"Oh my goodness…"
"What's the matter, Your Highness?"
"I don't have much time," she said and hurried to the bathroom. She quickly took her bath. A few minutes later, she was done. She walked out of the bathroom and wore her nightwear. Maya kept staring at her.
"Won't you eat something before leaving?"
"I'm sorry. I can't," she replied and left the room. She walked to Henderson's door. The guards stepped aside. She closed her eyes and sighed softly before opening the door and walking in.
Henderson was already waiting for her, but he pretended to be busy with his laptop and phone. She stared at him for a while, wondering what kind of man he really was.
"If Grayson hadn't done something bad to him, he would have been the one I married," she thought and shook her head. He looked up and saw her standing, then looked away.
"I don't have to tell you what to do, Princess," Henderson said.
"I'm sorry," she apologized.
He stood up and walked closer to her. He gently played with her hair, then removed his hand. She began to undress. He noticed the tears in her eyes but quickly looked away. She was done removing her gown. The bed was close by. He pushed her slightly and she fell onto the bed. Without waiting for her permission, he got on top of her and forced himself inside her. He pushed his full length into her tight vagina. She grabbed the bedsheet as tears rolled down her cheeks.
He started thrusting in and out of her. She cried because the pain was too much. He didn't seem to care about her feelings. All he wanted was revenge.
"Please… you're hurting me…" she whispered. But he didn't stop. He continued, even as she begged.
Amelia realized he wasn't going to listen, so she stayed still, but the tears didn't stop. When he was done, he released inside her and rolled over to the other side of the bed. She was tired. She pulled the bedsheet over her body and closed her eyes. He looked at her, then got up and walked to the bathroom to cool his head.
Ten minutes later, he came back. Amelia was gone. He called the maids to clean up the mess. They did and replaced the sheets.
Later That Night
Amelia walked back to her bedroom. She opened the door and saw Maya sitting inside, waiting for her. She passed her and went straight to the bathroom. Maya sighed. She could tell something was wrong, but she didn't know what it was.
Amelia washed up and came out of the bathroom. She was surprised Maya was still there. She didn't say a word to her. She went to the closet, picked another gown, wore it, and sat on the bed. She looked at Maya and smiled.
"You should be in your room," Amelia said, trying to put what happened behind her.
"How can I sleep when you're not sleeping?" Maya replied.
"It's not like the king was going to kill me," Amelia said.
"You smell like him," Maya mumbled under her breath, hoping Amelia didn't hear. But truly, Amelia still had his scent on her.
"What did you say?" Amelia asked.
"Nothing. You're talking like this because you don't know how worried I am. You're not in my shoes."
"Alright, miss. I'm sorry, my lady," Amelia said, laughing.
"You shouldn't say that, Your Highness," Maya replied.
"Oh please, remember the walls have ears. I don't want Saanvi's problems," Amelia said.
"Saanvi is something else," Maya agreed.
"Yeah. Anyway, no more 'Highness' or 'Majesty,'" Amelia said.
"What? Why, Your Highness?" Maya asked, looking confused.
"Because I'm no longer a princess. So I suggest you call me by my name," Amelia said.
"No way," Maya replied. They kept talking until they agreed on one title.
"My lady," Maya finally said.
"Come on, you should go to bed now."
"Alright, my lady. Good night."
"Good night," Amelia said with a soft smile. Maya left the room. Amelia sighed and lay on the bed, tired.
She thought about everything that had happened. The life she used to live, even though it was hard. Grayson was hard on her too. She touched her neck and realized her necklace was missing. She got up and looked around. Then she remembered she had taken it off while undressing. She sighed and sat down tiredly.
"Oh my goodness. What is this?" she thought, hitting her forehead.
Next Morning
The king left with some of the bodyguards. He headed to his company for an emergency meeting.
Amelia woke up to another problem—the sound of water poured on her face. She stood up immediately and wiped her eyes to see clearly. She saw Saanvi and a maid standing there. Saanvi was holding her necklace.
"How did she know this necklace belongs to me?" Amelia wondered.
"What do you have to say about this?" Saanvi asked, showing the necklace.
"I don't know what you're talking about—"
Before she could finish, Saanvi slapped her. Amelia held her cheek, staring at her angrily.
"What are you going to do?" Saanvi yelled at her.
"I warned you to stay away from my man, but you refused. You better get ready because I won't spare you, whore!" Saanvi said, throwing the necklace at her. Then she left with the maid.
Amelia bowed her head in shame. It was a big disgrace. She cried and tried to comfort herself. She took her bath, picked up the bedsheets, and washed them herself. The maids kept talking about her, but she ignored them. She stayed in her room for almost two hours until a guard told her the king wanted to see her in his room.
She sighed.
"I thought we already did this last night. What else does he want now?" she muttered.
"Saanvi is another problem. It's not like I'm chasing after the king," she said to herself.
While she was still talking, the door opened again. This time, it was him. He stood by the door. She looked at him, then bowed her head. He walked in.
"Didn't you get my message?" he asked, staring at her.
"I'm sorry, my lord… Please have mercy on me," she stuttered.
"Leave," he said to the guards. They bowed and left. Amelia stood there, not daring to look at his face.
"Look at me," he said.
"I'm sorry, my lord. I wouldn't dare look at your face," she muttered.
"I said, look at me right now!" he shouted. She quickly looked up, but not directly into his eyes. There was fire in his eyes—fire that needed water to calm it, but even water was afraid.
"I called you to my room because… look at me," he said again, noticing she still avoided his eyes.
"I need a massage," he said and walked away.
She sighed in relief and followed him to his room. She thanked God he didn't ask for sex.
One Month Later
Henderson didn't stop sleeping with Amelia, though not as often, because Saanvi now spent most nights in his room.
"Where's the little boy?" the king asked.
"He's right here, my lord," Omega replied and bowed. Richard came out, looking at Henderson. He smiled at him. Omega whispered in Richard's ear. Richard looked again and sighed.
"Where is my sister?" Richard asked.
"You say you're a king, but you keep her away from me. You treat her like an animal," he said boldly. Henderson looked at Omega, shocked at his courage.
"I'm sorry," Henderson said.
Omega looked at him, surprised. It was the first time he had heard such words from the king.
"Take him back," Henderson said and walked away with his hands behind his back.
Later That Day
Omega went to the king's chamber.
"What's the matter, Omega?" Henderson asked.
"My lord, I think something is wrong."
"What do you mean? What happened?"
"It's about the princess… and the royal family."
"What happened to the princess and her family?"
"She's King Raymond's daughter. Grayson isn't her father. He killed him…"
"What makes you think I'll believe you? Have you lost your mind?" Henderson asked.
"I understand that you're trying to—" he paused and stared.
"I'm sorry, my lord," Omega said and left the chamber. Henderson sat down on the couch and picked up his phone.
That Night
Maya went to see the little prince, but he wasn't in his room. She rushed back to Amelia.
"What's the matter?" Amelia asked.
"It's the prince," Maya said.
"What happened to my brother?" Amelia asked, panicked.
"They took him. I was there, but the guards said he left some minutes ago with the king," Maya cried.
"No… This can't be happening."
"What does he want with a little boy?" Amelia asked herself.
"I'll be right back," she said and left. Maya called after her, but she didn't stop. She went straight to the king's chamber.
She opened the door and walked in. He looked at her, surprised to see her. He hadn't sent for her. He knew he'd hurt her, but the pain in her eyes now was too deep. She stripped off her clothes and lay on his bed. He looked at her, then walked over and covered her with a duvet.
"Why? Why are you doing this to a little boy? Please… he knows nothing about all this. You can sleep with me as much as you want. But don't hurt my brother," she said, crying.