A meeting with the King

Dear Readers;

Before you proceed with this chapter, I want to give a sincere and important heads-up. The following content contains themes of sexual assault (rape), which may be distressing or triggering for some.

I understand how deeply personal and sensitive this topic can be, and I encourage you to skip this chapter if it makes you uncomfortable in any way. Your well-being comes first.

This scene was written with care to serve the emotional journey of the story and the consequences that follow — not to glorify or romanticize harm.

ELIANA'S POV

All eyes in the room turned to me, some filled with hatred while some with disdain. Good, they hated me.

I continued my walk down the central path which lead to the King and I could see my 'father' glaring at me from the other side of the room.

When I got to him, I bowed in respect or mockery— either way, I bowed. "Your Highness." Then I raised my head. "You called for me." A huge smile crept up my lips.

I was supposed to be scared, I hadn't stayed up to a week here and I was already on the King's bad side but yet, I still felt that unusual nudge of confidence.

"Yes, I see they've let you out from the prison cell." He mocked, his eyes glaring down at me but I didn't care, he could glare till his eyes fell off.

"Yes they have." I answered, my voice lazy, I didn't care and I didn't bother to hide it.

He frowned. "I'm sure you've learned your lesson." He grumbled and I couldn't help it, I chuckled.

The people in the room seemed like they wanted to tear me to pieces. Especially my father. "Yes, I learned my lesson."

"Then apologise."

Oh, I should apologise? He wasn't serious!

At this point, my intention wasn't to be polite to him even though it would get me back in the prison cell, I wanted to make sure I thought this stupid King a lesson he wouldn't forget.

"Apologise for what?" I asked, feigned ignorance. I could see his hands clench, his hold around the throne handle tightened.

"For what you did! You stupid child! What has come over you!" my father yelled this time with his gritted teeth.

I bit my lips, giving them innocent looks. "I don't remember doing anything wrong."I added and the King gnashed his teeth.

I'm sure he thought I was like his sons, who he could boss around and punish whenever he felt like. "How dare you!" He growled, standing up.

"Believe me father-in-law, I didn't do anything wrong. I saw someone abuse my husband and I stood up for him, how is that bad?" I asked this time, not minding the fact that he could probably have me arrested and killed but I didn't care. I already died before— it's not something new.

He remained silent, his eyes speaking volumes. "As a wife and a future queen to this kingdom, it is my responsibility to protect and defend my husband, am I right, Your Majesty?" I asked, my voice dipped with dread.

"You dared to disturb and disobey the King, you should be treasoned for it!" One of the men yelled, he seemed to be the prime minister.

I guess these prime ministers liked getting on my nerves.

"Disturb the King?" I shrugged. "I did what a reasonable wife would do, but why would I bother explain to you, you don't look educated enough to understand the basics of reasoning so please shut it and sit down." I ordered, my voice authoritative.

He gasped in disbelief. "Did you just tell me to shut up?"

I gasped back, covering my mouth dramatically "Of course I did." I said smuggly, a smirk dancing on my thin lips.

I crossed my hands over my chest. "What do you intend to do about it?"

The man was about to speak when the King raised his hands. "Enough. All of you!" He ordered and I rolled my eyes.

He turned to my father. "Kent! Take your daughter and discipline her so I won't do something that I would regret."

My father smirked darkly, his eyes glimmering. "Yes Sire!" He bowed and made his way to me when a voice stopped them.

It was that brute from earlier. The one who strangled me.

He bowed in front of his father then spoke. "Father, you're not to waste your time with an incoherent waste of space. I'll deal with her— you have other things to do." He said and his father smirked.

"Good. Ensure to deal with her properly." He bit out, his voice cold but I could see the glimmer in his eyes. Bastard!

He grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room and dragged me to another corner of the palace. He pressed my back against the wall his gaze filled with utter lust.

"You look sexy!" His voice dropped.

I felt uncomfortable and felt my heart pound in my chest. "Let me go you idiot!" I tried wriggle out of his hold, but it was futile.

He pinned my two hands above my head as his other hands trailed down my body— caressing my breasts and doing other disgusting things to me. Gross!

"I'm your brother's wife, you shouldn't be doing this." I tried to reason with him but he seemed totally uninterested in what I was saying.

He pressed my breasts and I felt something burn inside me. Was it Lila?

"Stop! Don't!" I cried, my voice hoarse but he covered my mouth. "I'm going to fuck you till my brother doesn't recognise you anymore." He ripped my dress off and my breath caught, my eyes widened.

What was he doing?

Why wasn't I fighting, why wasn't I attacking him. My body felt weak, placed his filthy lips on my neck and kissed it, trailing hot kisses down my shoulder. "Don't you like your punishment?" He mumbled, kissing me all over— sinfully. His eyes on my lips.

"Please…Don't do this." I rasped, my voice weak as tears formed in my eyes. I wanted to run, I wanted to push him off but I couldn't, the incident of that night flooding my mind, a night I tried so hard to forget.

He chuckled, his voice filled with mockery. "Oh, so where did the strong girl go?"

I hated this feeling, this weakness. If I was in my old body, I would've done something— burned this idiot but this body couldn't do a thing.

I closed my eyes and let the darkness overwhelm me as his hands trailed down to my sensitive parts. I was already hyperventilating.

Disgust gnawing at my insides. When a voice called out. "Princess Eliana! Princess Eliana!"

It was my handmaid. It was the I gathered my voice. "I'm here!!" I answered weakly and he punched me. "Shut up, bitch!" He grumbled and I passed out. Can life get any worse?