Chapter 5 Moment of feeling, moment of doubt.

Seated on his throne, he stared down at his ministers, his look cold and unmoved.

" Your majesty, Our people demand a response. For twenty two years, we have been without a ruler, Most of our farmlands had been taken over. We have to take back the land in jildo or our people will starve. ", Minister of agriculture, Montgomery, said, his head bowed in utmost submission and respect.

Damon's jaw clenched, his people had suffered a great deal as he had .

Stripped off their freedom and pushed into slavery, losing their homeland and their farmland in the course.Their source of living.

Judrith- his blood boiled with rage.

He should have killed him that day, but he can't... at least not now.

He will make him grovel and suffer, he will take everything that matters to him and when he is satisfied with how miserable he has become. He will kill him, in the most gruesome and brutal way ever.

But for now, he will enjoy every bit of his revenge and that includes his daughter.

He will break every bit of her.

" We just recovered freedom, Montgomery. Going to war with Aghaskil is not what we can bear now. ", He said.

" I'll send my words to King Gilbert and have him give up those lands. War is not an option, Montgomery",he finaled.

The ministers boobed their heads in support.

" Badrith will offer the land in okhio to us as a tribute. That can be used by the people before we claim back our farmland. We shall not go to war ", he declared, every word he uttered laced with ultimate authority.

The ministers shared knowing glance, the lands in okhio was vast and would be of great benefit to their people.

" Understood your majesty", they all bowed in submission.

" Reginald", his voice echoed. Everywhere went still.

" My king ", the minister of state affairs and conflict , stepped forward, head bowed.

" Our people who were enslaved in Badrith shall return, make sure each one of them return to their family safely. And inform me of those who lost their families to the war. ", He ordered.

" Yes my king"

He rose on his feets, he strode down his throne,and headed to the door.

" Courts dismissed", with that, he walked through the door, with his measured charismatic steps filled with authority and power.

_______

As he strode towards his chambers, his bodyguard, Cole, approached.

" My king", he bowed.

He stared at him blankly.

" Lady Harriet is here ", he mumbled

Damon went stilled, his jaw clenched .

Lady Harriet, wife to his uncle Herodis. The man that saved him, sacrificed his life for his. He shut his eyes, pain latched through him, tearing his already broken heart apart..

He has avoided meeting her for years, the guilt of her husband's death a heavy weight that has ladened on him for years.

Today, he will have no choice but to meet her, left to him, he will avoid her forever.

" Where is she?"he asked, his voice cold. His eyes still closed.

"Your chamber "

A stretch of silence, not a single expression on his face, he headed towards his chamber, not sparing his guard a second glance.

Immediately he strode into his chamber, he saw her. Subtle fine lines of wrinkles and few strands of gray hair that lightly streaked her hair showed her aging with time.

He stood, and stared closely at the aged woman. Pain and guilt flooded his mind.

He can't face her, not now.

He turned to leave, quietly and unnoticed.

" Damon ", she called, her voice laced with surprise bordered with excitement.

He tensed.

" Damon ", she called again, the creaking sound of the chair indicating her movement.

She walked towards him.

He swiveled his head and turned to her, a cold emotionless look masking his pain and guilt.

He gazed at the woman who approached him, one of the people his existence had caused so much pain.

She closed the distance between them, ready to pull him into her arms out of excitement and happiness of seeing him again. But she refrained herself.

This man before her, that stared at her with his gaze cold and unflinching, isn't the boy she knew. This isn't her Damon.

" Lady Harriet"

Her heart sank, Damon would never call her lady Harriet. She was aunty Harriet to him.

" Damon ", she called again, her tone softer than before, reaching out to the little boy she knew.

Time stretched, he said nothing, his expression remained blank.

She sighed, defeated. What has she expected?

The man standing before her had gone through an horrendous experience.

He could not have remained the same.

" I came runninng to the palace when I heard you've become king. ", She started, her gaze glistened with a subtle sadness and pride .

" It was the best news that I have ever heard, I am so proud of you. Your parents will be so proud of you too ", she said, the last part was out before she could restrain herself.

He went rigid, his gaze darkened.

A wave of guilt flushed through her, " I'm sorry. I should not have said that ", she apologized, genuinely sorry.

" How have you been ?", He asked finally.

She smiled wryly, " I've been doing fine, very fine. It could not have been any better"

He could see through that smile, the sadness and anguish of losing her husband.

He went quiet before speaking again.

" I'm glad you are .I am really glad. "

His look might seem all blank and expressionless, but he genuinely meant it.

She smiled, " I was worried I would never see you again. I wanted to come to you, to be by your side but you were avoiding me and there was little I could do. So I prayed, I prayed the heavens keep you safe for me and I am happy, the heavens really accepted my prayers", she expressed, tears brimming in her eyes

" I am glad you are safe and I am proud of you, your highness. You don't know what you've done by staying safe. I am so so glad ", a stray tear escaped her eyes.

Seeing her again had stirred something in him he thought had died, and now witnessing her cry, something snapped inside of him and he did what he hadn't done in years to anyone.

He wrapped his hand around her and hugged her.

_____

SABRINA had spent most of the day in her room, doing nothing.

There was nothing to keep her mind occupied, there was no books to read or Nina to talk to

Her heart sank at the thoughts of her former handmaid, she missed her terribly.

She wondered where she would be and what she could be up to.

She just hopes she stays safe and happy wherever she is .

Nina was nothing but a good friend and handmaid, she protects and loves her princess with an intensity that surprises her, Sabrina, too.

She is a bright, loyal and cheerful person. A happy slave .

You rarely see a happy slave but Nina had been one. She carried duties with a positivity that stands out .

Not having Nina by her side makes her sad, but it was for the best.

She was going to be safe from all adversities that might have crossed her path.

Exhausted, she decided to take a walk around the palace, then she remembered the king's words.

She sighed, she can't even go out. The door was locked. Frustration and anger coursed through her. He would completely turn her into a prisoner.

She pulled out of her bed, and stood an attempt to take a look through the window.

She caught sight of her shabby reflection in the mirror, no adornments, her plain dress, her hair tied in the messiest bun.

Even without her princess adornments, she still looked very beautiful and stand out in the cloth.

She let out a tired sigh, and walked towards the window, leaned on it and stared outside. Her stance poise and elegant.

She stood for several minutes, staring at the part of the palace she could sight through her window.

The palace is beautiful. It might have been empty for decades now, but the buildings still stood firm and its intricate carvings and grand arches whispered tales of a glorious past..

Her leg sore from standing she darted away from the window. Two steps .... She halted.

Whispering voices of servants caught her attention.

" I heard people enslaved in Badrith during the war will be released", a servant said, the happiness that streaked her voice obvious.

" I'm glad our king saved us from the clutches of that evil king. ", said another.

"You are right, I wonder what will happen to the princess now", a third voice interjected.

A short,"What else? Her father is evil! His Highness won't spare her, not after what her father did to his Highness"

" Mm, he could do her father's way and throw her into the dungeon. Starve and Unleash wild dogs to prey on her "

Sabrina stilled, her breath ceased. Unleash wild dogs? Her father had done that?

The silent whispers of the servants faded in her thoughts. She heard the servants correctly, her father had unleashed wild dogs on king Damon. Not dog , but dogs.

Oh heavens!

" What do you think you are doing there? Get back to work this instant", the voice of someone who seemed to be the head of maids boomed, the servants dispersed .

For the first time since she was held captive, she questioned who her father was. The man that birthed her .