XXIV

LADY DAE

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Dae was awoken by the harsh light of sun hitting her face, she slowly blinks her eyes open, once, twice before the onslaught of memories from last night had flooded her mind, she quickly sat up and looked her side... Only to see nothing she is alone, wrapped in the sheets of the king. She swallowed and breathed a sigh of relief upon finding that she is alone, though her whole body aches, specially between her legs, she sat and looked around the room, despite the sun already up, she shivers and gags at the scent of her skin. He was everywhere, he was all over her.

A single tear escaped her eyes upon remembering what had happened last night, the princess told her to bear the pain, that it would lessen as the night goes deep, that the king wouldn't last even a minute. That he'd fall faster than he could finish the drink on his goblet.

But that isn't what happened last night, he didn't finish in a minute and he didn't get tired, the pain didn't go away. A sob wrecked her body. The pain didn't go away... It remained with her till the early morning sunrise, and up until she woke up again. Her body was bruised and battered from the way she tried to push him away from her, but he kept her down, he put all his weight on her, he felt so heavy, she felt suffocated by her sheer heaviness, it made her feel so weak. Dae hug her knees and rocked herself to try and comfort herself. The princess she thought... The look on her face scared her... And the way she turned her back against her... Dae shivers, would she abandoned her? She called for her, asked for her help, but why didn't she do anything?

The door suddenly opened startling her. She looks up to see an old woman standing by the door, she wore long white gown that covered her hair up to her feet, a sun pendant was the only notable jewel she was wearing, the old woman then step inside she looks at her with a stoic face, only when she's halfway inside did she noticed that she was accompanied by several men wearing long brown clothes, with their head shaven, it cover them from neck to toe, hiding any skin that could be seen, but they wear the same necklace as the woman's ,only with the sun pendant larger.... They were holding a books and plumes, and they writing something, she stared at them wide eyed and confused. Why are they there? What are they going to do to her? Those questions swarm inside her head.

The woman then approached her and flip the sheet that covered the bed, gladly hers wasn't taken, considering that she's naked, the woman looks at the bed as if she's looking for something, and when her eyes spotted the red stain on the sheets she smiles, she also approach Dae and checked her hand for something, once satisfied she walked back to the gentlemen and spoke.

"The marriage has been consumated." She announces to the men who quickly wrote it down on their books, she doesn't what it was for, but she doesn't care at that moment, she remained staring at the blood on the sheet.... She swallowed and closed her eyes... It hurts. She thought, everything hurts. Her maid at the tower didn't lie to her... A man does not make love like a man, instead they do it like how a beast would, last night's affair remind her of how a dragon would do it rather than how a king would, he bit her in so many part, his teeth sunk into her flesh.... For a moment she thought he was going to tear her flesh from her bone.... It made her shiver.

"Congratulations my lady." The woman spoke again startling her for a moment, she looks up at her, to see... Pity. She's looking down on her and it made her want to cry more.

"Where's Neviska?" She asked her, the woman cleared her throat before walking towards her and then offering her hand for her to take. Dae hesitantly took it. And then the woman helped her stand.

"Your leal servant is waiting for you at her room. You should get ready and go there." The woman then grab a simple dress that was already in the room and helped her in. Dae's legs were badly shaking, gladly though, the woman despite her age is strong and managed to help her.

" What was that for?" She finally mastered to ask, her curiosity getting still the best of her, the woman looks at her one more time before answering.

" We were sent by the saintee to check if the marriage had been fully consumated." Saintee? The princess she thought.

" Why was she here last night? Why did she watch us?" She bit her lips feeling anxious. It was sick, she thought, to have a daughter watch as her father spoil someone else in bed.

" It felt so wrong." She added. The woman sighed and nod her head, she slowly guide her out of her room.

" It was a tradition to have the head of the temple watch during a marriage consummation... To assure that the deed had been done. Then at morning we are sent to make sure that there is no folly. The men with me are the eunuchs that work at the temple and the harem. They also serves as teachers and historians." The woman patiently explained to her.

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PRINCESS ROSHANNE

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The door of her room opened and Odette stepped in followed by a couple of more servants.

"It has been announced your grace, the marriage had been consummated." Odette reported to her with a voice so soft, you could mistake it for a whisper, Roshanne sat by the window looking at the glaring sun. She hadn't stepped out of the room that day, not even to pray, she hadn't entertained even Alastair which is rare for some occasion. The maids around her walked on thin ice, her mood was sour and she was quick to anger, one wrong move and they could lose their jobs, they knew her so well that they know what to do when she's in a foul mood. She should be happy, she should be celebrating that her plan is slowly going according to what she wanted it, yet she couldn't find to herself to be happy when thinking about the consummation of the wedding it brings nothing but a bad taste to her mouth. Not even the thought of flying could wipe it away. The images from last night burned against the forefront of her mind, it angers her, to see Dae in such a state, she would understand it if the girl actually backs out and ended up hurling herself to the balcony, no one had prepared her for that, no one had told her that the king wouldn't be gentle. No one had told her that she would bed a monster. Roshanne bit her lip... Why was she so worked up about it? Was she angry because it was father who deflowered that maiden? Was she angry at herself for not helping Dae when she's screaming for her to help her?

"Your highness?" She looks up at Odette, her brows are still furrowed.

"Go, help Neviska with Dae... And clean her thoroughly, make sure that nothing, not even a single mark of the king shall be left on her body. " She instructed.

" Then bring her to me."Odette bows before gathering the other ladies and left her room in silence.

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DAE

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Dae was escorted by the kind woman back to her room, and upon entering she saw Neviska speaking to Odette with a hush voice, but once the door close they both turned to her and greeted her... Relief washes over her when she saw Neviska. She wanted to hug her but refrain herself from doing so in fear that it might be inappropriate.

"My lady? The bath had already been drawn for you. Would you like to take a bath now? Or perhaps you'd like to eat first? " Odette  was the one to speak first, while Neviska stood by her side, she was looking at Dae with a worried look on her face, it looks like she wanted to approach her but she couldn't because Odette was there. Odette then pointed the small table that was already filled with various food normally her mouth would already water at the sight of such delicious looking food, but at that moment she couldn't find it to herself to want to eat those. So instead she chose to take a bath.

"I wish to take a bath first." She whispered. She wanted to wash the smell of the king on her skin, she wanted him gone, Odette nods and gently ushered her to the bathroom , she helped her removed her robe and she never failed to notice how the other ladies averted their gaze, while some covered their mouth stopping their horrified gasp at the sight of her.... then Neviska looks like she's close to crying. Was it that bad? She still hadn't seen her body yet. And she felt like she doesn't want to.

"Come, let me help you." Lady Neviska swallowed down her tear and muster her self not to cry at the horrible sight in front of her... the young lady doesn't deserve it she thought as she guided her towards the tub, and helped her inside, she couldn't walked properly and every movement makes it hurt. She slowly sits down and hissed when the warm water hit her body, the wounds from the king's bite and nail hurts so much. Once she's settled down only did the other servant followed suit and began washing her, they rub her skin and hair with soap, then they put some oil in her hair... The other servants put strong scented flowers on her bath, and slowly the smell of the king disappeared from her skin.

"Gently ladies! Gently." Odette reminded them upon seeing Dae wincing once a servant protruded her still sensitive and aching cunt making her yelp. This earned the servant a slap from lady Odette.

"Forgive me my lady. But this needed to be done." Lady Odette apologize, some servant held her still when she tried to get away, Dae shakes her head. No! She cannot have anything entering her! The memory of being torn apart made her cry again.

"My lady, I know it's painful, but it needed to be done, tis to make sure the King's seed would not take any root." Lady Odette gently explained to her, and to her surprise she had wipe her tears away from her.

" B-but... Wouldn't it make him mad? I-if I don't swell with child the first night we did it? "She sniffles, Lady Odette gently smiles and wipe her tears away.

"No child, it's perfectly normal not to fall pregnant during the first try. Also you're still very young, your not yet... capable nor will it ever be good for you to be with child, your body is still not prepared. There are too many risk." She stated, Dae relaxed for a moment, but she would still wince every now and then. Once she's done taking a bath she was dried by the maids, damping the towel against her skin with care, before she was dressed in a soft silk blue dress.

" Have you drink the vial that the princess gave you?" Odette whispered to her. Dae nods her head as a confirmation and lady Odette smiled before allowing Neviska to brush her hair.

" The princess wishes for you to be brought to her... Would that be alright?" Lady Odette asked her, Dae looked at her through the mirror, the princess wishes to see her? She bit her lower lip and looked down on her lap... She's scared of what the princess might say to her. Perhaps she's about to tell her how angry she was for trying to back out. For calling out to her for help.

"I'm not feeling well... Could I perhaps meet her some other time?" She asked her. Lady Odette nods her head, respecting her wishes before leaving along with the other servants. It was just her and Neviska now and once alone, she hold onto Neviska.

"Don't leave me please." She begged her... Neviska looked down at her and held her onto her hand tighter.

"I won't my lady... You could count on that."

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PRINCESS ROSHANNE

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"Your highness?" Odette spoke again once she entered her room, Roshanne looked up from her desk to look at Odette expecting to see Dae right behind her. But she didn't see her.

"Where is she?" She asked her closing the book that she had been reading.

"The lady is tired your highness, she wishes to rest more." Odette explained, Roshanne nods her head, of course she's tired, from what she had heard the king didn't stop until the early sun. Roshanne lick her lower lip and brush her hair up, she couldn't calm...

"How bad is it?" She asked her.

"It's.... Worse. The lady had multiple bruises on her body, and wounds from the king's bite and scratch, it must be observed, to avoid infection." Roshanne sighed, it was a normal occurrence, when the king bed one of his concubines they ended up bruised and wounded, and he likes it more when they fight back, she figured it fueled him more when Dae tried to fight back.

" Her father will arrive tonight, do you think she'll have the energy to face them?" Lady Odette slowly shakes her head. Roshanne sighed, she figured she'd have to talk to them in Dae's stead... It was the least she could do for her... Specially for the next thing she will have to do for her.

" Good.... You're Dismissed." She told her before sitting back down to her chair. The wedding is over... She will have to work now into eliminating her mother. Dae's father is coming so it means she has another enemy, from what Alastair had told her, from the conversation he had heard with Dae's brother and one of his squire, they are planning on eliminating the king as well as the whole royal family, by poisoning them... Roshanne had to act quickly, now that Dae's father is there... Controlling her would be hard. She has to gain Dae's trust wholly.

Her train of thoughts was interrupted once more when her brother entered, though it was not the brother she was expecting to see.

"Good day dear sister of mine." It was none other than Alexander, the second prince. Roshanne scowl when she saw him.

"Brother." She greeted him coldly before leaning back against her chair, Alexander was her father's least favorite son, from what she knows about him, Alexander was sickly when he was young, prone to accident because he was clumsy and a coward at that. The king didn't like him, and his mother the first concubine hated him as much. And Roshanne, oh Roshanne despise him.

" Tsk... That's not the way you should be greeting me dear sister." He told her, shaking his head, he approached her, though he walked limping, putting half his weight on his cane, when Alexander was in his 30's he got into an accident, causing for him to sustain a life long injury, rendering him useless in every other field their father could use him except in marriage, he was just used for marriage, binding another powerful family close to their name.

"How would you like me to greet you then? Pretend that I care deeply for you? Kiss you on your cheeks and feign excitement?" She sarcastically asked, now it was his time to scowl.

"I don't know what I ever did to you for you to hate me this much." Roshanne's jaw clench.

"You tried to kill me thrice." She reminded him. Roshanne was 22 years younger than him, she remembers when she was just eight, she was left alone with him in the castle pond, she was naive back then, and as gullable as their father, he bribe her into peering into the pond, claiming he saw an emerald gem... Which is rare in their kingdom, and it happens to be her favorite precious stone. Roshanne did peer, and the next thing she knows, she was drowning... Luckily Khalil was their and saved her. The second time she tried to kill her was when he shot her with an arrow, it slightly missed her, if he was good with his shot she could have died.... He claimed it was an accident, but the queen didn't believe him so and punished him... The last time he did attempt was when she was 19.... He tried to poison her, luckily she managed to survive... It was the last attempt he ever made after Alastair threatened him.

"It was an accident. We were just playing." He tried to play it off, shrugging his shoulder.

"What do you want Alexander?" It pisses her off that he still threats her like a kid.

"Well... I was just wondering if you could lend me some money." Roshanne's scowl deepened upon his request.

"Leave." She demanded, Alexander is in deep debt, and her wife's family is refusing to lend him money.

"Come on dear sister, just 20,000 golden dragon, and I swear I'll be gone." Roshanne slowly stood up from ber sit, and that moment she felt bigger than him.

"Leave Alexander, I don't have time for your folly." She commanded, but he did not move.

"I'll offer my son's hand in marriage to, you.... I heard that it was announced later this afternoon about your marriage to Alastair... A knight.... Sister you could have more, why settle for less?" She was startled, it was announced? But she didn't even talk to her father yet.

" Who announced this?" She asked furious, Alexander smiles.

" So you aren't aware too? I knew it! That cheeky bastard was so desperate to boost his status that he decided on his own. I knew it! Why would the Saintee, the third most powerful in the kingdom settle for a knight." He spoke with a large grin on his face.

" Noble Knight, Alastair is a prince, son of the daughter of the powerful Viscount in Cadalin. Now tell me... Who announced this?" She corrected him as she makes her way towards him. Alexander smirk.

" Give 20,000 golden coins first." Roshanne in her furry couldn't control herself, she struck him so hard that he ended up falling down, he yelp, startled by her sudden outburst, and for a moment she saw not her brother but the king on the ground. She wanted to trample him.

"Listen here you pathetic peace of shit... You have no rights making demand to me! I am your princess! I am the heir! You will tell me who announced this before I drag you to my dragon and let her have you as a meal!" Alexander's eyes widen, t'was rare for them to see her this mad, this so out of control.

"Father has not made you his-" She grab him by the face, making sure her nail digs into flesh.

"He will make me! He will choose me over that bastard with a tainted blood! Now, will you tell me who announced it? Or would I have to drag you to the tower? Because brother, trust me... You aren't the only prince that I serve to Wildfyre as her lunch." Alexander eyes widen as cold sweat gathers on his forehead.

" It was mother... She was the one who announced it this morning, at the throne room during the King's hearing." Roshanne slowly let go of him... She stood up straight and huff.... Fuck this. She thought... Maybe she should have killed that bitch, or maybe she should punish Alastair instead, send him to eastern territory to serve as a border knight... Why did he tell her? She moved away from Alexander and watched as he struggles to stand up... But once he's on his feet she spoke again.

"I'll give you 30,000 golden coins, keep your mouth shut about what Happened here... If any words get out about this... I swear you'll be the next Crippled prince." She warned him, Alexander nod his head and left without a word. She clenched her fist massage the bride of her nose... She'll have to deal with Alastair now.