Bound to the Ruthless Lord

“If we're caught, Zariah, I'll blame you!” Tessa whispered as she followed her mistress through the crowded streets. Zariah laughed. "Of course. Who else would you blame?" she replied. "You're impossible!" Tessa complained. “And you're still following me, aren't you,” Zariah teased. Tessa rolled her eyes. "One day, I'm going to resign." "But you haven't….Because you love me too much to leave," Zariah said, throwing an arm around her shoulders. "Unfortunately," Tessa muttered. The two girls had sneaked out of the palace to attend the town festival. Zariah had pleaded with her father for permission, but he refused. According to him, a princess shouldn't roam around with ordinary people. Zariah disagreed. She didn't want to be treated like a princess surrounded by guards. "Look at those cakes!" Zariah exclaimed, stopping beside a food stall. Tessa grabbed her arm. "We don't have money," she reminded her. Zariah turned towards her. "Why didn't you remind me?" she asked. “Well, I thought you might have some!” Tessa replied. "Well, now we both know that was a terrible mistake," Zariah said with a shrug. Tessa sighed. "Let's go back before you get us into trouble." But Zariah wasn't listening. A commotion near the town square had caught her attention. Two royal guards were dragging a young lady through the crowd. "I did not steal anything!" the lady cried. "Save your story for the king," one guard replied. She tried to fight, but the guard held her tight. Zariah frowned. "Why are they treating her like that?" she asked. “Let's mind our business,” Tessa whispered. "We don't know what she did." “But she's asking for help,” Zariah argued. “And we are two girls without money, guards, or a sensible plan,” Tessa responded. "Please, let's leave." Zariah pulled her hand free. “Wait here,” she said. "Zariah, don't you dare!" Tessa warned. But Zariah was already walking towards the guards. She said, "Excuse me!” One guard took a turn around. "What do you want?" he demanded. "Why are you dragging her around like a criminal? At least let her explain herself," replied Zariah. "Move along, girl," he ordered. Zariah folded her arms. "I'm talking to you," she insisted. The guard moved nearer. "Do you want to be arrested too?" he asked. “Arrested for asking a question?” What did she do?” Zarah asked. The guard ignored her question. As he was about to grab the young lady again, Zariah pushed his arm away. Everything happened at once. The guard fell into a nearby stall, breaking a few of the fruit baskets. The seller screamed, people began shouting, then the second guard rushed towards Zariah. "Run!" Tessa shouted. Zariah grabbed the young lady’s hand. "Come with me!" she urged. They ran about in the crowd with the guards after them. "Stop those girls!" someone shouted. Zariah ran faster. She had only wanted to help someone. She was running now with a stranger and royal guards behind her. This was far from how she wanted to spend her evening. They finally stopped in a narrow street behind some shops. Tessa was a few moments behind, breathing heavily. "I hate you," she gasped. Zariah smiled. "You don't mean that," she replied. “I mean every word!” Tessa insisted. The young lady stared at Zariah with gratitude. "Thank you for helping me," she said. "My name is Lina." "I'm Zara," Zariah replied, using the name she often gave people outside the palace. Tessa gave her a suspicious look but said nothing. "What did you do?" Zariah asked Lina. "Nothing!" Lina answered quickly. “My younger brothers have not eaten anything since yesterday. I went to the royal storehouse, and I asked for some bread to take, but the guards accused me of stealing.” "Did you take anything?" Tessa asked. "No!" Lina insisted. "They wouldn't even listen to me." Zariah felt sorry for her. She said, "Don't worry, we'll figure out a way to help you.” Tessa looked her in the eye. "With what money?" she asked. Zariah opened her mouth, then closed it. She had forgotten that part. Before she could think of an answer, footsteps sounded at the end of the street. A guard shouted, "There they are!” Lina panicked. “They found us!” she cried. Zariah looked around but there was no hiding place. The guards came running towards them. "You're all coming with us," one announced. Tessa stepped forward. "Please, sir. There has been a misunderstanding," she pleaded. "Tell that to the king," the guard replied. Zariah stopped struggling. "The king?" she repeated. "Yes," the guard answered. "His Majesty will decide what punishment you deserve." For the first time that evening, Zariah felt nervous. Her father had warned her so many times not to sneak out of the palace. If he discovered what she had done, he would never let her hear the end of it. He may even keep her locked up for weeks. As the guards led them away, Tessa leaned closer. “I warned you of this,” she whispered. Zariah sighed. "This is not the time," she replied. "When is the time? After we're thrown into prison?" Tessa asked. "Can you please stop talking?" Zariah muttered. "No!" Tessa answered. Zariah almost laughed, even though she was afraid. Tessa at least was still herself. They arrived in the palace shortly before sunset. King Edric was in the large hall. Lord Harland stood by his side, not looking pleased at all. The king stared at Zariah's dirty dress before looking at the guards. “What happened?" he questioned. The guard stepped forward and explained everything. With every word, the king's expression grew darker. When the man finished, the king turned towards his daughter. He asked, "Zariah, do you have anything to say?" She swallowed. "I was only trying to help someone, Father," she replied. "You attacked my guards and damaged someone's goods!" the king shouted. "It was an accident!" Zariah protested. "An accident you caused by disobeying my orders!" he snapped. Zariah lowered her head. This time, she was silent. The king took a deep breath. "Take her to her room," he ordered. “She must not go out of the palace without my consent.” "Father, please…" Zariah began. "Not another word!" he interrupted. She was escorted away by the guards. She looked back at her father as she was leaving. He was not only angry, he was furious. He looked disappointed. And somehow, that felt worse. Zariah had no idea that her little adventure would soon cost her far more than her freedom to leave the palace. Her father was already thinking of a punishment she wouldn't forget.