"Why? Why are you doing this to a little boy? Please, he knows nothing about any of this," she pleaded with tears streaming down her cheeks. "You can have your way with me as much as you want, but please don't hurt my brother."
"Please, I'm begging you, don't hurt him," she added desperately, clasping her hands together in front of her.
"Get up and put on your dress," he ordered, turning his back to her. She did as he commanded, slipping into her clothes, but she didn't leave his chamber.
"Your brother is fine. I have no business with him," he said as he walked away, his hands clasped behind his back. Amelia stood still, watching him disappear through the doorway.
"He has no business with him… thank goodness," she muttered to herself.
"Now I'm the one paying the price for something I know nothing about," she thought bitterly and quietly exited his chamber.
Four Days Later
Omega, on the other hand, had been doing research and gathering information about the palace. However, he needed solid proof to convince the King that the princess was innocent.
The Next Morning
"Good morning, Your Majesty," Omega greeted, offering a small smile.
"Good morning, Omega. Please get my car ready—I'm going on a business trip," Henderson replied without looking up. Omega bowed slightly and hurried to ensure everything was in order. Once everything was prepared, he returned to inform the king.
They drove out of the palace grounds. Henderson's private jet was already waiting for him at the airstrip.
"Take care of her," the King muttered.
Omega glanced at him, surprised.
"I'll be back tomorrow by 7 a.m.," the King added before boarding his plane.
At the Palace
"Bitch!" Saanvi hissed as Amelia walked toward her room. Amelia didn't respond, already aware of the kind of person Saanvi was. She walked faster, but Saanvi stepped into her path.
"Listen, Saanvi, I don't want any trouble from you or your maids," Amelia said calmly, noting the two maids behind Saanvi.
"What? What did you just call me? Did you just say my name?" Saanvi snapped.
"Yes, I did. I assume that's the name your Asian—sorry, Indian—parents gave you," Amelia replied with a slight chuckle.
Saanvi's rage intensified. She slapped Amelia hard across the face.
"The next time you call me by my name, I'll make sure you don't live to see another day," Saanvi hissed.
"Whore," she added before walking away.
Amelia touched her lips. They were bleeding from a small cut. She entered her room, went to the bathroom, and looked at herself in the mirror. She smiled weakly and stepped under the shower.
"My lady… My lady…" Maya called out. When she noticed the bathroom door was open, she rushed in and found Amelia bathing.
Amelia looked away in embarrassment. Maya apologized quickly and left, placing food on the table and setting the chair.
After her shower, Amelia picked a gown from the closet—the only clothing available—and wore it. She sat down, took one spoonful of the food, and immediately spit it out. She gulped down some water and turned to Maya.
"What's wrong?" Maya asked.
"Who made this?" Amelia asked, frowning.
"The kitchen maids did. I'm not allowed to cook in the kitchen myself. If I could, I'd have made something better," Maya said softly. "I'm sorry."
Amelia gave her a faint smile. "It's okay. I don't think I'm hungry anymore." She folded her lips slightly to hide the cut.
"My lady…" Maya said, smiling.
"Yes, Miss?" Amelia replied with a small smile.
"Did you know that His Majesty traveled?" Maya said, her smile widening.
Amelia tilted her head. "Who told you that?"
"Omega," she mumbled.
"Is something going on between you two?" Amelia asked, narrowing her eyes.
Maya quickly shook her head. "No, my lady. We're just friends."
"Because he told you the king traveled?" she questioned again.
"No, my lady. Please don't think like that. Omega is… different. He's a good person."
Amelia's eyes darkened. "He's still the enemy. I remember how he shoved me into that dark room."
"But—"
"No buts. End of discussion. Please, let's talk about something else," Amelia cut her off.
That same day, Amelia was walking down the stairs around 7 p.m. She wanted to head to the kitchen since Maya was busy doing laundry. She wasn't expecting trouble—until Saanvi shoved her hard.
"Ahh!" she cried as she hit the floor.
She looked up. It was Saanvi. The cruel girl smirked down at her.
"Oh my goodness, the princess is on the floor," Saanvi mocked. Her maids burst into laughter behind her.
As Amelia struggled to get up, Saanvi punched her in the stomach. She fell back, groaning in pain. Saanvi poured cold water on her.
"Oh, poor thing," she laughed, grabbing Amelia's hair.
"Please… stop…" Amelia cried, clutching her stomach and trying to pry Saanvi's hand away.
"Poor princess. If I were you, I'd have killed myself by now. But you're smart—smarter than your traitor of a father."
"Daughter of a rapist!" she spat, then shoved Amelia again. The maids gasped and whispered.
Just then, Omega arrived.
Flashback:
One of the guards had informed Omega of Saanvi's attack, and he rushed to the scene.
End of Flashback.
"What's going on here?" Omega demanded.
Saanvi rolled her eyes. "Get the hell out. This doesn't concern you."
"Everyone out. Now!" Omega ordered, directing his command at the maids and guards. Maya arrived at the scene.
"Let go of her hair," Omega said firmly.
"And if I don't? What will you do?" Saanvi challenged, knowing he wouldn't hit a woman.
"Let go of her hair, you fool! What is wrong with you? Must you embarrass yourself like this? Don't you have any shame?" he shouted.
Saanvi finally released Amelia's hair.
"Wow… just wow. I should have known—the king's personal guard is in love with the princess," Saanvi sneered.
Omega shook his head and ignored her.
"Please take her to the bedroom. Change her clothes," he said, helping Amelia up.
Saanvi laughed bitterly and stormed off. Maya helped Amelia remove her wet dress. Amelia insisted on washing herself.
Minutes later, she called Maya to help her back to bed. Her lower abdomen still hurt.
"Are you okay?" Maya asked gently.
"I'm not… the pain is too much," Amelia groaned.
"You'll be fine," Maya whispered and held her hand until she drifted off to sleep.
Omega entered the room. "Good evening, Master," Maya greeted.
"Good evening. How is she?"
"Still in pain—from Saanvi's punch," Maya explained.
"I'm sorry. If I had been there earlier, this wouldn't have happened," he said regretfully.
"It's okay. It's not your fault. How could you have known?"
"Please don't mind Saanvi. She's just… stupid," Omega said.
"Don't say that to me—say it to her. She's the one who needs to hear it," Maya replied.
"You're right. I'll do that tomorrow morning," Omega promised with a smile.
"So, when is the king coming back?"
"Tomorrow. In the morning."
"Alright, I have to go now," Omega said and left the room.
Maya rested her head on the bed and eventually fell asleep.
The Next Morning
Maya sat by the bed, watching Amelia sleep peacefully. She wished she could take the pain away. Amelia stirred, opened her eyes, and noticed Maya staring at a cup of coffee on the table, lost in thought.
"Maya. Maya. Maya!" Amelia said, finally reaching out to touch her. Maya blinked, startled.
"Your Highness—I mean, my lady," Maya stuttered.
"What are you thinking about?"
"About you," she admitted. "You've suffered a lot."
"I know. But I'm fine now," Amelia replied.
"The king will return today—this morning," Maya added with a smile.
"I don't need to ask who told you. I know it was him," Amelia said with a grin.
"Yes. I told you, he's different," Maya said.
"How's your health? Are you still in pain?" Maya asked, gently touching her.
"Stop! I'm fine," Amelia laughed.
"What? I just wanted to make sure," Maya giggled.
"Oh really? And you were trying to touch what doesn't belong to you," Amelia joked, and they both burst into laughter.
Their laughter stopped when a knock came at the door.
"Good morning, my lady," Omega greeted with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Omega," Amelia replied.