“Get to work!” The whip hit her back and she let out a shrill scream. She could barely move as the open injuries stung. “I said get to work!” The second lash had her moving like a worm bathed in salt. Earlier, she thought there was no way death could be better than torture, but with the way things were going, she was soon going to eat her words. Mona forced herself off the ground, just in time to avoid the third lash. She struggled to lift the sacks of ash.The guards did not allow her to carry one at the time so she had to move all five sacks at once. Each time she dropped it, she was rewarded with a whip. Gritting her teeth as she lifted the sacks, she dragged her feet in the direction of the kitchen. She prayed to the gods that she could get there before it dropped again.Her palms were already peeling up and it hurt a lot because of the friction. The guards didn't consider her plight. They just wanted her to do the work assigned to her. Finally, she reached the kitchen and dr
“I know you,” was the first thing Mona blurted when she saw him. “I know you do. What are you doing hiding here? You'll be in a lot of trouble if they find you here,” Daniel told her. Mona had been so exhausted from the day's torture so she resorted to hiding out for a few days. Of course, they panicked that she had escaped and sent men into town looking for her. But that didn't bother her. Even though the punishment would be tripled once she was found, her body really needed this rest to heal.So she hid in the last place they would ever check. Their quarters. It was disgusting hearing all the dirty talks they had and irritating living under the bed of a men's room but it was safe. Except someone was looking for his shoe of course and she had to find it as quickly as possible before they would resort to looking under the beds. Fortunately, the spot she had chosen was the cleanest section in the room. Whomever owned the bed was definitely too organised for a man and she was tha
“An increase in tax? When did that happen?” Styles asked Ragi as they rode back towards the palace.“I am just as surprised as you are. I remember when that bill was presented, it was automatically trashed out. How then was it approved and circulated?” Ragi mused. “I don't have the answer to that question either. The whole thing is just surprising. I feel like someone is messing with me and it's not funny. Do they know the consequences of what they have done?” Styles related. “I think so. This was only a peaceful protest. We have no idea what tomorrow might bring if we do not resolve this immediately. Those documents do not look forged in any way,” Ragi said. Styles shook his head and focused his gaze ahead. Never did he anticipate that his life as Emperor would be so complicated?“Your majesty, you don't have to worry. We have sorted it out already with the people. All that is left is to ensure it doesn't repeat itself,” Ragi tried to ease his pressure but Styles didn't share the
“Mona escaped? That stupid child with little to no brains? How was she able to pull such a stunt while I was still struggling to get away from the watchful eyes of these punks?” Elena pondered as she worked on the floors. They suddenly increased the number of guards around her as if the ones around her were not suffocating enough. She didn't understand why until today. The servants were gossiping and she just happened to walk by when she heard them talk about her daughter's escape. She never thought the girl had it in her. She always needed someone to push her to do something. This made Elena livid. She knew Mona wouldn't come back for her. Not after everything. So she was stuck here with the consequences of her foolishness. She scrubbed the floor harder, hoping to scrub away her frustration but it remained the same. She felt so suffocated and these men didn't care that they were invading her personal space. They followed her everywhere, even when she wanted to relieve herself.
Darell showed up unannounced in Ragi's house. In her defense, she didn't expect to see him at home, since he was at the palace most times. Ragi stared at her with a surprised and puzzled expression. He hadn't seen her since their little date. “Hey Darell?” It came more like a question than a greeting. “I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting you.”“Oh, that's fine,” she forced a nervous chuckle. His expression made her painfully aware that he noticed it. “Hey… uhm… is there something you wanted?” He asked her. “You seem… uneasy.” Darell swallowed thickly. Her eyes scanned around as her brain tried to come up with an explanation for showing up at his doorstep, other than the original reason. “Uhmm… I went to check for you at the palace and they said you weren't in so I figured you would be here. I just wanted to spend a little time with you…”“I'm sorry but that won't be possible,” he cut her short and the sharp response pierced her like a dagger. “I am busy.” “Oh,” she mumbled. Even thoug
Taiwan, one of the cities in the black empire was the first to experience the rough hand of the military.The Taiwan chief, after receiving the signed information on the curfew, instructed the Taiwan military to swing into action immediately.However, he was unaware that some of his soldiers had secretly been replaced by Cedric's men. The information on the curfew was circulated in the early hours of the morning but no one took it seriously. Not even when it was stated that the curfew was for security purposes.They believed their town was safe and it had been for the last ten years so there was no need for the curfew. The people went about their normal business and when it hit six, only a few people bothered to move.The military started arriving, but it ring any warning bells to them until they started firing into the air. The people scrambled helter skelter, seeking safety as they opened fire at everyone. Screams erupted as a few got hit on the legs, arms and even shoulder. They'
“You have a woman in your life?” Mona asked, unable to contain the question anymore. Daniel almost choked on his juice. Mona grabbed a glass and poured him some water. “Thanks,” he mumbled, taking the glass from her. He didn't expect her to bring up a question like that from nowhere. “That was a little random, by the way.” “Is it?” Mona muttered and a puzzled expression crossed his face. “I'm just curious, okay? Do you have a woman in your life or not?”“Why is that important?” He threw back and she restrained herself from giving him a hard stare. “Like I said, curious,” she shrugged. “What'd you bring home?” Daniel continued staring at her in a bid to fathom what was going on in her head. Then his conversation with his grandmother replayed in his head and everything clicked.“Were you eavesdropping?” Mona was caught off guard by the direct attack. Her cheeks colored a little. “I… uhm… wouldn't call it eavesdropping. I just woke up and happened to stumble upon an ongoing conver
The shattering of glass behind made him flinch. He turned to see a very pale Darell, mirroring the same shock on his face. “Darell…” he drawled out and she swallowed thickly. “What… what is this?” “I told you not to touch anything!” She snapped at him, pushing past him to shut the door. Her heavy breathing was the only evidence of her inner panic. Probably her pale face.But this woman looked like she was one he offended, not the other way round and it riled him up.“What do you mean by that? You have drawings of me all over your room amd the best you could say is that I was supposed to stay put?!” The anger in his tone caused her fragile body to tremble.She'd never heard such an angry tone from Ragi. It was proof enough that she'd messed up. “I can explain…” she bit her lip to keep from saying further. There was nothing to explain in this situation. Her actions were clear as day . Unjustifiable. She couldn't say she was thinking of him so she drew him. How would she explain the