BLAZE

PUNISHMENT

Abria

As the sun rose in the sky, and my alarm clock went berserk. To be honest, it was so irritating to my nerves that I threw the damn alarm clock at the adjacent wall. It smashed into pieces but at least, it stopped. Then I noticed the time on the wall clock which was hanging on the opposite wall and it stated the time as five in the morning.

I covered my eyes and tried to duck inside the duvet, but nothing seemed to work this time. So, I sighed and sat on the bed while I rubbed my temples gently. I didn't get any sleep last night and now this headache won't let me rest in peace. Ah… I wish I chose to be in prison rather than accepting a punishment to improve my image in front of other royals.but i have to pay for the damage i did that day. Why do I have to react to everything someone has to say? I shouldn’t have been made on that crazy redhead b***h.

As I started to think and see positives about this place, something terrible happened, even That queen, when I started to like her or at least she was tolerable, she showed me a side which I wasn't expecting. It won't be a lie if I say I was scared. The way she looked ferociously at me, and the iris of her eye started to change colours… it was clear that i was going out of line. Glad that I surrendered in time.

Anyway, if i keep thinking about the accident that happened yesterday and stayed a bit longer in bed, i will get late and most probably, I will be dragged to the court by the ice. So, I threw the duvet away and rushed to the bathroom to do my business and have a warm bath.

Though it was really inviting and relaxing, I left the bathtub in a hurry to get dressed before the queen's acquaintances appeared to take me to the court with them. I better not think too much about it. Wrapping the towel around my body and jumping into the wardrobe, I stood confused to glance at so many dresses hanging in the store. They were all elegant and classy but what am I supposed to wear? This is such a drag… i am not a picky one in clothes but i should really wear something decent.

My head was aching and I haven't had anything since yesterday… and I will not eat unless I hear my punishment. I gritted my teeth and pulled my hair in frustration. Then I noticed a simple black dress in the corner of the wardrobe. It was a high neck dress with long sleeves and knee length.. I paired it with fleeced stockings and wrapped a tan shade coat. I left my hair loose and slipped ankle length boots. No time for makeup to look presentable in the court… it doesn't matter if i wore makeup or not.. I am going to be screwed..

Once I was satisfied with my final look, I left the mess in the room and headed out to start running faster to reach the court but then s**t happened… I forgot the way to the court? And where is the court? Haven’t been there before?… ah… damn it.. now i am in trouble because i can't seek help and nobody is going to help me either. I cannot rely on Dwyn to help me in this issue because the queen strictly ordered her to stay away from this case. She knew Dwyn would take my side and would help me…

What am I supposed to do now? Relax, Abby… breathe… breathe.. It will be fine.

Yeah… it worked and I gained my confidence back, so I started looking at the court again. Roaming in the empty corridors and I wondered where the guards and others went? It was really strange to see the whole damn place empty… I understand that I woke up early today and it is normal not to see any resident roaming in the corridors or hallways but the guards should be on duty.

What is the catch? Is this some sort of test that i have to find the court on my own… is that so, then i will find it… I love taking challenges and I will consider this one as a challenge itself.

I checked the time and it was almost six in the morning… I have to reach the court by half past six. I do have some time left in my cart so I will use it carefully. Now, it's time to use my powers and my skills that I have learned with Carmen.

I stood calmly in the middle of the hallways and closed my eyes. Focusing my powers and enhanced skill to find the nearest source of commotion. My mind started to travel in different directions and I was really surprised that I didn't hear anything so far… so, I increased the intensity of my mind's stimulation and heard a faint commotion outside a huge hall… the picture of the hall's gate was saved in my memory.

I opened my eyes and let my subconsciousness take me to the place. It wasn't so far and the clean runway made it easier for me to reach the hall.

The gates were closed and I was hesitant to open them because behind these doors, I know the queen is waiting for me and she must be holding the scroll of my punishment.

There is no place to turn my back, not now. I tried earlier and now I see where I am standing. I will face this too as I have faced everything…

So I pushed the door and opened them. I stepped inside and my own footsteps were echoing. It was really fascinating and terrifying as my steps echoed in a place full of people.

Is that really possible or is it just a trick my mind is playing with me?

Everyone was looking at me with their heated gaze and I felt it too. It made me suffocate here but I will bear it as long as I can. My gaze was glued to the queen sitting on her throne, in front of me. She was staring at me too.

I lowered my head and waited for a command.

"I am impressed that you finally found the court on your own… but this won't make your punishment easy for you.." she said while observing my movements.

I knew there is a catch for all this s**t they are putting me through but there is only one way to find it out.

"I don't want it easy either. The severe the punishment, the higher the status of its outcomes." I started while glaring at the floor's tile.

"It's good that you are willing to take responsibility for your own actions. If you had done that earlier, we wouldn't need to come here." She jabbed at me.

"Can we proceed to the next part?" I wanted to make it short, as much as possible."

"Of course… so, we will not waste more time here and proceed with the punishment which is acted for Abria…" she said without making any eye contact.

One of the servants brought the scroll. I took it from them and opened it slowly… my jaw hung down as i saw what was written in it…

"What is it?" The queen asked me as if she was clueless. Nice acting.. I should have awarded her with Oscars.

"Seriously?" I asked her with raised brows.

"Yes… now read it out loud so everyone can hear it too…" said the queen. She is definitely enjoying humiliating me?

Is she really smart or just being stupid? Well, no time to think about it… I read it aloud…

"I, Abria… daughter of Kingdom Verglasia… in charge of my actions. Today, I came to court to clean up my sins and in order to do that, I have to accept the punishment. I will be helping the kitchen staff to cleanse my sins and then I will feed poor babies ...."

What the f**k? What the actual f**k is this? Is that what you say a punishment? Seriously?

“So, are you happy with that punishment or do you want to add anything in that?” the queen asked me while she locked her gaze with mine.

“I really expected something different but I guess it will be fine…” there is no option for me. I have to accept it or get more punishment for not accepting it…

I will not let it go down with the flames.