Chapter 7: Shattered Resilience
924 Words
The clinking of cutlery on plates made Diana's eyelids grow heavier with each passing moment. Despite her efforts to scratch away the drowsiness, it persisted. As she stood there, she couldn't help but question why she and the other servants had to remain as still as wooden posts in the dining hall, observing the royal family enjoying their dinner. Was it supposed to be satisfying just to watch them eat?
Diana sighed softly, her legs still throbbing from the recent whipping. She bent slightly to rub her sore calves.
"Could you please stand up straight? If Lord Eddie sees you like this, you'll be in serious trouble," Lin whispered harshly, tugging Diana's arm to straighten her posture.
"My legs are killing me, you i***t," Diana shot back, glaring at Lin.
"Shh, quiet," Lin hissed, covering Diana's mouth with her hand. "Go and refill Lord Eddie's glass. He needs more water."
"Let him do it himself. Can't he manage something so simple? Typical lazy prince," Diana muttered under her breath.
"Stop grumbling and just do it," Lin insisted, shoving Diana toward Eddie, who was holding up his empty glass.
Reluctantly, Diana made her way to Eddie, carrying a pitcher of grape juice to pour into his glass. Aubriella, noticing Diana's approach, saw a chance to create trouble. As Diana was distracted by her complaints about Eddie's laziness, Aubriella subtly nudged her foot, causing Diana to spill the juice all over Eddie's head.
The room fell into shocked silence, save for Aubriella, who wore a satisfied smirk.
"Oh my God, Eddie! I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. I swear," Diana stammered, her face flushed with a mix of fear and guilt. She grabbed a napkin from the table and hurried to dab at Eddie's drenched hair.
"Do you even know how to do your job?!" Eddie's voice boomed with anger.
"Eddie, calm down. It was an accident," King Wilson said, trying to soothe the situation. He knew well how his half-sister's quick temper could flare up at the slightest mistake.
"You clumsy fool, you have no idea what you're doing. Let me show you how it's done," Eddie snapped, grabbing Diana by the arm and pulling her away.
The rest of the room watched in silence, unable to intervene.
"Lord Eddie, I swear it was a mistake. I'm really sorry," Diana pleaded continuously as Eddie dragged her out of the palace.
"Tonight, you'll sleep outside," Eddie declared, pushing Diana out of the palace grounds. "And you better be here in the morning. If you try to run, I'll have your mother killed. Got it?" He jabbed a finger threateningly at Diana's face.
"I don't want to sleep out here," Diana begged weakly. With the heavy rain pouring down, where would she find a warm place to rest?Eddie slammed the door behind her, ignoring her desperate pleas.
"Lord Eddie!" Diana pounded on the door repeatedly, but it remained firmly shut.
"Damn it!" Diana's cries were swallowed by the storm's roar. She sank onto the palace steps, hugging her shivering body tightly.
"Father, help me," she whispered into the stormy night.
"Mother," Diana called softly.
"Diana?" Lady Janet's eyes widened in shock as she saw her daughter standing in the cold, dark dungeon.
"What are you doing here? Please, my dear, go back to your secret house. It's dangerous here," Lady Janet pleaded.
"No, Mother. I'm not leaving you. I work here now, so I can see you every day," Diana said with a reassuring smile. No matter what
trials she faced in the palace, as long as her mother was safe and she could visit her, it was worth it.
"Work? What kind of work?" Lady Janet asked, her concern growing.
"I can't tell you exactly. But don't worry, Mother. I'll be alright," Diana tried to lift her mother's spirits.
"Yes, Diana. Just make sure you take care of yourself," Lady Janet said, reaching through the iron bars to gently stroke her daughter's
face. She knew Diana was bearing a heavy burden and prayed for her strength to face the challenges ahead.
"Follow us!"Two palace guards entered the dungeon, dragging the elderly woman away.
"Where are you taking my mother?!" Diana shouted in alarm, rushing to stop them. One of the guards shoved her roughly, causing her back to slam painfully against the iron bars of the cell.
"It's alright, Diana. Just go back to your work. Don't worry about me," Lady Janet's voice grew fainter as she was led away. Diana fought to chase after her mother, her head spinning with the effort.
"Let my mother go!" Diana cried, pushing at the man who was aggressively whipping Lady Janet's legs. Her heart ached at the sight of her mother suffering like this. What more could Lady Janet have done to deserve such punishment?
"Hold on, Mother! I'll free you," Diana said, desperately trying to untie the ropes binding Lady Janet's wrists. She couldn't bear to see her mother endure this torment. She alone shouldered the pain.
"Get out of the way!" the guard growled, grabbing Diana by the hair and tossing her roughly to the ground.
Diana scrambled to her feet, determined to fight back. But the strength of the guards was overwhelming, and she was soon thrown back to the floor. Diana Darian was not one to give up easily. She stood once more and ran towards her mother. She wrapped her arms around Lady Janet, trying to shield her from the blows being inflicted on her.
"Stubborn fool," the guard muttered in frustration.
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