Kapitel 37: TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

For a minute no one said anything! The deed has been done before I finally realized what I had just done and it was too late to mutter an apology about it, which I probably should do since all eyes were on me.

"Care to explain what just happened?" A deadly calm voice spoke, a voice I knew instantly belonged to that of the king.

Shit! I had no idea what to say to that, I mean what the hell just happened? I still didn't know! I was moving on instinct before I had any idea what had just happened.

"I just asked you a question servant," King Aspen's voice sounded again, filled with authority, "Now speak before I ensure you actually do lose your tongue which will permanently take away your ability to speak!"

Fucking hell! Say something Aneesa! I chastised myself but my mouth stubbornly remained closed.

A low growl rumbled out of the king and I heard the scrapping of chair against the floor. I didn't dare to raise my eyes up but I knew the king was standing up. That could only mean one thing but I still kept my gaze down, forcing myself to remain calm. I forced myself not to run when in reality that was all I wanted to do, run far away from here.

I stood there, awaiting whatever bloody fate lies in the hands of the king. Before the king could take a step, from my peripheral vision I saw Corion rise from his seat.

"Your majesty!" Corion called out stopping his brother, "It would appear my maid isn't quite has trained as I had believed. She's human and we all know how slow the human brain can be when it comes to committing things to memory!"

Prick! I cursed him in my head instead of out loud like I originally wanted to do which would only land me in more trouble.

King Aspen was silent for a moment, no doubt contemplating on his brother's words. I held my breath the whole time, wondering if he was going to ignore his brother's words or go ahead with his earlier threat. I wished it was going to be the later.

It seems the gods were on my side this time around, because King Aspen heaved out a sigh before lowering himself on the seat. "Then send her to Katerina to train her or I'll train myself!" I didn't miss the underlying threat in his voice.

I swallowed but bowed at the in submission, just as Corion nodded his head. "It won't happen again your majesty!"

"It had better not!" King Aspen stated before he snapped the fingers.

The servant holding the jug of wine stepped forward, a new cup in her hand which she set in front of Corion. She began to pour the wine but this time I wasn't having it. I reached forward and grabbed the jug, smashing it on the floor before I grabbed the female servant, shoving her away from Corion as I stood protectively in front of him, glaring at the maid.

"What the hell?" Corion was the one to speak this time around and his voice was filled with anger.

"I just saved your life, the drink is poisoned!" I said without taking my gaze away from the servant.

Through the veil she wore, I could see the way her eyes widened the tiniest bit. If I wasn't standing so close to her and watching her intently I would have missed it. But I saw it which only confirmed my accusations.

"What did you just say?" Corion asked me.

"The wine," I said finally turning to look at him, "The wine is poisoned, your highness." I informed him.

"And how do you know that?"

I turned my gaze to King Aspen who was watching me with an icy cold glare on his face. I had angered him again which meant I have to choose my words carefully.

I bowed again to him before I spoke, "Your majesty, please you will have to excuse my actions and believe I only have the prince's best interest at heart. This servant right here is trying to kill the prince by serving him poisoned wine."

"That still doesn't answer my question!" The king drawled out in a bored tone, "How did you know the wine was poisoned?"

Somehow, I knew I should keep what I had seen to myself. For some reason, I couldn't tell him. Also because I think telling him I saw a vision sounds less believable and would only arouse suspicions.

"When I ask questions, I expect you to speak up immediately!" The king's voice rose and that made me flinch a little bit.

I quickly opened my mouth to speak up, "I…I…I just know." I winced internally at my response.

The king heaved out another sigh as he rose up from his seat. "You just know? And you are certain what you say is true?"

That I could answer well, "Yes your majesty, I am certain!"

"Well, there is no proof of that now is there?" The king asked me and I bit my bottom lip realizing that what he said was true.

The female servant stepped forward and bowed her head, "Your majesty, I am so sorry for whatever misunderstanding the human might have said about me."

"Did you poison the wine?"

"That_" The female servant turned to look at me while I stared back, waiting for her to tell the truth. "That is not true your majesty!"

"She's lying!"

"SILENCE!" The king yelled causing me to bow in submission.

Corion rose from his seat and bowed, "Forgive me brother, it is my fault this misunderstanding happened. I take responsibility for it."

"Why should you take responsibility for her? She's a servant!" The king said not bothering to hide the disdain in his tone.

I clenched my fist tightly while gritting my teeth hard at the king's tone. Corion inched closer towards me and I couldn't tell if he was shielding me from the king's gaze or just trying to settle the issue.

"I apologize again brother!"

The king fixed a glare at me, his jaw tightening with anger. "Not this time brother, she is going to take responsibility for her actions!" He said before he inched closer, "You said you are a certain the wine is poisoned?"

I gave a single nod in response before I realized that was improper. "Yes your majesty."

"And you have no proof?"

"I do not your majesty, but it is poisoned!"

King Aspen hummed before he reached for the cup of wine on the table. He brought to his nose, sniffing it. "Doesn't smell poisoned to me!"

"It doesn't?" I asked no one in particular.

King Aspen smiled before he handed the wine to me, "How about you tell me?"

I stared at the cup of wine the king was handing to me, then my gaze slowly raise to meet his. King Aspen wore a smile on his face, to other it might seem charming but I could sense the hint of danger that laid beneath it. He then motioned for me to take the cup again.

He wanted me to drink it? I asked myself keeping my gaze on him before it returned to the cup.

"You know when his majesty offers you a drink, it is considered one of the highest honor!"

Yeah, but not one filled with poison and you know it! I wanted to yell out but I remained still, eyeing the drink warily instead. If I were to delay any longer, this was going to end badly for me. I was already in trouble with the king and from the way he was looking at me, I know he was watching me closely so he would have a cause to punish me.

The only way out of this was to accept the drink. If I drink it, I die! If I don't, I die either way! Making my choice, I decided to accept the wine, but before I could it was suddenly snatched from the king's hand. Everyone turned only to see Corion with the cup in his hand.

"If anyone should drink it, it should be me!" Corion said shooting me a look, "Besides, this wine is too precious to waste on a worthless human servant!" He said his tone cold but I saw something flash in his gaze before it was gone. He then began to lift the cup to his lips.

"No!" I yelled out as I grabbed the cup from the prince and downed the content in one go.

Everyone's attention was on me while I waited, my body filled with dread I waited for the familiar pain of what was to come. But surprisingly enough, nothing happened. I felt fine, I was fine!

"Well?" The king Said staring at me.

I turned to look at the female servant who eyed me warily, "I…I…"

"You caused a disturbance while I was having my meal, all based on stupid assumptions!" King Aspen's voice started and I knew what was coming before he even spoke the next words, "Lock her up in the dungeon while I decide what needs to be done to her!"

My gaze flicked over to Corion who stared straight ahead, not bothering to pare me a glance. I can't say I blamed him though, I brought this upon myself. I stood still while the guards approached me to drag me into the dungeon.

They had just grabbed a hold of my arm when I felt something uncomfortable in my stomach. It was light a first but then it felt heavy, like something was tugging on my abdomen. A wince escaped me as I opened my mouth to voice out what was happening to me but all of a sudden my throat suddenly hurt. It felt as if my lungs were closing up on each other, I couldn't breathe, couldn't speak.

"What is happening to her?" I heard someone ask.

My gaze turned to look at Corion whose eyes was widened with disbelief, "He..h.. Hel…help me!" I finally mange to choke out before I fell down on the ground.

My body suddenly felt as if it was on fire, everywhere hurt and my throat, it felt as if something was lodged in my throat. I couldn't breathe, couldn't speak, it was starting to hurt badly. I clawed at my throat, while writhing on the floor. I then began coughing, I felt something hot and sticky trickle out of my mouth and I didn't need to be told twice to know what it was and based on the muffle screams I heard, it confirmed my suspicions.

Through my haze of pain, I could hear people shouting someone barking orders, with also the distinct sound of weapons being drawn. My vision became blurry as I turned to the side only to see people running away from me. All except one who was busy running towards me, his green eyes wide stricken with fear.

"You are going to be okay…You are going to be okay…" A voice suddenly said but I knew wasn't because I was dying.