chapter seven

There was a quiet moment before the king spoke as his expression turned authoritative.

"What's your name?" King Ryder asked.

Katherine's eyes widened, nervous. Her throat constricted. "K-katherine," she sputtered.

Her voice trembled slightly.

King Ryder's brow furrowed. "Why did you refuse to honor the palace invitation?" King Ryder asked as Katherine's face paled.

Her eyes darted around the room and she took a deep breath. "Because I don't want to..." Katherine began. Her words hung in the air.

Realization dawned. She shouldn't have said that. Katherine's eyes widened in alarm.

Everyone's faces reflected surprise.

Queen Charlotte's expression turned stunned.

King Ryder's face darkened.

"Um..." Katherine stuttered. Her face flushed. She tried to retract her words.

The room fell silent.

Tension hung heavy.

Katherine's boldness had shaken the monarch.

King Ryder's gaze intensified as his expression turned stern. "You know it was compulsory, and you decided to ignore it," King Ryder said. His voice held a hint of displeasure.

Katherine's face set, defensive. "It wasn't stated on the letter that it was compulsory... I would have known about it," Her voice steady, confident.

King Ryder's eyebrows rose. Surprise flickered across his face.

Katherine's gaze met King Ryder's, Unwavering. "So, am I going to be punished for it?" Katherine asked. Her voice laced with a hint of boldness.

King Ryder's face turned resolute. "Definitely!" He said.

Katherine's eyes widened, shocked. Her mouth parted in protest. "You can't do that!... The person who needs to be punished is the one who wrote the letter," Katherine said. Her voice laced with conviction.

The room's atmosphere shifted.

Ethan's lips curled into a smirk.

Lucas's eyes sparkled with amusement.

Alex's face struggled to contain laughter.

Queen Charlotte's expression turned entertained.

Riley's eyes shone with mirth.

Katherine continued, oblivious. "The person should have stated on the letter 'compulsory', then I would know it's compulsory. So, if anyone needs to be punished, it should be the writer, not me..."

Alex's laughter burst forth.

He couldn't hold it anymore.

Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. "The writer of the letter is actually the king," Lucas said.

Katherine's eyes widened in shock, her face paled. "Oh..." Katherine stuttered.

Her words trailed off as Realization dawned.

King Ryder's expression turned stern. A hint of embarrassment flickered.

Ethan's grin broadened.

Alex's laughter continued.

Queen Charlotte's eyes sparkled with amusement.

Riley's face glowed with suppressed laughter.

Katherine's gaze met King Ryder's.

Awkwardness hung in the air.

The king's authority had been unwittingly challenged.

By his own words.

By his own letter.

Ethan's face broke into a warm smile. "You are one funny lady," Ethan said.

Katherine's eyes remained downcast. Her face flushed.

She awaited the king's verdict.

King Ryder's expression turned stern. "Your punishment will be an assistant to the maids in the kitchen for a week," King Ryder declared.

Katherine's shoulders slumped. Resignation etched on her face.

.

.

.

The scene shifted to the kitchen.

Katherine's face contorted in frustration. She groaned, blaming herself.

"Learn to control your mouth, Katherine. Just look where you ended up... the kitchen!"She muttered.

Her eyes dropped, self-reproach etched.

Ruby's expression turned cheerful as she stood in the doorway, interrupting Katherine. "Is not that bad," Ruby said.

Katherine flinched, startled. Her eyes widened in fear. "Geez! You scared me!" Katherine exclaimed.

Ruby's smile softened. "Sorry, I didn't mean to," Ruby apologized. She approached Katherine, warm. "I actually like your boldness out there. You were so cool," Ruby said.

Katherine's expression transformed. Surprise replaced frustration. "I was?" Katherine asked.

Ruby's grin broadened. "Yes! No one outside has ever talked back to my dad like that. But with you... it was so cool," Ruby giggled.

Katherine's cheeks flushed. "Um, I'm sorry about that... I literally didn't mean to," Katherine apologized.

Ruby's eyes sparkled. "It's okay, I understand. I think my dad likes you. Your punishment is very simple... if it were someone else, it would be a dead end," Ruby reassured.

Katherine's eyebrows rose. "Oh, really?" Katherine asked.

Ruby nodded. "Yeah. Don't worry, you'll get over it," Ruby smiled and she extended her hand. "By the way, I'm Ruby," Ruby introduced herself.

Katherine's expression turned friendly. "Nice to meet you, princess," Katherine replied.

Ruby's smile mirrored Katherine's. "Same here... See you later," Ruby said.

Ruby left, leaving Katherine pondering.

Katherine's thoughts swirled.

Some moment later, Katherine trudged along, her escort leading her through the palace's opulent corridors. Her expression remained frustrated.

A maid greeted her at the door. "Your room, miss," the maid said politely.

Katherine's gaze swept the lavish space.

Soft bed, elegant furniture, and large windows. Her frustration lingered.

She fell onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. "What do I do? I don't have any clothes to wear. Those guards didn't even allow me to pick few of my things," Katherine muttered, and sigh tiredly

Exasperation etched on her face. "Should I go and meet the king to let me go and get my things... No, no, he will probably increase my punishment,"She thought aloud. Her grunt was frustrated.

Just then, a knock on the door broke the silence.

Katherine's expression turned curious. She rose to open the door.

A maid stood outside, holding Katherine's luggage.

The maid's face was polite."I was sent to deliver this to you," the maid said.

Katherine's eyes widened in surprise. "Ok, thank you," Katherine replied.

She took the luggage, her confusion easing as the maid nodded and left.

Katherine locked the door, her eyes sparkling.

She opened the luggage, revealing everything she needed. A smile spread across her face.

Relief washed over her and she dug into the bag, her phone emerging.

It rang, displaying her mom's name.

Her face lit up. "Mom!" Katherine exclaimed, answering.

Her mom's voice filled the line. "Hey, sweetie! How are you? How are you doing over there?," her mom asked.

Katherine's expression turned reassuring. "I'm fine, Mom. Just... stuck in a bit of a situation," She replied. Her eyes darted around the luxurious room.

A mix of emotions swirled within. Gratitude, relief, and a hint of uncertainty.