In Trouble Again

You dare speak to me? You clearly have forgotten you are just the child of a mere chief and she's nothing!" Denna barked as his friends encircled Asha. 

"Since you know I am the daughter of a chief… not just any chief but chief Japthan, your father's closest man, you must know that I cannot be harmed. Besides We've done nothing wrong and we are both sorry for being here when you wanted to use the river! We can just leave"

"Leave? Your arrogance is all I hear! Chief Japthan's daughter, full of herself and ripe for the taking," he jeered, casting a lecherous glance over Asha's well-covered body. "I've targeted you for a while because of your flirty attitude, and now you've fallen into my trap!" He forcefully held her jaw as his friends restrained Asha, twisting her arms until it hurt.

"You can't do this! We did nothing wron…"

Before she could finish her words, he squeezed her mouth harder, causing her to scream in pain. 

Nemere fell on the floor, begging the prince because she knew she will eventually bear the blame if the whole scuffle between the privileged members of Maribah got to the ears of their parents. She would be punished again.

 As soon as her hands reached out to touch the prince's legs to beg him, he let Asha go with force and stepped on her hands until she was screaming. 

"How dare you touch my precious feet with your filthy servant hands?"

"Please stop hurting that poor girl! Please" 

Prince Denna turned his attention back to Asha when he heard her cry out and shut her up with a brutal kiss. 

I've always wanted to do that," he whispered in her face, leaving her angry and bewildered.

"I'm going to do more because no one can stop me, even if you're the daughter of a chief," he declared, preparing for another unwanted kiss.

At that heated moment, Prince Mayo, Soma, Zeep, and the others walked in on them. To the onlookers, it appeared as if Asha and Prince Denna were having a great time. The girls gasped at what they perceived as Asha's cheap behavior, paying no attention to the still-fallen servant girl or the guilt-ridden expressions of the prince's friends who left Asha reluctantly. All they cared about was whispering among themselves about how Asha had come to the river for a private moment with the prince.

"What's going on here?" Prince Mayo finally broke the silence. His brother, Denna, smiled and playfully patted Asha's face, while Zeep regarded her as the most immoral woman in the Kingdom of Maribah.

"It's not what you think," she wanted to say, but she knew her sister wouldn't even mind that she had just almost been molested by the prince and that she wouldn't even take her side.

"Well, what else do you think it is?"

"You should act better as the prince... it's up to us to..."

"Like I care, brother. You can lecture me at home but not here in front of commoners and your numerous admirers" Denna interrupted with a half-smile before walking away with his friends. He gave Asha a long menacing stare before striding off, with the ladies and servants moving quickly to clear his path and avoid upsetting him.

"The Dramidis never cease to amaze me. Having no mother is truly a curse. I mean, who else can put daughters in their place and teach them morals better than a mother? Your father is probably too busy to notice you girls are slowly losing your good morals," Soma threw insensitive words that hurt Zeep deeply. Zeep swiftly moved to where Asha was and grabbed her forcefully, not caring that the Prince was watching.

"Wait, Are you both related? Is she your sister?"

"But I wish she wasn't!" Zeep retorted.

"And I wish all of you ill luck. Can't you see that the poor girl was beaten, and I was only helping when the silly prince came in and started showing off his power. And you all blame me! What's the future of the kingdom if we keep acting this way?" Asha cried out, daring to voice words nobody else dared to.

"Do I hear you doubting the competence of the king and future king?" the prince asked slowly.

"I am truly sorry, my prince. I am sure she never meant that. She must be upset that we spoiled her run with the prince..."

"What stupid fun? Are you all blind and daft? Don't tell me you do not know that your brother is a brute? Why would..."

Before Asha could finish, the prince raised his hands, daring her to utter another word.

"I am sorry, my prince. Please forgive her. We can be on our way," Zeep pleaded, going down on her knees.

"Kneeling won't do you any good. Your sister just insulted the prince, and I'm sure he will have her punished for that!" Soma said, hoping the issue would escalate and put the Dramidis in the bad graces of the royal house.

To their surprise, the prince helped Zeep up, asked for her name, and ordered her to go home with her sister. Soma watched in chagrin as Zeep smiled at the prince's affection before dragging Asha away.

It made her heart beat in anger . 

But Asha's heart pounded angrily, more than Zeep's, as her elder sister dragged her home, leaving the servant at the mercy of the prince on the grassy floor. She turned her eyes towards the road, following Zeep through the bushy path leading home.

"What has gotten into you, and what were you doing with the prince in such a place?" Zeep yelled.

Even as Zeep questioned, Asha didn't care to answer. She knew no one would hear her out, especially her elder sister Zeep, and she was prepared for whatever punishment came from the events of that day. At least Zeep would be happy she finally got Prince Mayo's attention, while she, Asha, experienced the brutality of Prince Denna. And she wished more than anything that she could leave Maribah behind and find a more peaceful home. 

"You know I would have to tell my father. For your own good, so he can quiet down the rumour about you and Prince Denna. Cause we both know Soma won't let it go!"