/-Kaelynn's pov-/
Nephroma smiled faintly. "And Lord Neal?"
"Beheaded," Evangra replied before I could even guess. "For laughing during the Queen's public speech."
"His head is still on a spike by the western rampart," Syrr finished coolly, staring at me now.
"Not to mention," Nephroma added, her eyes scanning the scroll with a tilt of mockery, "you're a crippled outcast. If you so much as breathe the wrong way, they'll assume you've been possessed by a demon of rot and burn you before sunrise."
"I'm not possessed," I muttered.
They all snorted.
"Of course not," Syrr said dryly. "You're just… crippled."
I bit the inside of my cheek. I hated when they laughed like that. Still, I tried. "Well, if I'm supposed to be dead… Do I get to haunt someone? I think I'd start with you, Nephroma…"
Before I could finish, Nephroma whipped out her left hand and flicked them across my face.
My head snapped sideways as that part of my cheeks began to burn.
Nephroma just slapped me.
I stared at her, stunned. Evangra leaned in close, gripping my chin hard enough to make my jaw ache. Then she turned my face back toward her, examining the spreading bruise as if it was nothing more than a wrinkle.
"Smile," she ordered.
"What?" I whispered, tasting iron in my mouth.
"Smile," she repeated, narrowing her eyes. "Pretend you're happy to be alive. Pretend you don't smell like dust and rot. Pretend, Princess Kaelynn or I'll staple it to your face myself."
I grinned, but it didn't reach my eyes. It. Couldn't.
"What about her dress?" Evangra asked Nephroma. "She will smell in court."
"And we will be far away. Leave her. That would be her punishment for leaving the carriage to excite beggers. What was she thinking?"
The sting on my cheek throbbed harder with the effort, but I held it. Just like they told me.
It was so hard to fight back the tears. Instead, I looked down at my hands. The red and raw scabs on my knuckles were peeling again. I raised one, and began to scratch…
"Stop that," Nephroma snapped. "You'll ruin the fabric."
My hands dropped like stones into my lap.
Evangra looked ahead. "We're here."
My heart thudded with fright. I didn't know how to sit, or breathe, or exist without them telling me how.
If it was like this now, how was it going to be in Castle Court? Just like that, terror consumed the rest of the courage I had left.
Castle Court loomed before me.
It was said that Castle Court was the place all three great kings converged. That was before the undead swept a third of their people and kingdom.
Now, the people of Veldera weren't just the Northern people, the East, and West also mixed in with them. They were the survivors of the horrors.
To be honest, I wished I could just see either an Easterner or Westerner… to ask about the horrors they faced.
"Remember what we have taught you, child." Evangra whispered close to my ears. "Castle court is not a place for people like you."
I raised my head up, amused at her words.
"Are you concerned for me, Evangra?"
Nephroma and Syrr both chuckled at the same time.
I glared at them.
The grand halls of Castle Court were majestic, ancient and… beautiful. I'd never known such a beautiful place in my entire life.
My father often talked about Castle Court.
When the days were good, he'd wrap his sweating hands around me, and whisper that Castle Court was as beautiful as it was dangerous.
Even more dangerous as the King and Queens quarters were situated inside. What separated them was a spiral staircase that stretched to the Creator.
My eyes darted around, searching for a spiral staircase that stretched to the Creator. I couldn't see it. Well, not right now as I was carried hand in hand by Nephroma and Syrr.
My legs dragged against the soft floor, bandaged heavily… limp and useless.
I didn't like the stares I was given by the people here. I should be asking myself if I'd love to see my mother, the queen or my brothers. I'd really, really… like that.
However, the fascination of Castle Court was better to be focused on than thinking about cuckoo wonderland.
Thump.
I was dropped atop an empty table unceremoniously.
"We need to get her a wheelchair. We can't keep carrying her about. Are we going to follow her into the toilet too?" Nephroma sneered at her fellow courtier.
Evangra shook her head. "That's what the Queen asked us to do. Do you want her to send us back to the winding road? Don't you appreciate the fresh air?"
"But her chair was destroyed by those people. I am afraid that's our only choice."
"It's all your fault for indulging her!" Nephroma wagged her long fingers at Evangra. "That chair was the King's gift…"
I shuddered.
The King's gift.
Good riddance.
Their words became whispers in my ear, as I let my gaze settle on the ladies both young and old in wrinkled white gowns and men in the same stylish but wrinkle white top and short baggy pants. They were busy cleaning the first floor where I was, just right at the corner.
In the middle of the hall, something grand was inscribed in black, violet and silver colours.
Castle Court- A sanctuary for all.
Come one, come all.
Heh. I watched as several soldiers silently paraded the entire place. There was so little I could see from where I sat. My head could only move left and right as I took in their Northern Veldera military attire.
It was curt, commanding and grey. Could anything be more colorful here? The attire was a simple button in long sleeves, and silver buttons, while their pants were baggy and reached to the knees… stopping there. They all had hats on, dipped so close to the nose they could barely see anything.
But I knew not to be fooled. Their eyes were on everything, everyone…
"You!" One of them shouted.
… and me?