Chapter Four: Unfair Punishment

WARNING READER DISCRETION ADVISED: Abuse and neglect contained in this chapter.

~Nyx~

I ran all the way to my room, well fake room but who’s keeping track. After closing the door I went over to my bed. As I let myself fall back onto it I took a deep breath. The Crowned Prince just kissed me of all people. Oh if he only knew that I was considered nothing in this household. However, my peace didn’t last long when my door opened to reveal my furious father. I flinched. as he entered. I sat up quickly knowing I was in for it this time. 

“Why can’t you go one time without disgracing our family with your filth.” He spat with venom making me wince. 

“W-w-w-what do y-y-you m-mean?” I stuttered out. It only made him more angry. 

“You ignored the Crowned Prince when he was talking to you and then you left the tea room without wishing anyone goodnight.” He boomed, grabbing my hair to twist my head to meet his red face. I stayed silent, I knew better than to respond with excuses. The punishments were less when I kept my mouth shut. He pulled me off the bed and threw me to the floor. As he paced back and forth he called in the maids.

“Yes M’lord?” The maids said as they entered.

“Remove her clothing and drag her behind me.” he fumed. The maids nodded and did as he said. I could see the pity in their faces. Once they had stripped me of the finery they drug me down the hall after him. I used to fight this, I would kick and scream but I learned early on it was no use. All it would do would make my punishments worse. I was pulled from the manor and into a lit area I knew all too well. The maid dragged me to the post where I was tied so my back was exposed. My hands were tied high enough that I was stretched along the post. Theoran came over and ripped open the thin fabric that clothed me. My father was given the whip as he took his position behind me. 

The first strike hit my back but I bit my lip. I refused to cry out, to give them that kind of satisfaction. I would bite my lip hard with each strike. I could taste the metallic blood in my mouth and felt the blood soaking the thin fabric. After about the fourteen strikes my body began to numb, it still hurt but it was durable. My body felt weak and had begun to slump making the ropes dig into my wrists. Once my father finished he ordered his guards to remove me and take me back to my room. The room was in the maids quarters and was the smallest of all the rooms. They did handle me gingerly to not hurt me further. Some of the guards had a soft spot for me. Once they got to my room and sat me in my bed they left. I laid there for a long while before a familiar voice dragged me out of my painful stupor. 

“I see he beat you bloody this time.” Yareha’s warm gentle voice spoke quietly. I could hear the heartbreak in her voice. I only grunted as I put myself on my stomach. Yareha has been cleaning my wounds for years. After she cleaned and bandaged my wound she left me. Yareha had been more like a mom to me than my actual mother. Not that I knew her. Theoran used to tease me when we were younger. He would tell me that I was a bastard child. Maybe he was right. I looked nothing like the marquesses wife. Yareha said that it would heal in time. Over the next couple days I didn't leave my bed. The fevers came and went which meant there was no life threatening infection. Those couple of days I dreamed of Thorn, of our kiss, it was as if I was infatuated with him.

Today I would return to work, the wounds were still there but they had all scabbed over. They still hurt but a lot less than they did. I was dreading today, who would want to see the sneering face of the person who hurt them. I entered the kitchen grabbing the tray of food from Yareha to take up to the study. 

“Here’s your breakfast, Master Sparrow.” I said setting the tray down before turning to leave. Before I made it to the door however he called after me. 

“Nyx, sit.” I froze in fear but complied, taking a seat in the chair before his desk. I kept my eyes trained on the floor. I didn’t want to look at him. 

“What happened to you was well deserved, you disrespected the royal family.” He stated to which I nodded. I was afraid my voice wouldn’t be steady enough. Surprisingly enough he didn’t mention the kiss between the crowned prince and I. Meaning it’s safe to assume that he didn’t know about it. 

“You may go and attend to your chores now.” The Marquess said in a dismissive tone. I quickly got up and left. I was working in the gardens today. Much to my dismay however I ran into the single person I didn’t want to deal with. Ariel’s smug face was upturned in a wicked smile. 

“Hey trash, are you already ready to get punished again.” she said with a sneer. I ignored her and rolled my eyes at her. I started cleaning up around the roses doing my best to ignore her taunts. 

Does the Marquess know you tried to force yourself on the crowned prince? And that you ran in shame when he rejected you” She taunted. This made me freeze, there’s no way she could know about our kiss. She continued on with her taunts. 

“I wonder how the Duchess Fallon Von Keem would feel if she knew that you were trying to whore your way into the crowned prince's bed.” She snickered. 

My eyes widened at the mention of the Duchesses name. Duchess Von Keem was a cruel ruthless woman. She would do anything to remain as the prince's soon to be wife. I heard she slapped a count’s daughter just for admiring the prince during a hunting tournament. It was said that Lady Meroux gave the prince a favor. That was why she received a harsh smack from the Duchess. The rumors say that the bruising lasted weeks 

“Ariel, I don’t know what you think you saw but I am trash remember. How could someone as disgusting as me even have a chance with someone as regal as him?” I breathed out. Saying such things about myself made my heart hurt. I couldn’t possibly have feelings for him could I? Ariel giggled and crossed her arms across her chest. 

“Hmmm, that is right. Besides, I will be your superior one day so I suggest you learn some respect. You'll soon be calling me Lady Sparrow after all.” She huffed out before stomping off in a different direction. I returned to my work rolling my eyes. I let out a breath of relief after she left me. 

“That would be the day, but it’s not today.” I muttered to myself. I’m sure she ran to Killian with some made up story about me in order to get me in trouble. She enjoyed it when I got punished, though I was not quite sure as to why. The bigger issue was that she saw the kiss and could release that information. That could be problematic for the crowned prince and I. I would do my best to avoid her for the time being.