[IHTTMBW] Chapter 16

‘I’ve just started to get to know him.’

This made the situation strange. I should have tried harder to be closer to him even though he had refused. I should have got closer to him faster. My stomach should have been aching, but I felt nothing like I was shivering. I could hear the sound of guards assembling. My stomach started to ache. I think my bruises are hurting me. As I cowered, Euphil hugged me harder with his soft touch.

“Are you hurt?”

“No…”

“Let me see.”

As I couldn’t say, the small bruises on my stomach hurt, so I refused, but I could only tell the truth as he stared intently at me.

“My stomach hurts.”

“Stomach? Of course, it hurts. Let me see.”

He looked furious. I shook my head as a no. I don’t know. Things are going crazy now; I should tell him this now.

“Look at my stomach, it’s blue, and it hurts.”

“Blue…. Bruise?”

Ante was deadly desperate now. She ran into me to stop me from saying anything, but the guard stopped her. I lifted my cloth so others couldn’t see it and showed it to Euphil. The old bruises were turning green, and the new bruises were purple. He was furious.

“Who is the head of the guards?”

“It.. It is me, your Highness.”

“State your name.”

“It’s Valk! Is there anything….”

Valk seemed to know what was going on. His expressions explained everything. He could feel the cold atmosphere. To be honest, Euphil’s cold, bloodthirstiness felt devastating. But when he turned to me, he looked soft. He felt sorry for me.

“Myrthi.”

Since when did he call my name? But it was nice to hear. Regardless of his anger, his voice was sweet.

“Was your palace like this all the time?”

“Yup…. This is Myrthi’s house.”

“The meals were like this the whole time?”

“Meals?”

“Food.”

“I am hungry, but the rice was spilt on the floor.”

Sobs.

Everyone was shivering as I said every word. All five maids gathered in the room. Valk quickly held the spilt white soup on the floor that Euphil pointed at.

“Your Highness!”

“You know what you’ve done.”

He was cold as ice. I was somewhat happy to feel his anger. I knew the food wasn’t normal, and there wasn’t one in the palace. But I never knew someone would be mad at this. I mean, at least Euphil wouldn’t.

“Euvil, are you mad?”

I whispered while grabbing his clothes. I could only say it quietly as I cried too much. Euphil lifted me like I was a precious baby. My eyes dilated in surprise. Euphil said brutally:

“Even though I hadn’t seen or heard about this before, there are no excuses for such a situation. All of you will be beheaded.”

“Please wait for a moment, Your Highness!”

“Euvil?”

I whispered this more than shouting, but the other maids couldn’t do anything. But, one of the maids stepped forward and kneeled.

“Please forgive me! We only followed that woman’s orders.”

Other maids and guards were kneeling, too. It was natural that all of them would be executed any moment now. Although I grabbed his clothes and blonde hair, Euphil didn’t respond.

‘Oh my.’

Euphil was angrier than ever. I put my face on his shoulders since I was frightened. Euphil whispered to me in a much softer voice.

“Shh. It’s okay. It’s nothing. Wait for me. I will settle it.”

Euphil seemed to be full of determination.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

“I mean it. Ante controls the budget in this palace. I followed her orders.”

Valk bowed down to the ten-year-old prince. He was even bawling in tears.

According to him, Ante was managing the palace budget all along. That was shocking news.

Of course, Myrthi’s palace received a larger budget than the other palaces.

‘What?’

When I found out this information, I was astonished.

How could she?

I was fine if she just beat me or locked me up. How could she just take my money? I need to collect that money to run away!

“Ante stole Myrthi’s money…”

As I whispered to Euphil, he nodded.

He whispered again.

“Don’t worry, Myrthi, I’ll get it back.”

The money Ante stole was enough to buy a house—a luxurious house with fancy furniture inside.

“Please, I beg you. I have children to feed.”

One guard came out and begged Euphil. Despite this, his eyes were still cold.

“You left this little child in the dark. Yet, you think your children would be safe?”

“Please, it’s all my fault. I won’t make any excuses.”

Valk was in tears, and it seemed like he regretted it, just as before. I also knew why he hadn’t wanted to see me lately.

“Euvil.”

I grabbed Euphil’s clothes. He looked at me.

“Valgu is my friend. Valgu warmed my room.”

“The Chief Guard stole the wood from you…”

“That’s correct. After I met the Princess, I couldn’t do it after I saw her smile.”

“Then why didn’t you stop that maid.”

“I have stolen some of the budget money before.”

“That means I can cut your throat.”

How could he naturally say such violent words?

I grabbed his clothes. No! Valk is my friend! But it was silent.

I was surprised as each one of the guards came out to Euphil to confess their sins.

‘They must have bought at least two houses with the money!’

But what Euphil was angry about were my bruises.

“I’ll let you down on the floor for a second.”

After he put me down, he walked to Ante.