"I checked and confirmed it, your highness. They are all good and exact", Cole said.
Damon said nothing, he backed his guard and removed his royal garment, staying only on his undergarments.
" Good", he grunted.
" There's an issue my king ",
Damon swiveled and turned to his guard, his gaze cold and demanding.
" The princess's former maid is here. She wants to serve the princess again"
Silence.
" They brought her here?",
" Yes my king. She is among our people enslaved by judrith "
"She's from Zandia?"He queried.
"Yes, your highness.",
Damon frowned, he had no idea the princess handmaid was from Zandia.
Judging from her age, which she must be around twenty, she must have been an infant when that war befell them.
" Sabrina is a hostage here, not a princess ", he scowled.
" I told her that your highness. She insisted she wanted to "
" I have no intention on assigning her a maid ",
Silence. Time stretched and none said a word.
" Where is she now?"He asked .
" Outside the palace gate. She refused to leave.",
Damon went silent again.
"Tell her to go home. She is of no need here ", he ordered.
Cole stood reluctantly, not making a move to leave.
" What?"
" I'm sorry, your highness. But she has no home here in Zandia. ".
Damon frown deepened, Cole went further.
" She had been a slave in Badrith all her life. Her mother happened to have died in slavery. She has no family and no place to go, your highness", he explained.
His frown vanished, replaced with his usual blank expressionless face. He said nothing, his gaze cold and distant. He seems lost in thoughts .
" She is outside the palace gate?"
" Yes your highness"
" Bring her in, she can work in the palace ", he ordered, turning his back and moving towards his shelves to pick a book.
" As the princess maid?", Cole asked.
Damon flicked his hand across the books, searching. On finding the book he wanted, he pulled it out, slammed his palm on it, blowing away the film of dust settled on its cover. Then He opened the book, flapping across the pages thoughtfully.
" Yes. ", He huffed.
_________________
Nina shot to her feet immediately she saw the palace gate opened, revealing Cole, this king's guard.
" Please, let me in. I have nowhere to go ", she pleaded desperately, moving towards him. Her gaze was pleading and desperate.
" Come in, " Cole ordered.
Relief coursed through her, a huge genuine smile brightened up her face.
" Thank you, thank you", she bowed repeatedly, happiness and gratefulness written all over her face.
She followed him behind, her gaze constantly roamed around the palace, completely awed. The palace was so huge and beautiful, the imposing structure of the buildings rose majestically across the sky.
It was in no doubt way more beautiful than the palace of Badrith. More outstanding.
They went to get her uniform which the palace maid fit in, before going to see the princess.
They passed through several hallways, none uttering a word to another.
Nina was itching to ask him where he was taking her to, but she decided against it. She will get to know soon.
Besides, the man's physique and expression was too intimidating for her.
She quickened her steps, trying to meet up to his fast pace. He works faster like the trained soldier he is.
She caught the fleeting view of the King's wing, immediately recognising it. The king's wing has always been more well built and gallant than any other building in the palace, it indicated the king's supreme power and authority.
Cole stopped in a silent hallway and met her gaze, she gulped.
" Here ", he said, gesturing towards the door.
Nina's heart leaped with joy, she moved forward and knocked on the door gently.
There was no response at first.
" My lady", she said, knocking again.
" Nina ", she heard the princess's voice , her patience snapped.
" Yes my lady. It's me. Open the door ", she rushed her words, not able to contain her excitement.
The door swung open , revealing the princess.
" Nina ", she called surprised.
" My lady "
Nina leaped into the princess' arm, who embraced her in a tight hug.
" Ohh, Nina I thought I will never get to see you again",
" Me too my lady ", Nina gushed.
They disengaged from the hug, now staring at each other in disbelief.
Cole was gone.
Sabrina pulled her former handmaid into her new room, now only the two of them.
" I missed your my lady ",
Sabrina smiled, her first genuine smile since she was taken hostage.
" Me too Nina. I think I will never see you again", she admitted.
It has been one of her fears for days now , not seeing her handmaid again. They had practically grown up together.
" I'm glad to see you again, my lady. I was worried about you",
Sabrina smiled wryly, " I'm doing fine Nina"
The girl frowned, definitely not believing her princess. Her eyes ran over her, a thin line of worry laced her forehead.
" You've lost weight", she pointed.
Sabrina forced a smile, she didn't even notice that. Her thoughts have been preoccupied with her loss and the overwhelming feeling of change. Everything had happened so fast for her to process at once.
From losing her home, to losing her virginity. It has been too much for her.
Hurt seared through her heart as she remembered what she has lost completely, something she can not get back ever again. Her innocence.
What would happen to her if words spread? No man will ever want to marry her again. She has been used by another man who wasn't even married to her. No man will want a half baked princess. If she happens to get out of there, there are things she can never get back again.
Her virginity. Her innocence.
" Are you okay my lady?",Nina asked worriedly, bringing her out of her trance.
She had gone so lost in her thoughts.
" Yes.",she forced a smile, the sadness lingered in her eyes but Nina didn't probe further and she was grateful and relieved. She doesn't want to talk about it.
"What are you doing here Nina ",she asked, the presence of her former handmaid finally sinking in.
Nina smiled," I'll be serving you again lady", she jumped excitedly.
Sabrina stared at her surprised and shocked at the same time. Then she remembered Nina had mentioned being from Zandia to her before.
But why will she be serving her again?
" The king assigned me ", she revealed, confusing her the more.
Why would Damon do that for her? The last time she checked, he had wanted nothing but for her to suffer.
" Why?", she blurted
Nina frowned, " Can I not? Or my lady doesn't want me again?", She asked, her eyes held fear.
Sabrina shook her head , " No Nina. Never, I will never not want you. "
" I know but my lady knows I just don't have anywhere to go ",
Sabrina felt bad, her maid had suffered the cruelty of her father too. She might hate Damon but she will never support her father's fault.
He had made a lot of people suffer.
" I'm sorry Nina", she mumbled lowly.
Nina shook her head, " No my lady. It's not your fault",
" I'm glad to have you here Nina "
" I'm more than glad to be here with you my lady. You are my only family", she said whispering the last part.
Sabrina's heart melted, a genuine and grateful smile lightened her beautiful face.
"You are my family too Nina ", she said.
For the first time since she got to Badrith, she felt hopeful. A tiny ray of hope for her bleak future.
At least she has someone by her side now.
" So tell me Nina , how is the situation at home ?", Sabrina asked curiously, dragging Nina to her bed to sit.
______
" Cole "
His guard rushed in immediately, he is always at his doorpost.
" Your highness"
Time stretched, the king said nothing. He has always been a man of few words, but this time it seems he was in an endless battle with himself.
" Your highness?"Cole called, worried.
"How is the girl? ",
Cole was lost for a moment, then it suddenly happened to him he was referring to the princess' former handmaid.
"She had gotten her uniform and I took her to the princess"
Silence again. He said nothing, he seemed disturbed. His expression was cold as usual but this time much more cold, it almost scared Cole.
" Find out who her mother is. And find out If she might happen to have any family left. ", He ordered coldly.
" Yes your highness",
" You can leave ", he dismissed.
Cole bowed and turned to leave.
" Cole ",
He turned. Time stretched, the king said nothing.
" Inform Sabrina I summon her ", he huffed out finally.
" Yes your highness", he bowed and left.