Chapter 24 - Gruesome.

Rei and Ben followed Lydia to a plain white building which is actually an infirmary for all the 'Maiden' in the garden. After entering the infirmary, they heard a miserable cry of a young girl, following the cry, they reached the treatment room and saw a teenage girl that looks less than fourteen years old, writhing and crying in pain on the treatment table.

"Is this girl one of the 'Maiden' here? She looks a bit too young to be one." said Ben as he started wearing a pair of gloves.

"I'm not sure about that, she was brought to me by another older maiden. By right, I shouldn't be bothering you about our matters here but she might die if I left her untreated," said Lydia as she slightly opened the girl's clothes, exposing her belly that is slightly bloated with aggressive squirming movements.

"This looks like an infection of some deadly parasites that are used in black magic," said Ben as he carefully touched the girl's squirming belly.

Suddenly, the movement of her belly become even more aggressive which caused the girl's body to start twitching.

Slightly startled by the sight, Rei unconsciously stepped back.

"Don't look if you are scared, this can be quite gruesome," said Ben as he noticed Rei's fear.

"I will get someone to escort you back to your ro..."

"Aaaahhhh!!!"

The girl started screaming in pain before Ben could finish his words. Due to the extreme pain, the girl urinated and soiled herself.

"Aaahhhh... Mama... Please forgive me... Aaahhh... It hurts... I am sorry... I wouldn't do it again... Aaaahhhh!!! Noooo!!! Please make it stop!!!"

All of a sudden, the girl shouted in the Qin language.

Ben and Lydia stared at each other upon hearing the Qin's language from the girl, both of them looks confused.

Then, without any warning, the girl started vomiting out some 'fat and juicy' worms mixed with her own blood.

First time seeing such horrifying stuff, Rei was terrified by the sight. At that moment, the only thing stuck in her head was to turn away and run out of the treatment room, however, due to the extreme fear, her legs tremble so badly that she was unable to move even for an inch, needless to say running away. She wants to close her eyes but her whole brain was blanked out by that overwhelming fear. The only thing she could do was to continue watching that terrifying scene as tears slide down her pale cheeks.

Suddenly, a clean and warm hand blocked her sight.

"Don't look, it's a pollution to your eyes." said that gentle voice she had been quite familiar with.

Rei slowly turned around and saw that clean and nice-looking face of the King, he looks worried and concerned.

"Your Majesty..." said Rei, in a shaky voice.

"Let's get out of this place, I don't like the atmosphere here." said the King as he gently escorted Rei out of the treatment room.

Before leaving the room, the King gave a fierce leer to Ben who looks a bit remorseful...

***

The King escorted Rei out from the 'Flower Garden' and brought her to a nearby arbour to have a rest.

"Are you alright?" The King asked as he gently wiped Rei's seemingly unstoppable tears that dropped like a broken pearl necklace.

Rei nodded without saying a single word.

"I am sorry for letting you witness such a horrifying sight, but that 'garden' is really not a place you should step into. Seriously, what the hell is in Ben's head when he brought you to that place?" said the King, who sounds a bit angry.

"No... It has nothing to do with Dr Ben, I am the one that asked him to bring me to that place..." said Rei, who is trying to cover up for Ben.

"You don't need to lie for him, I know that person well enough. Moreover, both Jade and An Er have told me that it's Ben the one who suggested a visit to that place." said the King.

"Jade and An Er?" Rei asked, slightly confused and surprised.

"Yes, I was looking for you just now in your place but you were not there. I immediately rushed to you as soon as they told me that Ben brought you to the 'Flower Garden', but it seems like I was a bit too late, and you have witnessed that awful sight..." said the King, a bit remorseful.

"You were... looking for me?" Rei asked, rather surprised.

"Mmm... I have something for you. But since I was in rush just now, I kind of left it in your place." said the King, with an awkward smile.

"Heh? Something for me? But, Your Majesty, why do you have to send it by yourself? You must be quite busy right now, right? You can just get someone else to hand it to me." said Rei, a bit concerned.

"Well, this time it's a bit different. I mean... You do took that pastry to me by yourself, right? So, I believe it is not wrong for me to do so as well. Most importantly, it's... a special gift." said the King.

"Ah... Now I am really curious what kind of special gift it is, Your Majesty," said Rei, with a smile.

"You finally smiled. It's really heartbreaking to see your tears. Since you are alright now, I guess I should send you back to your place." said the King with a warm and gentle smile.

Rei nodded and as her face slightly blushed...

***

After a short while, the King escorted Rei back to her own room and they have a small talk with each other in Rei's room as all Rei's three maids were giggling in excitement outside the room.

"Your Majesty, is this the special gift you were talking about?" Rei asked while holding a delicate oak wood box that is decorated with silver edging.

"Mmm... Open it up and see if you like it." said the King with a gentle smile.

Rei nodded before carefully opening the box fearing that she might accidentally damage that delicate box.

After she opened the wooden box, she was greeted by a nice woody aroma that mixed with a subtle fruity note before seeing that elegant swan which is perfectly sculptured with black wood...