Chapter Thirteen: Punishment

The courtroom went silent. I could only hear Cassandra's sobs of anguish.

I drew a breath, processing all he said.

He owns me? I was riled. I wasn't an object to be owned but yet, I knew he was right. I was his captive and slave.

 "Guards." His voice was low but two guards quickly rushed in, bowing to him with one knee bent to the floor.

 "Your highness...."

 "Take the maid to the dungeon. She shall be imprisoned for a month, with no food but water for the first two weeks."

 "Yes, my Lord." They got hold of Cassandra who was still yet crying immensely and pleading for mercy.

 "Please, your majesty! Forgive me! I would do no such thing ever in my life again! Please!!!" Her voice faded as she was forced out of the courtroom.

I pinched my nails, timorously.

I couldn't believe he passed such wicked punishment. I never expected him to punish her like that. Would she even survive it?

Somehow, I felt it was kind of over the top and biased.

His eyes pierced into me and I could feel like it sent some sensation of coldness to me.

I felt goosebumps, wondering about my own punishments but he didn't say anything more. He only stood and exited the courtroom leaving me to stand and drown in my own thoughts and confusion.

 "Almira!" Evelyn rushed over to me, her expression mixed with fear and relief.

 "You shouldn't had fought!" She scolded, a gutted look in her face.

 "I'm sorry but I couldn't help it. She called me an harlot and slapped me."

She wanted to say something but her gaze dropped on my swollen cheeks and bloodied lips.

 "Come on! You should get treated before your wounds get infected."

She took me to a physician inside the palace who administered some medicines and ointments on me, promising I wouldn't feel any pain again soonest.

Evelyn allowed me rest throughout the day and the maids avoided me like a plague.

I guess they heard the news about Cassandra and got frightened.

I was even glad I was left alone. It gave me this kind of relief I hadn't felt in a long while.

The next day was much the same. I didn't do any work, my cheeks swells fortunately went down and my tooth weren't shaky anymore.

The medicines and ointments seemed to be very much working.

In the evening, Evelyn desired to free me of my boredom and teach me how to make boiled rice.

She said it was easy and quick to make.

I didn't mind whether it takes long or not, I was just thankful she was here and spending time with me.

I haven't had a conversation with anyone since morning, though I felt glad I hadn't but now engaging in this interesting activity with Evelyn felt fun and made me feel light-hearted.

 "So, have you made a meal before?" She asked as we got settled in an apron and hairnet.

 "No." I replied.

I wasn't allowed close to the kitchen at home. I never did any activity other than sleeping, taking care of my beauty, eating and well, trying hard to live hard to father's expectations.

Father wanted me to be the perfect princess, I dared not spoil his name.

Of course I tried to please him but Father was somewhat hard to satisfy.

I was imperfect and made errors that got him often mad at me.

He'd almost marry me off to some king in exchange for an expensive bride price but a few weeks after the discussions, Luther invaded our kingdom.

It was like fate didn't want me married to just anybody. I wanted to exactly marry a man I love but we, young maidens actually have no choice in marriage.

Men are the superiors, they can marry as many maidens as they please, especially if they are rich and noble.

Sadly these maidens have no choice as they are forced to marry a man who can provide and not one who care.

 "Well, at least you can boil water, can't you?" She rose an eyebrow at me and I chuckled, amused.

 "No, I can't. I wasn't permitted to be near the maids or the kitchen at Perston but in here, I'd learn a bit about boiling water."

She passed me an amazed look.

 "The life of a princess sounds like that of a prisoner, I mean you weren't free at all to make your own choices."

She poured some water on the pot which was already fixed on the flame.

 "Well, I prefer that to being a maid. A maid is under a king and can't still make decisions without considering his approval and its legality. It's same as a princess who also can't make decisions without her father's approval. The difference between the two identities is that the princess have the opportunity and power to enjoy a life of luxury whilst the maid sadly can't. A princess is respected and admired by all only because she is her father's daughter but a maid is looked down on even with her good deeds."

 "Wow! What a great point you have, Almira. You sound so wise." She seemed intrigued.

I smiled. "I do read a lot of my books, I must say."

 "You can read?" She looked surprised.

 "Yes, can't you?" I was confused with her query.

 "I can't, unfortunately. I wasn't given any formal education because I'm female, my brothers are all educated."

 "Oh." I mouthed. "I am sure I'd be the same but am royalty. My father wouldn't want an uneducated lady as a daughter. He was ashamed I'd embarrass him."

We chuckled.

She taught me how to measure quantities of rice and then added a cup of rice to the boiling water. She then covered the pot lid and waited for a few minutes before she took the pot off the flame.

 "So now I'm going to wash it." She told, taking a filter and placing it inside a bowl.

 "Why didn't you wash it earlier?" I was bemused.

 "Boiling the rice a little forces out the dirt in it. That's much better than washing it cold."

I nodded, watching her.

She rinsed the rice and poured in a new water to the pot, then she joined in the rinsed rice into the new water. She added salt and then covered the pot lid.

 "Our job is done. We only have to let the rice boil and make sure it doesn't get burnt."

 "It looks quite simple." I was impressed.

 "It's simple, but you have to try it soon someday. Although it might not be simple when you do it yourself without any assistance so that's why you need to take every single detail seriously."

 "I will." I assured her.

Soon, the rice lost moisture and got ready.

Evelyn turned to me.

 "Do you want to have a taste?" She asked and I nodded.

She spooned some rice in a small dish and added some prickled sauce before handing it to me.

I took a taste and moaned in delight.

 "It's delicious." I complemented, causing her to beam.

 "Ah, I'm glad you like it. Someday I would get to taste yours too."

 "Yes."

Our conversation was about to proceed but was interrupted with the appearance of a maid who just entered the kitchen.

 "What's it, Agnes?" Evelyn clearly didn't like the interruption.

The kitchen maids were free from duty and were having a rest. It was obvious she hadn't come to make anything.

 "I apologize Madam Evelyn but the king sent for Almira."

My eyes almost bulged out at her words. Is she serious? Why would the king ask for me? To now serve me the punishment he didn't serve me the other day?

I was befuddled and affright.

 "Where is he?" Evelyn asked.

 "In his chamber."

Oh no! That wasn't good. I didn't want to be alone with him in his bedroom again. It felt too wrong and licentious.

 "You have to go, Almira. His highness is quite an impatient man."

I nodded but though reluctantly, left to his chamber.

I passed the security checkups at the door and went further, through the corridors, to his room.

The door was unlocked, so I just pushed it open but bingo...! He was there, very close to the door, almost a foot away from me.

It felt like he has been waiting for me to come in and then cage me in that position.

I was startled, not liking the closeness. I could almost feel his breath on me and his very dim eyes scrutinizing me.

I made to escape through a vacuum at his side but he held me still, a smirk adorning his lips.

 "Where do think you are going to, mistress?" His voice was cold and dark but it also held some complex emotions.

He sounded like the exotic dancers from the rouse. Wait.... Was he sounding seductive? B..but that was a sin for a maiden to hear.

 "I'm not your mistress!" I retorted. My voce was low but I wanted him to understand that he shouldn't be this close to me. It wasn't right... It was forbidden.

 "Whatever I call you, you must agree to it. It's all part of your punishment and you have no choice for you must do exactly as I say."