THE SHIELD THAT HURTS

Chapter 2.1.The Morning Awakening

As the starry night sky gave way to the gentle glow of dawn, Lady Nahum stirred from her slumber. The moon, now a silver crescent in the sky, cast a soft light upon her chamber. She stretched, feeling the gentle breeze rustle her hair. Beside her, Naehi slept peacefully, her gentle breathing a soothing serenade.

As Lady Nahum sat up, her gaze fell upon Naehi's tranquil form. She smiled, noticing how Naehi had nestled into the warmth of her chest. The tender scene filled Lady Nahum's heart with affection. She wished to let Naehi sleep on, but duty beckoned. The palace awaited her presence, and she couldn't tarry.

With gentle care, Lady Nahum adjusted Naehi's head on the pillow, ensuring her comfort. She then arose from bed, her movements fluid and deliberate. Kneeling beside her bed, Lady Nahum offered a morning prayer, her voice barely above a whisper. The words of her ancestors' tradition brought solace to her soul.

Rising from her knees, Lady Nahum pushed open the creaky door and stepped into the morning light. The world outside was bathed in a soft, golden glow. She hastened to k****e a fire, the flames crackling to life beneath her skilled hands. As the fire danced, she prepared a soothing leaf tea, the aroma wafting through the air and teasing her senses.

Once the tea was ready, Lady Nahum poured it into a jug, ensuring it remained warm for Naehi's awakening. Next, she busied herself boiling water for their morning ablutions. The sound of bubbling water and the sweet scent of tea filled the air, a symphony of domestic tranquility.

As Lady Nahum bathed and prepared for her day at the palace, Naehi slumbered on, oblivious to the gentle bustle around her. Lady Nahum dressed in her palace attire, the elegant robes of the Maid Controller a testament to her status. A delicate fragrance wafted from her skin as she applied a subtle perfume. Her dark tresses were combed and clipped with petite hairpins, framing her face with understated elegance.

Just as Lady Nahum finished her preparations, she gently roused Naehi from her slumber. Naehi stretched, yawning widely as she took in the bright, sunlit room. Her gaze fell upon Lady Nahum, and she was struck by her mentor's loveliness. The tender smile, the delicate features, and the warm eyes all combined to fill Naehi's heart with affection.

Naehi rose from bed, her movements still languid from sleep. She bowed deeply, her morning greeting a testament to the cultural traditions they shared. Lady Nahum's eyes sparkled with warmth as she drew Naehi into a gentle hug, the gesture a symbol of their deepening bond.

"I've prepared your bath and tea, Naehi," Lady Nahum said, her voice soft and soothing. "I must take my leave for the palace, but I'll ensure one of the palace maids brings your breakfast."

As they bid each other farewell, Naehi felt a pang of separation. She watched as Lady Nahum departed, the sound of her footsteps fading into the distance. The morning, once filled with the promise of a new day, now seemed quieter, more subdued, without Lady Nahum's presence.

As Lady Nahum entered the palace, she made her way directly to the royal kitchen, her footsteps echoing through the corridors. The palace maids, resplendent in their crisp uniforms, stood gathered near the entrance, awaiting her arrival. Despite the distance between them, they bowed in unison as Lady Nahum approached, their movements a testament to their rigorous training.

As she drew closer, their bowed heads rose in tandem, and they chorused, "Good morning, Lady Nahum!" Their voices were like a gentle breeze on a summer's day, warm and inviting. Lady Nahum smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and bowed her head slightly in response, a gesture of respect that was not required of her, but one she chose to make nonetheless.

"Begin your duties for the day," she instructed, her voice clear and authoritative. "Each of you knows your assigned tasks. See to them with diligence and attention to detail." Her gaze swept the assembly, meeting the eyes of each maid in turn.

Then, her gaze settled on three specific individuals: Anne, Phei, and Roan. "The three of you, please join me in the palace kitchen. We have a special task to attend to." The selected maids nodded, their faces set with determination, and followed Lady Nahum into the kitchen.

The Imperial Palace Kitchen was a hive of activity, with maids scurrying to prepare the morning meal for the royal family. The air was thick with the aromas of freshly baked bread, roasting meats, and steaming vegetables. Lady Nahum moved through the kitchen with ease, her presence commanding attention without demanding it.

As she worked alongside Anne, Phei, and Roan, Lady Nahum's thoughts turned to the complexities of palace politics. Queen Ghoifaes, the first queen of the mighty Adzeba kingdom, had made it clear that Lady Nahum's authority was not to be recognized by the queen's attendants. The queen's instructions had been explicit: Lady Nahum's morning instructions and orders were to be ignored, and the queen's attendants were to report directly to the queen herself.

Despite this blatant disregard for her authority, Lady Nahum felt no rancor, no sense of wounded pride. Instead, she seemed to accept the situation with equanimity, her expression serene and unruffled. It was as if she knew a secret, one that the queen and her attendants were not privy to.

As the morning wore on, the kitchen's activity reached a fever pitch. Pots clanged, pans sizzled, and the maids moved with precision, their movements choreographed to perfection. Lady Nahum watched over them, her eyes missing nothing, her presence a steady heartbeat that kept the kitchen's rhythm intact.

But beneath the surface of this domestic tranquility, a subtle undercurrent of tension simmered. It was a tension that only Lady Nahum seemed to sense, a tension that hinted at secrets and mysteries waiting to be uncovered.

As the morning light illuminated the palace, Queen Khieyan, the second queen of the mighty kingdom of Adzeba, asserted her independence from Queen Ghoifaes' suggestions. She decreed that Lady Nahum would oversee her own quarter, separate from Queen Ghoifaes' domain. This decision established a clear division between the two queens' households.

In accordance with Queen Khieyan's wishes, Maid Phei was assigned to the palace kitchen to ensure the safe delivery and preparation of the queen's meals. Additionally, Phei was responsible for attending to Queen Khieyan's personal needs, including her bathwater, dress, and cosmetics. As the lead maid in Queen Khieyan's quarter, Phei was also entrusted with issuing instructions to the other maids, solidifying her position as a trusted and authoritative figure.

The palace was home to four princes, each with their own unique circumstances. Prince Zemha, the first prince of the kingdom, lived alone, having distanced himself from his mother. Similarly, Prince Zoe, the second prince, resided in a separate quarter, a result of his own estrangement from his mother. In contrast, Prince Zeofei, the third prince, lived with his mother, Queen Ghoifaes, in her quarter. Lastly, Prince Zarah, the fourth prince, resided with Queen Khieyan.

As the morning sun rose higher in the sky, Lady Nahum instructed the three maids who had been assisting her to attend to their next tasks. Phei hastened to Queen Khieyan's quarter, where she found her colleagues had already tidied up and cleaned the palace. Phei then directed four of her colleagues to join her in preparing Queen Khieyan's bathwater and that of Prince Zarah.

Queen Khieyan preferred to bathe in a warm swimming pool, so Phei and her colleagues made their way to the pool's location, where they thoroughly cleaned and prepared the area. In contrast, Prince Zarah bathed in cold water, which required Phei to arrange for water to be left outside overnight to chill.

Once the baths were prepared, Phei and her colleagues proceeded to wake Queen Khieyan and Prince Zarah. After the royal pair had risen, the maids greeted them with morning salutations. Two of Phei's colleagues, also lead maids, escorted Queen Khieyan to the swimming pool, while Phei accompanied Prince Zarah to the royal bathroom.

As the bathing rituals commenced, Phei attended to selecting and arranging Queen Khieyan's attire for the day. She also instructed the eunuch responsible for Prince Zarah's wardrobe to make the necessary preparations. With the morning routines well underway, Phei's thoughts turned to the day's tasks and the intricacies of palace life, where loyalty, duty, and politics intertwined like the delicate threads of a rich tapestry.

The palace's daily routines had begun, and with them, the rowdy activities that often accompanied the royal family's morning rituals. In the King's quarter, a strict adherence to tradition prevailed. According to the customs of the Adzeba kingdom, the king was expected to reside in a separate quarter from the queens, allowing him to focus on the affairs of state without distraction.

Story continues.......

Check out for the chapter 2.2