The King's Mistress

Chapter 33: A True Friend

Sierra could not even protest as the royal guards took her and Ida away. They were taken down into the underground levels of the palace and thrown into one of the empty dimly lit cells. Ida was shaking with fear, wondering what would happen to them.

Looking over to Sierra who had not spoken a single word, Ida was more worried about her. She went over to Sierra and knelt down before. Putting aside all the rules and formalities, Ida gripped Sierra’s hands tightly.

"Princess... Your Highness, you’ll be alright. Everything will be fine. We just need to explain to the King what happened, that’s all," she tried her best to steady her voice and assure the princess.

Sierra lifted her gaze. A soft smile appeared on her face as she placed her hand on Ida’s shoulder.

"Thank you for standing up for me, Ida. You didn’t have to do that."

"What are you talking about, Your Highness! I could not just stand there and watch you get thrown into the dungeon over something like that. The King has his moments... but he’s not a bad person!

Trust me, Princess Sierra, I’m sure he’ll come around."

Touched by her words, Sierra did not know what else to say. The young woman before her was not much different in age from herself.

Sierra wasn’t certain if she had truly angered Alistair this time round. But regardless of the outcome, she was grateful to have come this far.

"You know, I never had many friends growing up," Sierra said as she looked far off into the distance. Her eyes were filled with sorrow, Ida could see that.

"I don’t think I know what a friend is. But I think it perfectly describes someone like you," she continued with a smile.

Ida was surprised. Sierra was calling her a friend. The maid was so moved, that she forgot her place entirely. She opened her arms and gave Sierra a hug. Sierra was taken by surprise. When Ida came to her senses moments later, she realized how rude she had been.

She quickly shrugged away while apologizing, "I’m so sorry Your Highness! I did not mean to be rude. It’s just... you were saying that... and I..."

"You’re not at fault, Ida. You didn’t do anything wrong," Sierra chuckled, lightening the mood a little.

Ida’s candid actions caught her off guard. But she welcomed them with open arms. Back home in Cair, Sierra never had friends. All the maids and servants in the Bancroft manor observed their positions and never dawdle more than needed.

Since she wasn’t used to having people wait on her hand and foot, she didn’t have maids to care for her necessities. Her training in the barracks along with her father helped instill a sense of independence in her that princesses simply did not have.

After all, Sierra was not born with a golden spoon in her mouth. Not even a silver one.

"Ida, there’s something I want to tell you," Sierra said as she curled her hands into fists.

She wanted to tell Ida the truth. But even with the maid’s trust in her, how she had proven her loyalty time and time again; Sierra still worried. Would Ida’s opinion of her change when she found out the truth?

But before Sierra could speak, the sound of incoming guards caught their attention. As shadows loom on the wall, Sierra and Ida got up, waiting to see who it might be. As the shadows grew closer, the answer became clear.

"Your Majesty," Sierra was the first to speak as she curtsied to King Alistair through the grills of the dungeon cell she was in.

Alistair did not say anything at first. He simply nodded to acknowledge Sierra. Then, he turned to the guards to have them open the gates. He entered the cell, without much care for its unsightly interior.

Before he spoke to Sierra, he turned around to dismiss the guards.

"But Your Majesty-"

"I will not repeat myself."

The guards lowered their heads and retreated out of view. They walked away into the distance until their footsteps could not be heard. Alistair turned his attention back to Sierra.

He had almost forgotten that Ida was there too. But he paid her no mind. He was here so that he could speak to Sierra in private.

Away from the eyes of others.

He took a step forward towards Sierra. She did not look up at him. Her eyes were glued to the ground and she took a step back.

"Are you mad at me, Princess?" Alistair asked.

He clenched his jaw as soon as the words left his mouth. It was extremely unlike him to speak in such a manner. But he could not help himself. Whenever he was around Sierra, it was as if a hidden part of him was awakened.

Sierra glanced up at him for a flicker of a second.

"How could I possibly be mad at the King of Drakin when it was I who injured him on accident?" Sierra asked.

She got down on her knees, surprising Alistair. Even Ida was surprised. She got down on her knees too.

"I will take any punishment you wish to serve me, Your Majesty. All I ask is for Ida to be released. She has done nothing wrong. Whatever she did, she did it to protect me," Sierra pleaded formally.

Ida shook her head as she too pleaded with King Alistair, "Your Majesty! Please do not punish Princess Sierra. She does not know the customs of our kingdom so well. Please spare her!" ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Alistair was dumbfounded. He did not expect the maid to be so loyal to Sierra. How did the princess he was smitten by, find such a loyal maid in just a matter of days when he still questioned the loyalty of the minister who had served in his court for years?

The King let out a little chuckle while shaking his head, processing what had happened in disbelief. Sierra and Ida were both confused by his laughter.

Was he perhaps laughing maniacally?

It did not sound like it to either of them.

"Ida, I must reward you for showing such loyalty to the princess you currently serve. If only I had such loyal servants of my own," he lamented.

"I will grant the princess’ request. Ida, you are free to go."