"Your Majesty..." she whispered and bowed her head. He looked at her, eyes passing over her nightwear and bare thighs.
Carefully, he arranged clothes for her to wear to his room.
"Strip and lie on the bed," he ordered coldly.
"What?" she gasped, blinking in surprise.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do what you want," she said, stepping back.
"I don't like repeating myself, princess," he said firmly. He walked past her and reached the door.
He signaled the guards to leave, then returned to the room. Amelia was still standing there, trembling. He took off his shirt.
"Don't make this harder for yourself," Henderson said quietly.
"Please... My Lord, I am innocent. Please," she begged softly.
"Don't make it harder, princess," he replied coldly. Tears fell as she slowly lowered her gown. She moved to his bed and lay down, crying bitterly.
She felt she was losing everything—her kingdom, her people, her brother's sight—and now, her pride and innocence.
He looked at his bed and sighed. He peeled off his trousers and stepped toward her. He pulled back the blanket covering her nakedness, causing her to gasp.
Tears filled her ears as he saw her cry.
He remembered his mother's tears and how Greyson once forced himself into her.
Her eyes widened in shock, grabbing the bedsheets tightly.
"Please... Your Majesty," she sobbed. He thrust into her without mercy, forcing her to try to push him away. His strength overwhelmed her.
"It's better if you stay quiet. No need for your moaning," he said. She nodded sharply, trembling.
"Please... You're hurting me. Please, My Lord," she begged, tears blurring her vision. But Henderson continued, thrusting more forcefully.
She couldn't follow his instructions. He turned her onto her side and made her kneel on the bed again. He resumed.
Thirty minutes later, he finished, spilling on her thighs, some inside her. He left her lying there, then went to the bathroom.
When he looked at his stain-covered dick, he saw it wasn't just blood. He hesitated briefly but shrugged it off.
After cleaning himself, he stepped out naked.
He moved to her, lying atop her still crying.
"Let's do this another time. I'm in pain," she begged, tears streaming down her face.
"I want you to feel more pain.
Like my mother felt in your father's hands," he yelled. She couldn't stop crying. He pushed inside her again, hurting her even more. Despite her screams, she couldn't hold back the pain.
Losing her virginity had never been this agonizing. Her life felt like hell. She cried nonstop. He pulled out and left her sobbing. He grabbed his clothes.
"Get out," he commanded coldly.
"Please, my Lord, have mercy. I can't move," she begged, broken.
"That's none of my concern. Leave my room," he said, walking out.
Amelia slowly got off the bed. She dressed in tears and left. On her way to her room, she saw Saanvi. She bowed her head and greeted her gently. Saanvi stared at her with disgust but didn't respond.
Inside her room, Maya was still there.
"Your Highness..." Maya stammered, catching her as she almost fell.
"What's wrong?" Maya asked anxiously.
"Nothing. I'm fine," Amelia said quickly.
"No, you're not. Did the king..."
"No, Maya, nothing happened. I need to use the bathroom," she interrupted. Maya watched her go inside and closed the door.
She knew something was wrong but couldn't tell what.
Amelia kept crying. Today, she lost her pride to him—her shame in the name of revenge.
She wished she could end her life.
"I wish I could talk to the king," she whispered, tears falling freely.
When she came out, Maya had left a dress on the bed. But she wasn't in the room. Amelia changed into her nightwear. She was about to reach for a book when the door opened.
It was Saanvi.
Amelia looked at her, surprised.
"What do you want?" she asked.
Saanvi didn't reply. Instead, she slapped her across the face so hard she fell to the floor.
"Stay away from my man," she spat. "Next time, I won't be so gentle."
She yanked her by the hair, then let go as soon as she heard footsteps outside. She left.
Maya rushed in just after. "What happened?" she asked, seeing the mark on Amelia's cheek.
"Nothing," Amelia lied again.
"I saw her leave—please don't lie to me."
"I said nothing happened!" Amelia snapped. Then she turned away, ashamed.
"I'm sorry," Maya said gently. "I'll leave you alone."
Amelia sat on the bed and cried again. She hadn't meant to yell at her. She just didn't know what to do anymore. For the first time in her life, she had been hit by another woman. She felt helpless, alone.
She wanted to ask the king about her brother. She hadn't seen him in days. She feared for him.
That night, the king returned to his room. He saw the blood on the sheets. He stared at it, then quickly wrapped the sheets and handed them to a maid. It was one of his favorite sheets, but now it carried a truth he didn't want to face.
The next morning, a maid woke Amelia.
"My Lady Saanvi wishes to see you," she said.
Amelia nodded and washed her face quietly. She followed her to the chamber.
"Leave us," Saanvi said, smiling darkly.
Once the maid left, she turned to Amelia. "What were you doing in the king's room last night?"
"Nothing," Amelia whispered, her hands trembling.
Saanvi narrowed her eyes. "Then why are you walking like you're in pain?"
"I… hurt myself on the field," Amelia lied.
"Oh? Then get back to it. You're not done, are you?"
"No, my lady," she whispered.
"And next time, show me some respect when I speak to you."
"Yes, my lady."
Amelia returned to the field and worked all day. When she came back, Maya was waiting for her.
"My Lady… are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I'm sorry about last night. I was just so tired. I didn't mean to take it out on you."
"It's okay. I understand," Maya said, smiling warmly.
"I need to clean up. The king wants to see me again."
"You don't look okay. I can speak to him for you—"
"No, Maya. He doesn't take no for an answer."
"But he—"
"I belong to him now. I'm his property. I can't save my brother. I can't save anyone. It's useless to fight. I'll never win."
Amelia fell to her knees, sobbing. Maya knelt beside her and held her close.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness."
"I just hope… one day, someone will come. Someone to help us. I still believe that help will come."
She looked up at the wall clock.
"Oh no…" she muttered. "I need to go."