As the weight of Belen's accusations and the crowd's rejection continued to weigh heavily on my heart, I found myself unable to bear the pain any longer. The room felt suffocating, each breath a struggle against the disappointment and betrayal that engulfed me.By midnight, I had made up my mind. I couldn't bear the thought of facing another day filled with doubt and skepticism. It seemed that being queen was an impossible dream, one that I was not meant to fulfill. With a heavy heart, I began to pack my belongings, ready to leave it all behind.But just as I was about to give up completely, the door to my chambers swung open, and Martha, my personal assistant, rushed in. Her eyes were filled with concern and determination as she took in the sight of my packed bags."Naomi, please," Martha pleaded, her voice filled with a mixture of worry and desperation. "You can't give up now. You're meant to be the queen this kingdom needs. You have the strength and the vision to bring about real c
I walked past Demetrius with my luggage as I slowly opened the gate and this time he didn’t stop me at all.And I also didn’t look back, I knew I was going to regret this but in the meantime, I would prefer to be myself and return home to where I belong and not here where injustice is what rules, Rueben would say he loves me but would never support me and he called that feeling.As I stepped out of the palace gates, a mix of relief and sadness washed over me. It was a bittersweet moment, leaving behind the grandeur and expectations of being the queen, but also escaping the suffocating weight of doubt and rejection. I hailed a public transport and made my way back home, to the place where I truly belonged.As I entered the familiar surroundings of my house, I was greeted with shock and disbelief. My mother, father, and sister stood before me, their eyes wide with surprise and concern. The questions began to pour out, each one filled with confusion and worry."Why did you leave, Naomi?"
“What’s your final decision, Naomi?” My father asked as I thought about all they had just said thoroughly.“I won’t go back there, I don’t want to be their future queen,” I said with determination oozing out of me.As the words left my lips, I could sense a mix of disbelief and disappointment in the room. My mother's eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, as if unable to comprehend my decision. But despite the shock, I was met with unwavering support from my family.My father nodded, his eyes filled with pride. "Naomi, we respect your decision," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "It takes courage to go against the expectations and choose your path. We will stand by you, no matter what."Tears welled up in my mother's eyes as she reached out to embrace me. "Oh, Naomi," she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and acceptance. "I had hoped for a different future for you, but I understand that this is your choice. Just remember, we will always be here for you."With
I couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness as I saw Jade standing there. He had always been the one person who truly saw me, who cared for me in a way that no one else did. I walked over to him, a smile spreading across my face."Jade," I said, my voice filled with genuine joy. "It's so good to see you."Jade looked up, his eyes filled with a mix of relief and concern. "Naomi," he replied, his voice filled with warmth. "I've missed you. How have you been?"I motioned for him to sit down at one of the tables, and I poured him a cup of tea. As he took a sip, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for his presence. He had always been there for me, even when no one else understood or cared."I've been well, Jade," I replied, my voice filled with sincerity. "I left the palace, as you can see. It wasn't the life I wanted for myself. I wanted to be free from the expectations and the pressure. I wanted to find my happiness."Jade nodded, his expression filled with understanding. "I
As Rueben held me in his arms, comforting me with his warmth and love, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. It was as if all the turmoil and uncertainty of the past few weeks had faded away, replaced by a deep sense of understanding and acceptance.After a few moments, Rueben pulled away slightly, his hands still resting on my shoulders. He looked into my eyes, his gaze filled with a mix of love and concern."Naomi, I understand why you decided to leave the palace," he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "But I have to ask, do you want to come back? Do you want to return to the life you left behind?"I took a deep breath, my mind racing with conflicting emotions. Returning to the palace would mean facing the expectations and pressures that had suffocated me before. It would mean stepping back into a world of privilege and power, where I would be constantly scrutinized and judged."No, Rueben," I replied, my voice steady. "I don't want to return to the pala
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense as Salie's words hung in the air. I could feel the weight of her accusation, and I turned to look at Rueben, hoping to see some reassurance in his eyes. But instead, he seemed frozen, his face a mask of shock and disbelief.Before I could say anything to defend him, my mother cleared her throat, breaking the silence. She looked at Salie with a stern expression, her voice filled with authority."Salie, that's enough," she said firmly. "We don't know the full story, and it's not our place to judge. Let's give Rueben a chance to explain himself."Salie looked down, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, her voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble."I reached over and squeezed Salie's hand, trying to offer her some comfort. "It's okay," I whispered. "Let's just hear what Rueben has to say."Rueben took a deep breath, his eyes still filled with shock. "I understand why you might have doubts," he said
As I entered the car, a heavy sense of dread settled over me. The familiar scent of the leather seats and the polished interior only served as a reminder of the life I had tried so desperately to escape. Rueben sat beside me, his hand reaching out to gently grasp mine, offering a small glimmer of comfort."It's going to be alright, Naomi," he whispered, his voice filled with reassurance. "We'll face this together, and we'll make things right."I forced a weak smile, trying to believe his words. But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at my heart. Leaving my sister and parents behind once again felt like a betrayal, and the thought of returning to the palace filled me with a sense of suffocation.As the car pulled away from my childhood home, I couldn't help but steal one last glance at the house that held so many cherished memories. My parents stood on the porch, their faces etched with worry and sadness. My sister,Salie, stood beside them, tears streaming do
As I entered my chamber, a sense of familiarity washed over me. The grandeur of the room, the luxurious furnishings, and the soft glow of the chandeliers all reminded me of the life I had once known. But this time, there was a heaviness in the air, a weight that settled upon my shoulders as a constant reminder of the consequences I had to face.To my surprise, as I stepped into the room, I saw Martha,waiting for me. A smile spread across my face, and I rushed towards her, enveloping her in a tight embrace. "Martha!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with genuine joy. "I've missed you so much."Martha returned the embrace, her arms wrapping around me tightly. "Oh, Naomi, I've missed you too," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "I can't believe you're back. The palace hasn't been the same without you."Tears welled up in my eyes as I held onto Martha, grateful for her unwavering support. She had been there for me through thick and thin, and her presence now was a comforting reminder tha
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