Chapter 34

One hour after Kellen left two soldiers came and dragged me to what could only be described as a torture room. There were all kinds of instruments hanged around the room and a big fire was burning at the corner. The room was warm at least different from where I came from.

I was dropped on the only chair in the room. I knew what it meant. They wanted to get the truth out of me but the problem was, there were two truths. One was what actually happened and the other was what they thought happened. In other words I was screwed .

One of the soldiers squated near the chair.

" Do you know why you are here?" He asked

I wanted to roll my eyes so badly at his stupid question but I stopped myself. Did they think I was that stupid.

" No . I don't" I said .

" You stupid wench. Do you think I will go easy on you because you are a woman?"

I stayed silent while he expected an answer.

" Answer me!" He screamed

" How the hell am I supposed to answer that?" I asked

This obviously rubbed him the wrong way because the next thing I knew was his fist connecting with my face. I felt a sting from his blow. He hit me on the same side that was slapped yesterday.

" No one is going to save you hunny. It's just you and me in here " he sneered.

The next thing I knew was ,standing with my hands and legs chained to metal poles.  This escalated faster than I originally thought.

" You know, you could sleep with me and in return I'll go easy on you" another soldier whispered in my ear.

His breath smelled of alcohol and cigarettes. I wanted to puke at his offer. How desperate did he think I was?

" I'd rather die"

" You stupid woman. The King who is so fond of you has yet to wake up. Who do you think will help you?" He laughed

The King was still asleep. He was the only person who could put a stop to this and clear my name. With him still asleep will give them a reason to continue punishing me.

I felt the hair behind my neck stand before the whip landed on my back.

" Aargh" I moaned

" This is just the first strike. We will have alot of fun today"

" Do you find pleasure from whipping women you fucking coward " I retorted

" You talk way too much" said another

Twenty whips later my throat was sour from all the screaming. They didn't take it easy on me. If they keep up with this pace I might never walk again.

" Let's take a break" one of them said.

I couldn't help but breath in relief. What could I do? I couldn't escape, I was tied in chains. I couldn't get out of these chains, so why bother wasting energy. They opened my chains and led me back to the chair and tied me up again. At least I could rest. They left the room soon after .

I finally had a moment of peace. Whipping me was not as bad as they think. Yes I'll feel pain but I have been through worse. Before I could close my eyes to rest the door opened. How can I call that a door . It's a huge gate.

I didn't want any visitors right now. I wasn't in the mood to tolerate anyone or even talk to anyone. I almost asked them to leave before I noticed it was Sir Stanley. What do you know, Kellen actually succeeded.

" Sir Stanley" I said trying to bow

His eyes met mine and my heart broke. His eyes were filled with hatred that was directed to me. The person I thought would help me, already saw me as an enemy. There goes my plans. He had already condemned me to this fate. I couldn't believe he could be this shallow and stupid. I mean he was the King's friend. I thought so highly of him but he was, disappointing me.

" Why would you ask to talk to me? Do you want to confess?" He asked

" I asked for you so that you can help me" I whispered

" Me....help the person who almost killed the King...my best friend" he sneered

" I didn't poison him" I insisted

" Then how did he get poisoned Nalani? You are the only person who gets close to the King . Explain to me how a total stranger could poison the King"

" I know the evidence against me is darning but the truth is I never poisoned the King" I tried defending myself" I have been close to the King for months so why didn't I harm him all that time and why would I harm him now?"

" Maybe you lacked the opportunity "

This man was not here to help me at all. He already decided I was a criminal. In his eyes I committed the crime. No matter what I said to him, he won't believe me.

" If the King ever doubted me, he wouldn't have made me his personal maid"

" He should have known better. You knew he liked you so you took advantage of his feelings towards you"

" Why are you accusing me of something I didn't do. Do you know how unfair it feels.." I cried

This time the tears fell. Why didn't he believe me? He has met me so many times. Why would he think I was capable of any of this?

" That day , there was a new servant in the kitchen. He gave the food to me and I served it to the King. It was my fault for not checking his identity when my gut told me something was wrong. But I would never in a million years harm the King"

" Save your tears for someone who cares Nalani. I am not the King to be swayed by your crocodile tears. "

" But it is the truth" I kept insisting

" If it is true then explain the white powder found hidden amongst your clothes" he asked

" That is for my skin. It's not for eating. You can buy it at the market. You can check it out if you don't believe me"

" I never knew you were evil until today. You don't deserve to live after what you did" he said before he left.

There goes my help. My head was busting with thoughts. Why did none of this people believe me? Was this how my father felt when he was accused of being a traitor? The thought made me cry. I cried for what he went through and how alone he must have felt. I cried for how useless I felt at the moment. Nothing mattered anymore. This castle has taken so much from me and it still keeps taking and taking even when I had nothing to give.

The soldiers came back with a stench of cigarettes on them. They whipped me some more before I was taken back to the cells. I was freezing. I haven't eaten all day. They whipped me until I bled. I was still in a frail nightgown. My teeth were shattering and my body was shaking. I stayed like that until I passed out.

I woke up in the morning and the cycle continued. The soldiers were talking and apparently everyone in the kingdom had heard of my treachery and they were asking for blood. No one wanted to help me. Maybe that was why this was my fourth day without food, water , decent clothes and without any help.

The soldiers had tried alot of instruments on me that I couldn't feel any part of my body. My whole body was a giant wound. What did I expect from these people? They would help me.... Even Sir Carl who brought me here didn't come to visit me even once.

So this is how it felt to be abandoned by everyone. It was a fate worse than death. For days I have been quiet. I didn't scream anymore, what was the point? I was exhausted. My body couldn't take it anymore but I forced myself. I will not give up until I get out of here and when I do.....