Lady Harriet walked in to see Alaric examining the princess, it was past noon she knew he would be here already.
"Lady Harriet" he greeted, wanting to stand up.
"Don't mind me Alaric. Continue" she said, her eyes locked with an obviously fatigued Nina.
He went on, putting herbs on her cuts and bruises.
She drawed out a sigh, the girl is just too adamant and won't listen.
" Lady Harriet" She greeted, walking up to her.
"You look so tired Nina" she pointed.
Nina simply smiled, she doesn't mind as long as her princess is well.
" Do you rest well?" She asked instead.
She nodded, "Yes. You should take a rest too. You might get ill"
Nina frowned slightly, " But my Lady–"
"Your lady will be fine. Moreover, I'll stay with her. Just go and get some rest. Your body needs it"
Nina bobbed her head, her shoulders draped.
" She will be fine" she said with conviction.
" Yes Nina" Lady Harriet shook her head reassuredly. " She will be fine"
"Okay" she finally gave in.
"Don't worry, just focus on resting. I'll take care of her"
Nina smiled," I know. I trust you"
Lady Harriet offered her her own appreciating smile.
" I'll get going now" Nina said and walked out of the room .
Now alone with the physician, she turned to him.
"How is she holding up?" She asked, moving closer to the bedside.
He glanced at her, "The young maid told me she was conscious for a while"
"Yes, she opened her eyes slightly" Lady Harriet testified.
"That is a good sign" He said then started packing his things and stood. He was done.
"She will wake up anytime from now. There is no bleeding anymore and she isn't showing signs of it recurring. It's a gradual process but her body will heal well "
Lady Harriet heaved out a huge sigh of relief, she hadn't shown it but she was really scared for the princess. The way they had met her when they walked in was really really bad. Horrible.
"Thank you Alaric. Is there any herbs she would have to take later?"
Alaric nodded, " Yes, but that will be when she finally wakes up. For now, we will have to wait"
" Okay. You've really done a great job"
Alaric's wrinkled face scrunched up in a smile. " It's nothing" He said.
Suddenly he grew uncomfortable and hesitant and she noticed.
"What is it?" she asked, her heart skipped.
"T-The Consort..." he trailed bashfully.
"S-She needs to stay away from any contact from the king for a while. Until she heals"
Lady Harriet's face lit up in awareness, she chuckled.
"I'll inform the king"
"Okay. I'll be back in the morning"
"Thank you Alaric"
Alaric smiled wryly and took his leave.
Lady Harriet took her seat beside the princess, and watched her quietly.
⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️⚖️
Nina walked down the dark forlorn hallway leading to the princess's quarters.
Few blocks away she stopped abruptly on her track, a dangerous but brave thought dropped to her mind.
Without a second thought, she changed her direction and headed straight to the particular destination in her mind.
If the princess won't keep getting hurt then so be it. It's a small sacrifice she would gladly make for her.
"What do you want?" The guards queried and blocked her path disabling her from further entry.
" I want to see the king" She declared boldly. Her inside jumping with fear.
The guards shared a look, obviously surprised on why a mere servant would seek for the king's presence.
"Why? What do you want? " One of the guards who she recognized as Cole said.
She bit on her inner cheek nervously, unsure of what to respond with.
"M-my Princes... I mean..." she trailed.
"Her Ladyship sent me to relay a message to him " She lied smoothly.
The guards shared glances again.
Oh heavens! She hopes they won't tell she was lying. She will be punished severely and might even get the princess in trouble.
She just hopes her plan will work.
" Prin- Lady Sabrina?" Luke questioned.
She bobbed her head and said firmly,
"Yes"
They stared at her inquisitively, trying to detect any form of deception. But Nina did a good job holding up her poker face .
They free the way .
"Thank you" she gestured with a smile and walked into the king's chamber, her heart slamming loudly across her chest.
Every organ in her screamed to her in warning of how wrong the move she was making was, going straight into the lion's den wasn't her style but she would do it gladly for the princess.
She saw him seated on his chair, several scrolls spread out before him but he wasn't working on any.
Clad in his royal garment, his head was draped over the chair with his eyes closed.
Nina gulped, giving courage to herself in a reminder of what she was there for.
"I gave orders not to be disturbed, Luke" His gruff voice boomed across the room.
Nina flinched.
"Y– your highness" she called, fidgeting.
He raised his head up, a small frown settled on his face.
He had thought it was his head guard.
"G-Good e-evening, your highness. Forgive me for disturbing you" she stuttered.
Damon stared at the young maid with curiosity, his brows furrowed.
"What is the matter, Nina ?" He queried, coldly.
She swallowed tightly, " I-I want to thank you for letting me into the palace, I didn't have anywhere to go, but Y-your highness took me in. You really don't know what how that mean to me"
Damon stared long at the young timid maid before finally grunting out a reply.
"It's my duty. You are one of my people that makes me responsible for you"
Hearing those words come from him was a courage booster for Nina
Maybe, just maybe he isn't as bad as she thinks. Maybe he still has a tiny bit of his compassion left.
"Y-You are a good king"
Damon watched her closely, he might be a good king but he isn't a good person.
" What do you want, Nina? " he queried. He needed no one to inform him the girl was here for something. For her to summon up courage and come to him, she definitely has something to say.
Nina went down on her knees.
"It's about my– Her ladyship. Lady Sabrina" Her voice was meek.
He frowned , " what about her?" He asked.
"P-please, your highness. My lady is innocent. Please don't hurt her anymore. She's a good person. Please" She cried.
" Is she awake?"
" N-no, but the royal physician said she will anytime soon"
Damon went silent for a while.
" Then why are you pleading on her behalf?" He asked flatly.
Nina adjusted her knee , she stretched out her arms and started rubbing them together in a gesture of plea. She was now crying.
" M-my lady is a good person. Please.. please Your highness. Don't hurt her anymore. Please, I beg you. Please spare my lady your highness. Please" She was sobbing uncontrollably.
His expression didn't change, he went silent. Only the crying sounds from Nina and her endless plea for mercy filled the room.
"I can not let her go, Nina "
" No no no" Nina shook her head repeatedly. " I'm just begging you to not hurt her anymore, please your highness. I know you hate my lady so very much but please stop hurting her. Please"
She was crying as she was talking.
Time stretched, he didn't say anything. But she could tell he was deep in thought.
" Why should I spare her? Why would I want to do that?" He groaned, his face expressionless with underlying fire settled at the depth of his eyes.
Nina's head went blank, she stared at the king speechless. She has a lot of reasons to tell him but she knew none of them would be appreciated by him who hates the princess so much passion.
" Tell me, Nina. Why would I want to do that?" He repeated, his gaze extremely cold.