5 Direct Punishment

"Seriously?" Tarah muttered under her breath, her eyes widening as she took in the arrangements made for her inside the prince's tent. 

She stared at the makeshift bed close to the Prince's bed, which was only separated by a curtain for some reason.

'Just what is he thinking, having me stay inside his tent?' she mused with a deep frown forming on her face. She couldn't believe that Prince Ezekiel would use this kind of arrangement for her. She didn't know what to think of it. What was his purpose for this?

Her face then paled as she thought of the possibility of the prince taking her as his woman.

That couldn't be… right? The rumors spoke of his aloofness around women, portraying him as a figure dedicated to his duties and responsibilities who didn't have time to invest in personal relationships. He was a valiant man known for his just and noble demeanor.

Even in Tarah's visions and dreams, the prince had always been depicted as a leader destined to unite kingdoms and bring about peace.

"I'll assist you with everything you'll need, milady," a female servant, who introduced herself as Cora said. She looked like someone who was of the same age as Tarah, with her just turning twenty-one this year. "The bath is ready for you to clean up. There are also some clothes available that Prince Ezekiel asked for you." 

"We're at war. These arrangements are not necessary, and I can sleep with the rest," Tarah stated, her mind still busy deciphering the Prince's intentions for making her stay in his own tent like this. "I came with them, so I must stay with them. Why was I escorted here?" 

"It's the Prince's order, milady," Cora firmly replied. "Please, let me help you get cleaned up now. You'll soon join him for dinner."

"I'm good, Cora. You don't need to assist me. I can bathe on my own," Tarah told her with a reassuring smile. "I'm already grateful for the bath you prepared."

"If you insist, milady," Cora bowed with a genuine smile. "Please call for me whenever you need assistance." 

Smiling, Tarah held Cora's hands to say her thanks, and right then, she saw a vision of the woman's future. Smiling further, she replied, "Thank you, Cora. I'll let you know if I need anything."

With a nod, Cora left, and Tarah quickly went to where the bathtub was. There was a sheet of cloth separating the area from the rest of the tent, granting her some privacy while bathing. 

Sighing, she took off her clothes and cleaned herself in a rush. She bit her lower lip as she touched the mark on her lower back. It was one of the reasons why she wouldn't let anyone assist her during bathing. She didn't want anyone to see the horrendous scar on her back.

Tarah subconsciously hugged her legs as her body shivered, not because of the cold, but of the familiar fear that stirred in every inch of her body. Just the thought of losing what little she had left… which was someone that she cared for, was enough for her to tremble in fear.

"I should stay strong. I must succeed no matter what," she weakly whispered to herself as she stared at her own reflection from the clear waters. "I will save you, Levi, no matter what," she weakly murmured. Tears soon uncontrollably fell from her eyes. 

For three years, she had endured so much that she could barely recognize herself by now.

She had to clutch on her blade to survive, and she was willing to take drastic measures if it meant saving someone important to her, even if she had to risk it all, breaking the law and deceiving others.

She had long forgotten the meaning of dignity, self-respect, shame, and embarrassment. 

Tarah quickly composed herself and finished cleaning up. She must stay focused on the plan. By the time some servants entered and prepared the table for dinner, she was already dressed and ready.

Prince Ezekiel soon entered, glancing at her before he dismissed the servants.

"It's good to see that the dress fits you well," Prince Ezekiel commented. 

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your generosity," Tarah replied with a curt bow.

Ezekiel simply nodded before gesturing for her to sit in front of him. "You must be hungry. Eat," he simply stated. 

He talked coldly. Tarah obeyed and sat down, her heart hammering against her chest from how intensely the prince was staring at her. It wasn't the first time though since he had been deliberately doing such a thing, whether knowingly or not, ever since they met. 

Gathering enough strength, Tarah met his gaze and directly spoke up, "Your Highness, please enlighten me as to why I have to stay here in your tent instead of staying with the others."

Ezekiel casually started cutting his meat as he answered. "You said you're a seer, and it's rare for anyone in this world to be a seer unless it's the fated one for Ebodia," he explained.

"There's a high possibility that you're Beirut's successor. You said it yourself that you saw him in your visions and dreams. And if you're truly Ebodia's fated seer, then I believe you'll be ascending soon, Tarah. Until then, you'll remain under my wing and under my watch to see whether you're truly our Seer and not some random spy sent by Helion."

Ebodia's Seer… There was no doubt that she was the one basing on her dreams and visions. Not to mention what the former Seer told her that day. He merely whispered it while facing her, but she still managed to read his lips before he lost consciousness.

'All is in your hands now…'

That was what he said back then. It was as if he was transferring his duty to her. She also felt something unexplainable inside her that day. It was as if there was this blinding light unseen to others that engulfed her whole body.

Silence reigned, and Tarah started eating as well. "Your hair… Is that your natural color or did you dye it?"

Tarah was confused to hear such a question from the prince, but she answered, "Black is the natural color of my hair, Your Highness."

The prince just nodded before adding, "While you haven't ascended yet, you'll be my assistant and healer, Tarah. You will serve no one but me."

Tarah blinked before bravely asking, "Aren't you afraid of keeping me this close, Your Highness? What if I'm a spy for Helion?"

Ezekiel looked straight into her eyes and firmly said, "I would rather have to keep my enemies closer, Tarah. And if I find out that you're a spy, you'll face direct punishment from me. One that will have you wishing we never crossed paths at all…"