Chapter 24 024
I lost my balance immediately when the door was pushed backwards, and while trying to hold up from reaching the floor, my eyes locked with the lady chef who was standing still in the corridor, staring at me like she had seen a ghost.
My lips hung open. I nearly forgot how to breathe at that moment. Then one of them asked, “Why are you standing frozen? Go in and check so we can begin leaving.” But the lady staring at me shook her head, and then I began hearing the footsteps of others coming forth towards her.
At this time, I was standing firm, my feet stiffened on the ground.
They all affixed their gaze on me, their expression stunning and as though words were too heavy to speak.
I, too, didn't know what to say. If I tried escaping, they would just flit towards me and grab me by my neck, so I was completely doomed.
One of them cleared her throat and walked past the first lady. She reached towards me and leaned closer, then sniffed. Her eyes grew wide as she turned back to the others and gestured, “The fae captive? How did she end up here?” Her voice rose carefully, and then she shook her head, her palms already on her waist.
The other lady who came second rushed in as well and reached towards me. She walked around me, maybe to be sure I was a fae, and then she stood before me. “How did you come in when the door was locked? What did you do here?” she roared at me, and I stepped back a bit.
I pointed at the open window, and their mouth widened in shock, then I pointed at the plate, which I had emptied on the table.
“Isn't that the meal I wanted to eat tomorrow?” The third lady walked in, her face drained of blood as she dashed towards the plate. Seeing that I wasn't joking, she turned back at me, fastened her steps and smacked my face violently that my ears rang for some time. “Are you that stupid? Seven days aren't up, and you're supposed to starve for seven days.”
I grimaced. Did they really mean it? I was supposed to starve for seven days, and who even gave such an order? How could I have survived until then?
“You'll pay for this. I won't let this slide.”
“She committed a grave crime. First, breaking out of the cell, breaking into the kitchen, and eating when her penalty isn't off. Dragon Sovereign wouldn't forgive you, I bet.”
“I will call the guards to take her away.”
One of them pushed me forward until I was out of the kitchen. I was fidgeting because even though I had eaten something and regained some strength, I was going to be punished once again. How didn't I think of them not feeding me as a penalty? Now, how much more torture were they going to give me this time?
Soon, two guards came forth and dragged me away with them. I was shocked that they didn't teleport, only to realise that the throne room wasn't so far from the kitchen. They forced me to my knees as we entered, but the throne was empty, and they left afterwards.
I knelt there, thinking that Dragon Sovereign would show up that night, only to realise I would stay there until dawn, as they did not want to disturb their Sovereign.
My knees already hurt badly in the morning, and I was trembling, kneeling there.
As soon as the hall was opened the next morning, his presence was announced, and I quickly lowered my face since I was already kneeling. The meal I had last night had left my body, due to the punishment I had been on since last night. I felt as though I would soon melt into ashes with how weak my system was. Or maybe the meal wasn't enough to sustain my hunger.
“What is she doing here?” I heard Dragon Sovereign ask, then a guard behind me narrated everything to him. I feared meeting his gaze, but he ordered me. “Look at me, fae female.”
I was in panic, but disobeying him would worsen my condition, so I slowly raised my face to meet his fierce gaze. My forehead was covered in sweat, and I needed to soak my body in chilled water for so long to regain my strength.
“On whose order did you leave the cell down to the kitchen?” his question came, so heavy and scary.
I moved my lips, but I didn't know what to respond with. I wanted to ask him why starvation was my punishment when he knew I had lived as a human and wouldn't survive it, but it would sound as though I questioned his order.
So I shut my lips again, not ready to say a thing.
“Should I repeat my question?”
“I made her do it, Dragon Sovereign!!” someone, a female, said from behind me.
When I turned to see who it was, I was so shocked to see Perrin wearing an emotionless expression while she approached closer. Beside me, she knelt, her head lowered, “Sovereign, I will take whatever penalty that she deserves. She was almost dying when I unlocked the cell for her and told her to check the kitchen. If I didn't do that, she could have passed out last night, and I knew so well that she is your bait and shouldn't die.” Perrin added, not raising her face.
I thought she was done when she continued, “Sovereign, Davina is more like a human, very weak and doesn't have strong stamina. If time isn't taken, she could pass on before she's of use to you.”
But why was she doing this? What if Dragon Sovereign really punishes her?
She raised her face and found him glaring at her. “Please don't think that I did this because I had an interest in her. She refused me, but I simply wanted to help a kind fae captive who is of use to my ruler.”
What? Everyone knew she was into females? Now I understand why she wasn't scared to approach, and I think a lot of them would also have the same desire as her.
I couldn't stand only her pleading for mercy, so I bowed cautiously, sure that my forehead touched the floor. “Dragon Sovereign, please forgive us. I never knew starvation was my penalty, and I only thought that they refused to feed me because they didn't like me. Don't hurt Perrin, please. She's the only friend I have here.”
My heart was throbbing. I wanted to hear him say a word so I would know my fate. If Perrin is punished, she might not come to my rescue if need be in the future. For her to just show up here meant that I needed her as a friend.
“That was the only penalty I could come up with instead of executing you,” he finally said, and I raised my face. “I would like an audience with you anytime, but not mostly today. So, you two can leave, and don't do this again.”
Really? I nearly burst into tears.
“Thank you so much, Dragon Sovereign!!” I repeated that so many times before Perrin helped me up. Surely, he wasn't acting so cruel like they mentioned him to be.
Perrin took me with her, and we left the throne room. Outside, I spread my arms to feel the fresh wind blowing. Soon, the guards would come take me with them, so I needed to see the sky before they arrived.
“I'm taking you with me for some time.” I shuddered upon hearing Perrin say to me. My brows furrowed as I sorted out what she meant. “Your human friend is here!!”
My arms dropped at my sides. My human friend? As in, Ofelia?