Majic stood trembling in front of the king's chamber door, clueless about what was to occur inside, yet her heart was restless; for the first time, Lady Marila felt a tiny degree of pity for the girl.
"Just do as his majesty commands, even if it seems dreadful it will soon pass if you don't resist," whispered Lady Marila to the princess, whose eyes widened in alarm.
The princess was soon announced, and she meekly entered the room as the doors shut behind her; she clutched her robe tighter, bewildered why she was given such a sheer nightgown to meet with the king, thankful at least for the robe over it.
The king approached and offered her a glass of wine, as she lingered near the door. Fortem stepped toward the princess with the glass in hand; she was uncomfortable with the king's proximity and pressed herself against the door, attempting to keep distance.
"Drink princess, drink all of it, it may be better that way," the king said, handing her the glass.
The young princess sipped the wine but found it bitter, grimacing in distaste, reluctant to drink more.
"Drink!" the king shouted.
Recalling Lady Marila's advice, she hastily gulped down the remaining wine, despite her unwillingness. The king sniffed the air around the maiden, pleased by her scent, then grabbed her by the neck, drawing her in for a kiss. However, the terrified look in the petite princess's eyes halted him, considering how she still seemed childlike, despite the wine.
Majic remained by the door, pondering the bizarre actions of the king who paced, mumbling to himself and tapping his head, "Has he gone mad?" she thought, not daring to look elsewhere.
Fortem wrestled internally with his advisor's words, "Do you not remember how the soldiers from King Carpio's realm took advantage of the girls in our towns irrespective of their appearance?" He recalled his reply, "I am not that kind of monster," to which Tesko retorted, "You wouldn't be a monster, merely exercising your right as her husband, and she is no helpless child, she came here knowing she would become your wife, don't be fooled by her angelic face, she's the beloved daughter of that madman who killed your mother; think of her as just another woman." Reminiscing about his mother's death, the king clenched his fists, breathed deeply, and approached the young princess.
His gaze had transformed, far more daunting than before, overwhelming the princess with dread that grew as the king swiftly removed her robe, exposing her in the scanty nightgown; she couldn't fathom his intentions—was he trying to freeze her to death?
Suddenly, the king yanked her forcefully, tossing her onto the bed; everything occurred too swiftly for her to comprehend as she lay there, watching him disrobe, observing some scars on her spouse's torso. As he undressed further, she closed her eyes in shame, burrowing into the bed sheets to distance herself from him—to no avail, as the king pulled her by the legs and lifted her nightgown, while she pleaded, "Please don't hurt me, please don't hurt me," tears streaming down her face.
Visions of her mother making the same plea flashed before her, rendering the king incapable of continuing, his frustrated roar echoing through the nearby chambers.
"Get dressed!" ordered the king to the princess, pulling his trousers back on.
Majic hurriedly dressed and re-donned her robe, confused by the entire scene, and returned to the door to open it, only to find it locked.
"I truly apologize if I offended you, I'm sorry, if you must punish me, then strike me, I do not understand your intent, those ladies already inspected me, did you wish to do the same? I'm perplexed for it's terribly embarrassing, maybe just whip me, I'll endure it," the princess sobbed.
The king laughed mockingly, thinking the girl was ridiculing him with her naïve remarks, believing she knew nothing of martial obligations even though she'd never been with a man before.
"Stop mocking me, I have every right to take you as my wife, but I am not a violator of women and children, like your father," he stated, advancing to her and taking her chin.
"Take me as your wife? What does that mean? I'm so confused, they tell me to do as you wish, to please you, to do it even if it hurts, I don't understand; if only someone would explain," she dared to say amidst her tears.
"Stop pretending; every princess and lady in society receives instruction on their duties as a wife and mother, even if discussed delicately, you should have some notion of what transpires between spouses in bed," the king reproached.
"I don't know, I was not taught anything," insisted the princess, still crying.
"Then tell me, what were you told about what happens in marriage?" the king queried.
"Nothing, as I said, nothing was taught to me, what's supposed to be taught to a princess neglected by her father?" she exclaimed with tears in her eyes.
"Neglected," the king pondered the girl's declaration—was she concocting some tale? His envoys and guards who fetched her reported that her father, King Carpio, never tired of claiming her as his most cherished daughter, one so spoiled that she could act insolently without bowing to her father, and he allowed it. How could it then be, that Majic claimed to him she was merely a neglected princess?
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