Chapter Twenty One: Ache, Hate.

Voices woke me up. Masculine voices. They were mumbling, and too, so close to me.

I tried to see but my sight were much dim and blank. It was even painful to get one of my eye to open.

My body felt very weak and stiff. I couldn't move, I was just numb against the cold bare ground.

I felt yet heavy and I didn't really know how long I was awake because I went right back into unconsciousness.

 "Wake up!"

I felt plenty cold liquid poured on my body. It was so cold and unpleasant that it left me to feel frozen and sick.

I opened my eyes and without being able to hold it back, I vomited on the ground.

 "How long would you sleep, you shabbaroon?" A dungeon guard towered over me, a huge frown on his face.

I ignored him but hissed in pain when he suddenly hit my wounded back with a rod.

 "Stand up, you lowlife!"

My back ached horribly as I stood and my legs shook.

Tears filled my eyes as I tried my best to stand steady, using the nearby walls as support.

I felt so uncomfortable and in anguish.

I could feel the yet flowing blood on my back and the wounds which hurt like hell.

Suddenly, someone came into the cell. It was a woman....

I peered my blurry eyes to access her familiarity and gasped when I successfully recognized her.

It was Evelyn!

Lines of worry laid on her forehead as she walked towards me.

My heart warmed in delight of her being here.

Somehow, I felt a bit relaxed.

I didn't know why but her presence was just so comforting.

 "Almira!" She grabbed my arm, her lips quivering at the sight of me. "What have they done to you?" She seemed sad. Her eyes were becoming glassy.

I wanted to ease her worries. I didn't want her to cry but I could also understand her.

She cared for me and obviously didn't like me suffering. It was amazing... The bonds we both had developed this few weeks of knowing each other.

It was just so quick and I cherished it.

 "I'm fi....." I paused. I felt my cold heighten and my breath seized.

I shivered noticeably.

My eyeballs circulated and I felt my legs not able to hold my weight any longer. I slowly dropped to the ground, my back aching even more as I did so.

 "Almira!" She yelled, lowering herself to the ground, glancing at my still eyes as she rubbed my palm to bring me back to full consciousness.

I wanted to speak, to move but thin dots of darkness overshadowed me and I just laid motionless, not having a choice but to welcome and embrace it.

When I woke up, I was in a different place. Here smelt and looked more better than the cell I was earlier in.

I could recognize here. It was Evelyn's chamber.

The bed was averagely high but very soft and comfy.

A white, fluffy blanket covered my body and my head was nicely situated on a pillow.

I stared around but winced lowly, realizing how stiff my neck felt.

I tried to sit up but discovered I was laying on my stomach.

Quickly, the door opened and Evelyn came in, with a tray on her hands.

She sat on a stool beside me and gently removed a string of hair on my face.

 "How are you feeling, dear?" She seemed glad I was awake.

I smiled, happy she didn't look sad as earlier. I didn't like her being emotionally unstable because of me.

I made to reply but the dryness in my throat stopped me.

Evelyn promptly passed me a cup of water, figuring out what my expression meant.

 "You must be so hungry." She said, watching me guzzle the water. Her eyes glowed with obvious concern as she stared. "What do you want to eat, dear?"

I felt hungry but I didn't feel like gulping anything solid.

The multiple slaps had affected my neck and my screams had caused my throat sore.

I shook my head but instantly regretted it.

My neck ached and I groaned.

 "Nothing." I lowly said, dropping the cup aside as I was done drinking.

I turned my head to the other side of the bed, wanting to just fall asleep, to relieve me of my pain but Evelyn spoke, making my closing eyes widen.

 "I called the physician when I brought you here. He worked on you for almost an hour. I hope you don't feel much pain. Your back wounds are all cleaned up and some tears were stitched. He assured me you will be fine in few weeks or even less if you don't stress yourself and take your medications on time."

I didn't know how to react to that but I just wanted to be okay. I just wanted to be fine and lock myself away from people.

I felt too tired of living. Everyday feels like a curse. I was in this hell of a palace and I was rapidly burning. One-day I'd be burnt so bad I wouldn't be able to survive it.

Tears came up on my eyes.

I felt so miserable. I felt like junk.

I was so condemnable it hurts. I lost all rights to myself when I got captured. I didn't own myself now, my life belongs solely to the cruel king and this hateful kingdom.

The thought was so depressing....

Evelyn caressed my arm comfortingly. I smiled a little at her comfort.

She was kind of the only light I had right now in this darkness of a kingdom.

I wondered how I would have been if she was evil like the rest of the people here.

I would have most likely died of depression.

 "What happened?" She suddenly asked, her voice so gentle and soothing. "Did you in anyway do something to the Princess that offended her?"

I hissed lightly.

I felt riled.

I hated her. The mention of her pissed me off. I wanted her to feel every of the pain she made me feel.

But I was powerless, this wishes of mine might forever remain just wishes.

 "I did nothing wrong." I scoffed out, trying not to remember any previous moments with her. "She just called for me and asked if I was Rupert's daughter, I answered yes but she then got mad and slapped me."

My eyes dimmed with the memory.

Unfortunately for me, I couldn't control my emotions.

Tears gushed out of my eyes, moistening my face.

I remembered her slaps and every single whipping on my skin, I could remember clearly, seeing her smirking in satisfaction at my pain.

I could see her pure hate and distaste for me.

Why does people hate me? Because am my father's daughter? But I did no wrong! If my father had done anything to them in the past, then they should hold him accountable and not let me suffer for his sins.

I cried hard, my heart hurting at every sob.

Evelyn seeing this made me lay my head on her bosom. I could feel her earnest consolation even if she didn't say any word.

But I wasn't consoled because I knew this wouldn't be the last time I was going to be punished like this.

More was awaiting to come and it scares me, because I wasn't yet ready for any of them.

~~~~

Luther had finished having a meeting with the council of officials and was stressed out.

The meeting lasted seven hours where they had discussed a lot about his new subjects, the Perstons.

Rupert's former kingdom — Perston, which is now his has been undergoing some problems lately.

The people were still yet trying to escape the borders while others were challenging the royal army who had incarcerated the people of a province for breaking protocol and causing heavy disorderliness.

Luther had traveled all the way to appease the matter and he deeply hopes it does get pacified cause well, he was currently losing his mind on the durable meetings and his trips to and fro the kingdom's rural and urban areas.

The people didn't want him as their king. They made it clear enough.

Rupert had brainwashed them with fibs of the Sihasins so they considered them as very vile people.

Some of the brave ones had even begun protesting for a new king.

They wanted to depose of him and though it all sounded ridiculous but it was yet stressful.

Orson walked into his chamber and took a glance at him.

He rarely talks with Orson these days, he had given to him an assignment and Orson was busy with it.

 "Your majesty." Orson bowed as he approached him.

Luther didn't react but however Orson knew he wanted him to resume speaking.

 "We received news from our kingdom, Sihasin that Princess Charlotte had arrived at the palace for a visit. She awaits your presence, my Lord."

Luther again was impassive.

He knew, without doubt, that Charlotte would do all she could to visit him after the success of the war.

He had expected her and he too, would like to meet with her again.

It has been two years after all.

 "Gather the horses." He said, with a jot of gladness in his tone. "We would be returning to Sihasin immediately."