4 Chapter Four

When I felt a sharp pain on my leg ,I suddenly woke up only to realize that I was already in Mugal .The hand maidens were massaging my legs with hot water and some were cleaning my bruises .I don't know how I got there but I can recall that I fainted out of tiredness, but how I got to Mugal was what I didn't know .I was wearing a new dress and i guessed the hand maidens put it on me .I couldn't move ,because I was really weak so I slept off .

Good morning Queen Krystal ,it was the same hand maiden who was cleaning my bruises last night .She came to prepare a bath for me and she assisted me as well .She decked me up and adorned me in riches and wealth .She smeared rose oil on my skin and helped me put on my shoes .

I know you are weak my queen but it is necessary for you to attend the welcome ceremony .Each time a new bride is brought home ,all the other queens come to welcome her by giving her jewelries .That is why you have been decked up like this and henceforth ,this is how you will dress .

What's your name ? ,I asked as she continued to fix my hair .

Laura ,she answered politely .

There was no doubt she was a beautiful hand maiden and she was very obedient as well .She answered each of my questions with a wild smile and for a short period of time ,I felt as if I had a companion who could understand me .

When you arrived last night ,you had passed out probably because of the pain you were put through .You were dragged into the kingdom like a slave and not a princess and that too ,all covered in mud .I came to your rescue and brought you into your chamber and took care of you till you woke up .

Laura ,why did you help me last night ?

Henceforth ,I will be the head hand maiden who would be assisting you in your chamber .When a new bride is announced to come home ,handmaidens and guards are selected for her before she arrives .We were all standing in front of the gate waiting for your arrival .

It's time to send you to the hall ,my queen .A guard said bowing his head, and quickly he left .

He is David ,your head servant who will guide you wherever you go .He is going to be your shield henceforth .

"My shield " ,I thought sarcastically as I innocently wrote that into my diary but he was not the shield I wanted to have because there was no connection between us .

How many guards and maidens do I have taking care of me ?

I will explain everything to you once you are back from the event .

I could hardly walk because my feet were hurting and my bruises were hurting as well .The only difference was that ,I was covered up in clothes to make it invisible .

Careful ,Laura said holding me by the hand .I know you are in pain but you have no choice but to endure it .Other queens have suffered more than you have but they endured it because they didn't want to be tortured or killed .My queen ,you have been titled as a queen but in this kingdom ,even queens are treated like trash when they disobey the King's orders .Women are not given any priority or importance so if you want to survive in this kingdom as a queen then you would have to pay heed to the King's orders otherwise ,you will be tortured more than you have been now .Your father has sold you off so he can't even rescue you .

Forget about my father Laura ,he became dead to me when he sold off my sister and I and murdered my mother .He's disgusting and I will never forgive him for his actions .

You are right Laura ,I can't keep on sobbing and crying every now and then ,I will have to be strong and face every problem that befalls me in this kingdom .Let's go ,I said to her enduring the pain and wearing a false smile across my face .I don't know where this courage came from but I was determined to fight for all my loved ones .I couldn't save my sister and mother from this torturous fate of theirs but I will do something to get myself out of this situation ,I promised myself as i made my way to sit by King Duxan at the ceremonial hall where the event was held .