When Princess Serenah returned from school, Lael noticed her depressed air. She wondered what had happened, but etiquette demanded that she not intrude. She went about her duties while keeping a worried eye on her lady. Then the invite to dinner had arrived, and the Princess's aura had grown gloomier.
She wanted to ask but held in while dressing Serenah for dinner. She left and went to finish her other evening duties. She returned to Serenah's room and knocked. When she didn't hear anything, she opened the door and froze. It took her shocked mind a moment to register the scene before her.
"My Lady!"
"Lael," Serenah whimpered.
Lael rushed to her side, gasping when she got a look at Serenah.
"My Lady, who hurt you? I need to get Alastar to find the brute and punish them."
"Father," she croaked.
Lael's expression changed to one of fear. The king had injured the princess this badly? Why? Her lady always behaved. She didn't deserve to be hurt.
"I'll call a healer."
Serenah grabbed Lael's arm. "You can't. Not allowed."
"What!"
Lael frowned. To deny the princess healing was absurd! She despised the king. He was so cruel to Serenah.
"I can use herbal medicine. That's not forbidden, is it?"
Serenah shook her head.
"Alright. Let's get you to bed and undressed so I can get to your wounds. I'll go get the medicine and be right back."
Lael put action into words and helped Serenah to the bed. She apologized profusely every time Serenah whimpered or yelped as she got her undressed down to her underwear. Lael hissed in shock, unable to hide her expression of rage and pity.
"Let's lay you down. I'll be back with the medicine."
Serenah, with Lael's assistance, lay on her stomach.
Lael hurried from the room to get the medicine. It took her fifteen minutes to get it. When she came back, Serenah was unconscious. As gently as she could, she slathered the salve on all the wounds and bruises. She pulled the silk sheet up to her hips.
Serenah awoke with a groan. Lael moved closer.
"My Lady?"
"Lael, water."
"Of course." Lael helped Serenah drink some water. "My Lady, you need to stay home tomorrow and let your wounds heal."
"No. I will go to school."
"My Lady, please. I,"
"I'm going," Serenah stubbornly replied, her eyes blazing with pain and resolve.
Lael sighed. She loved the princess, but sometimes she couldn't stand her stubbornness.
"All right, My Lady. Do you need anything else?"
"No. Good night, Lael," Serenah replied and closed her eyes.
"Good night, My Lady." Lael turned off the lights and left the room. As soon as she could, Lael hurried to the knights' quarters. She rapped twice and entered. Alastar glanced up from his spot at his desk.
"What?"
"It's the Princess."
Alastar turned around to face her. "What happened?"
"She's covered in bruises and welts from His Majesty."
Alastar grimaced. "Damnit!"
"I tried to convince her not to go to school tomorrow but she refused. What should we do?"
Alastar ran his hand through his hair, frustration clear on his face.
"I'll try and convince her in the morning not to go. I don't need Romeo to see her injuries and try to play hero."
"Romeo?"
"He was one of the first friends the princess made at school. I also believe that he has feelings for her."
Lael gasped. "That's good news! How does the princess feel about him?"
"I don't think she is aware of his feelings, nor does she feel the same. At least, not at the moment."
"Hmm, we shall have to keep an eye on their relationship. I don't think it is a bad thing for My Lady to experience love."
Alastar nodded. "We still should be careful. I warned him not to butt into the Princess's business. We'll see if he listens."
"I'm going to bed now. Thanks for listening to me, Alastar."
"Always a pleasure," he replied with a smile.
Lael grinned and left for her room. She hoped that tomorrow would be different for the Princess.
~***~
Serenah lay on her stomach, her mind in turmoil. Once Lael finished tending to her wounds and left, she brooded over the events of the day. She always fell for her sister's conniving ways. Unlike Amanah, Serenah didn't want to hurt anyone. She wasn't naïve enough to believe that others felt the same way. She had learned early in life that others' thoughts were on what they could possess. If they couldn't possess a thing, then they would destroy it.
Her twin was a master at destroying. Whether it be physical, emotional, or verbal, Amanah went after enemies with a ferocious tenacity that scared many into doing what she wanted. Serenah never acted that way. She wanted a peaceful life where she was able to use her powers to help others. This made her weak, at least according to her father and sister.
She winced when fiery pinpricks of pain ran up her back at her slight movement. She was afraid to imagine the mess her back, butt, and legs must look like. She glanced at her arms. Both were turning dark from the bruising she took trying to protect her face and head. Her father hadn't cared where his blows landed. He wanted her to suffer. He got his wish. She was suffering and lamenting the cruelness of her sister and father.
The loud chime of her message notification shook her from her thoughts. She whimpered at the sharp pain in her right arm when she grabbed the phone from her bedside table. She entered her passcode and stared at the message in surprise.
"Romeo? Why is he messaging me? He never messages me," she whispered.
She tapped the message and frowned.
[Can we talk?]
[Can we talk tomorrow? I'm really tired right now.]
[Isn't it early to be tired?]
She smiled at the question. Normally, she would have tried to engage in conversation. Tonight, she was drained from the school drama and the beating. She didn't have it in her to talk.
[I know. Maybe I'm getting old.]
[Ha! If you're old, then I'm ancient. LOL. You are an interesting person, Sera.]
[Is that bad?] She worried that one of the few friends she had made would turn against her like everyone else.
[No. It's a very good thing. I like interesting. Better than arrogant and bitchy. Seriously though. I want to know if you're alright.]
She froze at his question. How should she answer that? She didn't believe in lying. She needed to change the topic.
[When is your first football home game?]
She chewed nervously on her bottom lip and waited for him to respond.
[In two weeks. It will be homecoming week. You'll love it.]
[I will?]
[Yes, I swear you will. I'll make sure of it.]
A chill stole across her, and she wondered if Autem was trying to tell her something. Serenah believed that Autem had fated her to a human for a reason. Maybe she would soon find out why.
[I'll hold you to that. Now, I'm off to bed. I'll see you tomorrow.]
He didn't respond immediately, and she fretted over her response. Did she make him mad?
[Night, Sera. Tomorrow I'll have a surprise for you. Look forward to it.]
She caressed the screen before turning the phone on silent so she could rest. It didn't take long for her to fall into a dreamless sleep.