I was given the punishment of kneeling with a bowl of water all night, and the queen herself made sure to oversee it by placing me next to her bed. While she snored loudly, I endured the pain and discomfort, my hands held up in exhaustion. At one point, I even contemplated assassinating her while she slept, but I knew the consequences it would bring upon my family if I attempted such a drastic act.During the queen's slumber, I took advantage of a few hours to relax and slack off, which helped me endure until morning. As I saw the sunrise, I quickly resumed my kneeling position, and shortly after, the queen woke up. She seemed pleased to find me still kneeling and, with a yawn, she spoke."You may leave now and take the day off to regain your strength. Be prepared to resume your classes tomorrow."I dropped the bowl on the ground and stood up to leave, but she stopped me, saying, "Take it with you." With a frown on my face, I followed her command and left the room. On my way out, I bu
In the following days, I was constantly on edge, fearing that Demetrius would unexpectedly appear and take me away like he did before. I considered confiding in Giselle, but ultimately decided against it, as I couldn't trust anyone, not even her.Strangely, I kept thinking about informing Reuben about what had happened. Did he know that his brother was too preoccupied with scheming against him? I wanted to warn him to be cautious, but Reuben was nowhere to be found. I did not doubt that he was occupied with his next conquest. I could easily find out who is on the TV but ever since I came here I haven't caught sight of television, I wonder if he's the reason why.My schedule was monotonous, and I attended classes as usual. It became increasingly tedious with each passing day, but surprisingly, I was starting to get the hang of it. Florence had less to criticize me about, as I could now stand tall, even with a bowl of water on my head. She constantly challenged me, but I consistently ex
As he advanced towards me with a threatening demeanor, I instinctively retreated, continuously stepping back until I found myself cornered against the wall. Demetrius found great amusement in this and erupted into a fit of laughter. However, despite the loudness of his laughter, it seemed that there was no one nearby who could come to my rescue.Fear consumed me as the gravity of the situation slowly sank in. "You can scream if you wish," Demetrius taunted, "but rest assured, no one will come to your aid."Nervously, I chuckled, attempting to buy some time until Martha returned. "Can we perhaps discuss this over tea or something? You seem to be taking this a bit too seriously. Let's take things one step at a time." However, he saw through my ploy and replied, "I'm afraid that would only delay matters. Don't worry, I won't waste any time."Suddenly, he raised his hands, aiming for my chest. Swiftly, I swatted them away and delivered a kick to a sensitive area. Demetrius growled in pain
"I wish to speak with you," I uttered, causing him to pivot and meet my gaze. Martha, ever perceptive, knew to retreat, granting us a moment of seclusion. Once she vanished from sight, I turned my attention to Reuben. "Are you aware that your own flesh and blood harbors ill intentions towards you?" His countenance remained stoic, devoid of any surprise or alarm. Surely, he must have been aware of Demetrius' treacherous plans. I couldn't help but wonder why he had neglected to warn me, his soon-to-be bride."Keep your distance from Demetrius," he commanded in a stern tone, prompting a frown to crease my brow. "I don't need you to remind me of that. Even without your words, I am well aware that I should steer clear of him. But I am hurt that you chose not to confide in me," I admitted, making no effort to conceal my disappointment. Though we may not be a conventional couple, I had expected him to open up to me about certain matters. "If you had warned me about Demetrius beforehand, I wo
The Maids carried on with their chitchat unaware of my presence, and I eagerly absorbed every word, yearning to uncover the truth behind Reuben's shattered love life. "Do you reckon she's even aware of the grand ball tomorrow?""Who are you referring to?""Who else could it be? The half-blooded soul dwelling under our roof. And as for the other woman, we both know her presence is a certainty. She doesn't require an invitation to glide through those doors. Funny, isn't it? She's destined to be queen, yet she fails to secure an invite to a mere ball." I heard one of them chuckle. "We both know this is nothing but a charade. It's pitiful to deceive the people, for the royal family cannot afford to break their promises. No matter the circumstances, they must uphold their word. But do you truly believe they would allow their King to wed a half-blooded being? Of course not. It's all a façade. So just sit back and watch as the truth unravels before our eyes. I can guarantee you that woman w
Martha stared at me in surprise as I smiled sheepishly at my words.“You want to ruin the princess ball?” Martha asked again to be sure she had heard me right.I nodded positively to her words, a smile still widely plastered on my face.“She won’t know what hits her,” I said to Martha who seemed a bit nervous at my words.“That won’t be safe and the queen might punish you again,” Martha murmured but I smiled before standing up from my bed and heading straight to the large mirror on the wall I stared at my reflection and smiled.“The maids were mocking me and trying to say I am not worth being called the queen in the future so I should at least step in there in grand style. All I need is an invitation but come to think of it I don’t need an explanation.” I said as an idea popped into my head.“What do you plan on doing?” I smiled at Martha’s question.“Of course it’s obvious, I am going to sneak in and if I get caught I will claim to be invited by Reuben.” I replied, "I know I am meant
Martha sighed loudly meaning she couldn’t convince me to stop, and I wasn’t planning to stop either.“Can you at least make me feel a little at ease by escorting you to the ball?” I smiled at how caring she was to me. She might only be a personal maid but she was the only one who was concerned about my well-being.“Thank you Martha and of course, you would be my escort into the ball, you know I can’t walk in there alone without some support.” I joked, I took my bath as usual and sat on the bed. Ever since I arrived at the palace this was the first time I was idle and I could understand why that was happening, it was clearly because of the ball.“I am sure even the slaves were invited,” I murmured in annoyance as I still couldn’t get over the fact that I was being neglected.“I wasn’t invited but I should tell you all the maids are so busy running everywhere in the palace,” Martha whispered. I subconsciously rolled my eyes at her words.“I am not to blame for wanting to do this,” I sai
I wore my heels back quickly as Martha covered my dress with a coat she had taken with her while jumping out of the window. “We still need to keep your dress a mystery.” She muttered before looking around to be sure no one noticed we had just escaped.“Let’s head to the party, we are already late.” She whispered and tip-toed in front of me and I followed behind quietly. We soon got close to the ball and honestly, I had never seen anything like it. It was so grand and filled with classy people but luckily for me I also picked up a grand dress to match the occasion.“They are so intimidating, I would be back my queen. I need to check and scan the party so we won’t step into the party as a novice.” Martha said.“That’s very wise of you Martha, go. I will wait here for you till your return.” I whispered to her as she nodded before rushing off.I turned around in fright as I feared Demetrius might just try to molest me in the dark, after a few minutes of waiting for Martha I soon sighted
lThe weight of Demetrius's words hit me like a ton of bricks. My heart raced, and a sense of dread settled in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't believe what I had just revealed to him in my moment of desperation. I had unknowingly given him a weapon to use against me and Reuben."You can't be serious," I whispered, my voice trembling. "You wouldn't stoop so low as to deceive the Queen and claim my child as your own."Demetrius's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with malicious delight. "Oh, but I would, Naomi. I would do anything to secure my place on the throne. And what better way than to present the Queen with an heir, one that she believes is mine."Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized the extent of Demetrius's wickedness. He was willing to manipulate everyone, even his own mother, just to fulfill his lust for power."But the Queen will see through your lies," I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper. "She knows the truth, and she will never accept you as the rightful King."
The events of the past few hours came rushing back to me, and I felt a wave of fear wash over me. Demetrius had captured me once again, and I was at his mercy.Before I could gather my thoughts, the sound of the door creaking open filled the room. Demetrius stepped in, his eyes filled with a sadistic gleam. My heart pounded in my chest as he approached me, his presence filling the room with a suffocating aura."Well, well, well," Demetrius sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Look who's finally awake. Did you miss me, Naomi?"I shrank back, trying to create as much distance between us as possible. "Demetrius, please, let me go. I beg you. There's nothing between us. I want to be free."Demetrius chuckled darkly, his voice laced with contempt. "Oh, Naomi, you always did know how to make me laugh. But you see, you're mine now. And I won't let you slip away again."Tears welled up in my eyes as I pleaded with him, my voice trembling. "Please, Demetrius, I'm begging you. Think of the
Chapter 156Jade pleaded with me to reconsider my decision, I could feel my resolve weakening. His words echoed in my mind, reminding me of the love and happiness I had shared with Reuben. But deep down, I knew that returning to the palace was not the right path for me or my child."Jade, please understand," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "I can't go back. I can't live a life that isn't true to myself. And I can't bear to grow up in a world of duty and tradition."Jade's eyes filled with tears, and he reached out to gently touch my arm. "Naomi, I can't force you to do anything you don't want to do. But please, consider the consequences of your decision. Reuben loves you, and he wants to be a part of your life."I nodded, my heart heavy with the weight of my choices. "I understand, Jade. But for now, I need to do what I believe is best for myself and Please, respect my decision and don't come back."Jade's expression was filled with a mix of sadness and understanding. He nodded slowly,
It had been two weeks since I left the palace and settled down in the bakery with my parents and sister, Salie. Life had taken a drastic turn, and while I missed Rueben dearly, I knew that leaving was the right decision. The weight of tradition and duty had become too heavy to bear, and I needed time and space to sort through my emotions.But lately, something unusual has been happening to me. I had been feeling nauseous in the mornings, and my appetite had changed. The thought crossed my mind that I might be pregnant, but it seemed impossible. Rueben and I had never been intimate more than once, and I couldn't fathom how it could have happened quickly.The morning sickness persisted, and I couldn't shake off the worry that gnawed at the back of my mind. I confided in Salie, who listened attentively and offered her support."Naomi, it's possible that it's just a stomach bug or something you ate," Salie reassured me, her voice filled with concern. "But if you're really worried, maybe y
Surprised by my mother's statement, I turned to face her, confusion evident in my eyes. "Rachel?" I repeated, my voice laced with uncertainty. "But mother, I thought we agreed that it was best for Naomi and me to part ways."The Queen's expression softened, her eyes filled with a mix of understanding and determination. "Rueben, I understand your reasoning, and I respect your desire to do what is best for both yourself and Naomi. But we must also consider the implications of breaking the promise made by our forefathers. The council members and the people of our kingdom hold great importance to tradition and stability. By choosing Rachel as your queen, we can maintain that sense of continuity while also fostering a sense of unity among our people."I took a moment to absorb my mother's words, feeling torn between my own desires and the weight of responsibility placed upon me. The council members watched me expectantly, their eyes filled with a mix of hope and concern.But as I glanced a
Exhausted from the weight of my decisions, I decided to lie down for a quick nap. Sleep had eluded me in recent days, my mind consumed by thoughts of Naomi and the consequences of my actions. As I drifted off into slumber, I hoped for a moment of respite from my troubled thoughts.But even in my sleep, I found no solace. My dreams were plagued by visions of Naomi, her tear-streaked face filled with anger and rejection. I reached out to her, desperate to explain myself, but she turned away, her words echoing in my mind."No, Rueben. I can never forgive you. You have hurt me too deeply."My heart pounded in my chest as I jolted awake, my body covered in a cold sweat. The image of Naomi's tearful rejection lingered, haunting me even in the waking world. But as I blinked away the remnants of my dream, I realized I was not alone.Standing by my bedside was my younger brother, Jade, his concern evident in his eyes. Jade had always been the calm and level-headed one, a stark contrast to my i
As I turned to walk away from the queen, my heart heavy with the weight of my decisions, her voice cut through the air like a knife."Think, Rueben," she sneered. "Think about what you've done to that poor girl. You took her innocence and claimed not to know her. Do you honestly believe she would ever accept you back? Even if you were to beg on your knees, she would never be your betrothed again. You have lost, Rueben. You have lost everything."Her words pierced my soul, each one a painful reminder of the irreversible damage I had caused. The realization hit me like a tidal wave, and I stumbled back, feeling as though the ground beneath me was crumbling away.No, it couldn't be true. I couldn't have lost Naomi forever. I couldn't bear the thought of a life without her by my side, of never hearing her laughter or seeing her smile again. But deep down, I knew that the queen was right. I had betrayed Naomi in the worst possible way, and there was no coming back from that.Tears welled u
As I closed the curtains, blocking out the view of Naomi's house, I made a vow to myself. I would do whatever it took to earn her forgiveness, to prove that I had changed. It wouldn't be easy, and there were no guarantees that she would ever accept me back into her life. But I couldn't live with the regret of losing her without trying.But as the days turned into weeks, my frustration and anger began to consume me. I couldn't shake the image of Naomi's smiling face, her laughter echoing in my mind. It haunted me, a constant reminder of what I had lost.Unable to contain my emotions any longer, I found myself smashing things around my apartment. The anger and regret boiled inside me, fueling my destructive actions. It was as if the physical pain could somehow alleviate the emotional turmoil I was experiencing.But no matter how many things I broke, the pain remained. I couldn't escape the reality of what I had done to Naomi, the hurt I had caused. It was a heavy burden to bear, and I f
A few days had passed since the intense encounter with the reporters, and I was determined to move forward with my life. I had made the decision to take my younger sister, Salie, out for a day of shopping, hoping to distract ourselves from the chaos that had consumed our lives.As we walked through the bustling shopping mall, I couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom. The weight of the world seemed to lift off my shoulders, replaced by a newfound lightness. Salie skipped ahead of me, her laughter filling the air, and for a moment, I allowed myself to forget about the pain and betrayal that had plagued me.But as we turned a corner, my heart skipped a beat. There, standing in the middle of the mall, was Rueben, arm in arm with Rachel. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt a surge of anger and hurt wash over me. How dare he show his face after what he had done?Rueben's eyes met mine, and for a split second, I saw a flicker of remorse. He began to approach me, his lips parting to