Punishment

"Wait," Rishi said suddenly when they almost reached the door.

Ramesh and the doctor turned around. "Yes, Your Highness?" Ramesh asked.

"Will she be able to wake up anytime soon?" Rishi asked.

"No Your Highness. She is weak and also due to the treatment she won't be able to wake up until tomorrow," the doctor said.

Rishi waved them goodbye saying, "That's good!".

After sometime two soldiers came to the meeting hall at the inn as the news spread about the sudden arrival of the Prince into the town.

"Greetings Your Royal Highness!" the soldiers bowed.

Rishi nodded and said, "There is a woman next door. Imprison her and take her to the Prison Headquarters. I will come soon and investigate her personally."

"As you command, Your Highness." the soldiers responded.

"Also make sure you don't remove her blindfold. Take extra soldiers with you. She is a witch, so you need to be very careful on your way. Remember, one stupid mistake can cost lives," Rishi said.

"We will make sure no mistakes are made, Your Highness," soldiers said in unison.

"Good. You may leave," Rishi said.

After the soldiers left the room, a few people came and greeted Rishi. They are the higher order of the town.

"Care to explain, why only one officer reported the mishappenings in the town? Guess I should take it as the rest of you have all been neglecting your duties," Rishi said calmly.

"Apologies Your Highness. It's not like that. We thought that it was just a rumour," one of them replied.

"Rumour?? Did it sound silly? Definitely not. What if there are many of those witches? What if things got out of control? " Rishi asked.

Everyone lowered their heads in shame and no one dared to speak.

"Now, that only officer is going to be rewarded and the rest.." Rishi trailed off by looking at everyone.

Everyone held their breath and looked at Rishi with pleading eyes.

"You may retire," Rishi said.

Everyone's eyes widened with shock and they didn't dare raise their voices. They know they haven't done their job properly.

"Please don't do this to us, Your Highness. It is just a small matter," the head of the town spoke.

Rishi frowned and said, "Seems like you don't understand the situation yet. There had been a witch wandering in this town and manipulating a person but you are still saying this is a small issue?"

"So for you, what's a big issue like? Innocent people's death? Or the whole town burning in one night?" Rishi sneered.

The head didn't get words to say and stood there silently. He realized how worse the situation could've turned out to be.

"Give us one chance, You Highness. We won't repeat this next time," one of the heads spoke.

"Oh.. So you say, there's a next time..?" Rishi raised his eyebrows.

"No no Your Highness. I mean, we will cut the problem at its roots next time," the head hurriedly said and continued, "Also please let us make the rumours stop once and for all. Give us a chance to do things right."

"Sure, make things right. But for now, you are all suspended from your positions. A committee will be formed to list the worthful candidates for the job from which I select a few. Until then this town will be managed by a minister from the King's court. He will be here soon," Rishi said.

"One more thing. I only made you jobless. If I find you're up to anything that threatens the peace in the kingdom, the punishment would be so ruthless like you can never imagine. Now, you may leave," Rishi warned them.

Everyone left the room without speaking anything. Once they got out of the room they took some air freely. 'Hah.. It is too suffocating' everyone thought and left the place with the lives they felt, spared.

Sometime later, Rishi went back to his room. Raj was sitting on the bed and drinking water.

"How are you feeling now?" Rishi asked, walking towards him.

"Little tired.." Raj replied.

He is having nightmares about the morning events and he woke up suddenly.

"What's happening Rishi? I tried to kill you.. Apart from that, I didn't know what I was doing," Raj said.

Rishi sighed and asked, "What else you remember?".

"I.. I saw a woman on a tree but before I told you that, something unknown happened. After that, I remember nothing. It's just all blank. Did.. did you find that woman?" Raj asked seriously.

Rishi nodded and said, "Yes. She is the witch we were looking for. She took you under her spell and turned you against me. No wonder you don't remember anything."

"Oh no.. That damn woman! How can she do that? What if I've become retarded? I am not even married. What if she made me marry her? She'd make me a slave to her. My handsomeness would've just gone in vain. Wha...."

Rishi is speechless for Raj's way of thinking.

'He doesn't even care about me? For God's sake! You nearly killed me, don't you understand?' Rishi thought to himself and slapped his forehead.

"Don't you have a piece of shame in you, Raj?" Rishi snapped.

"What? Why are you blaming it on me? Don't you have shame man? How can you leave me like that? What if those things happened really? Where is that damn Witch? I will tear her apart now?" Raj asked while clenching his fists tightly.

"You.. Do you have any idea? You almost killed me!" Rishi asked while pointing his fingers to his nose.

"What's wrong with you? You are fine and kicking. Do you know how much I would have suffered? Did that witch do anything to you at all?" Raj asked.

"Seriously.. Just sleep you damn brat." Rishi said and kicked him before leaving the room.

"You! How dare you kick me? I am a patient here. Don't you care? Come back!" Raj shouted.

"Whatever.." Rishi said before leaving him alone.

After Rishi left the room, Raj laid down on the bed and his eyes slowly drenched with tears.

'I am sorry Rishi. I promise it won't happen ever again' Raj thought to himself before wiping his tears.