I trudged to the throne room where I was summoned by the king. After yesterday's mishap, I'd been confined to my quarters, thanks to Lexi's fussing. She'd wrapped my hands in so many bandages that I could barely see my fingertips. I was wounded, although not badly, but Lexi's overprotectiveness knew no bounds.
As I walked to the throne room, I steeled myself for the scolding or punishment that was likely coming my way. I knew the king and queen were furious, and I braced myself for their anger.
The guards pushed open the massive doors to the throne room, and I stepped inside slowly. The room was bright, with sunlight streaming in through the open curtains. Tall marble columns rose to vaulted ceilings, polished stone floors gleaming beneath ornate tapestries. Golden accents sparkled in the light, and at the room's end, five thrones sat atop a dais.
I walked slowly, the polished stone floor reflecting my hesitant steps. As I approached the dais, the queen's gaze met mine, her eyes narrowing slightly from where she sat, her lips curling into a faint sneer. The king sat beside her, his expression unreadable.
I curtised respectfully, my gaze dropping to the floor. "My king," I murmured, my voice subdued.
"What happened yesterday?" My father's voice boomed through the room, making me tremble with fear as the sound reverberated off the stone walls.
I fell on my knees immediately, tears forming in my eyes. "I apologise, my king. I lost my balance."
The queen's voice dripped with malice as she said, "She's always stirring up trouble to get attention."
"Elise, I'll handle this," the king's voice cut in. The room fell silent before he continued, "Your antics yesterday disrupted the celebration and caused quite a scene. As punishment, you'll be starved for three days while still carrying out your duties. And after those three days, you'll face a whipping."
My gaze jerked upward, my eyes locking onto the king's face as my breath caught in my throat. My lips parted slightly, frozen in shock. Starved and whipped? How heartless can my own father be?
"Leave." He ordered.
I stared frozen, my eyes fixed on the king as tears streamed silently down my face. The queen's lips curled into a cruel smile, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. The king's gaze slid away from mine, avoiding my pleading look. 'Pull yourself together, Emma.'
The last thing I wanted to do was give my stepmother the satisfaction of seeing me shattered. I will never give her that satisfaction of seeing me break down. NEVER.
I slowly composed myself, rose to my feet, and curtsied again before turning to leave.
"She is just like her mother, always stirring up chaos and ruin." The queen's biting words echoed behind me as I exited the throne room.
I turned a corner in the hallway, lost in thought, and almost collided with Lexi, who was scrubbing the floor with a mop and bucket. At first, she looked shocked to see me, but then her eyes met mine, and her expression softened as she took in my troubled gaze.
Lexi placed the mop by the wall and stepped closer to me. "Are you alright?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant murmur of the other maids, who were scattered about the hallway, each absorbed in their own tasks.
I nodded slowly.
"Did the king go easy on you?" She asked me still in whispers.
Tears I'd been holding back flowed down my cheeks as I shook my head, my chin trembling. Lexi's arms wrapped around me, holding me close as I buried my face in her shoulder. Her gentle pats on my back were a soothing balm to my fraying emotions.
"It's okay...it's okay, Emma. You will be fine."
Lexi's kindness was a rare comfort in my life. While the other maids ignored me, and my stepsiblings showed outright disdain, Lexi's gentle nature and warm smile made her a haven. She was the one person who didn't make me feel like an outcast, like I didn't belong.
Slowly, I regained control of my emotions, and my sobs subsided to sniffles. Lexi's arms loosened, and she gently pulled back, her eyes scanning my face. With tender fingers, she traced the paths of my tears, wiping them away.
"You will be fine." She soothed.
I nodded slightly, still feeling unsure, but trying to believe what she said.
"What is your punishment?" Lexi asked calmly.
"3 days starvation and whips." I told her.
Lexi's eyes widened. "Starvation and whips? That's too much..."
"He is the king."
"....and your father. I'm sure the queen was the one who suggested these punishments."
I sighed without saying a word.
"She is just so wicked." Lexi whispered.
A smile crept onto my face at Lexi's sassy remark. "You should watch your tongue to avoid getting punished too."
She waved her hand dismissively. "Whatever."
A deafening crash of thunder boomed through the hallway, making some maids shriek and jump back. Lexi's eyes went wide as she clutched my arm, her face pale. The sound seemed to shake the very walls, and the hallway's windows dimmed, as if the storm outside had suddenly intensified, casting long shadows and darkening the space. Rain lashed against the roof, drumming out a frantic rhythm.
A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I took in Lexi's wide-eyed, frightened expression, her usual tough demeanour momentarily replaced by a comically exaggerated look of alarm. "I didn't think you would be scared of lightening." I mocked her.
Lexi's face flushed with embarrassment as she met my gaze, and she quickly smoothed out her features, regaining her composure. "I'm not scared of lightening."
"I see.." I mocked.
"Emma, don't you feel it?" Lexi whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and foreboding.
I raised an eyebrow. "Feel what?"
"The dark energy."
I laughed. "What dark energy?"
"I don't know. I don't know what kind of dark energy....but it's dangerous."
I raised an eyebrow, amused by Lexi's serious tone. "Dangerous?" I teased, trying to lighten the mood.
Lexi's eyes locked onto mine, her expression still grave. "I'm telling you, I feel it. Something's off. Something is about to happen. Deadly...."
I chuckled, but Lexi's intensity made me pause. "Maybe it's just the storm," I suggested, glancing out the window as the rain continued to pour down.
"I guess so." She nodded.
With a gentle chuckle, I patted Lexi's back. "I've got to check on the princess, see if she needs anything," I said before turning to leave. Lexi nodded, and as I walked away, a faint shiver ran down my spine.