Chapter 11

" Let them in" a deep voice instructed.

Harry gestured at the two women to go in. One was visibly scared, she was shaking while the other was scared but she didn't show it. The two women took deep breaths at the same time before they went in.

The room looked exactly as they left it in the morning except this time the king was sitting on his throne. His red robe was bright but the gold crown on his head shined and stole the show . The two girls walked slowly towards Mrs Smith who was still on her knees. They followed suit and also knelt before the king.

" Mrs Smith get on your feet!"

Mrs Smith did as she was told. She gave the girls a look of encouragement and kindness which the two desperately needed.

" Your majesty, they just started at the castle, please, have mercy on them" she cried.

When Kellen heard Mrs Smith words she couldn't hold her tears anymore and openly started crying. Nalani on the other hand just shut her eyes and formed fists with her hands.

The king was now curious why Mrs Smith was so adamant on helping the girls. He observed the two girls kneeling before him. Although there faces were turned towards the ground, he observed their physic and body language. The petite tall one was already crying for some reason.

He hasn't said anything and yet she was crying. Was he that terrifying? He smirked at the thought before he looked at the other one.  The other girl was not crying, she remained perfectly still but her hands were in fists.

'Was she planning to punch me?' thought the king.

" Who broke the vase?" He asked

Suprised by his sudden question, the two flinched but stayed quiet.

" I wil not ask again" he threatened.

" It was an accident" said Nalani with a voice that was as calm as possible.

" I didn't ask if it was an accident, I asked who broke it"

No one spoke for a long time. Mrs Smith was standing at the side, watching everything unfold. She was heartbroken that she couldn't help the girls she was entrusted to take care of. Irritated further by their silence the king decided to change tactics.

" Harry!"

" Yes your majesty"

" Get me one of the interrogators" he said with an evil smile.

Harry rushed to do as he was told. What did the two ladies do? What could they have done to the king for him to resort to torture. He returned with one of the interrogators in no time and let him in.

As soon as Mrs Smith saw the interogator come in she fell on her knees one more time and begged for the king's mercy. The king was deaf to her pleas and asked her to leave the room. Nalani sensed something was wrong when Mrs Smith started crying. They poked the bear and worse on their first day. How unlucky can they be?

" I will ask one last time, who broke the vase"

Nalani thought of the reason why she was here. She had insisted that Kellen follow her and here they were, kneeling in front of the king. She released a loud sigh when she came to a decision on what to do. She will protect her friend.

" I did" she answered

" Nalani...No!" Cried Kellen.

" Kellen ,stop crying, everything will be fine, okay? Trust me please" she begged Kellen.

Kellen nodded in understanding. The king observed the interaction between the two women and he could tell they have known each other for a while. He could bet on his riches that the one who admitted to breaking the vase was not the one who actually broke it. However he will not interrupt the selfless act. He will punish her nevertheless whether she was innocent or not.

Someone had to be punished.

" You" he pointed at Kellen " and you, go and wait outside"

The interogator and Kellen left the room leaving Nalani alone with the king. The king stood up and started walking around Nalani before he asked her to stand up. Nalani was confused at the weird command but she followed it anyway.

The king stopped right in front of her and they locked eyes. Although she hadn't seen his face until now, she could recognise those shoulders, his height and his commanding voice.

Nalani stared at the king and he stared back. The king was handsome. No, that was not enough to describe him. He looked like a god, beautifully sculpted. Everything was perfect from his chestnut hair, brown eyes, sharp nose and plump lips. His sharp jaw line, his long neck and his sharp Adam's apple made her swallow a lump in her throat.

He had wide shoulders partially covered by his red robe and big biseps peeking from his dress shirt. Her eyes went lower to his waist and the sword peeking from his robe. She lowered her eyes further to his legs before she went back to looking at his eyes.

The king on the other hand was also inspecting her. Her black long wavy hair, black doe eyes, plump lips, her delicate neck to her thin shoulders. She had small breast which were not to his taste. He preferred women with big bossoms. Her tinny waist fascinated him, her curvy hips and lastly her small feet.

Seriously how could someone wear such small shoes. Was she a child? Nalani felt uncomfortable and at the same time excited to be checked out by the king. She cleared her throat noisy to break the awkward silence that had gone on for too long. 

" Why do you look so familiar" he asked

" I have never seen you in my entire life your highness" Nalani said quickly.

" Mmmh..fine. If you insist"

The king walked towards the out of place vase.

" Come here" he commanded

Nalani went to the king.

" How did you break my mother's vase"

" What?" Nalani's eyes widened in shock.

She didn't know it was his mother's vase. No wonder he was so angry and he could tell the difference between the two vases . It had sentimental value to him.

" You didn't know" sighed the king

" I was placing it back after cleaning the stool and it slipped and fell" she explained

" Why did you place a different vase?"

" I was scared. I broke something precious and expensive. What was I supposed to do?"

" You don't seem apologetic at all"

" I am very apologetic my king. I am so sorry, I deserve to be punished for my clumsiness " she begged.

The king could see right through her, she was not scared and neither was she apologetic. She was faking it the entire time and he could tell. If there's something he didn't appreciate were people who think he could be messed with. She will be terrified of his very voice, he will make sure of it.

For a girl who was a servant, she didn't act like it. Her posture was upright like that of a lady, her walk and the way she talked were all different. This woman was a mystery to the king and he enjoyed unraveling mysteries.

The king went back to his throne and thought of a suitable punishment for the woman standing in front of him. The punishment should inflict pain but not leave a mark on her beautiful skin. After a few moments the king knew just the thing.

" Interrogator and servant girl , come back in!" He ordered.

The two joined Nalani immediately. Kellen was curious as to what happened while they were alone but this was not the time to ask.

" Did you carry your whip?" The king asked the interrogator

" Yes your highness" he bowed.

" You!" He pointed at Kellen " stand on the side"

Kellen raced to the side while Nalani remained at the middle.

" She deserves fifteen whips for her clumsiness. Start now! " He ordered.

" And you standing in the sidelines will count the whips" he said cruelly.

Kellen couldn't help but gasp at the punishment. Nalani was of noble blood and nomatter how much time she has spent as a commoner, she has yet to be punished as a commoner. Kellen couldn't help but worry that Nalani will not be able to handle the punishment.

Nalani was also shocked and confused. She thought she could get a lesser punishment like maybe washing the kitchen or something but being whipped never came in her mind. She has never been whipped in her life . As a noble child she was never punished or reprimanded. She has seen servants being whipped but now she will experience it first hand.

She bit into her inner cheek and waited for the first strike. She promised herself to not make a sound . She will not give the king the pleasure of hearing her screaming. She decided she will also not cry.

The king motioned for the interrogator to get started. He was excited to see if the tough girl will be able to withstand the pain. You can call him whatever you want but he does enjoy watching people get punished.

The first whip came as a suprise to Nalani that she couldn't help but gasp. The pain radiating from her back was unbearable. How was she supposed to handle this? As the lashes continued she bit into her inner cheek that she started bleeding.

By the time they reached the tenth whip she was exhausted. She couldn't take it anymore. Her efforts to look strong were lost when tears spilled from her eyes and she couldn't stop them. The king was a monster and he has reminded her once more why she was here.

The king did nothing more but observe the small woman. She was putting up a fight and he liked it. She didn't scream as expected. Infact after the first whip she didn't make a sound. It infuriated him and at the same time it made him proud.

' Why was he proud' he wondered

At the eleventh whip, he noticed blood at the corner of her lips. She had bit into her inner cheeks too hard that it was bleeding. He wished he could stop the punishment now but he could never go back on his word. And favouring a servant was not in his nature.

Kellen was a mess. She kept confusing the numbers as if she didn't know how to count. And to make matters worse she was crying openly that you would think she was the one getting whipped. The king found it disgusting and annoying. Maybe he ought to give her something to cry about.

Once the whips stopped falling on her back Nalani was relieved. She fell forward and took deep breaths. She wanted to cry so badly at the pain she felt on her back but she didn't.

" You" he pointed at Kellen " carry your friend out. " He ordered

Kellen didn't have to be told twice, she helped Nalani to her feet and took her to their room . She couldn't stop crying everytime she looked at her friend. Dried blood was on the corner of her lip, her face was red and she was drenched in sweat.

Once they reached their room Nalani laid on the bed on her stomach. Kellen wondered if they were allowed to use herbs to help her heal . She left to look for Mrs Smith who was the only person who could help them.

Nalani fell on her bed and tried hard not  to think of what will happen to her. She felt like she lost a war.  How was she supposed to get her revenge now.

" Whatever it takes! " She reminded herself.

She was not here to play around, she was here with a special mission and she will see it through. This was just a huddle she had to overcome. And she was excellent when it came to adapting.