Four days later
Is everything set?" He asked flatly.
" Yes your highness", Lady Harriet replied.
He went silent, time stretched and he still didn't utter a word.
" Are you sure about this ?",she asked, breaking the silence. Thin lines of worry formed on her forehead, she really craved to know what was going through his mind and that could not happen when he had his back facing her. Not like anyone could tell what he was thinking anyways.
He is a broken man, a man that fights his raging demons every passing day.
" Yes"
Lady Harriet sighed, her heart bled for the man before her. Judrith's cruelty had really changed him, making him so vengeful that he has zero care for anything.
" I know nothing I say can change your mind, but you should really think this through. There's risk for instability, there might be rebellion your highness",
Damon said nothing, he remained standing, backing her.
"Your highness, I know you are hurting but —"
"There will be no rebellion Lady Harriet",He cut her off coldly.
" I know you don't care at this point, but this will greatly affect the princess. Her purity and value will be questioned by many. There's no going back after this",
" I do not plan to change my mind",
She released a heavy sigh, this move of his could bring a lot of crisis. There will be a lot of changes. A Lot.
And one thing she is so sure of is judrith aftermath.
The moment the news gets to him, he will do anything and stop at nothing to retaliate and bring down the king. For as long as he is alive, Damon will never be safe if he carried on with this plan.
"Her father will not just sit down and watch, he will do anything to bring you down ," she reasoned. Her tone became more desperate and at the same time pleading.
There's still time, he could change his mind. Maybe, just maybe.
"He has no power now. He is merely alive because I want him to ", he countered.
"He could sneak around. Don't underestimate what that man can do your highness"
"You don't have to worry about that ", he replied curtly.
She sighed defeatedly, his mind is made up. Nothing in the world can ever make him change his mind.
" She'll be hurt. Her name will be soiled "
He finally turned to face her, his gaze was extremely cold .
" You know I care less, Lady Harriet", he said, his expression blank.
"She will be the king's woman.You hate her. She will birth your child", she stated, hoping he could still change his mind.
Instead his jaw clenched and his eyes went darker. His gaze spitting fire of fury.
" That will never happen. She knows too well than to let that happen"
"She will mother not a child of mine", he spat with pure disgust and hatred.
She flinched with the intensity of his rage and the depth of his hatred towards the Princess.
"Get her prepared lady Harriet. Today the princess will be my mistress", he ordered.
Lady Harriet bobbed her head, " on it your highness", she said, bowed and left his chambers.
_________
SABRINA woke up to a gentle tap, her eyes fluttered open slowly.
" Princess", an unfamiliar voice seeped through the fogginess of her mind.
She was surprised to see someone at her bedside, her eyes snapped open instantly.
" Good morning Princess", the lady who seemed to be a palace maid bowed.
Sabrina sprang up from her bed, alarmed, she was surprised to see lines of maid in her room, cleaning and packing.
Her heart skipped a beat, has the king called for her again? It's been four days since she last saw him, the night he had made her crawl.
Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment.
" W–what is going on? ", She asked, lost and curious.
"The king ordered you move room your highness "
She stared at the maid confused, why would the king order her to move rooms?
" W– why? I don't understand"
Just then the door pushed open, Lady Harriet and Nina walked in. A sense of relief coursed through her..
" Get back to work ", lady Harriet ordered the maid speaking to the princess.
The maid wasted no time in joining her fellow servants and resumed work.
Nina rushed to the princess' side, a worried and disturbed look on her face.
" My lady ", she called, her voice shook with emotions.
Sabrina was certain, something was definitely going on .
" What's going on Nina? Tell me "
" My lady —-"
" I will talk to her. Get to work Nina.", Lady Harriet ordered.
Nina was hesitant, she didn't want to leave but she had to.
" Everything will be fine my lady ", she said reassuringly before going to join the other maids.
" Tell me. What's going on? ", The princess asked immediately after Nina left.
Lady Harriet stared at the princess, pitifully, why would she be birthed by such an evil man? She wouldn't be paying for what she knew nothing of.
" It's bad "
Sabrina pulse raced, her fear spiked.
" Tell me ", she ordered, her voice was firm but it was nothing compared to the fear that whirled her mind.
" You will be the king's woman"
Everywhere stilled, Sabrina stared at the woman lost . The king's woman?
She blinked rapidly, lost and confused of what she just heard.
" H– how? I don't understand lady Harriet", she asked fearfully, rising from her bed.
The woman lowered her gaze, remorsefully.
" I'm sorry princess but he won't listen. Nothing can change his mind. He won't change his mind."
Sabrina's lips trembled, her heart started beating faster.
" What do you mean he won't change his mind? Why are you sorry? Talk to me lady Harriet", she half-yelled
Lady Harriet raised her gaze and stared at the princess.
"He is making you his mistress. ", She cleared.
Sabrina could swear her heart stopped that very moment. Her head spun.She stared at the woman in disbelief. Realization finally dawned on her.
The king is making her his mistress?
" W– what?", She stuttered.
" I'm sorry "
She shook her head, " No. No. No, he can't do this. Tell me it's a lie ", she yelled.
" I'm sorry. "
Sabrina's lips trembled, unable to wrap her head around what was happening to her.
" I– He can't. I can't be his mistress. Heavens no, not his mistress ", she yelled, tears pooled her eyes.
Lady Harriet blinked rapidly, she said nothing.
" I– I am a princess. The next in line of my kingdom. What will happen to my kingdom? What will happen to me ? I am to be a Queen not a mistress",
She said the word mistress as if it burnt her tongue.
" I tried. Heaven knows I tried. He won't hear it. His mind is made up. "
" Or he should go to HELL for all I care", Sabrina yelled angrily.
" Do not say that. He is the king ",
" Oh, I see you are defending. But he is not my king, he might be your king but he surely isn't my king. He will never be my king", she swore.
Lady Harriet sighed, she understands her. This wasn't supposed to be her life, it's unfair on her part. She completely understands, but she can't blame Damon too. Her father broke him, completely, beyond amend.
The man making those choices is a broken man, an utterly damaged man. And she fears he might never come to heal.
" He won't change his mind", she stated .
" He would, whether he likes it or not, he will change his stupid mind. Lady Harriet this is not revenge anymore. He is ruining my life, he will destroy me. "
Tears of anguish flowed down her eyes.
"I'm sorry", she repeated.
She dabbed her tears furiously," I have to see him ", she stated firmly.
"No, you can't. You are angry. You can't go to him like this "
" No, I will. He has to stop this..I will not be his mistress",
" Princess please, listen to me ", lady Harriet reached for her but she shifted backwards.
"Don't stop me. He can't go around ruining my life all because of his stupid revenge. I am INNOCENT", She said and started towards the door.
Lady Harriet pulled her back, and gazed at her pleadingly. " Please. Do not provoke him"
" I can't be his mistress Lady Harriet. I can't", she stated.
Seeing the determination and firm conviction, she released her hold on her clothes.
A last splitting glance, she walked out through the door and journeyed to the king's quarters.
_________
" What do you mean the king is making the princess his mistress?", Indiana shot to her feet, shocked.
"I'm sure mistress, I saw maids moving her things to her new room. The news is going around the palace ", her handmaid, pansy, said. Her head bowed fearfully.
" W– what?", She stuttered in disbelief. Wave of dizziness slammed through her, making head spin, she held the table for balance.
Why would the king make such a move? Making the princess his mistress? Was that his plan all along?
Making her his mistress will destroy the princess's value in the eyes of many. It will also be a profound humiliation and insult to Badrith, and might lead to judrith family losing their stand as the ruling family.
It will be a huge blow, to Badrith especially judrith and the princess.
But didn't he think of other consequences? The princess will be exposed to a kind of power that will be easier to bring the king down.
And her, what will happen to her? Now she will have to share the king?
" Ahhh…", she screamed, smashing the flower vase placed on her table on the floor, breaking it into pieces.
Her body breathed rage and disappointment. Why would he do that?
Being in rivalry with the princess was not part of her plan. She knows the king hates the Princess very well. But she isn't ready to share the king. Not now.
He is supposed to be hers only, at least until she becomes Queen.
"Where is that bitch?", She barked, referring to princess Sabrina.
" I– I don't know my mistress", the terrified pansy replied meekly.
" What the hell is he thinking?"She screamed, annoyed .
" I need to see him now ", she thought and started towards the door .
Her almost traumatized maid followed behind as she marched down to the king's quarters.
He needs to withdraw his order, no matter what. He has to.