Chapter 124: Flog Her!
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While Samantha was forcefully led to the outer part of the Palace, her whole body had developed a strange sense of fatigue along the way. Unable to keep up with the guards that continuously pushed her forward each time she made an attempt to slow down, it got to a point her system could no longer keep up with the harassment, whilst her frail body eventually went limp as she dropped motionless to the ground, unconscious... but what awaited her the moment she regained consciousness would make her wish she never woke up to experience it.
Feeling an abrupt splatter of ice water on her face, Samantha’s heavy eyelids were forced to flutter open. The icy water coming in contact with her skin almost left her numb to the aching chill, she could feel the collar of her dress had gotten drenched, but when she lifted her blurry eyes to see who it was that had decided to wake her up in such a cruel manner, in front of her stood Claire who held an empty bucket in hand. A vicious smile curved her red lips upon taking note of Samantha who had returned from her slumbers to finally face the reality fated for her.
"Did you sleep well?" Inquired Claire as she handed the bucket to a guard who politely took it from her grip. "I’m hoping you enjoyed your peaceful slumber? I was considerate to stop the guards from waking you up since today will be your last day of reckoning." She maliciously hinted with a delightful sparkle in her eyes.
The early afternoon sun that warmed her skin from the coldness of the water, had Samantha taking it into notice that she was no longer anywhere near the Chevalier Palace. When she tried to wipe her face and clear her vision, just to confirm she wasn’t seeing things, it brought her attention to something else; both her hands were shockingly tied to a pole at each side, and as if that wasn’t enough traumatic shock for the day, she was standing on a raised platform that was located right in the heart of EmptyHollow’s Town square, also known as the capitals.
The sudden murmuring sounds of people had Samantha looking behind Claire to see that passersby had now stopped to witness what was going on. The shocks on their faces as they whispered to one another, curiously contemplating on what the human had done, had them shaking their head in pity, although some of the crowds hadn’t bothered to figure out the reason why she was brought here, whilst they began their insensitive judgements.
"What- what is happening? What are you doing?!" Samantha tried to tug her hand free from the ropes, but unfortunately, they were bound so tightly that even the smallest wriggle felt as though the roughness of the ropes were tearing into her skin. Wasn’t she meant to be facing actual trial in the royal Courtroom first? Why is she.... Why is she being publicly humiliated??
From a corner, Eamon stepped onto the raised platform so he could get a good look at the maiden who appeared disoriented with what was going on. When Samantha looked away from the gathered crowds to meet his crimson eyes, Eamon simply averted them elsewhere as though he couldn’t bear the sight of a low repulsive human looking at him with no respect, and then he turned to the crowd, concealing his emotions with a smile before proceeding to make his announcement.
"People of GreenHollow, I know everyone must have questions considering why the royals have decided to step out of their shells and... make this entrance in the busiest town squares in the capital? Well, justice must prevail on our late King who had been assassinated wrongly, don’t you think?" He questioned the crowd that continued to gather before turning his resentful gaze to Samantha who seemed to have lost her breath.