King Darius watched Ben as he defended and assisted Odi and he felt a tiny bit of jealousy,, he tries to waive it off"
"Oliver," the King finally said, his voice even. "You claim guardianship over this girl, do you not?"
Oliver straightened, puffing his chest. "Yes, Your Majesty. I have raised her, trained her, given her a purpose."
Darius's eyes darkened. "A purpose?" His voice turned cold. "Is that what you call it?"
Oliver faltered for a split second before forcing a grin. "She is one of my best, Your Majesty. And I only wish to ensure she remains so."
Darius leaned forward slightly, his fingers strayed beneath his chin. "Tell me, Oliver," he mused, his tone deceptively casual, "is that why she bears fresh wounds?"
Oliver hesitated, but before he could speak, Odi did. "I failed him," she said flatly, refusing to let Oliver control the narrative. "He punished me."
"Failed him?" Darius questioned, "From the theft you almost lost an arm from? If not your life that was almost lost?"
"Oh no Your majesty, it is a norm to have slaves in our kingdom, it is not new and when the slave is disobedient, we intent to correct as we should" Oliver defended. "It is not what you think"
Darius's jaw clenched. He turned to Heath. "And what say you?"
Heath, who had been idly examining his nails, let out a disinterested sigh. "I say the girl reeks of suffering. As does the wretch beside her." He wrinkled his nose in Oliver's direction before adding, "Frankly, Your Majesty, I'm inclined to throw them both into the nearest bath and be done with it. We would need some extra fragrance in the palace after that"
Darius's lips twitched as though suppressing a smirk. "You're too blunt, Heath."
"Pardon me, your majesty" Heath said with a smirk
Then, his expression hardened. "Odi, can you kindly step forward."
Darius immediately noticed the seriousness of Odi's bruises, her sluggish movements, and the way Ben held her protectively. His brows furrowed, concern tightening his expression. "You're seriously hurt." His voice carried across the hall, steady but sharp. "Oliver, what sort of discipline may that be?"
Oliver bowed dramatically, a smirk barely concealed on his lips. "My King, Odi was caught stealing, as you are well aware. Punishment was necessary. Else, she may do it again. I merely disciplined her, as any guardian should."
Darius' jaw clenched. His grip on the armrest of his throne tightened. "This is not discipline, this is brutality. What exactly did you do to her, Oliver?"
Oliver feigned innocence, spreading his hands. "A slap or two, some restraints, nothing more than she deserved."
Ben's grip on Odi's hand tightened as he glared at Oliver. "You're lying! You tortured her for two days, left her without food or water, branded her! She barely survived!"
Darius's eyes darkened. "You branded her?"
Oliver hesitated, then gave a dismissive wave. "A small mark, a lesson. It's nothing to worry about, your majesty. It would heal in a few hours. "
Darius rose slowly from his throne, his imposing presence casting a shadow over the room. "You speak of her like she is your property." His voice had lost its initial calmness; it was now laced with controlled fury. "You claim to discipline her as a guardian. But tell me, Oliver, what exactly do you guard?"
Oliver straightened, clearing his throat. "Your Majesty, she is my property. I own her. I... I take in orphans, Your Majesty. I provide them food and shelter when no one else will. I took in her and her mother, when she lost her mother, I continued to care for her. I teach them to survive."
Darius took a step forward. "Survive? You mean, you teach them to steal? To serve your greed?"
Oliver chuckled lightly. "Your Majesty, you have no proof of that. Yes, my past is marked with theft, but I have repented."
Darius scoffed, his patience wearing thin. "Repented? You still control these people with fear. You think people cannot see the way they flinch in your presence?" He turned to Odi, his voice softening. "Odi, tell me the truth. What did he do to you?"
Odi hesitated. She glanced at Oliver, at his warning eyes, then at Ben, who silently urged her to speak. She was still very repulsive so Ben answered in her place "He tortured her, Your Majesty. He used whips, fire, starvation. He wanted to make sure she never failed him again."
Darius exhaled sharply, turning to Heath, who had been silently observing. "Do you hear that? And you, Oliver, dare to present yourself as a repentant man? You are a slaver and a tyrant, and I should have you imprisoned."
Oliver quickly shook his head, feigning humility. "But my King, that's not true. They are lying. Your Majesty, you seem very concerned about a girl as common as she is. Why, may I ask, have you requested for Odi?"
Darius' gaze shifted back to Odi. "Because she intrigues me. And because I see something in her that you have tried to bury beneath pain and obedience."
Oliver stiffened. "Your Majesty, she is my daughter. I raised her."
Darius raised an eyebrow. "Your daughter? Is that what you call her? You make her steal, beat her, torture her, and now you have the audacity to claim her as your own?"
Oliver laughed dryly. "I do not claim her by blood. But I raised her. I own her. For years! I deserve to be compensated and treated fairly!"
Ben stepped forward, his fury barely contained. "You do not own her! She is not yours!"
"Shut up, you stupid boy!" Oliver shut Ben immediately and turned to Darius. "And what do you intend to do with her, Your Majesty? Make her your pet?"
Darius' expression hardened. "You should be careful with your words, Oliver. I have not yet decided what I will do with you."
Oliver swallowed hard but remained silent. He could sense he had overstepped.