Maharaja Draevan

Saelani... I couldn't tell why I was still breathing after all that happened to me. Wasn't I meant to die already? One more shame from the house that bought me at the auction. The one thing keeping me from slipping fully into madness was the ring my love had given me. He told me he would return and pull me out of this hell, and I knew he would. He never breaks his word, and I would stake my life that he will come for me and free me from this cage. I sat in the backyard once the endless work for that family was done. Hunger had left me long ago. No tears were left inside me anymore. I miss my father, my little deer Tavik, and above all my love. I keep waiting for him in pure hopelessness to come for me. A sudden uproar rose outside and I got to my feet, wondering why there was such chaos at this hour. In a moment the kingdom guards had circled around me. Guards for me, but for what? "I found that ring in her things. She is the one that stole it..." came my lord's answer. Stole? What had I stolen? The guards asked me nothing; instead the same man who once troubled me struck me so hard my head spun. My cheek burned, and I could taste blood in my mouth. "You little thief.." he snarled, yanking my hair while I flinched in pain and fear. I was afraid. Even that word was too small. Terror filled me when the guards said I had stolen the kingdom's precious jewel. I had stolen nothing. That ring is the lone memory of my Kaiven I still carry. He put it in my hand, told me it was his mother's ring, said he would take it back on the day he returned, and made me promise I would guard it. I did exactly that, and now they accuse me of keeping a royal jewel. They heard none of my pleading. Heavy iron chains were locked on me, and they dragged me through the streets. I could not fight them. I begged them to stop, but they turned deaf to me. That idiotic soldier was the one enjoying every bit of it. After throwing me into the jail, they said the trial was tomorrow and I would hang. I had heard the king never softened where crime was concerned. Small or great, woman or man, he gave justice to all. He looked calm, but calm always came before a storm. He was merciless. He hunted the kingdoms that crossed his path. He would kill any who came before him, but he never punished the innocent. Should I fight this, or should I stay silent. More than living through these humiliations, I wanted death. I will make it worse so there will be no inquiry, only my execution. I am tired of waiting for Kaiven now. I have no hope left that he will come searching for me. Next morning that moronic soldier jerked my chain so hard I crashed into the iron bars that stood between us. "You foolish girl, you should have known whom you were messing with, my little girl.." he said in a filthy voice. I tried to pull myself away, yet he hauled me forward by the chain. He dragged me into the main court and flung me before everyone. Disgust washed over me. I covered my ripped dress with my veil, but nothing could hide what was left of my self-respect. Anger boiled in me. "I did not steal it, you spineless man, it was given to me by my love. Dare call me a thief again." I shouted in the great hall. I was still in iron chains, and it was hard even to lift my arms, yet I kept my chin raised. The lord shouted at me. Yes, this was it. At last I could be free. I had been waiting for exactly this. I shut my eyes and smiled as I heard the soldier pull his sword from its scabbard.