Chapter 4

Baara was assigned to clean the hall, the hall big enough to fit the people of the whole kingdom. It was definitely going to take the whole day even if it's 10 of them doing it.

Baara takes a bucket to fetch more water to clean the hall, on her way back she sights Prince Calvin walking towards her direction from afar, to dodge him she enters the closet room and locks the door, she looks through the keyhole to check if he had walked past, suddenly she hears the pulling of a sword, she hiccups as she slowly turns to see the person who might as well end her life this instant.

To her surprise, it was the man of her dreams, the greatest swordsman in the kingdom, Lord Eitan, the sight of his face alone made her heart flutter, if she was to die she doesn't mind as long as it was in his arms.

"What are you doing here?".he asks in a very deep dark tone, the length of his very black hair touches his shoulder, it covers his face like a mask, revealing only an eye.

She instantly falls to the ground "Forgive me, my lord".

He keeps his sword "Who were you hiding from?". He asked rather curious

" Someone I have committed a great sin upon, I didn't mean to disturb you".

"You may leave".

Baara still looking at the ground wore a faint smile "Oh thank you, my lord". She immediately got up and got out.

She lets out a relieved sigh, is this how she plans on dodging the Prince and Queen? It's not like she had any other choice, this was a matter of life and death. Baara goes back to the hall and continues her work.

" Why did you take forever?" A maid asked her

She smiles sheepishly "I met lord Eitan". All the maid squeal hearing his name.

They all gather her leaving what they were doing "From a distant?". Another asks curiously

" No, up close, he-he spoke to me". Baara starts to blush, and the maids go back squealing

"You're so lucky!". Another said playfully punching her shoulders.

Another jumps in " What did he tell you, what exactly happened?". Baara saw the curiosity in her eyes.

She smirks as she exaggerates the whole scenario "So there I was fetching a bucket of water when all of a sudden it becomes too heavy for me to pull out, I suddenly felt a presence behind me, at first I thought there might an eclipse or a mountain, but no, as I turned I hit the broad chest of the handsome lord Eitan". The maids all go crazy screaming and squealing "Hush someone might hear us". They all cover their mouth, then turn to her to continue the story "He helps me bring out the bucket, and you know as a lady, I pretended as if the bucket was too hard to carry, so he helps me out, but only halfway, you know he's a man of dignity he can not be seen helping a mere servant, well that's the end".

" You're so lucky Baara". The doors to the halls suddenly burst open and the head maid walks in, they all scatter doing their various work.

The head maid yells at them"What is with all these commotions? I can hear your voices a mile away!" She exaggerates

They all stop what they were doing, bow and chorus  "We have committed a grave sin".

"Who started it?" she ask with a frightening glare, all the maids pointed at Baara.

" Come with me now!" The head maid ordered walking ahead of her

Baara turns to the maids "You all dare snitch on the Oracle, misfortune to you all!". She exclaimed leaving them frightened

Baara follows the head maid, she knew she was in trouble, and today might have been her last straw.

The head maid takes her to an empty barn and tosses a rope, Baara catches it without flinching "Tie it on your hands and legs".

Baara gulps as she starts to follow the order of the head maid, as soon as she was done, the head maid brings out a long stick and puts a piece of clothing in Baara mouth

" You've been very stubborn these days, I hope this helps you learn your lesson". She uses the stick to beat Baara multiple times

Baara cried and screams at the pain but her voice couldn't be heard even though it was, no one can help her, it was only natural for the head maid to discipline them.

_________ The King's eunuch enters his chambers "Sire, you have a visitor". He announced

Darius still laying on his bed arises " Who dares disturb the king?".

A tall dark handsome man walks in "It is I, your dearest friend".

The King wore a smile "Eitan!". The King exclaimed out of excitement, he walks to Eitan and they both embrace each other "How are you doing? Have you been well, did you get hurt? when did you return? ".

Eitan chuckles "You are still the same as ever your highness, I am doing quite well, I didn't get hurt, we had yet another successful battle, I had a few bruises but my wounds are all treated now, I returned last night".

" I am very happy to see you my friend, come let's go for walk". The king and lord Eitan walk around the palace "And as you can see no matter how hard I try, she doesn't want anything to do with me".

Eitan sighs "I'm sorry your highness, no matter how hard I try to understand the Queen I feel she's being too cold towards you".

Darius lets out a sigh "I still won't give up, only if there was someone who can help me".

Eitan puts his hand on the king's shoulder " Your highness, you can get any woman you want, is the queen really worth your effort?".

"I fear my answer still remains the same, I am madly in love with her".

Eitan shakes his head "If this is what falling in love is like, I fear I might just remain a bachelor".

The King smirks at him " You act like a saint but we both know you spend most of your time in the whore house".

Eitan clears his throat "it isn't what it looks like". Darius playful hits his back

" I won't judge you, so don't worry". Darius folds his arms at his back and walks ahead of Eitan wearing an amused smile on his face

"It's really not what it looks like!". Eitan exclaims running after him

" I said I'll believe you. How long will you wear your hair this way?".

Eitan scoffs "The day the heavens decide to smile and bless me with a proper face to match my personality". Darius instantly chuckles, Eitan has a brutal personality, but he was never taken seriously because of his baby face, so because of this he always had to cover it one way or the other.

" I tell you she's very real..she helped me with my lady and now we are lovers". Darius hear a guard say, unknowing to the guard Darius and Eitan were behind him

"Are you sure? Do you think she might help me with my love life as well?" the second guard asks curiously

" of course".

Darius scoffs "These guards and their gossip, come on let's just turn back". Darius and Eitan turn to leave

" She's the oracle of our time, whatever she says always come to pass". Darius stops and he turns to the guards

"What did you just say!". He exclaimed

The guard's eyes widen as they see the king and lord Eitan before them, they both go on their knees and start pleading.

Filled with rage Diarus roars "I asked, what you just said!".

Darius goes back to his Chambers with Eitan

"Surely you do not believe this nonsense sire". Darius said with an amused tone in his voice.

" I won't until I see it for myself, that servant will surely get what is coming to her, how dare she mocks the king like this!". The King clenched his fist trying to control his rage

Eitan goes on one knee "Do not let a mere servant bother you, I will take care of everything and make sure she surely pays for what she has done".

Darius paces around "No..no I'll take care of it myself".

" Of course, sire".

________ "ouch ouch ouch..."Baara mourns as Dorothy dresses her wound

Dorothy scolds her ignoring her complaints "You keep getting into trouble, now look at what that has caused you".

" It's not that bad, it could have been worse" Dorothy angrily hits her "Ouch!".

" I'm going for my night shift, try not to get killed at least". Dorothy leaves the room

Baara kisses her teeth "What's her problem? She isn't the one with bruises".Baara puts on her worn-out night dress and lays on her bed.

She suddenly hears a knock on the door "Who is it!" She exclaimed

"I-i have come to see the oracle".

Baara eyes widen "The oracle needs rest, come another time". The knock continuous "What!".

" it is very urgent, I have 50 gold pieces!".

Baara eyes widen, and she instantly wore her lacy worn-out dress, the queen's shoes and a big fan to cover her face revealing just her eyes.

At a small table in between them, a masked stranger sat holding a bag full of gold pieces.

"Why have you come to seek the Oracle?".

"I have a serious problem, I was born with a misfortune".

Baara chuckles "Oh really? How do you know that?".

" Right from birth I've only brought pain to those around me, even my wife doesn't love me no matter how hard I try, I wish for the misfortune to go away".

Baara takes his hand "Oh yes, there really is a misfortune, but with me, by your side, all your misfortune will continue to disappear".

The stranger scoffs " Oh really?".

"Of course!" Baara snaps her fingers "As long as you keep bringing gifts like these that will appease the heavens, your misfortune will be no more".

"Okay tell me this, I'm expecting a visitor of great importance tomorrow, what gift do think my visitor will bring for me?".

What is it with this guy? She sighs " I guess something that will please you and your wife, if he's of great importance then I believe he's going bring something of silk and gold"

The stranger chuckles "Are you guessing?".

" Of course not I'm certain, I'm the oracle after all". Even if it doesn't happen he can't harm me, I already got his 50 gold pieces.

"Okay then tell me, who is this important guest I'm expecting oh oracle?".

"Uhmm....your father-in-law...".she snaps her fingers " Yes, your father-in-law and he has great news for you".

"Wow....". The stranger gasps

"Of course, you think I'm a phoney?". To Baara surprise he draws his sword out. she stutters " Wha-what is going on?".

"How dare you mock the king!".

Baara becomes speechless "Why are you bringing up the king all of a sudden? I just helped you read your-".

" Silence!". The stranger yells, he removes his mask and reveals his face "bow your head in front of the king".

Baara starts laughing "Sure sure let's just go with that, give me my 50 gold pieces and get out".

Darius wears a confused look on his face"Do you have no fear?".

Baara stands up and tosses away her fan " Hey! Do you know you could be killed for posing as the king?".

Darius chuckles with unbelief "This servant, how dare you speak to with that manner!".

She screams at him " How about I do it again! You cheap stake! I doubt you even have any gold in that bag, you just came here to get your fortune read free of charge!".

He scoffs "I-i would never". Darius opens the bag and reveals all the gold " You see, seems like you do not fear the sword on your neck".

She stands her ground "I have had it drawn at me way too many times, I fear it no more"

Suddenly guards burst into the room "Your highness they all bow to him".

At that moment Baara felt paralysed with fear, she didn't move she didn't say anything, first encounter with the king and she had already committed a grave sin

Darius points at her" Seize her!" The guards grab a hold of her, Baara still paralysed with fear just stayed still as her body trembles "She will be executed!". Darius exclaimed

Baara finally comes to the realization " I beg of you sire, please spare me!". She forcefully falls to her knees and starts to cry.

"Spare you? What you've been doing was to mock me right?".

She cries out "Of course not, I wouldn't dare, please sire!"

"Okay, I've heard your plea, I'm a king and I listen to my subject, I lied, I'm not expecting any special guest, but since the almighty oracle says my father-in-law is coming,then I'll stand by your word, if your prophecy doesn't come to pass you'll be put to death immediately, send her to prison, tonight might as well be her last".

"Please! Please!" Baara screams out of her lungs as the guards take her away.