Indiana's gaze followed the princess until she vanished into the hallway. A wave of anger and resentment coursed through her.
The princess had given no reason for wariness, yet Indiana found herself unable to shake her unease. The king was to be solely hers, and she can't tolerate any rival for his attention, at least not before she is crowned Queen.
"Is he inside?" She asked the standing guards.
" Yes"
She started towards the door.
" But his majesty- "
She threw the guard a nasty glare making him trail off on his words.
They parted the way for her instantly, while she strode into the king's chamber.
" My king," she uttered, inclining her head in a deep bow of respect
He was seated on his chair, relaxedly, his eyes closed.
" What is it Indiana?"
Indiana gulped, he is no doubt in a very bad mood. She could tell.
She gulped, hesitating, but summoned the courage eventually. She was desperate as it is.
She made her voice so calm and sweet, that way he might not lose his temper on her.
" My king, there is a nasty rumour going around the palace", She paused, watching his reaction closely.
She went on when he said nothing.
"It's about you taking the princess as your mistress", she made a dry laugh. " I wondered why such rumours could be going around. It doesn't make any sense, not when I know how much your highness despises the Princess for what her father did"
She saw as he went tensed on the chair, his jaw clenched. She knows bringing up judrith would trigger him, it always did.
"Your highness should have those spreading such ridiculous accusations about you punished. What-- ",
" No one will be punished Indiana", his cold but authoritative voice boomed across the room.
Indiana gulped, " Your highness. I-"
" Yes. The princess will be my mistress", he declared.
He opened his eyes, and his cold gaze met hers.
Indiana blinked rapidly, speechless, trying to wrap her head around what he had just testified to. He didn't deny it.
" B–but, why?", She blurted, flustered.
" Are you questioning my judgement, Indiana?"
Indiana shook her head repeatedly," No, no your highness. I will do no such thing "
She gulped, " I just don't understand why your highness would do that. You hate her, you took her for revenge"
He said nothing, Indiana felt like pulling her hair out in frustration. Talking to him was like trying to move a wall.
" I mean, she was supposed to be a hostage here, not hold a title."
" She is still a hostage. "
" Then why would your highness make her your mistress? None of this makes no sense to me", she didn't realize her voice has risen in octave.
" Indiana"
" I'm sorry, your highness. I'm just curious", she mellowed her voice immediately.
Time stretched, then he started talking.
" She is a heir, she is to succeed the throne of Badrith. Being my mistress will make her not fit for the throne anymore, judrith will also have no choice but to give up the throne to his brother. They will completely lose power."
"But there should be another way -"
" There's no other way Indiana", he stated firmly. " It's just a matter of time before judrith finds a way to take his daughter, making her my mistress would make it difficult. Unless I let her go, which is not possible"
Indiana felt like he had punched her right in the face, she felt utterly betrayed, even when she knew she shouldn't. The king is liable to take as many mistresses as he pleases. But there will be one QUEEN.
A title she would do anything to answer to.
She deserves it more than any woman, she has been with him and served him long before he ascended the throne, she has to be his Queen.
He continued, "She is royalty, only heir of judrith trained to take over the throne someday. Badrith would be thrown into crisis for the loss of their princess"
" But your highness, you can't let her be your mistress, she is an enemy. You can't keep her too close. What if she collude with her devilish father and tries to bring you down. She can't be this close to you, your highness ", she pushed on, her tone more desperate with each word.
" She can do nothing"
" You can not trust her, she is his daughter. She can't be trusted"
" I do not trust her "
" Then you have to withdraw your order, your highness, Sabrina can never be your mistress. She can't- "
" INDIANA", He roared.
Indiana flinched at the anger that emanated from his voice, she lost her cool for a moment.
" I–l'm sorry your highness. I was worried" she made a slight bow.
" Do not ever question my judgement",
" My king, I– "
"Get out Indiana " a calmly spoken but deadly command.
Indiana started towards the door, filled with rage. She stopped at the door and turned.
"Like you said your highness, she is royalty and she doesn't belong here, she will do anything to escape. As long as she survives, she would definitely go to any length. You know this as much as I do your highness"
She opened the door, "I care for you my king but do not forget she is the enemy, and I hope you won't regret this someday" she concluded.
Silence met her words, which angered her the more. She uttered nothing, marched out through the door and left in anger.
___________
" You should go now Nina, I will be fine", Sabrina said.
Nina shifted uncomfortably, unyielding to her Princess words.
" I can just wait till he arrives. I don't want to leave you alone my lady"
Sabrina smiles wryly, " I'll be fine. "
She was now fully moved in her new quarters. She was bathed and dressed by her ladies-in-waiting not long ago.
It was night already, and the king was supposed to visit her bed. As her first night of being his mistress.
But he hasn't appeared, which was much to her relief. She wasn't prepared to see him anyways.
" You need to sleep, Nina. It's late"
" But I'm not sleepy"
" But I am ", Sabrina said, faking a yawn.
"Really? But you have to wait till his highness arrives "
"I know. But he won't come."
Nina frowned slightly, " How'd you know?"
" He won't. Moreover it's late already"
Nina sighed, " Maybe"
" Go to sleep Nina. It's an order"
" You will be fine right?"
" Always", Sabrina smiled.
" You will", Nina sighed. " Sleep well my lady"
"You too Nina".
She squeezed her maid's hand lastly, who got up and left the room. But not without flashing the princess a last comforting smile.
Now alone, Sabrina dashed to the table, spread a plain white paper on it, she inked her brush and started writing.
"Dear father......"
She started, making careful deep strokes on the paper, inking the brush at intervals.
Done, she rolled the paper and hid it beneath her bed. Tomorrow, she will get the letter to her father in Badrith.
Whatever plan Damon has in store for her, he better be ready for what is coming for him too.
Because she, Sabrina, will bring him down.