The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 23: Public Humiliation

Chapter 23: Public Humiliation

Eve was still emotionally exhausted from what happened yesterday. She was mourning Annie’s death. She heard that Alaric buried Annie’s body in Sunrise Meadow Valley near the Moonshade Grove Forest. She wanted to visit Annie’s gravestone, but she was forbidden from leaving the Lotus Pavilion.

She just sat on her bed, staring blankly at the feather-shaped jade necklace. She finally got a hold of her mother’s possessions– the things Princess Esmeralda left for her. The feathers symbol was the royal emblem of Kingdom Zephyra.

’This is my proof of identity. The palace is no longer a safe place for me. I have to do something to escape and look for trusted allies.’

Two people came to her mind– Gideon, the Black Hunter, and Alucard Winslow, the former royal guard captain of her grandfather.

Eve took a deep sigh as she looked out through the window. ’I need Alaric’s influence to free Gideon. And I’m gonna need his military power and connection to find Alucard Winslow. Though I hate him so much, I have no choice but to utilize his current position for my own gain.’

’The more reason I can’t divorce him yet.’ Eve clenched the jade pendant in her hand tightly, her emerald eyes filled with conviction.

Bam!

Eve’s train of thought was interrupted by the sudden arrival of the Queen’s servant accompanied by two royal guards. They just barged into her room unannounced.

She looked at them in confusion. But she still managed to hide her jade necklace under her pillow.

"Take her away!" The Queen’s servant ordered the royal guards.

Eve swallowed hard as she watched the approaching royal guards. She looked around but she didn’t see Alaric. He hadn’t come home since last night.

Before the guards captured her, Eve quickly grabbed her quill pen and wrote on her pad.

[ Why are you here? Where are you bringing me? ]

The Queen’s loyal servant sneered at her with her mocking eyes. "You are going to receive your punishment today at the royal courtyard. The council and the royal family are already waiting there."

After saying those words, she signaled the guards to bind Eve’s hands. The royal guards harshly dragged her, escorting her out of the Lotus Pavilion.

Eve clenched her jaw as she obediently followed them. ’What is Gavin doing? I thought we had a deal. Perhaps, he turns back on his words. He can’t prove my innocence.’

As they approached the royal courtyard, Eve began to lose hope. No one could save her.

The members of the royal court and the royal family were all present. They also invited the High Priest to witness this rare occasion wherein a member of the royal family was subject to flogging as her punishment for breaking her marital vows.

As soon as she entered the royal courtyard, she was greeted by a look of disgust coming from several pairs of eyes. The murmuring erupted, ridiculing Eve for her unfaithfulness.

Queen Amara, Thalia, and the other princesses had satisfied smiles on their faces as they watched Eve being escorted to the flogging platform. This was a form of public humiliation for Eve. And they found pleasure in seeing her suffer.

"She is a disgrace to the royal family!"

"How could she betray our kingdom’s hero?! She deserves a much harsher punishment!"

"I agree. She should be exiled from the kingdom. But before that, she should divorce General Alaric first. Our kingdom’s hero deserves someone better, like Princess Thalia of Kingdom Eldara."

Eve slammed her eyes shut as she listened to those people’s sentiments. She was innocent but she couldn’t defend herself. Even if she spoke up, no one would believe her.

Even before she set foot in the royal courtyard, the sentencing had been finalized by the king and queen as they issued the royal decree without properly investigating the crime she committed. They only listened to one side of the story.

’This is my fate. I have to endure it and survive this no matter what,’ she convinced herself, trying to strengthen her resolve. She didn’t show any remorse. She just maintained her blank expression.

Even was only wearing a thin white dress. The guards pushed her to the platform, not showing any respect for the princess.

"Lie facing down," they commanded her.

Eve’s eyes swept her surroundings for one last time, searching for Gavin. But he was not present there, including Alaric.

"What are you waiting for? Lie down now." said the executioner who stood right behind her, holding a long cane.

Eve flinched at the sight of the bulky man. With his physical appearance, she could tell that the strength and impact of the lashes she would receive would be difficult for her to endure. She might even pass out in the middle of fifty floggings.

’Will I be able to survive this?’ Eve asked herself.

She was used to being hit and whipped by the queen and her siblings. But today’s punishment was harsher than she could imagine. The executioner would strike her back, legs, and buttocks in front of high-ranking officials and members of the royal court.

The shaming and humiliation were more painful than the physical pain. She was also branded as the unfaithful wife of the kingdom’s hero. Where could she find her self-worth now?

"Let’s start!" Queen Amara gave her cue to the executioner. She deliberately arranged this punishment for Eve while General Alaric was not around.

Last night, Queen Amara overheard the conversation between General Alaric and King Solomon. Alaric requested the king to delay the execution of Eve’s punishment because her body was still weak.

King Solomon already agreed to Alaric’s request. However, when the young general left, Queen Amara intervened, convincing King Solomon to push through the punishment this morning.

"Place her on the flogging platform now!" Some members of the royal court yelled, supporting the Queen’s command.

The royal guards forcefully made Eve lie face down, her body fully stretched out on the flogging platform.

Eve could only clench her fists as she shut her eyes, hoping to end this soon.

"The offender will receive fifty floggings as punishment for breaking the sacred marital vows!" The executioner announced as he raised the long cane.

Eve braced herself for the impact. However...

"STOP!!!" A deep voice of a man echoed in the royal courtyard, interrupting the execution of Eve’s punishment.