Chapter 12

' Well that was anticlimactic ' thought the king.

He expected more. He expected tears, begging, screaming and cursing but none of that happened. He didn't get the satisfaction he was looking for from punishing her. Maybe he should have punished the other one, she would have been the perfect specimen. Based from the way she was crying, she would have been screaming at the first whip.

As he sat on his throne he thought of how he will get Nalani close to him. He was intrigued by her and he wanted to know why. Besides she was a mystery he wanted to unravel. He wanted her to be close enough for him to keep an eye on and most importantly to punish severely for every mistake she makes.

He smiled at the idea that popped in his mind. He could already feel the excitement radiating in his body. It has been a long time since he was this excited by anything or anyone.

Kellen ran on the corridor's like a mad woman . She was so distracted that she ended up bumping into someone.

" I am so sorry, I was not looking at where I was going" she said as she struggled to get off the ground.

" It's alright, no harm done" said a calm sweet voice.

A hand grabbed on her shoulder and helped her up. When she noticed his dark clothes she realised that he was a knight. She quickly bowed her head in respect and prayed to the heavens that she won't be punished. They have gone through enough for one day.

Stanley , a commander in the king's army, a noble man and the king's best friend was visiting the castle after being posted at the border for three months. His job was to protect their border and he did so fearlessly. When he was absolutely certain they were safe, he decided to come back to the castle. However he left some soldiers behind to make sure no one disturbs the peace.

His first hour back, he bumps into this woman . She looked terrified and still had tear stains on her cheeks. He wondered what happened to cause her this great distress. Although he couldn't come right out and ask what happened, he was concerned.

The woman standing before him was petite and delicate. She had the face of a kind person. He was a very good judge of character and he knew from the bottom of his heart that she was a good person. Her head was still bowed, he couldn't see her face properly .

" Are you okay?" He asked

" Yes my lord"

" Where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?"

" I....I...can't say" she trembled

He was disappointed that she won't look at him but he understood. The castle of all places was a place where rules were enforced. And considering how unforgiving the king is, he didn't blame her.

" Fine, you can go" he said.

Kellen tried walking quickly but she ended up running. She didn't have time to waste and she also didn't want to be near anyone wilding any sort of power. She had had enough of it for one day. Stanley watched the woman run for her dear life and he was left wondering whether he will ever see her again.

Kellen eventually found Mrs Smith, after searching almost half of the castle. She was about to give up until she saw her talking to a tall man. She ran towards them with no hesitation.

" Mrs Smith, you have to help us" she cried

" What is it? What happened?" Asked Mrs Smith

" Nalani.... Nalani...she.." Kellen chocked on her tears and started crying again.

" Kellen, you have to stop crying, calm down and tell me what happened, okay?"

" Her back is bleeding"

" Why?"

" The king...the ....he...she received fifteen whips"

" Oh my goodness!"

" We have to help her, please...I am begging you"

Mrs Smith quickly whispered something to the man who left them alone. She grabbed Kellen's trembling hands and pulled her to their quarters. The walk was silent as they had alot in their minds.

As soon as Mrs Smith saw Nalani, she was horrified. How could the king be this cruel? It was only an accident. How could he punish a woman like that? Nalani had passed out from the pain ,so the two women removed her dress. After a few minutes, one of the other servants came in with a bowel of green paste.

" What is that?" Asked Kellen.

" This will help her heal and prevent any scarring" explained Mrs Smith

" I just wish she could wake up"

" She will soon enough"

Mrs Smith cleaned Nalani's back and applied the thick paste neatly. When she was done she wrapped a bandage around her upper body ,since the whip left marks on her entire back. After she was done she asked Kellen to return everything she used while she sat and watched Nalani.

She felt guilty. If she hadn't given them the job none of this would have happened. But what was she supposed to do. None of the other servants would have done it. They would have insisted it was tradition. Even though she didn't know the two women well, she felt a certain warmth, love and kindness from them.

Her only hope is they don't loose all those good qualities while working in the castle. The castle does change people but rarely for the better. She hoped that they hold onto their beliefs until the very end.

Stanley found the king where he expected, the throne room. He was too engrossed in his thoughts to notice his long time friend at the door. Stanley wondered what could possibly be occupying the king's mind and distract him from his environment. Normally the king was sharp and observant but today he seemed to be in his own world.

" Your majesty" he announced his presence

" Lord Stanley you are back. " He quickly came to greet his friend " why didn't you tell me you were coming to the palace?"

" I wanted to suprise you. However I think I failed"

" Ha! How is the border?"

" You can't even give me a meal and some time to rest before you ask me about work" he joked

" What else is there to talk about?" Asked the king

" Perhaps, what is bothering you"

" Nothing is boring me"

" Sure we will go with that"

" Let's have dinner and talk. Why don't you go and rest, we have atleast two hours before dinner "

" Yes my king"

After Stanley left the throne room, he went to his room. He had a specific room at his disposal while he was in the castle.  King Ambrose and Stanley were raised together and spent most of their time together. Since Stanley's father was a nobleman he frequently visited the castle and sometimes he brought his son along with him.

Ambrose and Stanley became quick friends and after a while they became inseparable. They both knew each other well enough. They have been in trouble together, punished together and even ran away together. They were taught side by side until king Ambrose had to start learning about being king.

They relied on each other when their lives became overwhelming. They held each others hand when they were laughing as well as grieving. When the former king died, Stanley was there to stand with the king even though he felt the punishment was too hefty.

He has known his friend for years but sometimes his cruelty shocks even him. The young happy boy he grew with was no longer there, instead he was replaced by a cold, cruel man he could barely recognise. Every once in a while he could see traces of the boy he once knew. The boy who didn't have to avenge his father's death.

The boy who wasn't overwhelmed by running the country. The boy who trusted people more . He often wondered whether he will see that boy again. Stanley had a short nap, before he freshened up and went to meet the king. He walked to the smaller dinning room they used when they wanted privacy.

The king had already arrived and was seated. He bowed his head before he sat on the right side.

" Took you long enough"

" Give me a break I am still exhausted"

" You know I can have you beheaded for speaking so casually to the king"

" Well if you behead me, you won't have any friends left"

" Fair point"

The servants brought in their food and laid them on the table. The only thing he missed in the castle apart from his friend was the food. Out at the border they had to eat crap food to survive but here he could eat anything he wanted.

They both dug into their food .

" How is the border?" The king asked the second time.

" Safe, the heathens were pushed back to their Kingdom "

" Good. Good. "

" I don't understand why they keep attacking the border yet they know they can't win"

" They are looking for a sign of weakness "

" Weakness?"

" Yes, we are the most powerful country and unfortunately we have many enemies even some who pretend to be our friends. We have to be careful all the time"

" That is why you are king, you have to think of all that. Me, Just show me who to punch" Stanley laughed.

They talked about the old days and laughed. They caught each other up on what was happening before they shared a drink. After drinking for hours they both retired to bed.

Stanley went to bed thinking of the petite servant while the king thought of ways to punish a certain someone.