STORYLAND

DO NOT LOOK AT THE KING

I was walking through the dimly lit hallway when i noticed the other workers scampering up and down in total haste. I stopped for some seconds and stared at them, clutching the basket of freshly plucked fruits i was holding tightly in my arms. Suddenly someone bumped into me. I staggered and almost fell. Some apples escaped the fruit basket. I turned to see who had bumped into me but the whole place had become even more busier.
      "Why are you just standing there!" Madam Edna, a large ample bosomed woman screamed at me. "Move it, move it!". She practically marched towards me and shoved me into the kitchen. "Go on then place them over there!" She was still screaming at me and was pointing at the large oak kitchen table. 
      I walked briskly to the table, very much confused and placed the basket there. I stood there unsure of what i was expected to do next when Madam Edna shoved me again towards the door.
      "My Lord move to the ballroom at once child!" She screamed so loud her saliva splattered on my face. Her breath smelled bad. I grimaced and ran out of the kitchen towards the large ballroom where i kept bumping into busy workers. 
      As i stepped into the ballroom i knew something big was going on. Workers were everywhere here, cleaning and dusting the furniture, windows, and ornaments. But the ballroom remained as it was, dark eerie and gloomy. I looked around to see if i would see Darla, the only friend i had in this magmanimous castle.
     After a few  minutes of looking around, i saw her over at one of huge curtained windows, dusting. I waved at her like a crazy person but she did not see me. So i called out to her. She turned, saw me, smiled and beckoned me over. I was about to take a step when i heard the loud and almost deafening sound of a trumpet.
      Almost instantly, everyone fell to the ground. There was instant and absolute silence. I was confused. I heard loud footsteps coming towards the ballroom. I looked over at Darla and saw her furiously gesticulating at me to get down and also putting her hands over her eyes. I quickly laid down on the floor with my hands covering my face.
      The loud footsteps were now in the ballroom. I heard muffled voices, loud boisterous laughter and snorts. Then I suddenly felt it; a strong air of royalty, power and evil. It was eerie and i was curious. And i looked up.
      It was him. The king. I had never in my life seen the king before. I only heard stories about him. And the stories were never good. He was an evil king and people say he ruled with dark magic. As i stared at him now i drank up his physical appearance. He wasn't as short as people described him. He was stout though and seemed to have a hunched back.Though the story about his hunchback seemed exaggerated now. I couldn't see his face well because the room was dark and there were a lotta people around him. But his looks seemed okay and he had shoulder length dark hair. And he was looking back at me.
     He was looking at me! My heart beat rapidly increased. I felt as though i would faint. Deep inside I knew i wasn't supposed to be looking at him but i didn't look down. I kept on staring.
      There was instant silence from the people around him all of a sudden and i hardly even noticed. I was confused. I didn't know what i was doing till i felt a Sharp pain on my back. Someone had hit me back from my foolishness to reality. Then i remembered what Darla had once told me. Staring at the King especially by common folk was considered as an abomination and was punishable by death. That was the last thing i remembered before i felt the sharp pain again as i drifted away into nothingness.