Upon the Emperor's Lap

(#08) Life in Penitentiary

It has been two weeks since I was put into prison.

It hasn't been that bad too.

Since we are meant to be killed and go through repentance, we are treated well, considering our manners.

And I, since day one, sat cooped up in this jail cell, making no noise, that is, except that of the quill scrapping the paper.

On the second day, I got a letter from my friend, telling me how sorry she was and would help me get out of there.

And in the meantime, everything I need shall be provided for me.

I wrote back to her, telling her that she does not need to trouble herself with my matter. That I could handle it alone. And the only thing I needed, aside from the provided food would be quill, papyrus, and ink.

And the next day, I received the reply letter, telling me that she understood, and again she apologized.

The olden prison-mates treated me with respect, and the prison-workers too treated me nicely.

Well, they don't have any reason to treat me badly. As I said, I would just quiet, in a corner of my cell, writing with pen all day.

Even when I am taken to bath, I would ask the maid accompanying me to stand at a distance. I don't like being too close to people.

At first, she was suspicious. But then again, there is nothing I can do to escape, so she will just let me be.

And I have placed five haystacks facing the jail door in contact with the right wall, and the other five haystacks adjacent to the previous and the extra one are well... extra.

"Ahem!" I heard some clearing their throat, for attention.

I looked up.

"Ah! Miss Brints!" I exclaimed.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there," I said, standing up, with the sudden dizziness acting up, because of sitting for a long time

"It's alright. It's not the first you don't realize when I get in, and it's also not the first time you call Miss Brints, and I correct you by telling you it's Miss Briants. So, thank you." She said in mock politeness and we laughed.

"Anyway, let us not talk about it. Come on, it is time for you to take bath." She said, and I nodded.

But this time, she stood close to me.

"I am a firm believer that whatever our King does, it is good for us. Because I am a woman who lived in the present King's times and during his Father's reign.

Compared to back then, even telling the present state to be heaven would be an understatement." She said.

"Yeah, I understand. When I was brought to the palace, I kept a keen watch on my surroundings. Even for a person like me who hasn't lived through the dark ages finds this place beautiful." I said.

"But why are we talking about this now?" I asked.

"Even though everything he did was right, I am afraid giving you the death penalty was just too much." She said.

"You don't know the real situation. How can you comment freely, Miss Brints?" I asked.

"I already believe that you are innocent of the guilty you have been charged with. Even if we let that go, one can't just give the death penalty for a Forgery. Even if it's a prominent noble's." She said.

"He is the great ruler, right? There must be a reason behind everything he is doing." I said.

"I have had enough information to know that the only reason he gave you this punishment was so that you would not return to Princess, who seems to have caught a liking to you." She said.

"Well, I can't blame the Princess. She was always a fragile lady, with a very warm heart." She said

A fragile lady, with a very warm heart?! My ass she is!

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I agree with you." I said. Even if I retaliate, it is going to be of no use.

And the amount of time, I need to move my mouth, tongue, and maybe even hands! I can't even imagine doing all those for a long time, let alone, doing it for no reason?!

Ah! We have been walking for two minutes already.

Why haven't we reached it already? And yet these ladies make fun of me telling me that I am lazy when they built a washroom at the far end.

"Here, we have reached." Miss Brints said and handed me the clothes I was going to wear.

I got in, and let out a sigh.

Since I was the only woman in the penitentiary, I bath alone.

I got inside a cubicle, made sure that my toiletries were available and in place.

I then checked the temperature of the water.

It was cold.

Perfect!

I then started slowly disrobing myself, and then sat on a stool.

I poured the cold water on me.

My whole body went numb and breathe, still. And I loved it!

If it was for me, I could stay in here all day. But Miss Brints was staying outside, so I quickened up.

I put on my robe, tightened it, and stepped outside.

I then took the towel and started drying my hair.

"Done, Elle?" She asked.

"Yeah. Drying my hair." I said.

"Alright. I am coming in." She said. "Sure," I said.

She came in and dried my hair.

She always does. According to her, I don't dry my hair properly, which will make me sick. And I will die while I am sick, which will just make the experience far worse.

I tried to reason it out with her, telling her that the uncomfortableness of sickness will, maybe, lessen the uncomfortableness of death.

And then she started crying out loud, telling me how negatively that I am thinking.

"Has it been ever revoked?" I asked.

"I am sorry, dear. What?" She asked.

"Has it, a death sentence, ever been revoked?" I asked.

She was quiet.

So, the answer is no.

"Well... Our King is not a person who rethinks his words. So..." She didn't want to conclude her words.

"I get it. I am just doomed." I said.

We then made our way back to the penitentiary.

As we neared, we could see that something happened, as there were a lot of soldiers surrounding it.

Then a maid quickly came running to us and told Miss Brints,

"Miss Brints, the Emperor has arrived!"

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Last updated on 26/06/2021