Chapter 16 A Gift
I looked at the trembling maids in front of me and smiled lightly.
“I have no issue with you guys” I said and they sighed in relief “just help me with my request or did you also think you can’t render any help to me?” I sat back on the laid covered.
They immediately shook their heads.”No highness. We will do everything in our possible best to help Your highness”
I raise my eyebrows at them. “I am relieved. I would have been so disappointed and had many hurdle to tackle if you had agreed with Ku Soha that you can’t render me any help”
“We are honour Your highness” they chorused in unison.
“So back on the matter we are here for. I want…”
I was talking when a loud scream interrupted me.
“Ahhhhhh”
I used my hand to close my ear dramatically and hissed slightly.
I don’t need proof that my maids are carrying out Ku Soha punishment. her agony scream continued but I didn’t let it distract me as I faced the maids back to continue our conversation.
“How will I get in?”
“Your highness,” The third maid who hasn’t spoken since the beginning called me slowly.
I looked at her closely and noticed she was kind of shaking in fear and that made me wonder if I am that strict or has she seen me somewhere before where I was giving out punishment.
“Did you have something to say to me”
“Yes Your highness”
“I am all hear then”
“A long time ago. I committed an offence, and because of that I was deprived of the right to my salary till I will stop working in the palace.” Her gaze moved up and down.
How heavy is that crime of her, for her to be deprived of a salary for life which means she isn’t getting any money for her work till she dies but come to think of it, how is that connected to my problem.
“Forgive me for crossing my boundaries.” She started as her gaze once traveled from the floor up to my face.
“If Your highness could help me get my right to my salary back, I surely know a way for you to get in without any problem”
I raise my gaze up at her angrily, Is she trying to make a deal with me with this matter? I should be the one striking a deal here, not the other way round.
As if she knew what I was thinking she immediately bowed her head down apologetically and said in a trembling voice. “Forgive me, Your highness.”
So she knew it was a crime. Maybe she wants to try her luck.
“I want you to know that you didn’t commit any sin toward me but you did to my title” I said and the first maid including Na jihye looked at me in confusion.
“What you just did is disrespectful to my position as a princess.”
I went on.”You don’t do the talking here I do. you know you have a problem which I can certainly provide a solution to, then you are supposed to ask for a favour not strike a deal with me. For you to used the word *if* that isn’t right”
The maid’s face dropped down at the realization of what I was trying to explain and she immediately shook her head.”Forgive me Your highness. Please do not misunderstand my intention, I didn’t have it in mind to disrespect Your highness.”
“It is okay but you should know when to strike a deal and when you do not. Do you understand me”
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“I am not interested to know what your offence was then but you do not have to worry anymore because your salary will be paid to you henceforth” I said and her eyes immediately lit up in happiness mixed with gratitude.
She moved closer to my feet and bows down making sure her head touched the ground.
“Thank you very much Your highness. I am really grateful to you for everything”
“Everything” my eyes bore Into her and she raised her head up slightly.”Why? You can only thank me after we finished our deal”
“Deal? But I thought Your highness said that she isn’t supposed to make a deal with you” Na ji hye pointed out.
“Yes she didn’t have the right to make a deal with me because I strike and make the deal here”
They all nodded their heads at my explanation.
“So what is this way you say you know”
She took a deep breath “Actually because of the crime I told you I committed, one of my punishments then is to make sure I bring food to the monster in the prison since none of the maids want to”
Her face seemed bland like a person recalling a nervous incident.
“I was afraid at first but it a punishment and there’s no way I can refused or escape from it, so since three year back I have been bringing food to the monster”
Incredible. How did this monster look? It was even given food to eat.
“What you are saying now is that you have been seeing this monster for the past three year”
“No. I haven’t seen it. not even once”
What nonsense is she saying? how can you be giving it food and you won’t see it face to face.
“Why? I mean since you have been close to him for three year, you should have seen it face or don’t you know you are the one that is closer to him”
“I haven’t seen it and I didn’t seek to see it because I was just doing it as a punishment then and I didn’t think about it but as Your highness just said I guess I should have tried to find out its face but on the other hand I am scared. What if I tried to find out and I end up getting hurt” she didn’t falter and still insisted on what she said.
“Well you are right. All of that is in the past now. So what is the plan?”
“Your highness will have to….” She began
“Wait!. We are not more than four here today and I know how fast rumors spread in the palace, so be careful not to let your mouth slip. If I ever heard what we are discussing here today anywhere. I won’t try to find the culprit but hold all of you responsible for it. Do you understand?” I cut in, moving to stand close to the maids kneeling on the floor.
“Yes, Your highness!” They chorused together.
“What the plan”
★★★★
My heart beat a lot as I came out onto the veranda of my chamber and saw the condition of Ku soha. She was tied down in both hands with a rope on a long bench and a continuous stroke landed on her buttock. At the impact of the stroke on her body she released a very loud scream.
They stop when they notice my presence and bow courteously.
My maids did a good job on her. She was beaten up badly and was dripping in water from head to toe. I guessed they must have woken her up with the water when she fainted.
I know I am the one who gave out the order but I am kind of feeling pity for her right now.
“Untie her ” I order and the two maids who are carrying out the punishment immediately lose the rope on her hands. They pushed her down from the bench, then she dropped in a loud thud on the floor.
I stoop down next to her.“Aigoo. A person can only come back to their sense after a good beating”
She raised her head up slowly groaning in pain. Her face was crumpled and freckled.
“I guessed you have something to say to me. For example forgive me Your highness” I huffed but she still remained silent staring at me with so much anger in her eyes.
I chuckled silently and stood back on my feet. Look at the brat I am feeling pity for I thought menacingly, my gaze tight with fury as the anger in my body riled up to the fullest.
“You wench!. Apologized immediately”
Court lady Chun shouted at her but there’s still no reaction.
Na ji hye and the other maids also had a sympathetic look on their faces. They started urging her with their faces to do the right thing, which is apologizing. I guess they think she will apologize before I even start to talk but it looks like she gets nine life.
“I guessed you haven’t learned your lesson yet” I taunt with a small smile playing on my lips.
“No matter what you did” her breath chokes and she coughs.
“I will never open my mouth to say the word sorry to you” her dark brown eyes pierced through my own
I snickered, shaking my head in disbelief and wondering at the determined look on her face.
I am really impressed. I used to think I am the most stubborn lady ever but I think I just got a boss here but only a lunatic knows how to deal with another lunatic.