. Axel's eyes scanned Noelle's beautiful face thoroughly, trailing every corners of it with a penetrating stare. Then his eyebrows furrowed, realizing who it was.
'Staff lady?' He thought
"It's you…?!"
"What're you doing here?!" Axel questioned in bewilderment as he didn't remember ever seeing her in the castle before, and before Noelle could even defend herself, Axel swiftly withdrew his protective arms away from Noelle's waist and moved away from her.
'THUD!'
Noelle's body landed viciously against the harsh floor. "Ow!" Noelle whimpered in pain. She tried to get up on her feets but fell again due to her aching legs. Causing her to squint her eyebrows. She slowly supported herself upwards and assumed a sitting position. Noelle remained on the ground, not sure if her legs were working anymore.
This was when Noelle noticed that they had been surrounded by some few Guards and Maidservants, who were curious about the loud screams they just heard in the castle not to long ago as they stared amusedly at them. Even those Guards she had seen earlier back at the local market and had troubled were now all there staring down at her on the floor.
Noelle frowned furiously, as she panted with an accelerating heart. Wondering what would happen next.
Desmond hastily came forward and pointed a sharp sword towards Noelle's face menacingly.
"You…?! Weren't you that insane lady with a staff who had troubled us back at the local market?" Desmond scowled aggravatedly. Since he also hadn't ever seen her in the castle before. "What're you doing here?!"
Noelle didn't reply to them and only remained on the floor panting profusely with an heavy heart and a thorough frown on her beautiful face. 'How dare he call me insane!' This what Noelle wanted to say, but she couldn't as she was already in a tight spot.
Desmond then glanced at Axel, "Your Majesty are you okay? Did she do something?" He asked worriedly and warily.
Looking towards Desmond, Axel's face held a subtle assertiveness, "If you think that someone as weak as her did something to me then it must be that you're underestimating your King, Desmond," Axel arrogantly layed his claims.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. I was just worried," Desmond hastily apologized with a slight bow, knowing his faults.
"As you can see Desmond I'm fine," Axel guaranteed Desmond, then looking away from him, Axel's eyes fell back upon Noelle who was on the floor helplessly, and then he slowly advanced towards Noelle and leveled himself down to her height.
Staring at Noelle's emerald eyes penetratingly. "You're the same lady who troubled us back at the local market the other day, right?" Asked Axel authoritatively, which pretty much jolted Noelle.
Performing a trivial head bow, she lowered her head, "Y-yes Your Majesty, it was… me," her body and voice trembled, as she cautiously glanced at tip the of the sharp sword that was placed close to her neck by Desmond and the other Guards. 'I'm totally doomed!' Noelle cried inwardly.
"If so, then what is a lunatic like you doing here in my castle? Ladies like you belong to the gutters where you came from and not in here."
"I'm a M-maidservant Your Majesty," Noelle hesitated as she slowly lifted her face upwards to meet his.
Axel scoffed, "A Maidservant? What do you think of me? A fool? I've never seen you here before. So how can you be a Maidservant? Or did you barge into my home?" Axel questioned confusedly, so far he had never ever seen Noelle's face in the castle before amongst all the Maidservants. He continued staring at Noelle awaiting an answer.
And Noelle didn't reply. Which caused Axel to tilt his head, "What happened genius? Cat cut your tongue? You seemed to have a lot to say back at the local market, so why are you suddenly acting like a moron now?" Questioned Axel's imposing voice. Which made Noelle wonder if ever this arrogant man would ever ran out of mocking names to call her.
Taking a few seconds more to speak, Noelle swallowed, "No, Your Majesty. I didn't barge in. I… I was employed yesterday as a Maidservant by Mistress," Noelle dreadfully replied the annoying man in front of her.
"And didn't I make myself clear enough to you the day I told you that when next I ever catch sight of you anywhere close to where I am would be the day you cease to exist?"
Lowering her head in shame, "You did, Your Majesty. I was—" Noelle admitted nervously. But was soon interrupted by Axel who didn't need to be lectured by her.
Not changing the former expression on his face, he spoke firmly, "Since you've disobeyed me. Then it's only fair that you're punished in return for your disobedience."
Hearing this, Noelle could discern all the airs around her accelerating away from her. Her heart pounded severely, she wanted to tear up so badly, but however, she couldn't. She didn't want this undeserving evil dragon to see her tears. Neither did she want to feel herself becoming weak.
"Please, Your Majesty. I beg your mercy. Please forgive me! Please Your Majesty!" Noelle resorted to apologizing. As she lowered her head in pure shame. Tears had already formed up in her eyes, but she was never going to let it fall. She didn't know what sort of punishment would be given to her, and this made her frightened.
Axel sighed calmly. His eyes scanned Noelle's body from head to toe. He knew that the girl was disabled and in a bad condition already. It's no use punishing her by arresting her, unless she might just end up dying in the prison. And also, he knew that the incident back at the local market was just normal, and besides they had indeed done some demages to the poor woman, so they needed to pay for it. So Noelle's anger on that day was justified in his own point of view.
Making up his mind, "Okay then. I'll forgive you. But remember Lady, it's only because that day you were right and we were wrong that's why I'm presently willing to forgive you. So don't go around thinking that I usually forgive people this easily," he explained thoroughly, pointing one of his fingers which was encrusted with multiple golden rings at Noelle menacingly. "As you know I am a very fair King, so be rest assured that you won't be punished. But at the same time, I feel if you continue to stay here you'll only end up causing me more troubles. So to avoid that, I don't ever want to see you here in my castle again."
Shifting his gaze towards the Guards with an unbothered expression on his face, "Kick her out immediately!" He stated casually causing Noelle's eyes to enlargened.
Noelle gasped exasperatedly. "Your Majesty, please I promise that I'll—"
Interrupting Noelle was Axel, who had a soft and wicked smile on his thin lips, seeming pleased by the situation, "Lady, it is better that you don't say anything else. Lest I change my mind and have my men lock you up instead. Is that what you want?"
Axel knew that he now possessed the upper hand, unlike before whilst at the local market, which Noelle had the upper hand. Now it was his turn for revenge.
Noelle instantaneously shooked her head to Axel's words, and diligently kept her mouth shut as instructed.
"Splendid," Axel uttered firmly, adjusting his golden crown on his head. And the former smile on his lips disappeared, "Off you go then."
Noelle stared disgustedly at Axel. 'You devil!' she said inwardly.
And as instructed and immediately, the Guards roughly took hold of the girl's hands like that of a thief. They lifted her fragile body upwards as though she weighed nothing.
Noelle glared at the Guards. If only looks could kill. She tried so hard to not let the tears escape from eyes, but notwithstanding, it still managed to escape eventually. Her eyes became red as the Guards led her body towards the outer part of the castle.
Was this really the end? Did she really just blew her best chance of seeking revenge on him just like that?
This farther aggravated Noelle as she violently clenched her fingers into a fist, but she knew that she better not act irrationally, else, she would regret it. So she quietly followed them.
She could see Arcadia's pitiful face glancing at her from some corner, however Arcadia didn't dare interfere, as she already knew her place. Noelle had never been as embarrassed as this all her life. And this farther made her crave for revenge!
'Father, Mother, Brothers. I'm very sorry that I've disappointed you. I'm really sorry,' Noelle pleaded inwardly as her heart shattered into multiple pieces.
"Wait!"
Daphne's voice sounded from behind. Causing Axel to get up from his knee and then turned towards her with a questioning look.
Daphne walked forward, moving farther towards Axel. She stared towards the Guards that were holding Noelle, and spoke again, "Let go of the lady."
Causing those Guards, that were holding Noelle to halt. But still, they didn't let go of Noelle's hands since Axel had the final say and not Daphne.