Chapter Five: Frog Face

The rhythm played continuously in her head. Her brain chanted punishment continuously as they walked towards the barrack. Being flogged was one thing she hated most in her life, but she had to do it. Her brother was her only possession.

The barrack as usual was filled with numerous soldiers as they practiced intensely. Was a war about to happen? They looked serious as they clang their swords against each other. Temporarily, she had forgotten what she was here for, not until her eyes sighted Luciana.

Walking towards their direction, Lucinda heartbeat changed rhythm to something undescribable. Lucinda wondered what she was doing here? Did she come here to watch her get punished? As she got closer, Lucinda could feel her heart burn with the look that was in Luciana's eyes.

Animosity, Annoyance, irritation, and so many more fluttered in her eyes as her gaze never left Lucinda's. Halting before her, she scoffed as she took a look at her from her head to her toes.

A new delivered toothless baby would grow teeth immediately after sighting Luciana. She was just….

One thing that bothered her the most was why they hated her. Although, she knew it was because of her mother's demise, but she had nothing to do with what happened to her. No matter how hard to think about it, they hated her for another unknown reason. Something she doesn't know of.

If she should ever be born in the next life, she would never near this family. Even mentioning their name, she would take her heels and go somewhere more safe and peaceful. This house was a hell for her. An invisible hell was burning in this palace.

"I hope you enjoy your punishment" Her voice echoed in Lucinda's ear drums, causing the girl to snap back to her senses. Processing what she just said, confusion was a meteor crushing on her. Lucinda was dumbfounded. What was she going to enjoy? She was going to be flogged and not going to eat pancakes!

Thinking about pancakes, her head began to float in the sky.

" 30 strokes wouldn't do you any bad, isn't it?" Luciana said when she saw that 'Careless' look on her face. She didn't seem bothered about her punishment but, little did she know that Lucinda was daydreaming about pancakes.

In her dream, Luciana's words jolted her, and she was forced to drown in reality.

"What?!!! 30?" She exclaimed, and that was what Luciana was actually waiting for. Lucinda couldn't believe her ears. Even if she was aware, she was going to be flogged, expected less than 5 and not multiples of 5. Oh, no! What did they call her?

Seeing her reaction, Luciana was happy and satisfied. She wanted to keep the fire burning.

"Well, you should have thought twice before laying your hands on me. I can't wait to see get flogged." She said as she wiggled her eyebrows, causing Lucinda to gape.

Mercy was far away from her blood! Did her creator not give her sympathy? ABA!!

"You must be joking, right?" Lucinda laughed it all out as she tapped Luciana, causing the girl to explode.

"Stop that!! Do I look like I'm joking? I'm going to increase it with five!" Luciana hollered and immediately, Lucinda coiled her humble self as she looked scared immediately.

Despite everything, even the devil knows that she wouldn't receive more than two flogs. She wasn't a scape goat to be flogged that way. Never!! Even the devil will be powerless at that point.

"Take her away!" Luciana ordered and instantly, they grabbed Lucinda's arm, tending to drag her away. Taking a step, a voice stopped them, and they halted in their tracks.

"What's going on here?" A tall man with messy beard and hair walked towards them with his hands on his waist as he asked in a deep voice. Moving closer to them, he smelled of liquor. Lucinda was intoxicated with the disgusting smell.

"And who are you to interfere? You stink… go take a bath!!" Luciana yelled out, causing the man and Lucinda to be stunned. Even if he smelt bad, she shouldn't have voiced it out. Well, as usual, this girl lacked manners.

"Are you taking to me, Princess?" Despite the embarrassment, the man smiled as he spoke calmly. Lucinda smiled too. She didn't expect this from him, she wanted him to give her a rocket slap making her find herself on the moon, but he did otherwise.

"Then who am I talking too? A pig looks better than you" Luciana retorted as she hissed. Lucinda was embarrassed as she went face down.

"So sorry for her behavior, sir. We will go our way" Lucinda said after the man didn't reply Luciana. Just taking a step, the man ordered her to stop.

"Don't move!" He said, and they all screeched.

Then he turned to Luciana.

"You frog the face! How dare you disrespect me!! How dare you disrespect a king!!" Lucinda shivered as the man yelled at Luciana. She never knew that this man had this part of him, but who could blame him? Luciana crossed her limit.

"King? You look nothing than an errand boy to me!" Luciana said. Oh, shit!! Lucinda wished she could just shut her mouth by just blinking her eyes.

"Really? Let go of her and take this frog instead. She will be the one getting flogged" The man said, and immediately the guards released her and captured Luciana. The girl blinked in mystification.

"What are you doing? Daddy???" She cried out and, turning left, King Herald was running like a helpless man begging for arms.

"Yes baby" He ran towards her as he sent pleading looks to the strange man. Lucinda wondered Who he was? And what made him deserve such respect despite his looks.