Sour Candy | T. Drake ✔

[39] The Impossible Task

"Where is Udit?" Talia demanded soon as she stepped into the throne room, sharp green eyes searching for the warrior.

"I'll send him right away, Mistress," a man bowed his head then left the room immediately to search for Udit.

He knocked impatiently on the door to the senior warrior's room, knowing that any delay would cause Talia's anger to increase which could become a threat for all of them.

"Udit! Mistress demands your presence in the throne room immediately," he called out, impatiently knocking upon the door.

A slight shuffling sound was heard and shortly after Udit's voice trailed out, "what happened?"

"Mistress is calling for you. And why the hell are you so late?"

His irritated voice addressed him, "I am coming. And don't interfere in my matters more than its necessary."

"She will behead you then all of us," but he finally retreated, knowing Udit would turn up at the throne room immediately afterwards.

Udit's features knitted into worry as he got off the bed, quickly dressing up while the color from his face had drained upon noticing the time, realizing that he had missed the morning bell and slept in.

The sheets on the other side of the bed were made up and there was no trace of the woman he had been with, except for a piece of paper under the pillow.

It definitely meant Aleama must have left earlier without disturbing him.

He flicked the note out and pocketed it, knowing that going to Talia was a priority right then and he would read the note later. Then as soon as he could, he went down to the throne room, bracing himself for the severe words and possibly some punishment that he would have to face.

Talia was seated on her high chair when he entered and bowed his head respectfully in front of her, right hand resting on his chest in the usual greeting to a leader.

Sharp emerald eyes swept over him, noticing the haste with which he had gotten ready as his light brown hair were not even properly combed and his eyes were sleepy.

"Udit, where were you?"

"I beg your pardon, Mistress," he kept his eyes trained to the floor, "I... I missed the morning bell."

Surprisingly, Talia didn't ridicule him for it, instead she spoke up, "make sure not to miss it from now on or else I won't be so lenient."

"I promise not to repeat the mistake, Mistress."

She nodded, eyes flickering towards the other people in the room who understood the unspoken order and stepped out immediately. Udit felt more anxious at the other people leaving but stood still, bracing himself for whatever she was planning to say to him.

When the throne room was empty except for Talia and Udit, she spoke up, "I want to assign you a confidential task which I believe only you can carry out properly."

He kept silent, closely listening to her.

"What I am about to order you is something I would want you to execute without letting any emotional attachment hinder you from it."

Udit nodded, "any wish of yours is my command."

"Yes I know," she leaned back in her seat, eyes observing him closely, "but the task is not going to be easy for you."

"I will try my best to execute it the way you want me to."

She paused, knowing that he was loyal and not lying to her. But the task she had in mind would shake him up and that too she knew very well.