The Prince's Punishment

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three: Tepemkau

I awoke the next morning with a severe pain in my temples that seem to blind me when I looked around my bedroom. I groaned and wiped my eyes to see clearly. Suddenly I heard another groan come from right beside me, I turned to see what or who had made the sound and to my bitter surprise it was the wretched wench herself. I blinked rapidly as I noticed that she and I bore no clothing. We had lain side by side unclothed. It was then to my utter disgust and more bitter shock that bile began to creep its way up my throat as I finally began to put the pieces together in my mind. I quickly stood up from my bed grabbing my clothing and quickly pulling it on. I shook my head frantically, no this couldn't have happened, how could this have happened? I pulled at my hair as I tried to replay everything.

That evil conniving wench, she had gotten me drunk and that was how she placed her spell on me. That was how she had gotten me to bed her. Oh I despised this woman so. Now, Eshe would never want me, I was now a soiled man in her eyes. Granted, I had bedded many women before I had ever met Eshe but it had been quite some time since it had happened and I was clean and renewed but now that I had been inside another woman, let alone this wretched one, I was now soiled and rotten. Surely my appendages would soon begin to fall off because of it. Oh how I dreaded that thought. I dreaded it so that my body shook from the mere thought. I ran towards my bathing chambers, I commanded for the maids to have it ready, as soon as I was given the okay, I dove right in scrubbing my body from head to toe till my skin was raw. I needed her stench off of me; I needed everything of hers off of me. I shuddered again as I thought about her being all over me. Once again bile rises in my throat.

When I felt I was finally clean enough I wiped myself down and put on a new pair of clothing. I planned on avoiding that woman at all costs; I didn't want to see her vile face. If I saw her it would be far too soon. Perhaps I should leave the palace for a little while; maybe some fresh air will clear my thoughts. Yes, that's a perfect idea. I quickly left the palace heading in every direction walking from A to B without really stopping to think where I was going. When I finally stopped I looked at my surroundings taking in notice that I had instinctively stopped at mine and Eshe's spot. I felt a sudden pang reverberate through my chest. It felt as if my heart was on fire, it became so painful that I had lost my breath for a moment. When I regained my composure I noticed a woman standing there watching me, concern clear on her face.

"Prince Tepemkau? A-are you alright?" It took me a few seconds to register the voice in my head. Eshe... My Eshe... It was my beautiful and delightful Eshe... I looked up and looked towards her, my eyes were wide with shock and yet I felt as if my face had turned from surprise to shock and shame. I cleared my throat. "I'm fine, thank you." I stood up straight brushing myself off and looked her in the eyes. I could feel her eyes boring into mine and I could only feel more shame. I felt as if I were two feet tall compared to her. I felt so small and ashamed of myself. How was I going to bring myself to tell her what I had done? How was I going to tell the woman I cared so deeply for that I had been with another woman that was not her?

Another pang rang through my chest and I couldn't help but clutch my chest tightly. She gasped and ran towards me. "Prince!" She wrapped her small delicate arms around me as I collapsed. "What is the matter? Please tell me, should I call for help? Are you ill?" I shook my head as I listened to her voice shake frantically with worry for me. "I'm fine. It was just a moment of weakness..." I mumbled softly which only seemed to confuse her. "What do you mean a moment of weakness?" I couldn't bring myself to tell her and so, I lied. "I worked myself in training too hard. I may need to stop my training for a little while. I apologize for having you worry over nothing." I stood up and cleared my throat again and looked to her. She hadn't seemed convinced but I knew she would not push the issue anymore. I smiled to her and she returned my smile with one of her own. "I hope you feel better my Prince. I must be getting back to work now." She smiled once more and walked away leaving me standing there in a haze of guilt and shame.