𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬// 𝐀 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

«𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒓»

«ꜱᴏʀʀʏ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀɴʏ ᴍɪꜱᴛᴀᴋᴇꜱ- ᴀ/ɴ»

     "WAKE UP!" Voices shout, followed by a sequence of knocks.  
     Estelle winced, grousing as she felt the indistinct throb of an imminent headache, and she rose to her feet. She dragged herself to the wardrobe, gathering her clothes before leaving to washrooms.
     'I couldn't possibly get used to this.' Estelle thought to herself, frowning. 
     Estelle's lips pressed into a thin line as she overheard one or two people gossiping about her reasoning for being brought to the castle, and their suggestions were far from right. One of the two women's theories is her being a thief or another being that her presence was just insulting to the king, but Estelle's favorite was her being the king's new play thing—she could almost stifle a laugh.
     Estelle scratched her jaw and bit her tongue, if they felt the need to know her reasoning they could've asked. But she paid no mind to them and continued on her way to the washrooms.

𖥸

    Estelle's eyes drooped tiredly, periodically her eyes would roll in the back of her head, as a stale piece of bread loosely dangled from her hand.
    "Are you okay?" Kaz concerned, plopping down beside her.
    "Mhm, didn't sleep well last night." Estelle replied, sluggishly bobbing her head.
    "I think we all are exhausted," Kaz commented.
    "What do we expect, the beds they gave us are shit. As well as the food, nothing but leftovers." Circe cuts in, probing at the questionable meat.
    Estelle snickered, agreeing but felt guilty for indirectly insulting Archie.
    
    "I had forgotten to ask, Kaz. What are your chores around the castle?" Estelle asked, starting a conversation.
     "I care for the animals, like the horses and dogs, but I also help with landscaping!"
      "I would like to have that chore, I adore animals." Estelle pouted, her chin plummeting to her palm.
      The two began to ramble on about animals, conversing passionately about their cherished childhood pets to their favored animals, to the point they didn't acknowledge the chiming bell until one of the other two interrupted.
    "Uh if you two do not hush yourselves, you'll be late to your chores!"
     Estelle and Kaz gaped at each; leaping to their feet hastily and riddening their dishes with a farwell.
    Estelle shoved the kitchen doors open, "my apologies Archie!"
    "Hush, you need to get to going! The king's going to be displeased if you're any later." Archie fretted, shooing you away with the king's early meal.

     As Estelle approached the king's chambers, he was lingering at the door with a heated gaze.
    "I apologize for tardiness, my king. I failed to keep sight of the time-"
    "Quiet," Zuko fumed, "I do not want to hear your piffling excuses! You should've been at my quarters at six o'clock exactly, but I was informed you were running your mouth with the stableman. What is the relationship between the two of you?"
    "A friend, my king." Estelle answered, flinching.
     "Seems like a negative influence–"
     "He's not–"
     Estelle's cheek aches with Zuko's handprint.
    "Don't you dare back talk to me," Zuko snaps.
     "My apologies," Estelle whimpered.
     "Do not make these mistakes again, I won't be so forbearing once more." He intoned, removing his meal from her hands.
     "Thank you, my king." Estelle bowed, clasping her other hand.
      "After you take your leave, send Marley my way."
       "Certainly!"
      

𖥸

     "You were supposed to keep an eye on her," Zuko hissed as his hand slapped against the desk.
    Marley's fingers curled into a fist as her muscles stiffen with fright. "I did, my king. I did not see that he would be a threat to your courtship."
    "Well if you want me to spare your life and the boys, then you better keep a keen eye on her and him." Zuko warned, turning his back to the aged woman.
    Zuko glanced out the window that overlooked the yard, catching sight of Estelle who wrung soapy water from clothes and pinned them to the clothesline, and simpered just before it fell.  Zuko bitterly gritted his teeth, observing the interaction between his desired woman and the stableman. Watching as Kaz's hand traced down Estelle's arm, grabbing her hand and leading her to the dun horse.
    Zuko barged out the doors, cursing under his breath.

𖥸

     "What's her name?" Estelle questioned as she awed up at the horse.
     "Nemesis."
     "She's gorgeous," Estelle complimented.
     "C'mere." Kaz smiled, fetching Estelle's hand and bringing her hand to the animal.
     The horse's nostril flared as Estelle's hand stroked its muzzle.
     "Don't be afraid, they can sense that." Kaz enlightened, taking ahold of her hand and guiding it the horse's mane.
      "Thank you-"
      "Estelle!"
      The startled woman twirled around, recognizing the king's enraged tone.  Estelle bowed as Zuko trudged up to her,  her heart thrumming against her chest wildly.
       'Have I lost the time again?' She deliberated, her eyes burning holes into the ground.
       "What are you doing conversing with the stableman, you should be finishing your duties or assisting me!"
       "Forgive me," Estelle spoke feebly.
       "I've forewarned you not to cause any more mistakes. We're leaving to my chambers to discuss further more about your punishment. You boy, are forbidden to associate with Estelle. If you do so as much as mumble a word to her, there will be severe consequences. "
       Estelle's eyebrows creased as her mouth agape, she was confounded. "I'm my own person. You do not control me, what I do, or who I socialize with."
      Zuko steps mere inches from Estelle's face and leers,"I control you like I control this kingdom. I will conquer you like I did these lands, you belong to me darling."

________________

//Written: January 6, 2022//
//Total of Words: 953//