Chapter 18: Chapter 18

• • • Eve's POV • • •

"What will the princess go and do in the Caelum clan alone." the commander murmurs to himself.

Early that morning, the commander sent by my uncle moves forward with his horse as they see traces of our horses. So the search becomes intense as they follow the tracks.

"Sir, the traces end here." man 1 calls for the attention of their commander.

"I think we should separate into two. You move that way, and if you find nothing after a few kilometres come back to us. We will head to the Caelum clan perhaps we will find her there." He says hopelessly.

They immediately separate and follow their various destination.

.

.

"Those are people from the Solis Clan, they're ready to invade our lands. They were caught last night, those two little brats. We will teach them a good lesson. Only god knows how many might be hiding." the king furiously explains to his son Adams.

While the man whipping lifts up the cane for the next whip. Matilda and I were still in the process of recovering from the previous whip, we look at Adams as if he were a god we are praying to for survival. Our stares fixed on him, hoping he turns his face and recognizes me before the next whip.

Unfortunately, Adams doesn't turn and the next whip is given, we immediately close our eyes as if it could reduce the pain, meanwhile, it even seems harder to bear as the beatings proceed.

We scream as the rod comes in contact with our butts... And we're still screaming with our eyes closed as tears helplessly flow, the pain is getting unbearable.

"Stop!" Our eyes widen when we heard that word, the long-awaited words topmost of all the crowd noise. It was Adams.

He soon instructs as he sees me suffering "Untie her immediately" he stood up as he spoke bitterly. I take a deep breath and exhale in relief, a soft smile of gratitude snatches my lips.

"Are you crazy, who are you to revoke my orders, especially in public." the king yells at Adams. "The young lady your stupid guards are hitting down there is the princess of the Solis Kingdom". He walks down the amphitheatre walking to where I'm tied.

While the King remains speechless.

"Be fast about it," Adams yells at the man above us. It clearly shows how he battles with himself not to kill the man.

As soon as I'm released, he takes me in his arms. We walk to the places while Matilda follows from behind, praising heaven. However, we're still suffering from the whips.

We enter the palace "Take Good care of them." He hands me over to some maids and instantly leaves with us. They give us some ice to sit on.

"Dad." he scolds as soon as we leave their presence, he can barely control himself. He punches the wall unexpectedly and this frightens his father.

"You better calm down, how did you expect me to know who she was when I've never seen her? It's clear that it's an honest mistake." he sits on his throne, in a truce.

"Whatever! It doesn't change the fact that what you did was ridiculous, very soon the news will spread about the princess who was bitten in her future husband's palace. How does it sound, dad?"

"Are you in any sort blaming me?."

"Who else." sarcastically retorts.

"This is ridiculous. You can't blame me, what did you expect me to do?." he frowns.

"Oh, now you ask for my opinion. There is something I don't understand, you want me to marry the princess but you don't permit her people to move freely in our kingdom. What are you up to?."

"I will tell you everything when the right time comes." he recklessly reacts.

"I don't care, now you will open your doors to the people of that clan if you want me to continue with this ridiculous marriage. Or I will go and never come. You know ruling has never been my cup of tea."

"Don't be childish for crying out loud, can you hear yourself, you sound pathetic. Now be a man and face reality."

"As far as you keep putting me out of your reality, I will never consider it as my reality. You know what, I'm fine with you hiding your outrageous plans but if your plan includes using me as bait to attain your goals, make sure you also reach up to my demands."

"Watch your tongue."

"Like I said access should be granted to the people of the Solis clan, especially as they will hear about what happened to their princess and Queen." with that he walks away.

Adams barges into the kitchen, unexpectedly and my heart begins to palpitate. I can tell why. As soon as he enters all the maids move out, and even Matilda follows the maids out. I try to stop her but she insists and leaves.

"How do you feel now." with his hard-to-infer expression. "I feel sad, angry pains... Words Can't explain how I feel now. I'm so mad at you and your father."

"At me?" he asks surprisingly. "Yes, at you and everyone in this damn palace."

"I understand you."

"No, you don't understand me. Don't you dare say that? Have you ever been tied and beaten in public, as a prince, imagine how humiliating it is?"

"And why the hell on earth, is your clan hostile to mine? Aren't we supposed to unite?"

"It's way more complicated than you can understand."

"Lol" I cruelly grin "Fine, I can't understand but trust me if you or any member of this clan step your feet in my territory, you will receive the same treatment or perhaps worst. Also, this marriage is cancelled."

All I get from him is a smile as a reply.

"Oh, I sound funny right? You think I'm kidding." his smile makes me sick and it makes me feel ridiculous.

"Are you done?" he peacefully asks.

"I'm not done, I will never be done until you and your clan pay for the humiliation and the lies." I keep talking but my words seem not to scare him as I expected. He simply folds his hands and watches me talk.

After a few minutes, "I'm done." I whisper.

"Good, I want you to come with me to the human world. I have a three days seminary there and I will like you to know about my other world." he tries to convince me.

"When are we living?." he softly grins at my question "Now!"

"I can't leave now" I walk to him and I whisper in his ears "My friend and I are here to see the family whose son you killed yesterday. That's the reason we came here. I also hope it will ease my conscience."

The King barges into the kitchen "My Princess, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, I will like to know what I can do to excuse myself."

I immediately debate near Adams "I know what you can do."

"Will you mind sharing"

"Of course. Firstly, I want my people to have access to your kingdom and they should be treated equally with all the respect. Secondly, my Friend and I are here to see the family of our late friend, if the king will kindly help us, we will be very glad." I stand in an authoritative posture.

The king is surprised because what he heard about me about my timidity isn't what he's seeing. "I see." he nods and leaves immediately.

Adams was proud though even for one second he didn't show it.

"I have to pass by my palace before we leave to collect some stuff and greet Maryline."

"Needless, we leave as soon as you come back, my guards will take your friend back home. I have no time to waste I hope you understand...."

"Okay." I nod.

"Then we have a deal." with that said he leaves immediately.

"My son and the princess thinks that it will be best for me to grant access to the people of the Solis kingdom after what happened. He fears people might react badly." he thoughtful explains.

"My King, undeniably, the Princess is right. We have to compensate them to show them our good faith and our deep regret. If not it might complicate things." Ishee.

"I will think over it."