Apologize to Reign

Reign cried out in pain as the cane connected with her back for the thirtieth time.

"Please stop already!" She screamed but Diana ignored her. The men flogging her looked up at Diana as they stopped. If this went on, this little frail girl might not survive.

"Did I say you can stop? Continue till she spurts out the truth" Reign screamed in pain as the cane landed on her back.

"Reign!" Anna called out with tears in her eyes and was about to run towards Reign when Jess held her back.

"Let me go, I'll volunteer to take the cane for her! Let me go" Jess, who was also crying, shook her head.

"And you think Reign would allow you to do that? Don't be stupid and let's wait for his highness" Anna turned to her with angry eyes.

"He's not coming, can't you see?" Jess was about to reply when she saw a figure storming towards where they were from afar with rage in his stance. Her eyes suddenly widened with happiness.

"Look, he's here" Anna turned around and saw Ares walk in with a clenched fist.

"Stop this now!" He yelled as he walked towards Reign.

Reign used all her strength to turn to him and despite her pain, a smile appeared on her face.

"He came for me," She murmured to herself.

"Ares, you don't have the right to stop my interrogation. Continue'' Ares unsheathed his sword and slashed one of the men flogging Reign across the chest. Reign immediately closed her eyes as the dead man's body fell beside her

"If I have to kill everyone here just to stop this so called Interrogation then I'll do it and trust me, I don't mind" He muttered through clenched teeth.

The other man immediately ran away without looking back while James grabbed his mother's hand. He knew Ares wouldn't hesitate to kill them if this went on.

"Let's leave mother, we have done enough" Diana tried to argue but one look into Ares' eyes sent a chill down her spine. She raised her chin up defiantly before leaving with James.

As soon as they were gone, Ares bent and tried to carry her Reign but immediately stopped when she grimaced.

"Does it hurt that badly?" He questioned softly and she nodded.

"But I'm happy you came for me, Ares" She said with a smile and Ares couldn't help but admire how strong he was.

"I'll always come for you no matter what. I just had to do it the right way and I'm sorry you had to go through this. I'll make sure Diana pays for what she did to you" Just then, Anna and Jess ran towards them and were about to hug her when Ares stopped them.

"Her whole body hurts so hugging her is not a good choice. Help her up instead" They obeyed him then gently helped Reign up from the wooden slate.

Just then, Julian walked up to them.

"I took him to the King and made sure he told the truth before coming here" Julian informed and Ares nodded.

"That's good to hear but I'm not done with him or Diana especially after this" Julian glanced at Reign who was finding it hard to stand straight with blood stains on back.

"What are you going to do?" Ares shrugged.

"I don't know yet but I'm going to think of something. Help them bring Reign back to her room, I'll be there in a sec" He turned to Reign then caressed her face gently before walking away.

"Let's get you cleaned up" Anna murmured as they all led her back to her room.

•

Ares barged into the throne room just in time to see Jacob begging the King for mercy. Just then, Diana and James walked in after him.

"What is going on here?" Diana questioned as she took in the scene in front of her.

The King turned to her with a frown. He couldn't look Ares in the eyes after finding out the truth. Maybe he really was a stupid King.

"Reign hadn't been at fault, she had rather been used in their deceit" Jacob bowed his head in shame as soon as the King said that.

"Now that you know that, how do you feel about how unjustly she was treated? Diana had her flogged mercilessly and for what? I demand an apology from her '' Everyone's eyes widened except Ares.

"What the? I refuse to apologize to you. I did what I thought was….."

"When did I ever say you should apologize to me? You should apologize to Reign" James scoffed.

"Now that's ridiculous. You expect my mother to apologize to a common Maid?" Ares nodded.

"Yes, that's exactly what I expect her to do" Diana clenched her fist.

"Over my dead body" Ares smirked.

"That can be arranged"

"That's enough" The King yelled before Diana could say anything else.

"I know you're used to being an unjust King who does whatever favors him but this is about my betrothed and I won't stand here and watch her be treated unjustly by anyone. Have Diana apologize to her" The King's eyes widened as Ares suddenly resembled his mother at that moment. She always used to scold him when he was being unjust or irrational and always stood for what was right.

He sighed before turning to Diana.

"You will apologize to Reign" Diana's and James' eyes widened while Ares just smirked triumphantly.

"You were the one who gave me the orders to do whatever I wanted with her"

"And that was my mistake. You should apologize on behalf of both of us, Diana" Diana couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"But….."

"Do it now, Diana" Diana couldn't hide the Shock on her face as she stared at the King. She glared at him before storming away.

"For your information, she's in her room!" Ares yelled after her with a sly smile on his face. He turned around and nodded at the King before walking away.

The King smiled slightly. At least, he finally did something right in Ares' eyes.

•

"I'm sorry for being so rash with you. I really thought you were lying" Diana murmured as she spoke to Reign. To everyone else, she sounded sincere but to Ares and James, they both knew how much of an actress Diana really was.

Even though Reign was still in so much pain, she couldn't keep hating on Diana for Long so she smiled and nodded.

"It's okay, Your highness" Diana flashed her a forced smile then turned around and walked out of the room. James immediately followed her with a sigh.

"That was really painful to watch, Mother. You never tell anyone sorry" She turned to him with a raised eyebrow.

"Why does it sound like you're mocking me?" James rolled his eyes.

"I did tell you it wasn't a good idea, now see what happened. You have just been humiliated" Diana sighed.

"It doesn't matter, I got what I wanted anyways" James furrowed his eyebrows.

"Which is?" Diana turned to him with a smirk.

"I've found Ares' weakness"...