The Red

Chapter-30

Stella's P.o.v. 

 After all those months, I had become a stranger in the royal castle. I had forgotten which path lead to which chambers and to whom these chambers belonged to. Despite the grandness, I couldn't flinch a bit. Maybe I had forgotten to admire the pretty thing. Or maybe because I had learned to look past these shiny walls; that I could see every power and authorities are filled with ugliness.

Back in the castle, my escort prepared me a hot bathe. Yet I felt so wrapped in cold when I sunk in that warm water. Maybe because the water wasn't hot enough to erase my incompetence. And that maiden dress, it wasn't white enough to cover the blood I had witnessed.

That day, I walked with another weight on my shoulder. My red hair flowed up to my curves, but I didn't bother to tame them. There was no reason to. Even if I had tied them and covered them  with veil, it wouldn't be enough. I would still be the red-haired princess; I would still be the witch that smother everyone till their death.

Captain Lucas was leading us the path and I was walking in the middle of that group. With all those fellow soldiers in their armors, I did look like a criminal. Even though I trained for months with them, they felt distant. I was purposely placed in the center of the group. I knew it.

I knew I was envisioned as a traitor; as a mass murderer. I could feel those hateful gazes as I walked through the hallway filled with the royal servants. I had been through that moment before. But I wasn't this scared before. Attachment is scary. Emotions are my greatest enemy. They have weakened me and now, I fear my death. I thought and got past that door.

I knew what was behind that door and it scared me even more. Those judgmental eyes must have already painted me as a criminal. I suck my lips; my fear craving me inside to the point, I could hear my own heartbeat.

Tears rolled out and blurred my vision. I put a quick effort and brushed them off.

"No matter what, don't cry. They feed on weakness." I heard a whisper. I was unable to look at his face since I had already cried. But I took his words and strengthen my heart with a long breathe.

"Thank you, Lucas." I smiled, calling his lovely name. I was sure I would never be able to call his name ever again.

In the presence of the court and the king...

"Why is she standing? Get her on knees." The queen lifted her hands, gesturing my escorts.

They pleaded to the queen and pushed me roughly. I guess her "knees" had another meaning. They pushed me hard enough that my whole body was in the ground.

No tears. I reminded myself. No fear. I pinched myself.

"Your Majesty, can you tell me one reason for summoning us? She should be in the dungeon already. Is this even a matter to discuss?" One of the court minister raised his voice and they were filled with feigned fury.

"I agree with him. This is absurd that she is still in the court." Another voice enraged.

Fear? I wanted to laugh at them. I knew these types. Like captain Lucas said, they feed on weakness. Since every authority were the same, I knew they didn't even feel an ounce of pain for losing their people.

"You are to remind, you are in the king's presence." The rough and loud voice of the prime minister silenced everyone.

The king, I thought, so he is there. I raised my head a little bit and eyed the man who remained in the throne. I got a glimpse of his stern face and felt no mercy on it.

"Your majesty, the court waits for you words." The prime minister proceeded his words as he shifted his body toward the king.

The court was filled with another long silence. It was as if everyone had stopped moving; as if they had stopped breathing.

Then, a long sigh broke the silence and I could finally hear his voice after months.

"I looked through this matter. The wind kingdom indeed invaded the castle, and more than half of our soldiers were killed. The death of the rest has been a mystery. As everyone pointed the fact, I acknowledge the accusation. However, I need a strong proof that she is the witch. Unless there is no strong proof, I shall punish no citizen of mine." The new king spoke his mind.

His words were followed with strong denial. The ministers hummed like the bees. The court raised in chaos. One minister dared to speak louder than those humming minister and said, "Your majesty, she is not our citizen. Mind to remind you, she is the water kingdom's princess."

The king raised his index fingers from where his arm rested and hinted him to tone down.

He then said, "As soon as I took her as my wife, she became my citizen."

The court couldn't satisfy with the simple answer. The dispute carried on for a very long time. It was long enough that my legs started to pain from kneeling down.

"Court, this is second reminder. You are in presence of the king." The prime minister spoke again. This time his voice sounded small and tired.

The king stayed still and watched over the court disputing over his decision. When he reached his peek, he raised his hands and garnered the attention. The court acknowledged his gesture and again, embraced the silence.

"I shall take that as your disobedience toward me. In this court, it is I who makes rules and it is I who makes decision. I am your king, and this will the last reminder from myself." He put down is hand and continued.

"As a king, I think of all the citizen. I feel deeply for those citizens who lost their life. I know whom to consider and my decision is for everyone. So, continuing to my last words, I shall not punish the princess at the moment. However, she shall live in the dungeon until the investigation is over."

He stood up as soon as he finished his words and headed to toward the exit. I didn't get another chance to meet his eyes. I couldn't get to know his thoughts when he gave his decision. But I cared less. He was unpredictable. I had convinced to adapt that side of him. So I eyed his broad back until they disappear into that door. 

"You may cut her filthy hair." While I got lost on my own, the queen placed her order and I could only grasp the end of it.