Claiming The Remnant

Chapter 5

[ Taiya ]

Everything hurt. I lifted my hand to grip my pounding head but it wouldn’t move. Panic washed over me and I opened my eyes to find a group of men staring down at me.

“Ahhhhh,” I screamed “Help! Someone help me please!” I cried out my voice sore and raspy.

A face loomed over me and I was terrified! He looked like a brute.

“Taiya?” He spoke curiously. “Where is the Remnant?” His eyebrows were knitted together and his head tilted to one side.

“I’m not Taiya.” I shrieked trying to look around the room. “Help me please someone, you have the wrong person, I don’t even know a Taiya.” I sobbed.

“Where is the Remnant?” He asked again with more menace. I shrank back sobbing.

“Please, I don’t know anything, I swear, I’ve never even seen a Remnant. Let me go, I beg you.” I strained my neck looking down the table at the straps and restraints on ... on my naked body. Oh no! I blushed deeply at my nudity and began crying harder. “Sir, please, please.” I wailed trying to implore this thuggish man. “The shame, cover me please, the indignity!” I wept, feeling all the eyes on me.

“Enough with the games Taiya, where is the Remnant?” He said harshly, his voice raised.

“My name isn’t Taiya.” I said tears streaming down my face. “There has been some sort of grave misunderstanding sir’s. I haven’t a clue who this Taiya is and if I knew where the Remnant was I would tell you. Honest, a Lady would never lie, it is too vulgar of an action.” I begged.

He raised his hand as if to slap me and I cowered in my restraints.

“Captain.” A man said sharply.

“Your Majesty?” My interrogator said looking at the man behind him. He simply motioned for this vile man to move back, he looked confused but complied and the one he had addressed as ‘Your Majesty’ stepped forward.

“My dear, would you please tell me your name?” He asked me sweetly.

“Oh, your Highness please forgive me, I’m such a state.” I blushed deeply wishing I could cover my nakedness in front of... well everyone but most definitely this Royal. I looked at him, he was handsome with a kindly face, sharp grey eyes and an exceptionally tidy, deeply brown beard. His skin had a warm bronze hue with soft lines and wrinkles around the corners of his eyes. I estimated that he was in his 50’s. I recognised him from somewhere, the name was on the tip of my tongue. “I am Lady Esther Jane Coumbridge, from Durston Valley, Coumbridge Manor. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Grace.”

“Indeed.” He replied, looking at me with a calming smile. “Where is your family Lady Esther?”

“My dear Mother and Father passed 3 winters ago, that awful plague.” I remembered sadly not quite able to bring their faces to mind. “My Brother, Lord Coumbridge, is away on business.”

He nodded politely and I felt at ease in his presence despite the awkwardness of the situation.

“What is the last thing you remember?” His Highness asked me gently.

“I.. I was at the ball.” I said scrunching my face up trying to remember. “All of a sudden there was a ruckus, and people were running and screaming, I don’t really remember...” I trailed off.

“Which ball, Lady Esther?” He spoke softly.

“Duke Bander’s Summer Equinox Ball. I...” I looked at him – recognition flaring in my brain. “You were there, Your Majesty... you’re King Leoré.” I gaped.

“That’s right Lady Esther, I’m King Leoré.” The King confirmed “Do you know where you are now?”

“Am I not still at the Duke’s Estate, Your Majesty? I’m sorry King Leoré but I don’t understand.” My lips trembled and hot tears flowed down my cheeks.

“I will explain Lady Esther but I think perhaps we should get you more comfortable, this isn’t an appropriate setting for a young Lady like you, clearly there has been a mistake.” He started undoing restraints.

“Your Majesty...” The one who he had called Captain started before the King silenced him with a glare.

I tried not to squirm with embarrassment as his fingers grazed my skin. I was so cold and the backs of my legs were stinging and itching. Only when King Leoré undid the last restraint and pulled me to a seated position did I realise, much to my shame, that at some point I had soiled myself.

I sobbed into my hands as I sat in my own filth on the metal table. My shoulders heaved and my chest ached as I wept with abandon, frightened and ashamed.

“Come now My Lady, it’s alright.” The King soothed, before lifting me carefully onto my feet.

“Here.” His Majesty draped his purple cloak around my shoulders, covering my modesty.

“Oh, Your Highness, I couldn’t possibly.” I cried, my legs barely holding me up. The cloak was warm and the colour comforting.

“Now, now Lady Esther, it's the least I can do after such an awful misunderstanding.” The King comforted me. With his hand firmly gripping my shoulder the King began barking orders.

“Healer Asperonin you will personally attend to Lady Esther this evening and once a week. I also want an accomplished Healer to attend to her daily.”

“Of course Your Royal Highness.” Healer Asperonin bowed to the King before exiting along with his following of Healers.

“Zach!” King Leoré shouted.

“Yes, My King.” A thin young man with green hair stepped into the cell bouncing on bare feet.

“Run and find Housekeeper Grace, I want the Turquoise Suite made ready for my guest, she will need a maid, perhaps Han. I want a hairdresser and seamstress by three at the latest, the twins should be available, and get the kitchens to send a hot meal as soon as Lady Esther is bathed.” The moment he stopped speaking Zach dashed out of the room.

“Captain.” His Majesty called.

“Your Highness.” He bowed.

“There will be two guards posted at Lady Esther’s room at all times for her protection and ...” The King shifted slightly to one side as he continued speaking, exposing a tall table with an assortment of very sharp, very scary looking instruments. Were those meant to be for me?

The room began to swim and I couldn’t find enough air.