The Red

Chapter-31

Stella's P.o.v.

"Cut that filthy red hair."

Her beautiful yet callous voice resonated the four walls of the court. Inside that strange castle, the queen appeared the same to me. So beautiful, so full of youth. Yet her fierce eyes could pierce like a knife. Just the thought "She is staring at me" made my skin crawl with discomfort.

The queen never liked my presence and she despised my red hair. From the first day when I arrived the castle, she reacted as a hungry tigress; so ready to feed on me. Her mother instinct had kicked-in as soon as Erwin decided to betroth me.

"Princess" said Captain Lucas.

He held me by my arms and pulled me up. Then, he asked me to straighten my body. My body was completely pinned down to the ground and it was thoughtful of him to pick me up. Otherwise, my escorts' dagger could have cut my flesh along with my hair.

Though in a curvy situation, I couldn't help but smile on his kindness. I had found a rare gem and I knew I had lost him already. We were aware; we would never see each other after we part from the court.

He looked at my face with an uneasy emotion. He couldn't respond to my weak smile and just averted his eyes. He swiped my hairs away from my face and then, pulled them back. He made it easy for the soldier who was about to cut my hair. Also, he tried to make it less painful for me. Yes, he tried.

My faint smile weakened even more when a soldier pulled my hair. I could feel it. I realized he had no intention to finish the task easily. He pulled my hair little by little and cut them with powerful stroke. Every time he threw his dagger on my hair, my head would be pulled back. At first it was painful. Later, my scalp started to get numb; Yes, it was painfully numbing.

The court full of scornful eyes raised into laughter. They would clap their hand every time I showed a painful expression. I could never understand; how do they get entertained on other's pain?

The least, I could understand was the scorn in the soldiers' eyes. They had lost their family and close ones. They had no one to blame but me. I might really be the blameful one. Partly. Or maybe, fully.

My eyes were filled with tears, but they weren't from fear. They got accumulated little by little; along with every stroke of dagger.

All that time, I felt nothing. Like an empty shell, I thrived no emotions when they cut my hair.

"Princess, we are done." Captain Lucas said and tapped my shoulder.

"Oh." I responded.

He gestured me that it was time to leave. It was time for me to get locked in the dungeon.

I pushed my palms on the floor and tried to support myself. The crystal floor was filled with pieces of red hairs. It was bound that I would get hold of my red hair.

I picked up those red pieces, unknown what I wanted to do with them. Completely lost on my own world, I just stared at them. My long red hair was gone. Though it will grow back tomorrow, will it be the same? I wondered.

"Your hair is very beautiful." Erwin's voice echoed in my ear and left me in misery. It made me realize, I had come to love this hair. I loved how he adored it. It will grow back the same. But it won't be the same. I thought.

At the end, I teared up with sadness. Really, love makes you weak and helpless.

"Princess?" Captain Lucas gave me a little push on my shoulder, again.

"I got it." I said and threw the hair on the floor.

With the support of my hand, I tried standing up. My legs were staggering when I stood up. But I staggered. When I tried walking, I lost my balance. I am thankful to Captain Lucas that I almost slammed the ground. Just almost. I kneeled for a really long time.

"I am alright." I whispered. I really didn't want him to look biased. He was the captain and it would ruin his image. "A man lost in witch's enticement." That was the last thing I wanted to hear then.

The queen left as soon as we stood up. The whole court started to dissemble as well. As for us, we were in the same formation. We walked through the hallway and then, deep into the underground. My chamber was going to be the dungeon for days; or for life?

As I stood in front of that huge metal door, the escorts were ordered to leave. Only a man with the prison key and Captain Lucas remained by my side. We were deep under the ground and deeper in silence.

The man tried several keys on that big metal door until one finally worked. Frustrated with his unsuccessful attempts, he clamped my arms and tried to push me into the door.

"Stop." Captain Lucas yelled, "You are dismissed."

"Sire." The man responded with a bowed head. I could feel his fear for the authority.

The man left right after his response. I saw him disappear in that dark hallway. At the same time, I was rubbing the arm that the man clamped.

"Are you hurt?" Captain Lucas asked.

I turned my head and looked at his tall self. Until then, I couldn't fully grasp his question.

"Princess?" He asked again.

Oh. I thought as I paid attention.

"Are you hurt?" He narrowed his eyebrows, and moved close to me.

"No. I am fine." I said despite being in pain. If I answered "yes", I would have a lot to talk about. NO just silenced them all.

I got ready to get inside the dungeon. I didn't wish to further any conversation. It would only drag the misunderstanding about him.

As I pulled up my dress to walk, I could feel him stare. Uncomfortable to leave just like that, I turned around to bid my farewell. I was pretty sure this was the last time. I would never get to see him ever again.

I looked at his sad face. He was staring at my head, I reckoned. I realized his helplessness. I had been through that feeling. So, I smiled to make him feel better.

"Don't worry. Tomorrow, its going to grow back to the same length."

"Eh?"

He widened his eyes in disbelief. He then chuckled and slowly brought his hand on me.

"There is hair in your cloth." He said and blew in off.

He smiled idiotically. He clearly thought I was making some bluff on him. He didn't argue further like in the past though. Instead he just pulled out the golden book from his pocket and handed it to me.

"I brought what you asked for." He said.

I looked at the book in disbelief. But I was scared he might have read it. Quickly, I snatched it and hid it back. Ashamed of my action, I couldn't look at his face. He might have thought I was weird.

"I don't know why you asked for it. The whole book was blank." He said with voice full of awkwardness.

"And, I didn't open the letter. I am aware of my position." He added and guided me inside.

"Thank you, Lucas."

Those were my last words before we parted.

O 3p