The Rebel and the Icequeen

Finding the culrpit

Louises POV 

I enter my rooms. Eliv is there and greets me. I gesture at the door in silence and she nods. I leave my clothes and makeup where they are. For now I will face him as his queen. I cross the room and open his door wide and look at him. He's still lying on the bed and apparently I just woke him up. He makes no move to try to stand up or even run away. He rubs his eyes sleepily and looks at me. Eliv comes in and lights the candles to bring a little more light into the dark room. Only now does he seem to really notice me. 

"Oh, I have a distinguished visitor, and I'm not even dressed properly," he says derogatory and throws me equally derogatory looks. 

"The less you have on, the better you are dressed," I answer with a smug smile. 

"But you're not going to ... with me ..." he stammered, a little overwhelmed. I enjoy his insecurity a little, but then I calm him down. 

“No, don't worry, you can still rest. But tomorrow at noon I'll come to you again. And until then, I'll make sure you stay put. " 

He frowns and looks at me in disgust. I read the resistance in his face, but also lust. Or is it anticipation? I'm not exactly sure because it only a brief flash on his face. 

"Eliv," I shout loudly and imperiously and she comes running with thick iron cuffs and holds out her hands. Liam takes one look at Eliv and again he seems to have mixed feelings for her. Apparently he despises her for being so loyal to me and at the same time seems to feel sorry for her. He can't know that Eliv is my best and unfortunately also my only friend. 

I take the cuffs and watch as Liam tries to move away from me. 

"No please, you said you'd wait until tomorrow," Liam pleads. I ignore him and sit down next to him on the bed. I grab his arm and put it in my lap. First he wants to pull it away, but a punishing look from me keeps him still. 

"If you submit, I'll just tie one arm to the bed," I explain and he nods resignedly. I put one of the silky fabrics around his wrist and then the iron cuff. I lock it, then raise his arm over his head so I can secure him to the bed frame. Now he can no longer get up and possibly flee. Besides, he won't be able to get any closer to me tonight. For a moment I think about blindfolding him just to make sure. I quickly dismiss the thought though, because it will be dark anyway. 

"Who attacked you down in the dungeon?" I ask in an authoritative voice. 

"One of the guards," he replies.  

"Can you describe him or would you even recognize the man?"  

"Yes I would."  

"Why did he attack you?" 

“He didn't like me,” he replies curtly and I know there's more to it than that, that he doesn't want to tell me. For now, however, the only important thing is who it was, so that I can punish him appropriately. I get up and go to the door. I open it a c***k and order Eliv to fetch the two guards who were previously responsible for Liam. A short time later, the two uniformed guards enter the small chamber and bow low to me. Neither of the two pays Liam any attention, but I notice how the larger of the two grimaces in disgust. If I had to guess, I would say, it was him. He seemed to me to have the right build and charisma for such nasty things.  

"Was it him here?" I ask, pointing to the larger one of the two. Liam nots barely noticeable and that's enough for me.  

"You two come with me," I say and point to the next room. I leave Liam's room together with them. 

"Your names," I command, just after i closed and locked Liams door. 

"My name is Thomas, Your Highness," says the smaller one of the two.  

"My name is Peter," says the other. 

"Thomas, please wait in front of the door," I instruct him and take a closer look at Peter. He has tremendously broad shoulders and thick arms and legs. He doesn't seem particularly worried or intimidated. That pisses me off, how can he presume to be so relaxed about his crime. Justice scarcely seemed to exist in this kingdom when criminals were so relaxed.  

"As I heard and also saw, you attacked the rebel," I explain the situation. He looks straight at me. He shows no signs of remorse or regret. No, he even has the audacity to smile proudly. "He deserved it," confirms Peter.  

"That is not your decision to make. You are in no position to take such action without a clear order from the king or me. You are not paid to act on your own initiative."  

Apparently he is slowly realizing that he has made a mistake and bows his head.  

"That rebel pig has bewitched your mind," he says very quietly. Had I not been so used to paying attention to everything, then I would probably have missed it.  

"I didn't understand you, would you repeat that for me?" I ask him. Either he has the courage to say it out loud to my face or he is finally aware of his position. I can't understand how he can still be so unreasonable. 

"Nothing, Your Highness."  

"On your knees," I command. Now I'm going to show him how shitty it is to be as defenseless as Liam is all the time. Peter will never touch weaker ones again. He looks at me a little confused. Then I see the reluctance in his look that I know from Liam.  

"Immediately," I repeat and look at him with an ice-cold look.  

"Of course," he replies and kneels awkwardly.  

“Thomas, come in,” I call out loudly and immediately the door opens and Thomas comes in. He looks a little surprised, but catches himself up immediately and bows hastily.  

"Put this man in chains," I command, looking straight into Peter's eyes.