Have they been touched?

Zavian frowned;

''Herbs? For what? '' No one was sick, and she was not injured before that time, so what was she doing with herbs?

Neera was silent for a second, then she continued; ''It was my time of the month, and it hurt a lot, so I needed some herbs to ease the pain so I would not be a burden to everyone. '' Well, she was not totally lying, but the only difference was that it was already her last day.

Zavian became quiet immediately and the anger he had come with earlier was replaced with worry. He wanted to ask if she was still in pain and still needed the herbs, but he stopped himself.

''Lie back down. '' He ordered and Neera lay back on the bed. Turning to Adeline, he said;

''She is not to do work from now till we go back to the castle, is that understood?''

''Yes, your majesty. '' Adeline bowed as she replied. Her head remained bowed until Zavian left the tent.

''Thank you Neera. '' Adeline said as she heaved a sigh of relief; ''the king would never have forgiven me for that. '' she smiled.

''Don't forget your promise. '' Neera said. She did not care if Adeline was dead or alive, she just wanted to live peacefully.

Adeline nodded; ''Sure I will not forget. Thank you. '' she said again before she left the room. The remorseful look on Adeline's face disappeared the moment she was out of the tent, and she smiled as she walked away. She was going to let her be for now until they went back to the castle, when it would be too late to report her to the king.

Adeline chuckled; she knew Neera would not bear to see her get killed, so she had checked on her every second to be the first to talk to her when she woke up, and quickly plead with her before the King would see her. Smiling at her victory, she walked away.

After everyone left, Neera closed her eyes to sleep but was awakened by another maid.

''Neera, your meal is ready.'' the girl said as she placed the tray in front of her. This was the first time Neera was getting served in her entire life. Now she kind of liked that she got injured. At least she would rest till they went back returned to the castle.

''Thank you,'' Neera said as she sat up on the bed. The maid stared at her for a while, then she said,

''you should have told the king the truth. That was your only chance of getting rid of that witch, but you let it go.''

Neera looked at the girl in surprise. She did not know someone else knew about it.

''I overheard her pleading with you to not let the king know she was the one who sent you to the woods. Do you think someone who is vile enough to want soul eaters to kill you would change anytime soon?''

The maid asked, but Neera did not reply. She just quietly ate her food.

''Before you came to the castle, Adeline had caused the death of three maids,''

That was when Neera looked up; ''what?''

''Yes, she had blackmailed them and they were executed, and she is planning to do the same with you,''

Neera was surprised. Maybe she made a mistake by saving her.

''If I knew she was the one who had sent you to the woods, I would have told the King when he asked, but I only knew this morning, and it was already too late.''

''I have lied to the king already. I cannot go back on my words unless I would be in bigger trouble,'' Neera said.

''Yes, that is true.'' the girl paused; ''my name is Kira. I am from Darish. Where are you from?''

Neera smiled; ''Arcelia,'' she was happy that the girl was talking to her. Now she had someone else to talk to.

''I'm 20. How old are you?''

''I am 19, I will be 20 in a few months,'' Neera said. Kira nodded and stood up; ''If you need anything, you can talk to me.''

Neera nodded; ''Thank you.'' she said and continued eating.

The sun has risen in the sky when Neera stepped out of the tent. Her head had stopped bleeding, and she was no longer having headaches. The soldiers were in small groups and talking amongst themselves. She looked around, but the king was not among them.

On the other side were the maids. Walking to where Kira was, she smiled;

''I want to go to the stream for a wash. Do you mind accompanying me?'' The king made sure they had camped near a source of water, so they won't be out of water. The stream was near to where they camped, but Neera did not want to be there alone. She had not gotten over the trauma of the previous night.

''Okay. '' Kira nodded and followed her.

When they got to the stream, Kira sat on a rock as she watched Neera take off her clothes.

Neera was a little shy, even though they all washed together in the maids' washroom back in the castle. Being in the open with Kira looking at her with her hands crossed in front of her made her uncomfortable.

Kira noticed her fumbling with her clothes, and she said; ''you have to wash quickly if you do not want anyone seeing you.'' They had gone to a hidden corner in the stream to wash. No one was there, but Kira was not sure for how long they would be alone. Soon the soldiers would want to have their bath..

Neera nodded and took off the remaining of her dress, and entered the water.

''You have perfect breasts. Have they been touched before?''

Neera's eyes flew open in shock as she stared at Kira, who was asking as though it was a normal question.

''Oh… I guess not. '' she smiled.