Chapter 6 Punishment

Dante leaned against the door and peeped into the kitchen. When he noticed no one was present, he stealthily entered the kitchen. He rushed to the bin containing leftovers and pulled out the plastic bag he had hidden underneath his clothes.

His heart raced wildly as he packed as much as he needed. After breaking the plates and soiling the princess, Guirello denied him food.

Dante stuffed his mouth as he packed the food. In case he got caught, he would at least have a full stomach. The food was a little stale, but it was better than the ones the servants threw at him once in a while.

Besides, they were going to dump it because the king forbade them from feeding the dogs with stale leftovers. Dante chuckled at the thought.

His father didn't mind his son eating stale food but would punish the maids severely if his dogs were given day-old leftovers

"What do you think you're doing?", Dante froze on hearing the voice. He quickly pushed the bag under his shirt, gulping hard as the intruder approached him.

Sweat broke out from his forehead as footsteps approached him.

"Hello?" The feminine voice called again. Relief washed through him. Normally, the maids and other workers recognized him easily, even from a distance. This had to be someone new.

He turned around slowly and recognized her as the girl who was always beside the princess. Possibly a friend, because she did not look like a servant in any way. At least not by the standards of Greake.

"You?" Her eyes widened with recognition. The fear that died minutes ago, rekindled immediately. Her eyes dropped to the hands buried underneath his shirt. "What are you hiding?"

Dante shook his head quickly, "Nothing! I swear, it's nothing. Please don't report me to Guirello. I promise I wasn't doing anything...."

"Take a deep breath, okay? I am not reporting you to anyone", She tried to calm him down. Kitanna advanced towards him and he retreated quickly. She got a clear view of the bin.

Kitanna cast him a suspicious glance and headed directly to the bin. A very faint putrid smell hit her nose as she peered in. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"You're eating stale food?", She faced him with a grimace.

Dante stared at his feet, ashamed and helpless.

"I'm sorry. I haven't eaten for days. I t-thought I would have some y-yesterday, b-but I broke some expensive plates when I bumped into the princess..." Dante quietly said.

"And this was your best choice?" Kitanna asked. "There are lots of healthy things in this kitchen, why must you resort to this?" Kitanna asked.

Dante bit back a laugh. Steal healthy food? He wished he could relate his experiences to her, but he wasn't allowed to speak to anyone except if he was offering apologies or begging for mercy. He was grateful enough that she didn't immediately call him out. He didn't want to push his luck.

His silence and trembling figure made her feel uneasy.

"How about this? You drop the leftovers here, I'll make something nice and healthy for you", She offered. Dante clutched tightly to his food, clearly untrusting of her.

Before she could convince him further, a group of maids trooped in. Dante didn't waste time dashing out of the kitchen with his head and food safe.

Kitanna shook her head sadly. How could people instill so much in their fellow people? They tortured him so much that he was afraid of being seen. She couldn't imagine how many times he had attempted to end his life.

"Your Highness", The maids greeted, bowing with respect. Kitanna scoffed inwardly. She wondered how she would have been treated if they discovered she was only a maid like them.

"Princess Almira is hungry. She missed breakfast so please make some roasted fish for her ", Kitanna told them.

"Yes, your highness".

Princess Almira opened her door, hoping to see Kitanna with her breakfast, instead, she saw Xander.

"Good morning, Princess. Did you enjoy your sleep?", Xander asked.

"Until now", she replied. Xander simply chuckled.

"You are strange and funny, I like it. Mind if I come in?", He asked.

"No need, I was just heading out", Almira retorted. Stepping forward, she slammed the door shut. She pushed past Xander, sniffing the air to pick up Kitanna's scent. Instead, she picked out an intoxicating woody scent.

She didn't hesitate to follow it, forgetting the man behind her. She traced it to the garden, where the tattered human hid away. His mouth was buried in the plastic bag as he ate.

"You eat like a dog" Almira commented. Dante froze immediately. Almira wanted to walk over to him when Kitanna called out to her.

She took one last glance at the man or boy who pushed himself behind the flowers to hide. She couldn't help but wonder what he looked like.

"Use a spoon next time. It won't take anything from you to eat like a decent human being", She said to him before walking away.

On hearing the retreating footsteps, Danre stretched his head out to make sure she was gone.

"How dare you make the princess uncomfortable?". His blood ran cold when he heard the words. Xander approached him with a murderous glare and Dante pushed himself into the flower bed to hide.

He didn't succeed, because Xander grabbed his hand and yanked him out roughly. Hot tears brewed in Dante's eyes.

"I didn't mean to, please. I-I d-didn't know S-She would c-come h-here... " Xander yanked him up by the collar.

"The nerve of you to lie to me! I witnessed everything, you bastard!" Xander barked, punching him across the face. Dante winced, spitting out blood.

"I-I'm s-sorry...." Dante managed to apologize. Xander shoved him to the floor.

"Be rest assured that I will inform the king about this. You will be duly punished" Xander snarled.

"No.. no.. no.. don't do this to me, please. I was only eating, I swear. P-Please, believe m-me..." Dante pleaded, grabbing his feet to prevent him from leaving.

"I don't care for your stupid explanations. Let go of me, this instant!" Xander barked.

"Please..."

"Don't make me repeat myself!"

Dante quickly let go and Xander walked away without another word.

Dante hugged himself tightly, unable to shed the tears that stung his eyes. Punishment was inevitable for him, no matter how well-behaved he tried to be.

He remained on the spot, waiting for the guards to arrive. A few lashes wouldn't kill him, that is if they were planning on just whipping him.