The Wind's End

the beating (beginning part 4)

Huff..Huff..

I had made it down the stairs.

I hastily ran to the dining table, but father didn't seem to be there.. He must be in his office. Dang it, all that exercise for nothing.

I walk back up the stairs and turn through corridors, making sure to keep my head down, just invade I bumped into the prince, Tradition is tradition I guess.

Finally, I had arrived infront of a fancy silver door that separated the office from the hallway.

Justtt incase this will end up like last time, I pressed my ear up against the wall, I heard chatter, but not that much. I did catch a few words like "mother" or "eve" or "dead" or "marriage"
What a weird conversation they were having.
Even more curious than before,  I pressed my ear up even further against the door,  I wanted to really hear the conversation they were Having.
"That little BRAT. She's so easy to trick,  she even still believes that her mothers alive, i just keep feeding her lies so she does whatever I say, it's like she turns into an obedient puppy whenever I bring up her mother. Talk about favouritism, am I right? Eh.. Eh?

Too focused on trying to listen In, I didn't notice the footsteps growing closer to the door from the inside.

I mean..her mother did die a rew-

All of it happened so fast. The door clicked open, it was one of the knights, I lost balance and fell onto the carpet infront of their feet. "E-eve?!" My father said"

All eyes were on me now, including the scary man.
"Lieutenant, exit and close the door behind you ,please.

The knight bowed, exited the room and marched away as the door clicked behind him.

I turned my head towards the two people infront of me, my dad, who was looking at me wide eyed and very worried, and the scary man, who just looked pissed off.

I awkwardly smile.
"H-hi."

The 2 men whisper to eachother.

"You girl, come here." Barked the scary man.

I got up from off the floor, and started to walk towards them, my legs shaking as if half of my body had been dipped in ice water.

"W-what s-seems t-to be the m-matter sir?"
I stutter not so bravely.

"I think we all know the problem."the man snapped.
Father nodded in agreement.

I stay silent.

"My my.. it appears that you have been..eavesdropping? Am I correct?" The man raised his eyebrows and pressed his fingers  to his lips whilst saying this.

I remain silent still
.. I mean it was true that I was eavesdropping, but I didn't really hear anything major before I fell..right?

"Listen here, little girl, that was a bad thing to do.now, tell me how much you've heard,NOW." He snapped.

"S-sir I-I didn't hear anything,H-honest!" I stammered

"Tch.what an obvious lie, come closer."
My legs felt like jelly, and I so desperately wanted to disconnect from life right now..y know? Lend my body to someone who can deal with these types of situations better than Me.

I walked closer.

"Are you sure you didn't hear anything?"

"N-no! It's the truth, I swear!"

"ENOUGH! YOU LIE SO OBVIOUSLY!"

the man raised his hand and slapped me.

E-eyowch!" I rub the area of my face that he slapped.

"TELL.ME."
He yelled.
He raised his hands and now grabbed me by the hair and started violently tugging.
"OK OK, JUST LET ME GO!!"
he dropped my hair.

"I-I only heard the thing about my mother! I swear!"

"I'm afraid that's too much. It's time for you to be punished."
W-what?! D-DAD ARE YOU SERIOUSLY OK WITH THIS?"
father avoided eye contact with me.

The man grabbed me by the hair and threw me against the wall wit extreme strength.

I quickly got up and scurried for the door, but before I was there,  the man grabbed me by the collar of my dress and dragged me over to a wall and started beating me, all over my body.

"Uhm, sire..do be careful on the face, she IS getting married tomorrow" my dad chimed in midway being beaten.

"Oh. Perhaps I should."
The man smirked.
He grabbed my neck and lifted me up high into the air.
"Now, tell me what you know."
He snarled
"ı..don't know ªnything.." I say, trying to get his cold hands off of my neck.

"WELL OBVIOUSLY YOU DO!" he boomed, and then straight after, he punched me in the stomach, leaving me winded, he dropped me onto the floor and I passed out. The last thing I saw being the floor of my father's office.