Chapter 13

The next few days were uneventful in the castle. Everyone tried minding their own business and focusing on doing their job properly lest they end up like Nalani. The rumors of what happened to Nalani had spread far and fast, by the next morning everyone was aware of the story.

It was the first time in a long time the king had punished anyone for a mistake. He was always grumpy and short tempered but he was yet to punish anyone. Her punishment came as shock but most importantly served as a warning to the other servants.

Everyone tried their level best and in retrospect it was noticable. The halls looked cleaner, the gardens neat and the food more delicious. The king had attained his goal without really planing for it. There was no better driving force than fear and the king loved that his subjects feared him.

Nalani spent her time recovering from her unjust punishment. She couldn't really say she was not at fault but it wasn't her fault. Her back was painful the first few days but now the pain was reduced to soreness. The green paste was applied twice a day. Even though it smelt like the most disgusting thing ever, it helped her recover quickly.

Within no time she will have no scars from the said incident. She was exempted from work for only a week . Today being the first day back, she cleaned the throne room with Kellen. This time they were more cautious to avoid what happened in the past. Nalani was not ready for another beating.

Kellen knew she could only escape punishment once . So despite her clumsy hands ,she was careful when lifting things in the throne room. She was more scared of the king now than she was before coming here. He was a cruel and unforgiving man and she didn't want to get in his bad side.

The two finished cleaning in record time and returned to their room to rest. Even though Nalani was better, she was not fully recovered. She still got tired easily.

When the king walked to the throne room he was fully aware of Nalani's first day back. He inspected the room before he was satisfied that this time the two didn't break anything. It would have been fun if they did. There was not even a speck of dust on the paintings. They did a thorough job.

The king had been contemplating on what to do and how to satisfy his curiosity. He had to admit he found Nalani mysterious. He wanted to know everything about her without actually asking her. He wanted to find out for himself.

After a long day in court ,the day was finally coming to an end. The king was exhausted but he had one more thing he had to do. Or maybe someone he wanted to meet.

" Harry, bring the girl who cleans the throne room"

" Yes your highness"

Was she doing okay? He often wondered if she hated him for punishing her. He couldn't exactly look the other way. People would start thinking that he was getting soft. Well he was far from soft.

" Your highness, Ms Nalani is here"

" Let her in"

Nalani walked in the throne room, she wasn't as confident as she was last time. She certainly knew her place now. She was a servant and servants were submissive. She walked towards the king, stopped and bowed in respect.

The king simply observed her. Her walk was different from the first time they met. She was more confident then and headstrong while now she seemed meek and cowardly. He hated and loved seeing this side of her at the same time. He wasn't sure what he was trying to achieve when it came to her.

Her bow was forced, possibly from her injuries but he chose to overlook it. He racked his eyes from her head to her toe. The strange feeling was still there. What was that?

" How are you feeling?" He asked her

For the first time since she walked in the room, Nalani looked at the king. She wondered what kind of a question was that. Why was he concerned of her well being?

" I am alright your highness, thank you for asking"

" Good"

An arkward silence settled between the two. Nalani couldn't speak until she was spoken to especially to the king and the king was silent as he wanted to make her uncomfortable.

" You will be working as my personal maid from now on"

" What? My king"

" What? Do you have a reason why you can't work as my maid?" He narrowed his eyes

" No my king" she admitted

" Then it's decided "

" I meant I don't know how to serve you. Maybe it would be best to give this position to someone who has been in the castle longer" she tried to argue

" What if I don't want anyone else"

" I don't understand my king"

" You will work for me. And that is final"

" Your highness....."

" Do you want a repeat of what happened last time?" He threatened

" No!... Your highness " she bowed her head even lower.

" Good. I see we understand each other. You will start tomorrow " he said in finality.

" Whatever you say your highness "

" You may leave"

Nalani practically ran from the throne room. What kind of fresh hell was this? Why did he want her to be his personal maid? Wasn't punishing her enough? Now she had to stay with him, as his maid. How was she going to survive this?

Maybe it wasn't a bad thing after all. She wanted to be close to the king and now she found her opportunity. Who would have thought that the king would actually force her to be close to him. Being close to him will allow her to watch him closely. She will finally get the answers she has been seeking for so long.

However Nalani was still worried of the king's motive. What did he want from her? And why her?

She went back to her room to rest. As she took her nap, her dreams were also invaded by the king. She felt like she didn't have anywhere safe to hide from the king. 

Kellen heard of Nalani's new position from the rumormongers. Nalani was appointed as the king's new personal maid. Who would have thought that would happen?  What was the king's intention? She immediately stopped helping in the kitchen and went looking for her friend.

She found Nalani asleep. She has been so tired lately. She was yet to return to her full strength. Kellen decided to take a nap too, the questions could wait a little longer. Her friend was clearly stressed.

They were woken up by knocks on the door followed by Mrs Smith's voice.

" Wake up you two or you'll miss dinner"

They both woke up and headed to the servants dinning room. Everyone was curious of Nalani's situation with the king. Some wondered if Nalani and the king perhaps knew each other. Or was the king toying with her? Either way no one wanted to be in her shoes.

Nalani and Kellen settled as the food was being served. The other servants felt sorry for Nalani. She was new in the castle and yet she has gone through more than most of them have in years .

" Make sure to knock three times before you go in the king's chambers" said a beautiful girl she didn't know.

Everyone turned to look at her.

" My name is Heidi, I work in the king's chambers. " She introduced herself

" Nice to meet you Heidi " said Nalani

" I can give you some pointers if you want." She offered with a smile

" That would be great ,thank you"

Not interested by the what the two women were saying, most people focused on eating their dinner and leaving once they were done. Nalani chose to listen to Heidi, who clearly has been working for the king for a while.  She needed all the help she could get.

She couldn't risk a repeat of what happened.

" Make sure to be in his chambers at seven , knock three times, if he doesn't respond he is probably asleep. Call him until he responds "

" Will that be my job?"

" Your job is to take care of the king. I must say we are all relieved when we heard about your new role. "

" Why?"

" Because now we won't be interacting with the king as much as before"

" Is he that bad?"

" I can't really say that. But you will see for yourself. Be prepared for anything"

" Thank your Heidi. Your advice makes me feel better about this new position"

" You are welcome. You can ask for help any time" Heidi offered.

" I will. I have to go and rest" Nalani excused herself.

When she left, the other women working in the king's chambers joined Heidi.

" Why did you help her" one asked

" Who said I helped her?" Asked a smirking Heidi

" We heard you giving her advice" one accused

" I did give her advice but it doesn't necessarily mean it was good advice"

" Mmh ,I like how you think" another praised Heidi

" She has to go through what we all went through. No shortcuts"