AMELIA’S POV


    Stirring from my slumber with my senses graduallying back to me, I was greeted by the sound of


    mu ffled s obs echoing through my room. Confusion clouded my mind for a moment before I realized


    that it was K. She sat on the floor, resting her back against the wall, in tears.


    Struggling against the waves of pain that washed over me with each movement I made in a bid to look


    at her, I turned my head to face her, wincing as I did so. K rushed to my side, her face etched with


    concern and worry as she was now in the know of my consciousnes.


    “Please, Amelia, don’t strain yourself,” she pleaded as her voice trembled. “You need to take it easy


    and let yourself heal.”


    I managed a weak smile, though the pain that coursed through my body made it difficult to find any


    semnce offort.


    “I’ll be fine, K,” I reassured her as the words came out strained and breathless.


    “Why are you crying?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as I struggled to make sense of the


    situation. “Is everything alright?”


    K shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes as she tried topose herself.


    “I just… I feel so sad seeing you like this,” she admitted, her voice choked with whatever emotion made


    her begin to cry in the first ce.. “You don’t deserve to suffer like this, Amelia. You tried your best for


    this pack and you still do. It’s not fair.”


    Her words struck a chord deep within me, stirring a swell of gratitude and affection for the sister who


    had stood by my side through thick and thin.


    Tears welled up in my own eyes as I reached out to grasp her hand, squeezing it tightly in a silent


    gesture of appreciation and understanding.


    “Thank you, K,” I whispered, “But it was my fault.”


    “How is it your fault?” She asked, not agreeing with my point of view.


    “I didn’t do as ordered, K. Lbroke the rules.” I said. I didn’t want her to have any


    grudge against anyone in my stead.


    “How is it your fault that


    fault that Varef got on your nerves without caution in front of the Queen Mother? How is it your fault that


    the Queen mother watched on while Varef angered you till you couldn’t take it anymore when she could


    have stopped you both? Just tell me how that is your fault.”


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    “How did you get to know all these?” I was surprised that she knew exactly what happened without me


    having to tell her.


    “When I received the message that you were in the punishment ground, I wasn’t sure how true the


    anything that would implicate you.” She answered to my surprise.


    message was. So, I had to go confront Lord Varef before doing


    “Did he hurt you? Did he say anything terrible to you?”


    “No, he didn’t. Shocking enough, he told me to go get you there before I even asked my question. It


    was like he was expecting me already.” She answered. I guess Varef was really pained about me being


    punished.


    “Thank you, K.” I expressed my gratitude.


    “It’s my duty, Amelia. But why did Canthra Minerva punish you for that little misdeed? This obviously


    isn’t the first time you and Varef would act up in her presence. Why did she choose to punish you


    today?”


    “That was because, I drew out my weapon.” I replied truthfully and she went silent right away. There


    was no one who didn’t know what drawing one’s weapon in the presence of the Queen mother meant.


    “See, I told you I was at fault”


    “No, it’s still unfair. How could she punish you with the Seven strikes just because of that.”


    “It’s better than death, K. You know that”


    “And when will you stop déluding yourself with this blind loyalty of yours? Can’t you see that you’re


    being used here? To the Queen mother, you’re nothing but a pawn, a chess piece she could toss away


    when she’s not in need of it.” She paused, looking at me in the eye./


    “To her, you’re just someone she could use as a scapegoat when she feels like it.”


    10:40 Mon, 18 Mar


    K didn’t hold back as she spoke.


    “Hey, lower your voice. I bet you don’t want to get in trouble like I did.” I warned softly and she sighed,


    casting a measuring look at me.


    “Sincerely, you need to start getting smart, K.” She sat on the bed with me.


    “What do you expect me to do? Do I have a choice in all these?”


    “No, you don’t, but…”


    A knock on the door made her keep quiet as we stared at each other suspiciously. Someone was


    knocking, obviously it could be anyone. Could they have heard our discussion?


    “Go get


    Upon opening the door, I didn’t hear her speak or make


    I said and she nodded, spri ging towards the door.


    any


    sound.


    “Who’s there?” I asked.


    “No one,” she replied, returning to my side


    “There was no one there when I opened the door. But I saw this at the doorstep.” She showed me a


    bottle which she said to have picked up at the door. Definitely, the person who knocked must have left it


    there.


    I opened the bottle and the smell of medicine filled my nose.


    “It’s medicine for wounds.” I said to expectant K.


    “Who could have left it there?” She asked, looking in the direction of the door.


    “Anyone. Maybe, Varef.”


    “Let me help you with applying it.” She collected the bottle from me and I positioned myself well,


    exposing my back to her.


    As K tenderly applied the ointment to my wounded back, I couldn’t help but wince at the stinging


    sensation that apanied the soothing relief. Her touch was gentle, yet each movement sent ripples


    of difort through my tender skin. Despite the pain, I remained still, grateful for K’s unwavering


    support and care.


    “I’m so sorry, Amelia,” K whispered softly, her voiceced with genuine remorse


    as she continued to apply the ointment. “I wish there was something more I could do to ease your


    pain.”


    “It’s alright, K,” I reassured her, my voice strained with difort. “You’re doing everything you can,


    and I appreciate it more than


    you know.”


    While she was treating my wounds, the Queen mother’s words about empathy and fear couldn’t leave


    v mind


    It rang continuously.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, K finished applying the ointment, and I slowly stood up,


    carefully pulling my clothes back on over my sensitive skin. K’s concerned gaze followed my every


    move, her brow furrowed with worry.


    “Where are you off to?” she asked in a defensive manner. “Surely you’re not nning to go out in your


    current state?”


    I shook my head, a grim determination settling over me despite the lingering pain.


    “I have no choice, K,” I replied, my voice firm. “The Queen Mother has ordered me to attend to my


    duties, and I cannot disobey hermand.”


    “To hell with the Queen mother. Can’t you just rest today?”


    “I can’t.” I said, cing my hands on her shoulder. “I’ll be back soon.”