REDEMPTION

43. RESPECT.

The tension in the air grew. It's density weighed heavily on the two brothers. They looked at each other briefly, silently communicating. They both knew if things were left as they were, it could spell trouble for the three of them. And the consequences of that were to grave to think about.

“What do we have here?”

They were all backed out of their argument and drawn to the owner of the voice. They immediately paid their respects when they realized who it was. King Mafilso stood there looking at them. The youngsters did not know how long h had been standing there and they did not dare ask. The brothers looked uncomfortable as they stared at the two ladies before them.

Drastacia ignored the challenge she had received earlier and walked toward her father and asked what had brought him there. Her father had been curious by what he had seen. He could not help but winder what would have occurred of he had not happened to appear. He found himself wondering what scene he would have walked into if he had waited.

“It’s been far too long, Your Majesty.” The three greeted simultaneously. They had not expected to meet the king this soon. Shawn could not help but wondering why he was wondering the castle without any escorts.

“Master Shawn, Master Ralph and Young Maiden, It’s been far too long.” He began and continued, “I was wondering what that wave of power was. So I followed it and it led le here. Do you have an idea, why?”

Of course he would wonder what it was. He was the king and by the looks of it, he was among the few that were left standing. Ralph's heart got stuck in his throat. He wondered how they were going to get out of this one. Shawn and Achlysa were calm. They did not react to the question. King Mafilso looked at the waiting for an answer. Drastacia's face was covered in a smile as her brain had cooked up a payback plan.

“The culprit is right there father.” She pointed at Achlysa.

“Is this true?”

“Yes.”

Drastacia was pissed at her answer. Without warning, she had already slapped Achlysa a'd was yelling at the top of her voice condemning her. She question her mannerism and mocked her parents, calling them rats that only taught their daughter to climb ranks by climbing the beds of powerful men. She abused her and was about to hit her when a slap was heard in the hallway.

They all froze. Drastacia held her face, not believing what had just happened. She wanted to talk back when another slap was heard. Tears were on the verge of falling. She wanted to cry but most importantly, she wanted to know why. Why was it only her. Drastacia turned her face to look at him. Her next words needed to be chosen carefully or it would mean trouble.

“My Lady, forgive the insolence of my daughter. I promise it won't happen again.” King Mafilso spoke up.

Drastacia wanted to speak up but stopped. Her father had slightly bowed. This was not right. Why would a King bow to a commoner? She could not make sense of what she was seeing. And no matter, how little she knew, she was sure that her father, the king, never bowed to anyone. He had never yielded to anyone, no matter how dire the situation or the circumstances were.

“Please rise, Your Majesty. No need to worry. Plus, I should be the one apologizing.” She said, trying to feign a smile as she bowed too.

However, her cheek still stung from the slap she had received, hence she failed in her attempt. Shawn who had defended her from Drastacia still looked like he wanted to give her a piece of his mind. He looked disappointed and disgusted. And in the end, all he could do was place his hands behind his back and step aside.

No one had seen it and she was glad. Achlysa really wanted to get over and done with this part of her journey. She did not want to stay there longer than she had to. Mafilso sensed the seizing of a storm that was coming and asked them to follow him. Ralph held out his hand for Achlysa. She did not argue but held onto his cloth. She wanted to avoid hurting him unnecessarily. With her staff behind her back, she trusted Ralph to guide her.

Shawn did not want to talk or walk anywhere near Drastacia so he walked behind Ralph and Achlysa. The king led them with Drastacia at his side. Her cheeks were red from the slaps she had received. Mafilso was not interested in how her daughter was treated. It was not that he did not care but because it would only bring problems of he intervened.

They soon stopped before two large doors. They were painted in black and decorated in gold. The doors opened themselves and they walked in. The room was well lit. It was a small library with a few seats that sat around a coffee table. Mafilso walked to one and took a seat. The rest followed suite.

Ralph sat next to Achlysa, Shawn sat on his own and so did Drastacia. Mafilso looked at them and sighed. He thought how stupid they looked but could not help remembering his younger days. He had to set things straight between these youngsters.

“My dear, why are you so worked up?” He asked sensing that it had began with her.

“LOOK AT HER! She clings to every man she sees. She already has Prince Bendra wrapped around her little finger and now she wants what doesn't even belong to her.”

“That’s where you are wrong.” Shawn intercepted.

“I agree. You are wrong. First, Shawn is your mate and he did not reject you even after you almost caused a war between two kingdoms. Second, you are misunderstanding the situation. Third, you should apologize to her.”

Drastacia did not understand why she was the one being punished. Her father's tone light have been kind but she knew better. He only used a kind tone when he was really mad at someone. And when he was at his limit. She had to call herself first before she spoke.

“I am sorry for my actions. May I know why you are traveling with her?” Drastacia asked the brothers. They both shifted.

“We are looking for Audrey. She went missing right before our parents were killed. Mother asked us to find and follow her.” Ralph answered.

They were silent. That was a topic none of them had wanted to go to. Their wounds had not healed but they were forced to relive it. Drastacia lowered her eyes, ashamed of her behavior. A darkness covered Mafilso's face. Ralph still felt useless from all that had happened but what could he do?

“Any leads?” Mafilso asked and they all looked at her.

“Yes, Your Majesty. To find someone, one must first know their origin.”