He was ever indifferent and that does spite my being, but I was curious, chiefly on why he called me here. Does he indeed desire to kill me?
"Here she comes." One of the men scoffed, gazing at me with disgust like if I was some doo.
The others turned to look at me, having the same expression as the first man.
The guard taking me bowed and left, leaving me in this midst of these men.
"My Lord, what do we do with her?" One of them asked earnestly.
"We do nothing. She is made a maid, that she shall be for now."
His voice was much coarse, stern and full of authority.
Everyone went silent, in thoughts and not daring to oppose until one of the men spoke reluctantly.
"I beg to disagree your grace, but that's a simple punishment. She opt to be given more."
"Exactly!" Others joined in.
I pinched my nails into my palm. I felt nervous... anxious. I didn't dare to think of whether he would assent to them but somehow, I feared he would.
"What do you then suggest, Claud?" He'd speak.
I felt my body quiver. I was right. He would assent. He was so malevolent he does make me rile.
"Since her captivity, the news has spread wide and far. Lots of noble men, lords and kings ask for her to be brought before them as a concubine. They are fully willing to buy her at a dear price, if you of course consent, your grace."
I could see Luther in thoughts.
I felt my body heat up.
No! A concubine, that I couldn't be. I felt tears swell up in my eyes. I for sure knew he would consent, he hated me enormously, there was no way he would spare me.
"No. She shall not be sold."
I could hear whispers fly around the hall. Everyone was dumbfounded and astonished. I was too. Those words he said I didn't expect him to say it.
I was baffled.
Was he pitying me? Was he perhaps showing me mercy?
I felt highly flummoxed.
"My Lord....?" I could see them unable to guess his reason.
He didn't even seem wanting to clear their confusion.
"That would be all." He said with an air of finality and turned to a man standing right to him. It was one of his guards he had come with to the dungeon I was kept.
"Orson, the guards sent to deliver Rupert's head to the Perstons, had they successfully done so?"
My breath seized. I could feel my hands tremble.
"Yes, your highness. They returned few hours ago, with the head already delivered."
"Good then. The people were euphoric, I guess?" He said sarcastically, possibly to taunt me.
I scowled, trying my best to not act instinctively. He was trying to provoke me, he wanted to me to show rage.
"Unfortunately not. They were frightened and made to flee the kingdom."
"Gather three hundred knights to look for those who already fled and guide the Perston borders. I would be visiting there tomorrow."
Orson bowed and left while the rest drifted their conservation to another topic which thankfully wasn't about me.
All the while, I wasn't listening. I feared for my people. I knew Luther would be ruling over them as their new king but it discomforted me, since I knew he wouldn't be treating them well.
I was taken back to the maid's dormitory soon after, by a guard. As soon as I arrived, he left.
I did all I was told to do the rest of the day and then ate my little portion of food at night before going off to sleep.
The rest of the week went by so slowly.
I didn't get along with the maids. I mostly avoided them and they all avoided me too. I was glad no one got on my nerves but of course, I wouldn't be so glad for long.
One of the days, I was rinsing up the dishes when suddenly I felt a burning sensation ripping through my clothes into my skin.
Someone had poured burning water on me and that person was later discovered to be Katy.
Evelyn punished her rigorously but that didn't help with the pains.
I didn't do anything for the rest of the day and the matter wasn't reported to the King cause he wasn't around.
I laid in bed while Evelyn applied medicine on me. She seemed totally angry and heavy-hearted. It was much obvious.
"Ahh!" I winced painfully as her fingers trailed on my peeled skin.
I bit my lips hard, almost cutting through it.
Katy had poured the water into my back which I was a bit thankful for. If it had been my face, I wondered how I would have looked by now.
"Sorry dear." Her touch went even more gentler than it had earlier been. "I never thought any of those maids would stoop so low to harm you this way."
"Why are they so mean?" My voice cracked up. I was so close to tears.
I could remember them laughing as I screamed from the pains, not even a single being moved to help.
"They are pained....."
"At who? My father, right? Why then do they have to hate me? I did nothing wrong to them." A tear slipped from my eye.
"You see Almira, your father had hurt them in the past. Unfortunately you're your father's daughter. The sight of you brings up bad memories, so it's evident they wouldn't help being aggravated and so would urged to hate and hurt you too."
I thought of it.
If someone had extremely caused my family harm, I would abhorred them and their families too. It was just like I and Luther. I abhorred him and his subjects much.
But still....
"What wrong did my father do?" I wanted to know. Katy told me my father killed hers. Although I didn't believe it but I didn't think she would lie about something like that.
Besides everyone here seemed to hate my father, he must had indeed done something wrong.
"I don't really know much. I mean, when I came to this kingdom ten years ago, it was getting built up and everything reconstructed. Earlier, it had been dumped in scratch. As I was told, Rupert had destroyed most places and things and had also enslaved the people."
"What?" I was astounded. "Did that really happen?"
I was ignorant of this. I didn't know.
"Yes. They were in slavery and for some years, Rupert ruled over them. He had murdered a lot and stole alot of things. His highness and his family were hurt by him the most."
I gulped.
Was that why Luther loathed me so much? Then why doesn't he just kill me or sell me off as a concubine to other lords?
I was confused.
Evelyn stood almost immediately and caressed my hair.
"Take a rest while your wounds heal." She left, leaving me occupied with my own thoughts.
The next day went gone by and other days after, went by expeditiously also.
My wounds healed but Luther had still not returned.
Oh, I didn't want to be misunderstood. I didn't miss him, I didn't even feel a jot of care for him.
I only desired him to return since I knew he was currently at my kingdom, possibly oppressing my people.
To pass out time and get me familiar with the palace, Evelyn took me along the insides of the palace, explaining and describing the places we passed through.
I was really grateful since I knew I had to get familiar with most places if I didn't want to get lost.
I thought of escaping sooner or later but that wasn't possible, since they were guards everywhere.
I retreated back to the maid's dormitory and went through the day, working my head out.
The following day I woke as usual but this time from a terrifying nightmare. I dreamed of myself getting decapitated by Luther. Watching myself die very horribly felt so real and I even puked just as I got out of bed.
I went to the kitchen after washing my mouth and taking a bath.
They were maids there already, cooking and some cleaning dishes.
I joined in, rinsing off the washed dishes with a dishtowel.
I could hear some maids mumbling behind me. I didn't try to pry as I thought they were as usual gossiping about me but curiosity got the best part of me and I tried to listen attentively, to pick out their words.
"I heard his highness has successfully been crowned as the current King of Perston. The news is quite popular. Oh, how elated I am."
I heard them giggle.
"Oh, right. It's true."
"Tonight, he's even hosting a celebration. He has conquered Perston and now is ruling over them. A decade ago, who would had thought that was possible? I'm so proud!"
"Has that daughter of Rupert heard about this?!"
"Look at her rinsing dishes! She is so calm, I bet she is unaware."
"I know she would cry her eyes out when she finds out."
They sniggered.
I took in a deep breath to calm my nerves.
I wasn't much astounded. It was expected. I knew now with my father gone, a new king was bound to take over Perston.
Luther would of course not allow anyone be a threat and would obviously take the throne for himself.
I felt tears blind my eyes and my skin paled. But I didn't want to cry, I didn't want to give these maids the satisfaction of me being vulnerable.
"Let's go taunt her about it." I heard a snarl.
"No, I don't want to anger Madam Evelyn. She had clearly warned us to stay off."
"Gish! I hate the fact that Madam Evelyn protects her. I mean, she isn't worthy of it."
"Right but we must be careful. Remember what happened to Katy...."
"Almira!" I heard a call. Evelyn stepped into the kitchen, cutting every talks ongoing.
All the maids stopped whatever they were doing and bowed at her.
"Good morning, Matron." They'd greet but she ignored them, her eyes fixed on me.
"Almira, his highness has returned and would be hosting a late night celebration. As he ordered, you would be joining the maids serving the guests. Do ready yourself and be prepared."
She left, leaving me and the maids present flabbergasted.