Forbidden Love - Part 2

"No!" came a shrill cry from one of the servant passageways used to travel from room to room without getting in the way, as a young woman came running out, shoulder length strawberry blonde hair flying out behind her in majestic wisps.

His pupil less gaze flickered in her direction, "Cherice!"

The queen's eyes shot angrily towards the girl, "What is the meaning of this!" She demanded in a venomous tone.

"Forgive me your highness," Said the girl; now identified as Cherice, as she slid to a stop beside the male and landing on her knees, immediately bowed low, her face hovering just above the shallow water. "Please, oh majestic one, find it in your heart to forgive this man." Her voice was soft as she petitioned the queen.

"What are you doing!" The male hissed under his breath, eyes wide as they danced between the queen and Cherice.

The queen's face hardened "I will do nothing of the sort. Return to your duties."

Ignoring the male, she turned her sky-blue eyes up towards the queen, pleading again "Please your highness, I beg of you! He is my fiancé, and I, as your humble servant, would appreciate it if he were safe."

The queen looked at her as if she were considering what this servant-girl had said before letting out a soft snort and clapping her hands together twice, "Guards! Take the thief away!"

"Shin!" Cherice cried out as two, large, blue skinned men grabbed the male roughly around the arms and began to drag him away, a third grabbing her before she could get the chance to attempt some vain attempt to save him. "No! Let him go!" She screamed as she struggled against the guard's firm hold, tears streaming down her face. "Take me instead!"

"Cherice, no!" Shin called out.

Just then, the queen's commanding voice cut through the commotion, "Wait!"

Upon hearing her, everyone stopped in their tracks and turned their eyes in her direction. She stood from her throne and started towards them, walking atop the surface of the water as she moved closer to Cherice, who was now being detained very uncomfortably, one arm held painfully far behind her back. Cherice looked up into the queen's dark and hollow eyes fearfully, while trying to hold a look of confidence, hair falling into her bloodshot eyes.

Shin broke the silence as he cried out,  "Cherice! Don't do it!"

"I mean it," Cherice said as calmly as she could, her voice quivered but her gaze never faltered as she completely ignored her fiancé's frantic cries.

A smirk crossed the queen's blood-red lips as she glared down at the girl. After a dark chuckle emitted from her throat she turned and began heading back to sit upon her throne. "Take the girl away, and dump this crook outside."

"No!!!" Shin screeched, nearly losing his voice as he continued his protests while being dragged away.

"I'm sorry." Cherice whispered as she was led without hassle into the lowest regions of the palace.