Chapter thirteen: Cast this imbecile to the dungeon.

A soft soundless gasp fell from Salsa's lips at the touch of the Queen's hand. The electrical feeling that shot through her body was foreign and terrifying.

Why?

Salsa's mind was centered on the feeling coursing through her as the Queen helped her up and towards the side and also on the fact that though the Queen's hand felt soft in hers there were some callouses on it. Something she wasn't expecting from someone like her. And it pleased her when the Queen held her hand longer than was necessary.

Salsa pulled away from her thoughts when two ladies, slightly older than her appeared before the queen.

" My Lady, " they took a respectful bow before looking up to gawk at Salsa with curiosity.

A wave of shyness shot through Salsa as she endured their interest. One of the girls, the taller of the two smiled briefly at her putting her at ease even though Salsa couldn't return her smile.

" Take care of her, " the Queen said finally letting go of her hand.

Immediately Salsa felt a chill and emptiness at the loss of the Queen's touch. She wanted to hold on to her and never let go. With the Queen, she didn't feel scared of this new world but there was nothing she could do as the Queen was already heading back towards the King.

Of course, she was heading back towards the King, she belongs to him.

Salsa didn't know why that particular knowledge angered her but it did.

" Mmmhm. "

Salsa looked up from the ground she was staring at when one of the ladies coughed.

It was the one with the friendly smile.

Salsa looked at her with question wondering what she wanted.

" We have to go, " she said with a simple smile.

Salsa nodded and followed them. She wanted to look back at the Queen but quickly shut down the desire.

She followed meekly behind the ladies with her eyes to the floor and her head bowed.

Outside the two women paused abruptly that Salsa nearly ran into them. Salsa looked up sharply, apology already at the tips of her tongue.

" Who are you? " the shorter lady demanded with fire in her eyes which startled Salsa that she took a step back.

" Salsa Lang, " Salsa muttered in a soft tone, her voice barely carrying. She wondered why the lady was interested in who she is but didn't voice the thought out.

Mei stared at the new girl with her eyes narrowed. They were in the hall and had witnessed the whole thing that happened because of the blonde. She didn't see what the scuffle was all about. Nothing was interesting about the blonde. Then again she has never heard her Lady speak with such tender care to anyone.

" Hey, Mei relax, what is with the third degree, " Sally pulled Mei back from the blonde servant. She didn't know what has come over her friend.

Face to face with the new servant she allowed a friendly smile to emerge from her face as she looked at the blonde.

" She is beautiful, " Sally thought before speaking.

" Hi, I am Sally, and this bulldog here is Mei, " she jokes pointing at Mei while laughing lightly. " Please disregard her brass attitude she is all bark and no bite, " Sally finished softly seeing how the blonde was ill at ease from her interaction with Mei.

Mei rolled her eyes at Sally but otherwise didn't comment.

Salsa nodded but her face didn't crack at Sally's attempt to put her at ease. Even though her shoulders relaxed a little, she was still tense. She doesn't know these people and doesn't know how to act around them. She longed for the Queen's presence because she always manages to put her at ease.

" I am Salsa, " she said for lack of anything else to say, her eyes still fixed to the ground.

" You have said it before, " Sally teased trying to pry a smile from the blonde but was unsuccessful so she stopped trying.

" Gru! Gru! "

Salsa's stomach roared angrily, the sound echoing like a lion in the forest. Salsa's hand flew to her stomach to quieten it while her face felt like it has been lit on fire.

Mei burst into laughter while Sally did her best to curb her mirth. She didn't want to embarrass the girl any further but Mei didn't seem to have the same qualms as she continued to laugh making Salsa feel ashamed.

" Mei! " Sally reached out to smack the other servant when she wouldn't stop cracking up.

" Enough! " she scolded with a warning glare before she turned to Salsa with an understanding smile.

" How long has it been since you ate? " she asked in a kind tone.

Salsa was too embarrassed to answer at first as she couldn't get her lips to move. " A...a while, " she finally forced out after so many attempts.

" Well let's find something to feed the monster before it swallows us all, " Sally teased playfully wiggling her brow at Salsa.

That drew a smile from her.

The three servants set out in search of food. When they arrived earlier, Sally and Mei dug around to know where things are for their lady and already knows the direction of the kitchen. It was on the far end of the south wing of the palace.

As they were walking through the connecting corridors and pathways leading to the kitchen they were stopped mid-way by a group of female servants.

The two groups met in the middle of a corridor. The other groups bowed with their knees slightly bent to Sally and Mei. Being the maiden servants of the Queen their ranks supersedes all other servants in the castle.

Mei and Sally reciprocated their bow and Salsa followed doing her best to appear invisible.

" The Queen's clothing has arrived and we were asked to come get you so you can direct where we can keep her things, " one of the female servants told them.

" Alright, we will follow you, " Sally said immediately changing course.

The female servants all bowed again before leading the way towards the Queen's chamber located on the East wing.

Salsa's stomach let out a small growl as if making a statement about its displeasure at the change of plans.

Salsa quietly followed the servants as they headed in a different direction. She couldn't help wondering when she would get to eat.

The walk to get to the Queen's chambers was a long one that Salsa was almost dragging her feet. She was hungry and she was tired and in so much need to rest her feet.

It has grown dark everywhere.

Finally, they were there.

Salsa paused to take in a deep breath inhaling the soft pleasant smell of the big peach tree at the center of the Queen's chambers. The night breeze was doing a good job of circulating the scent.

Salsa stopped to take in the Peachtree. It looks so beautiful. She loves Peaches, especially flowers.

She reached out to catch a petal as the wind carried it towards her. She stared at the delicate pink petal marveling at their beauty.

Not knowing why holding the petal brought to mind the Queen.

The Queen was just as beautiful.

The thought of the Queen made Salsa's heart skip and reminded her that she had a destination. She was the only one remaining on the last corridor connecting to the Queen's chambers. She hurried to catch up.

When she got there she was almost mauled down by the male servants helping to carry the Queens boxes.

" Out of the way lady! " one of the guys yelled in Salsa's direction startling her. She jumped and was quick to move out of the way before she knocked down.

She waited aside until the men went through before taking a hesitant step towards the Queen's chambers.

She walked in and her jaw dropped at how large the room is. She gawked at everything, turning around to take in the beautiful room.

While she stood watching the furry activities going on inside the Queen's chambers as her maiden servants directed the other servants on where to place what, she realized that she was in the way as she was being excused a lot no matter where she stood so she decided to leave and take a walk around the Palace. It was a beautiful place and even more beautiful with the stars and moon gazing down at it.

Salsa quietly left the chambers and headed in the direction her head leads. She had no clue where she was going and just decided to move.

Whenever she passes a guard her mind will flip in fright as she recalls her earlier encounter with them. She couldn't shake the fear of it repeating itself and there will be no Master Chang to save her.

" There you are! " a familiar voice growled from behind Salsa scaring the hell out of her.

The sound of someone with the same voice as Master Chang just as his thought crossed her mind scared Salsa.

She turned to face the voice and jumped when she saw Master Chang staggering towards her, his steps unsteady with a heavy scowl on his face.

" Master Chang, " she muttered in shock wondering what the man was doing here.

" So you thought you could escape me, girl, " Master Chang crooned in a drunken tone moving towards her.

Salsa took a step back confused by the drunk mumbling.

" What are you saying Master Chang? " she enquired in a fearful tone looking around if there was someone to help her. Master Chang looked not to be in his right senses.

Master Chang scoffed annoyed by the girl's innocent act.

" You belong to me girl, I paid for you and I am not going to let you slip through my hands without having a taste of what I paid for, " Master Chang growled in anger and grabbed Salsa roughly pulling her into his body.

Salsa's heart nosedived into her stomach as her fear leaped out of bounds.

" Please Master Chang let me go, " she begged her voice shaking as tears filled her eyes.

Master Chang ignored her pleas and tried to kiss her.

" I paid for you and I must have you, " Master Chang snarled trying to force his kiss on Salsa.

" No! " Salsa cried and began to struggle but her little fight was nothing to Master Chang's drunk brute strength.

Master Chang angered by the girl's resistance raised his hand and slapped her hand.

" Don't fight me girl and I promise I will make you feel good, " he tried again to kiss the blonde.

Salsa's tears ran fast down her cheeks as she continued to resist, pleading for Master Chang to come back to his senses.

" Please stop! " she begged crying harder as Master Chang began to paw at her breast.

It hurts, she thought wishing that someone would come and save her.

Master Chang's desire was inflamed by the servant's struggle and he felt his prick harden as his hands continued to fondle her breast.

" They are so soft, " he moaned forcing his lips on the girl's skin.

I bet they look and taste better without the clothing, he thought giddily reaching out to tear the girl's gown from the top.

" No! " Salsa screamed catching the helms of her dress before they could slip from her body.

Her fearful mind conjured the Queen and she found herself crying out for her.

" What is going on here?! " The Queen's voice yelled behind them scaring Master Chang.

His eyes doubled their size as he flew away from the servant, his face stuck in horror.

" Y... your Highness, " he stammered in shock his whole body shaking. He knew he was finished when he saw the thundering look on the Queen's face.

Salsa's whole body sagged in relief at the appearance of the queen. She sniffed softly not daring to look at the Queen.

She felt so ashamed.

" Are you alright? "

The soft inquiry made Salsa cry harder. She couldn't speak. Her body shrunk into itself when the Queen reached out to touch her.

" Is okay, " the Queen told her in a tender voice before turning her furious eyes toward Master Chang.

" Get me the guards! " she ordered without lifting her eyes off the imbecile.

One of the female servants hurried off to get the guards.

" Please My Queen have mercy on me, " Master Chang crumbled to the ground pleading.

The Queen ignored him and waited impatiently for the guards' arrival.

" They are here your highness, " the female servant said a little breathless.

" Your highness, " the guards bowed their heads.

" Take this fool to the dungeon, I will deal with him tomorrow. "