ACCEPT YOUR PUNISHMENT

The punishment ground, otherwise called the ground of thorns, had the Queen, Princess, Man-uel, and Clephas present. Kitanna sat far from the Queen, with Clephas sitting just behind her. On the other side, Almaria sat comfortably on her enormous chair, well decorated to block the view of others behind. Man-uel sat on a stool beside the Queen. Two court ladies continued fanning the Queen gently, and the palace guards positioned themselves to protect the crown.

The mute-expressionless-boulder-looking guard walked with authority. He didn't look like someone going to receive punishment. If anyone was new to the palace, they will mistake him to be the king. He walked to stand on the lower ground and waited to hear his punishment.

Kitanna had a mischievous smile glued to her face. She stood up and looked at the Queen.

"Long live the reign of the crown, and best health to Queen Almaria of Morado," Kitanna bowed like a diligent daughter.

Almaria did not make any comments, she knew better than to enjoy the praises of the princess. That sly little thing. The queen bit her lips in anger.

The princess turned to look at her prey, she was going to enjoy every bit of the show.

"Receive your punishment now. Strip him of his upper garment, soak his skin with water, and whip him fifty-three times," Kitanna bowed, feeling so proud of herself.

The guard turned, and for the first time, he said something.

"Long live the Queen," his voice as deep as the sea. Little wonder he keeps mute. His voice is enchanting and can lure one to do unexpected things. Kitanna kept her stand and an evil grin.

She sat back on her seat comfortably. To Kitanna, nothing sounds better than causing the Queen a headache.

"Don't you think the punishment is too much for the young man, my princess?" Clephas whispered, looking horrified, and at the same time, bowing in respect to the royal seed.

"Don't worry, if the queen cares, she will object but then again she only loves herself and the crown. I'm sure she won't mind" Kitanna replied locking eyes with the guard.

Nix stood steadily on the ground, this won't be the first time he has had whipping in form of training, if he dreads just a little whipping he has no right to protect the crown. Nix packed his long silver hair up and thrusted his sword on the ground and with one tear he ripped his upper garment, revealing his sturdy and masculine chest. He walked to the maid servant who was supposed to drench him with water but the frail lady looked like she was in a trance. Nix grabbed the jar and soaked himself ignoring the ogling eyes of the girl.

The maidservant lost in her own universe searching for an alternative means to breathe was brought back to earth when another servant nudged her. Nix walked to the center and knelt down, his blue eyes maintaining tranquility.

The whip master arrived with his whip soaked with animal blood. He bowed to the royals and the queen signalled him to continue.

When the whip master raised his whip, the blood splattered on Nix, and stained his silver hair, he raised his head and tried to shake off the blood from smudging his eyes. But that was not the image others had in mind especially Clephas.

"Wow!! Look at that panther!!" Clephas let his intrusive thoughts win. "Who knew someone like that has been protecting the queen?" he said, grinning.

"Well...well...well...what do we have here? Clephas, I had no idea that not having 'it' makes you attracted to people with 'it'," Kitanna said, making an inside joke that left her giggling loudly. Clephas blamed himself for letting his intrusive thoughts win. He turned to look at the guard receiving the heavy lashes, but the guard still held no expression.

When Nix heard the princess giggle, he looked up and caught her enjoying the show. He furrowed his brows and gritted his teeth when the whip landed on his back again.

Almaria watched as the lashes landed on the man's back. She didn't understand why Kitanna was bent on making her annoyed. That obnoxious little thing!. She turned to look at what Kitanna was doing, most of time she wasn't watching the punishment. Kitanna was either laughing with her enunch or yawning. Then why did she act like she was very angry or was she trying to take out her hate for her, the queen on the people closer to her? Almaria thought to herself. After a while she got tired and left the ground.

Man-uel followed suit, looking at the guard with pity and mockery. With pity, because once anyone becomes a prey to the princess, she never lets go and he was happy because, the guard was finally receiving punishment. The queen always made sure he was treated even far better than anyone in the palace. At some point Man-uel thought they were having an affair. But seeing that the queen did not save him from being punished means he was wrong.

Kitanna continued to enjoy the show, even when the queen left she didn't leave the ground until the last whip was given. She smiled and basked in the great moment. Kitanna was angry with her mother but at the same time she wanted to make sure the guard saw that she was happy with his plight maybe that way he will make an expression or even beg her for forgiveness. But that did not happen. Kitanna gave the guard a hard stare filled with hate and distaste; she thinned her lips when their eyes met, before she left the ground of thorns. Clephas turned to the guard and gave him a warm smile before trotting behind the princess.

Nix stood up and bowed without any expression still. He looked at the place where the princess was sitting before. Nix did not understand why someone enjoyed other people's pain. Except she was a masochist, the girl looked too fragile to have issues. Nix thought to himself.

He steadily got up from the ground and let is hair down.