The Masked Princess

Meerah: The Masked Princess

Meerah 3

The great hall, Patag kingdom

The bright light from the morning sun shines into the great hall as The Commander of guards walked majestically with his troop into the hall as he smirked at the numbers of the guest in the hall already not minding the disgust in their face. Rowen had always loved to give himself a grand entry and to always pissed some particular set of people. He kept on smiling with his arms behind his back as he walked through the division in the hall as he slightly bow down his head on reaching The King's throne where he is seated and the door was gently locked behind him by the guards at the great hall entrance.

The great hall is the largest room in patag kingdom with a large brown wooden door. The door handle is made up of gold as it is creatively carved into a cobra snake which could be seen outside the door. The hall is equipped with a wide number of chairs arranged vertically to the position of the King's seat the chairs were arranged opposite each other up to the vanishing point with tables in front, each role of chairs is having ten chairs on a role and a long table. The division between the wooden chairs lies a red thick carpet where the Commander of Guards walked down to the king's seat stopping right at the end of the carpet.

Rowen knelt on his kneels right in front of the King and looked at the him in the eyes as he amazingly Suddenly changed his facial expression from being smiley into a dejected and angry face.

"I received the message, inviting me to be here and to be interrogated for being the Kingdom's Dog during the night while they sleep peacefully in their household"

Rowen statements got the room quiet and remorse as he was sweating profusely.

"I do not regret life decision for making a Dog, I would rather become a dignified Dog be hated by my own people because an enemy intruded the kingdom to steal from us".

The hall became quiet noisy and everyone murmurs at the new information from what they've heard. A young brave Man who seems to want to show how outspoken and intelligent he could be spoke first.

" but from what we've heard, the victim is a palace maid who works in the courtyard" Rowen looked at him in disgust with his eye balls red but softened up immediately and carefully as he tried to answer.

"It unfortunate how information is passed in the kingdom to tarnish images, no one cares to ask from the killer but you all decided to give judgement of what you have not seen"

Rowen walked to The king in a rush and held his leg.

"Save Patag your highness, my heart bleeds for Patag's trust, Unity and love that strengthen us"

The King merged his eyes together in pain with guilt all over his face. Every attendant in the hall had their head down in fear of what they've become. Rowen ran back to the middle of the hall and cried out in his loudest voice.

"Pratag!" He sounded so distressed with tears rolling down his eyes only for him to meet Meerah in his presence immediately he turned ,who had been watching from behind the scene and got so irritated by his actions. She looked so angry and fearless.

" it amazing how The Commander deviates from being accountable for his atrocities to making up a mere performance, I might not be effected by your tantrums".

Meerah turned to The King

"Father!, He has killed a maid in the courtyard without orders and without reasons and he should be killed for that"

Meerah! The King shouted.

You cannot call anyone a killer without a proof"

Meerah smiled with a smirk

" I know you won't believe me, so I'm here with a proof".

A woman was brought into the hall by the guards, she looked sick and weak.

"This is the Mother of the maid that was killed last night, I guess we should hear from her".

The old woman couldn't utter a word but was just crying profusely rolling on the floor.

The Commander came forward.

" a true woman of Patag wouldn't want to lie with her tongue that is why she is not talking, this is a good one Meerah, you've gotten someone to play a drama to implicate me" he clapped.

"I am not going to exchange words with you Meerah because last night I killed a male not female, a woman wouldn't leave her roof at night, except the knight walker of course " he smiled

" I am ashamed at your fabricated cheap lies Rowen, why does everyone knew it a woman except you?" She said in anger

"Because no one asked for my opinion, I killed a Man that disguised to be woman so he won't be suspected".

" and what were you doing at that time you find him?" Meerah asked.

Rowen heart skipped at the remembrance of what transpired yesterday night.

"enough of your stupid questions Meerah" The King said

"Have had enough of your myopic mindset, do not set your foot in my hall without my permission again, questioning my guards"

He said angrily

"I know how much you want him down and you've pulled your disgusting act that is getting on my nerves, when all he had done is to make decisions to help shape your life in your own best interest, all you could have done is to become grateful but your selfish self won't allow that".

Meerah stood unconscious with drip of tears from a side of her eyes as she tightened her fist, Rowen saw the anger in her and smirked. He stretched to make things worse for her as he moved closer to patting her by her back.

" Your Highness, it is not fair to raise your voice at the princess just because of a Dog like me, she is just a child and harmless. I admire her braveness and fierceness as she will make a renowned Queen some day. Your Highness history shouldn't make her less a Princess".

The old woman who was still in the hall got infuriated and matched towards Rowen in her fastest paste with a knife as she screamed

"You bloody hypocrite"

Rowen looked at one of the guards and winked giving him a sign as the guard threw an arrow to the old woman, the members in attendance rose up in shock as Rowen looked towards the King and in the King signaled from the nod of his head, Rowan immediately beheaded the guard. Meerah held her mouth gasping at the situation as she could understand what just happened almost falling to the floor as Daijan came in quickly and took her off the scene. The hall became noisy and chaotic.

Rowen pointed at two guards asking them to clean the mess.

The King left his seat and walked inside with his guards in dismissal to the members in attendance. The great hall-door was opened and the light shined inside the hall, citizens were already gathered outside to hear the judgement given after the incident last night but were disappointed and surprised at the new development. Two bodies were brought out by the guards and the members in attendance crawls out with long dull faces. The hall suddenly became empty and quiet with Rowen alone, he sat on a chair with his head down and his finger hitting on the long table as he starred at the blood stains on his coat. He looked towards the narrow path to the hall as he heard footsteps. Daijan stood in the dark with her hands behind her back as Rowen spoke first.

" oh beloved Daijan, I have yearn for a moment just with you to get a word or two wisdom from you because you are a book of wisdom, he opened his arm wide in gestures of receiving her.

"You devilish scum" Daijan said in a low gravelly tone as she walked slowly towards him.

" oh mine, a devil in the hall let's run oh dear Daijan it dangerous" Rowen cried out dramatically and being sarcastic as he busted out laughing hysterically.

He suddenly switched from being a clown with a beast like face as the flesh of his face followed the rhythm of his words which he spelt out emphasizing on every word.

"We are all Devils Daijan we are just tougher than the other"He walked closer to her and almost said in whispers

" I'm sure you don't want to meddle in my business Daijan" Rowen laughed out loud and suddenly switched into being a clown.

Daijan said in a subtle brittle voice

"I knew what you've done Rowen"

Daijan can be seen with tears in her eyes

"Rowen you killed the maid" she sniffed

"You killed her old Mother and killed a guard all in one night"

Daijan fell to the floor holding Rowen at the edge of his coat.

"You are soiling the kingdom with blood Rowen, you should rot in the pit of hell Rowen"

Rowen jacked his coat off her hands and letting her fall to the floor.

"You are a fool Daijan" Rowen muttered under his breath as he walked briskly outside the hall.