The Prince and The Princess (Karmagisa)

Chapter 10: Eavesdropping

Nagisa looked at her mom, who was standing outside of the door that led to the room that she had been speaking to Karma's parents in. Nagisa frowned at seeing her mother, dreading what would be coming next. She had a feeling that her mother had heard the whole conversation including her slip-up when she stuttered. Nagisa knew how her mother reacted when she stuttered or got nervous talking to someone. Her mother believed that it was unladylike and unforgivable. Nagisa's mother grabbed her by the wrist and led her to her room. Her mother's room was dark purple and always gave Nagisa an uneasy feeling. Nagisa's mom shut the door and turned towards her.

"I heard your conversation with Karma's parents. YOU ARE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO ME, NAGISA. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD DARE STUTTER LIKE THAT IN FRONT OF OTHER ROYALTY!" her mom yelled.

Nagisa's mom slapped her. Nagisa knew that her mom would not dare do anything too harmful to her because there were guests, so she just took the beating. She was lucky to get out of the room with bruises all over her arms and legs, but no cuts this time. Blood would be too noticeable with guests. She returned to her room and found Karma waiting for her. He was sitting on the bed, he glanced at her and smiled as she went to the bathroom to get changed. Once she returned, Karma kissed her and touched her arm, making her flinch. He noticed this and looked at Nagisa seriously.

"Did she do this?" he asked.

"Y-yes," Nagisa replied, leaning her head against Karma's shoulder.

"S-shh. It's okay, Nagisa. I'm here for you. Cry all you want, I'm here. I won't let you go. Can I look at them?" he asked as he brought the crying girl to their bed.

The girl nodded and he unbuttoned her nightgown slowly. Before he opened it, he kissed her to reassure her that everything would be okay. He opened it and saw bruises covering her entire body. He ran his hand over her face and she flinched a little, he smiled at her and hugged her before buttoning the nightgown back up. That night, he was careful not to hold her too tightly so he did not hurt her.

In the morning, he helped Nagisa get dressed slowly. He did not want her to feel pain, so he let her move as little as possible. He had found the plain white dress she had worn when this happened the first time. He then carried Nagisa to the dining room. When Kaede and Rio looked at him questioningly, he discretely nodded towards Nagisa's mother. Their eyes widened and they lowered their eyes. Karma set Nagisa in her chair and sat down next to her.

"Can you eat without hurting yourself?" Karma whispered to her.

"Yes. I should be fine. Thank you for taking care of me," she replied as and kissed him on the cheek before eating.

She winced a little when she picked up her spoon but did not flinch the rest of the meal. When they were finished, Karma helped Nagisa up and held her hand as the exited the room. He held her hand so that she could lean on him, but no one would get suspicious. Karma led Nagisa back to her room and the waited, knowing that Kaede and Rio would be coming soon.

Rio threw open the bedroom door and Kaede followed, shutting the door behind them. Nagisa had her head on Karma's lap and was resting quietly and Karma was watching her sadly.

"She did this?" Rio asked.

"Yeah. Last night, after Nagisa got done talking to my parents," Karma replied.

"Really. Do you know what happened.?" Kaede asked.

"No, she entered our room and went straight to the bathroom without saying anything to me, and then when she returned in her nightgown, I touched her arm and she flinched. I knew that something was wrong then because she never flinches when I touch her. After she flinched she put her head on my shoulder and started crying. That's when I knew what happened. I asked to look at them. They're everywhere. All over her body. There are not cuts. She must've known that guests could spot blood and cuts so she only hit her," Karma explained, stroking Nagisa's hair.