Betrothed To The King

Chapter31

King Archer and his guards passed through the bushes, trees, and houses. Their journey to Prussiate was still far, and they still had till the next day to get there if they rode faster.

“Let us all rest and eat,” King Archer announced as the guards stopped their horses and jumped down.

They sat on the ground, all tired as they had ridden all night without resting. Some looked so weak and thirsty, while some looked strong, but deep down, they were not okay.

“Otis, I hope you packed enough snacks and water for this journey?” King Archer asked as he sat on the mat spread on the floor for him.

“Yes, my king. At least it will go twice for us all, but your snacks are very much okay. I think it will sustain you throughout the journey,” Otis said with a bow as he brought out the snacks from the bag.

The hungry guards became even hungrier at the sight of the snacks, while some had already started rushing for the water. It was obvious that they were all famished.

King Archer still looked strong because he was very much used to war and the stress that came with it. His father was not just a king but a feared warrior, so he always went to war with his father.

Yes, he was famished, but it was not to the extent of acting up. His mind was too busy thinking of how to get Pearl out of the danger she was in because of him.

“Uhm, Your Majesty, I do not think the soldiers at the border between Dicrik and Prussiate will allow us to pass. They already know that we are coming to attack them,” Arlo said.

King Archer exhaled deeply but worriedly, worried not because of crossing the border but because of Pearl. What was she passing through in Prussiate?

They would surely mistreat her because she was married to him. They would treat her like trash. She was definitely suffering. He hoped that at least she and the baby were fine and not dead yet.

•

•

I watched the disciplinarian walk towards me without a single smile on his face. He tapped the whip against his palm as he walked closer to me.

The fear in his manner of approach made me tremble as I kept shifting back. His lips were quivering with fury, and his eyes showed no mercy.

Soon my back hit the wall, letting me know there was no escape route for me. I had to face whatever punishment this man had for me.

“Why do you keep moving? Enter the wall if possible!” he suddenly yelled, sending cold shivers down my spine and making my throat suddenly dry. If only I could pass into the wall as he said.

“Now go to those ropes and get yourself tied up!” he yelled.

I quickly rushed to the ropes he had set earlier. I did not want to provoke him further because it was obvious that he did not have a human heart. He could decide to burn me, and it seemed that was what he intended to do.

The ropes were too thick and strong to handle, but I still tied my two hands as tightly as I could, with tears streaming down my cheeks without pause.

He walked to a corner and dragged the rope connected to the one on my hands. The ropes suddenly tightened, stretching my arms out. The force made me think my arms had broken.

He walked to me coldly, bent down, and tied my two legs very tightly. He then pulled them apart just as he had done to my hands.

My legs were suspended and spread, and I felt completely exposed. My waist began to hurt again, and this time my belly ached badly.

Could he not see that I was heavily pregnant? Why was he so inhuman? I could say he was worse than King Theo because he did not have a heart. Maybe that was why they made him a disciplinarian.

He glared into my teary eyes with a burning stare as he giggled wickedly. I was scared he was going to violate me, but instead, he brought out two whips from his pockets.

This would not be good for me at all. I was naked, and this man was going to whip me without mercy. My skin would be torn apart.

“This is for being the wife of my king’s enemy and being a Guhamian!” he shouted as he whipped me hard across my lap, tearing my skin.

His eyes were filled with rage and hatred. He obviously found me disgusting.

“You know? Your husband has done so much to King Theodore after his father’s death, which you know was caused by Archer’s dad. You know that thick scar on King Theodore’s face and his damaged eye? They were all caused by your demon husband!” he yelled even louder as he whipped my back. The pain was deep.

He flogged me with so much force that I felt he would tear my skin apart.

“Do I really have to explain how he did all that? No, because I do not owe you an explanation. But I will tell you this. Your King Archer made King Theodore as wicked as he is now. Yes, he had always been dangerous, but King Archer made him heartless. Or should I say King Archer and his late father caused all the pain he might be going through right now!” he yelled and whipped my back again.

“Ahh, no, please take it easy on me!” I cried out in tears.

I could no longer feel my back. It felt numb, and I could tell blood was running down it. I knew my back was badly wounded.

“Do you like what I am doing to you right now?” he asked coldly, staring into my eyes.

More tears streamed down my face as the pain from the injuries overwhelmed me.

I did not know if saying no would bring more punishment, but I was in so much pain. I suddenly felt hatred for King Archer again, the hatred that had been gradually leaving me. I was learning to love and accept him as my husband, but the pain I was going through because of him was unbearable.

He put me in this condition, and now again, he was the cause of this severe punishment.

“Will you answer me or not?” he shouted angrily as he whipped me between my legs.

At that point, I felt like I had lost my baby from the force of the strike and the pain that followed.

I looked down and saw blood flowing heavily. A terrifying flow.

I looked up at him in agony as tears streamed down my eyes. I suddenly lost my voice to cry out loud. He looked shocked, with fear mixed in. Why was he scared when he had done this intentionally?

I looked back and saw the continuous flow of blood. The thought of losing my baby terrified me. My vision blurred until I finally blacked out.

**

Sage looked strangely at the three ladies standing by her door. She wondered why they all had that look on their faces.

“Hail thee, your highness,” the brunette maid greeted Queen Zinnia and entered the room.

“What is going on here?” Sage asked curiously as Rosamund clicked her fingers dramatically.

“Sage, Seren and I want to speak to you urgently, right now,” Rosamund said, confusing Sage with her tone.

“Okay, then come in. Or should we go to your room?”

“No, Sage, you are coming with me because I am your queen, and I came here first,” Queen Zinnia said as Seren and Rosamund rolled their eyes.

“Well, I have only one queen in this castle, and it is Queen Pearl, my mistress,” Sage pointed out, which made Zinnia embarrassed. Sage addressed her with clear disrespect. There was surely something behind her attitude toward Queen Zinnia.

“So, Queen Zinnia, what do you have to tell me?” Sage added.

“Come with me, Sage. Let us talk in a secluded place,” Queen Zinnia said, reaching for her hand, but Sage pulled away.

“I am not going anywhere with you. If you want to speak to me, you are free to come in,” Sage said as she crossed her arms.

“See, Sage, you will have to choose who to answer. Rosamund and I, your mistress’s best friends, or a queen that means nothing to you,” Seren said sharply.

“Hey, young lady, do not disrespect me, or you will find yourself in a dirty dungeon this very moment!” Queen Zinnia nearly yelled as they both rolled their eyes at her sarcastically.

“Well, we will see how that goes.”

Sage was surprised by their attitude and sudden disrespect toward Queen Zinnia. She knew Queen Zinnia had no quarrel with them, so why were they addressing her like a commoner?

“There is definitely something behind all this,” she thought.

Indeed, Queen Zinnia meant nothing to her, so that left her with no other option than to follow the two ladies.

“Seren, Rosamund, let us go,” she said as she walked ahead.

Queen Zinnia stared at their retreating backs with rage as she tightened her fist.

“No one treats Zinnia like trash!” she said coldly as she angrily walked out.