THE SHIELD THAT HURTS

CHAPTER.6.2

As the reality of the situation sank in, Naehi's face crumpled. "My darling Zoe, please forget me forever," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm sorry for breaking your heart. My Lady Nahum, please forgive me for leaving you. Anne, my dear friend, I'll miss you."

The prime minister instructed the guards to chain the tributes who had not been selected and escort them back to the Akua Slaves camp. As the guards brought out the chains, Naehi's heart sank. She knew that her fate was sealed, and she would be returning to the slave camp.

As the guards led the tributes away, Prince Zoe's eyes remained fixed on Naehi, his heart heavy with sorrow. He knew that he might never see her again, and the thought was almost too much to bear.

Lady Nahum's eyes welled up with tears as she watched Naehi being led away. She knew that she had lost someone special, and the pain of that loss would stay with her forever.

Anne's face was etched with sadness as she watched Naehi disappear into the distance. She knew that she would miss her dear friend, and the thought of living without her was almost too much to bear.

Phei's eyes were downcast, her thoughts consumed by worry. She knew that Naehi's fate was uncertain, and the thought of what might happen to her was almost too much to bear.

As the tributes were about to be led away, a sudden commotion erupted outside the palace grand. The arrival of Queen Khieyan, the second queen of the Mighty Kingdom of Adzeba, was announced, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically.

Queen Khieyan walked in majestically, her mighty royal robe commanding attention. She approached the king, her eyes flashing with a hint of reprimand. "Greetings, my king," she said, her voice firm but respectful. "How could you not have invited me to this occasion?"

The king's face flushed with embarrassment as he bowed his head in apology. "My dear queen, please, I'm so sorry. I apologize for the oversight."

Queen Khieyan's expression softened, and she smiled warmly. "It's fine, my king. But I must say, I'm not pleased with the way this selection process has been handled."

The king's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications. "My queen, did you have something to say before the unselected tributes are returned to the Akua Slaves camp?" he asked, his voice cautious.

Queen Khieyan nodded, her eyes flashing with determination. "Yes, my king. But before that, please give the order to release the chains from the tributes. Let us start anew, according to what I have brought before us."

Prime Minister Asah stood up, his face red with anger. "No, my king! I oppose Queen Khieyan's objection. We have no time for this, and besides, there's no point in selecting them again. The selection was fair, and the slaves must return to the camp now."

Queen Ghoifaes stood up, her eyes flashing with agreement. "I agree with Prime Minister Asah. How could you dare to turn away the selection plan, Queen Khieyan?" she asked, her voice cold.

The king raised his hands, his voice firm. "Enough! Please, ministers and Queen Ghoifaes, calm down. At least, let's hear what Queen Khieyan has to say."

Queen Khieyan smiled warmly, her eyes flashing with gratitude. "Thank you, my king. The selection process was not fair, as the selected maids' loyalty was not examined or tested. How can we implore tributes with grudges into the palace without testing their loyalty towards the king?"

She turned to Prime Minister Asah and Queen Ghoifaes, her eyes flashing with conviction. "I understand your intentions of considering the struggle of the food supply, but I'm pretty sure that with my series of tests, it will reduce the population of the selected maids, and that will make them work earnestly. Unless we have a multitude of selected maids without loyalty and with grudges."

Queen Khieyan turned back to the king, her eyes flashing with determination. "My king, please, I pray thee, accept my offer."

The king remained silent, his eyes narrowed in thought. Lady Nahum, sensing the king's hesitation, stepped forward. "I propose to it, my lord," she said, her voice firm. "As the Head of the Maids, I propose that the loyalty test should deliberately take place."

The king sighed heavily, his eyes flashing with a hint of resignation. But because he cherished and loved Lady Nahum dearly, he nodded his head in agreement. "I grant you the permission."

Prince Zoe, Anne, Phei, and Naehi felt a glimmer of hope rise up in their hearts. They knew that this was their chance to prove themselves, to show that they were worthy of serving in the palace.

Queen Khieyan turned to the crowd, her eyes flashing with determination. "And now, we'll start the loyalty test. Please, settle down and get prepared for what comes your way."

Queen Khieyan stood before the seventy tribute women, her voice echoing through the grand hall. "The twenty of you who were selected earlier, please join the others for the loyalty test. Note that if you fail to answer the loyalty test accordingly, you will be returned to the Akua Slaves camp. Those who provide correct answers will successfully become palace maids. I wish you all the best of luck."

Queen Khieyan's eyes scanned the room, her gaze lingering on each tribute. She called upon Maid Phei, whispering instructions in her ear. Phei nodded, standing beside Queen Khieyan. "Now, we will begin the loyalty test," Queen Khieyan declared, pointing at the tributes. "Please distribute the questions to them one by one."

Maid Phei carefully handed out the questions, her eyes scanning the room to ensure each tribute received a copy. Queen Khieyan continued, "Before you start, please note that you are expected to provide answers to these questions within an interval of one hour. Please begin."

The tributes dipped their quills in ink, their hands moving swiftly as they began to write. Naehi, one of the tributes, closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "Oh, my creator, please perfect your work in my life. I want to live with my loved ones," she whispered, her eyes opening as she focused on the questions.

As Naehi wrote, she thought about her past, her heart aching with memories. She pushed the thoughts aside, concentrating on the questions. Time passed, and the hour drew to a close. Queen Khieyan instructed the maids to collect the answers.

Lady Nahum joined Queen Khieyan in judging the responses, their eyes scanning the papers with precision. Queen Ghoifaes raised an objection, offering to assist in judging the answers. However, Queen Khieyan politely declined, her expression firm.

After reviewing the answers, Queen Khieyan stood up, bowing to the king. "My king, after careful consideration with Lady Nahum, ten tributes have successfully become palace maids," Queen Khieyan announced, her voice clear. The king nodded, his eyes sparkling with interest.

Queen Khieyan continued, "I will now call out the names of our new maids. Hailey, Nasafe..." Naehi's heart pounded as she waited for her name to be called. The room fell silent, the only sound the soft rustling of papers.

Naehi's thoughts raced, her mind filled with doubts. "What if I didn't make it? What if I'm sent back to the Akua Slaves camp?" She pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the moment.

Finally, Queen Khieyan announced, "And lastly, the tribute who has successfully become a palace maid is... Naehi." Naehi's heart leapt with joy, her eyes welling up with tears. "Oh, my creator, please don't let what happened before repeat itself," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Lady Nahum smiled, her eyes shining with warmth. "Naehi, I'm so happy for you." Anne and Phei rushed to Naehi's side, hugging her tightly. Tears of happiness streamed down Naehi's face as she thanked her friends.

As the celebration continued, Lady Nahum took the stage to assign the maids to their respective sections. Prince Zoe stood up, his eyes fixed on Naehi. "My king, please I want to request a favor. I want Naehi to be assigned to my quarter."

Lady Nahum's expression turned firm, her eyes rimmed with determination. "That's impossible, My Lord. I'm in charge of the maid positioning. After my consideration, I will send a maid to you, but not Naehi. I will be sending Naehi to the king's quarter to assist me in the king's works."

Prince Zoe's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "How dare you oppose my objection? Send her to my quarter." Lady Nahum stood firm, her voice unwavering.

The king intervened, his voice calm and authoritative. "Prince Zoe, how could you interfere in this? It's not your decision. Whatever Lady Nahum decides is final."

Lady Nahum smiled, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, my Lord. Your kindness is beyond measure." The king stood up, excusing himself. As he departed, Lady Nahum hugged Naehi, her eyes sparkling with warmth.

The king, queen, ministers, and princes began to depart, congratulating the new maids. Prince Zoe approached Naehi, a smile on his face. He hugged her tightly, his voice filled with sincerity. "Congratulations, Naehi. I'm truly happy for you."

Naehi's heart skipped a beat as she hugged Prince Zoe back, feeling a sense of gratitude and wonder. She couldn't believe that Prince Zoe, the prince she had admired from afar, was congratulating her and hugging her.

As the royal family and ministers continued to depart, Naehi felt a sense of excitement and nervousness. She knew that she had a new life ahead of her, one that was full of possibilities and challenges.

Lady Nahum approached Naehi, a warm smile on her face. "Naehi, I'm so proud of you. You have shown great courage and determination. I know that you will excel in your new role as a palace maid."

Naehi bowed her head, feeling a sense of gratitude and respect for Lady Nahum. "Thank you, Lady Nahum. I won't let you down."

As the celebration came to a close, Naehi and the other new maids were led to their new quarters. They were given a warm welcome by the other maids, who showed them to their new rooms and helped them settle in.

Naehi felt a sense of wonder and excitement as she explored her new surroundings. She knew that she had a lot to learn, but she was eager to start her new life as a palace maid.