The First Princess of Averlyon

Chapter 26- Punished by Queen Dowager

Zahra has been attending classes for two weeks now. Surprisingly, her appearance has begun to improve. Her curves have started to become more pronounced, and the fat loss is noticeable.

Professor Owen and Fiona were stunned when they noticed such a significant improvement.

Yuden has been visiting Zahra frequently enough for her to gradually develop a sense of calmness around him.

Even Zahra found it strange that the person she was most irritated with was also the person with whom she felt most at ease inside the palace.

She began to feel that way ten days ago.

- Ten days ago -

Zahra, in the midst of composing a letter for Isaac, had her phone taken away by Emera, who then uncovered the fact that Layla had covertly provided Zahra with a phone.

Emera, though generally not very strict when it came to electronic devices, was deeply unsettled by this turn of events as it conflicted with her plans.

This led her to adopt a tough demeanour towards the young girls, her anger simmering as she delivered punishment to both of them.

Layla wasn't allowed to go outside and had to help the gardener with cleaning the garden.

Zahra, on the other hand, who seemed to enjoy any punishment given to her, was ordered to stay on the roof with her arms up and stand on one leg.

An entire day had passed, and no one came to tell Zahra that her punishment was over.

Zahra, although stubborn, didn't want to anger her grandmother. She couldn't risk losing her only chance to be with Isaac without too much trouble. So she decided to perform the punishment just as she was asked.

However, the burning sun turned her ivory-pale skin red throughout the day. The sun was almost setting, leaving Zahra a little relieved that the pain would not last long.

"Princess!" A deep manly voice yelled.

Zahra, familiar with that voice, turned her head to make sure it was the person she suspected.

"What are you doing here, Yuden?" She angrily asked.

"Princess! What are you doing?! I've been looking for you everywhere!" Yuden exclaimed as he rushed towards Zahra.

"I was punished," She faintly said. Her voice was low yet Yuden would hear her clearly.

Yuden looked at her, disheartened. Although he didn't feel any sort of emotion for her, he couldn't ever imagine the girl always ready to argue with him to look so weak in front of him.

"Princess, please come downstairs!" Yuden shouted as he grabbed Zahra's wrist.

Zahra groaned in pain as soon as Yuden's skin touched hers.

"You... You got sunburned!" Yuden exclaimed.

"T-Tell that old hag that I... I did the punishment. S-She should... come and... get me..." Zahra faintly said, her eyes slowly closing.

"Princess, you will fall sick!"

"I... gotta fulfill... the punishment... so that... she won't break... her promise."

"I... I will call her!" Yuden hastily pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed the queen dowager's number.

"Crown Prince? Did you find her?!" Emera's voice was heard from the other side of the phone.

"Please tell her that her punishment is over! She is refusing to follow me downstairs!" Yuden exclaimed as soon as he heard Emera speak.

"The punishment..." Emera paused. "Princess Zahra! I didn't expect you to stay there for so long! Princess Layla returned home only two hours later. I thought you would have returned even earlier as you tend to always defy my orders..." Emera sighed. "Your punishment is over."