Charged with Treason Punished with Slavery PART17 (A glimpse)

I awoke the next morning stiff and groggy. My back was sore, as well as my injured shoulder. I got out of bed and stretched. I yawned my hair fell down over my shoulders. I had removed it from that braid in the night but redid it for the day. I preffered to wear my hair down as I always had, but I wasn't making the rules for myself anymore. The bell that had woken me sounded again and I groaned.
"Im sure we're all up, stupid bell people ugh."
I got out of my sleeping dress and got a new outfit out of the dresser. It was a replica of what I had worn the day before. I now imagined my life, cleaning everyday, wearing the same thing, running around doing errands. A dark sadness crept over me. Never to ride my horses free again like I had imagined when I was looking at the statue. I bit my lower lip my throat catching. I would not cry. Feeling sorry for myself wouldn't get me anywhere. But I still could shake the bitter feeling that now clung to my insides. I changed into my uniform for the day checking my back before I did. Most of the green goo was gone, but the wounds seemed to be healing rather quickly and looked like the wouldn't even scar. Strange, but I didn't really feel like pondering it anyfurther and so I dressed and emerged from my room and ate a quick breakfast to receive a new list from ms. Price. I soon realised that she didn't even ask me my name ever. But I suppose she didn't really care. She didn't seem to like me much, my outdoor roughness, and then she thought I had actually done the crime I was accused of.

As I started off on my first task which was to scrub the marble floor of the dining room, I wondered if I would see the prince again. Wait. Why did I care? He was just a guy. And one that would never talk to me anyway. But I had wanted to ask about the horse statue. Maybe he liked horses too? I dissmissed the thought and continued my scrubbing. In the next room I overheard conversation from under the door. I recognized the voice of the wretched king, and the voice of the prince.

"She's the girl who stole our prized mare, why?"

..Wait were they talking about me? I stopped scrubbing to lean my ear agains the door

"Really? Oh interesting," the prince responded.

"Thats not an answer." The king said, "why do you like her??"

"She was rather appealing," the prince spoke, "and those two new horses, those are hers as well?"

.....why were they talking about my horses?!?

"Yes they are. Nice for belonging to someone so poor. She probably stole those as well. You know son if you want you can have her as your personal servant."
There was something in the king's voice I didn't like about that statement and I held my breath waiting to hear the prince's answer. What I heard instead was someone clearing their throat behind me.
I turned and looked up to see Bulls smirking down at me. My facial expression must have been good because he closed his eyes and shook his head smiling. I nervously cleared my throat and stood.
"Its um its....not..."
"Exactly what it looks like?" Bulls questioned.
"Im sorry," I said, "I couldn't help it."
"Well you better try and start helping it," Said Bulls growing serious. "I can't always be bailing your pretty little butt out of trouble got it?"
I Nodded, "so Im not in trouble?"
"Not this time, but if a different guard were to catch you then it would probably be a different story."
I nodded again and bulls nodded once at me then turned and left. I sighed and went back to my pail of soapy water and picked up the scrubber returning to my work. I could hear the sound of their voices, but now I was too far away to understand what they were saying. I pondered as to why the prince had asked about my horses, clearly that meant he spent time in the stables. And then the king asking him if he wanted me as a personal slave. Ugh, I didn't like how he had said it......but WAIT!! If I was the prince's personal slave then theorectically I would follow him around all day to do his bidding! And if he went down to the stables....then so would I!! I could see if Streiga and Kai were okay. My heart leapt at the thought and I felt myself smiling.

I hoped that the prince would take me as a personal slave or servant whatever. I couldn't be too hard right? I mean I'd just follow him around and bring him things when he wanted and stuff thats all there would be to it right? Well, I hoped so anyway, but I certainly wouldn't want to be King Marius's personal slave. I shuddered at the thought. I wondered how the queen put up with him, I thought him a horrible man.

I went the rest of the day at my chores, which was much of what I had done the day before. I was on my 2nd to last chore which was cleaning the guest room in which the prime minister from some foreign country had stayed the night before. For being a man of "dignitiy" he certainly liked to leave his room in a state of disaster.

I wiped my forehead finally finished fixing everything and looked around to admire my good work. I sat down on the soft bed and glanced at the clock on the wall. It read 7:30 which gave me a 1/2 hour before I had to bring the Prince his snack. I opted this time not to make a fool of myself like I had last time. I lay back on the bed and let out a deep breath. It no longer hurt to lay on my back as much. The bed was so soft, unlike my maid bed, and clean and inviting I closed my eyes and was dozing before I thought to sit back up.

I awoke with a start well aware of where I was and immediatly looked to the clock. 7:53. Crap. I jumped off the bed and made my way down the hallway at a quick pace. I didn't want to be late again, I could be punished or my horses could be punished or....my thoughts were interrupted as I crashed into someone and fell backwards onto my butt. The person didn't fall down but he did make and ooff sound.
I looked up to make eye contact with the person I just ran into and gasped as the grinning face of Jones peered down on me. I instantly felt sick. This was none other than the bastard guard who'd tried to rape me and almost succeeded.
I quickly stood.
"My, my my, what have we here?" He taunted, "A female slave running in the hallways. That is not allowed, Im afraid Im going to have to punish you."
He took a step towards me his eyes gleaming.
"I apologize sir," I managed to get out while I glared, "I am slightly behind and must be in the kitchen like now. So if you'll excuse me," I made to walk past him and he grabbed for my left shoulder, the one he knew he injured.
He snagged my shoulder but I ducked out of it, then delivered a swift kick to his groin causing him to double over in pain.
I smiled down at him, "Oh so sorry sir, but like I said if you'll excuse me,"
I turned away from his angry pained face and this time walked very quickly to the kitchen. The cook handed me the tray and I took it and set off to the room of the Prince. I made my way to the familiar door and knocked, I swallowed as I heard the prince inside say "Enter."
I opened the door and did a slight bow so as not to disturb the tray. "Evening your highness," I greeted.
The prince was lounged on his couch in pants and a simple tunic that was sleevless so it revealed his toned arms. I forced myself to stop staring at them and made my way to place the tray on the table.
"You can bring over to me," the prince's voice beckoned and I did.
I say the tray carefully on a dark oak table next to the couch.
"You look a bit flushed," the prince commented a smile in his voice.
"Oh, I um, Im fine," I managed standing back and looking to the wall. I could see that he was studying me from where he sat out of the corner of my eye.
"I see." The prince lifted the lid and set it down before taking a pastry from the tray. He took a bite.
I just stood there looking at the wall wondering if he was going to dismiss me or have me stand here all night. Suddenly the prince put down his food and walked towards me.
"Your shoulder, its bleeding."
I looked down to my left shoulder and he was right. A trickle of blood was making its way down my arm, I hadn't even noticed that it hurt when Jones had grabbed it. He must have loosened some of the stitches.
"Let me see that," said the prince taking my arm in his hands.
I stood there and felt myself blush at his touch. His hands were warm and gentle, I was just a servant girl, and a peasant before that. Why should the prince care?

"Its nothing your highness," I protested as his hand pulled up my sleeve revealing the gash on my shoulder and the stitches. A couple had come loose which caused the wound to bleed. I winced, and looked at the face of the prince as his eyes studied the wound.

He frowned at it, and then looked at me. I looked away immediatly. My stomach was doing flips and I was very aware that his hand was still touching my arm. I swallowed, hoping I wasn't making a fool of myself again. His hand released my arm, but he was still standing close.

"You need to have that taken care of," his voice was quiet, almost kind, I liked the sound of it.

I nodded not knowing what to say. I could tell though he was looking at my face. I looked to the ground.

"Here," his voice beckoned, "I can fix you up."

I turned to see him walked towards a cabinet and pulling out some supplies. As he turned I looked back down. His hand took my arm and guided me to a chair. Obediantly I sat and he placed the things on the table.

"Your highness....is this....um proper?" I asked my voice unsure.

The prince made a small chuckle, "Don't worry you won't get into any trouble if thats what you're worried about,"

I made a small sigh and watched his hands prepare the needle. I held still as he re did the few stiches after removing them of course. Then he cleaned it and patted it dry.

"Thank you," I said.

"Mmmm don't mention it," the prince said rising and putting away the materials.

I pulled my sleeve back down and stood. I folded my hands in front of me and looked to the wall.

"Well you are dismissed I suppose," the prince said returning to his couch.

I bowed swiftly and left the room. Once outside the room I let out a deep breath. That was strange