-Karen-I woke up in my apartments, but I could tell immediately that something was off. The mint-colored walls were now a light lilac with the ceiling painted black and splattered with stars just like the sky at night. I sat up in the large bed surrounded by pillows. This- This is weird. They drugged me and stuck me in- The door opened, Delia walked in with Winholt and Nathan. Uh… Two of you are dead… Is this a dream? It has to be.“My dear granddaughter, we have the most wonderful news.” Delia said warmly. “We have settled your marriage contract. I wanted to tell you as soon as possible since you will be of age next week.” I blinked at her not sure what to say. “We have made a deal with the Zargan Empire- In trade for compliance to their customs, the demand was set for you to marry a Zargan Prince along with providing a dowry. Everything has been settled so I need you to get dressed and come to my Study at once.” She snapped her fingers and several Ladies, including Lizette, rushed
-Karen-“I can prove that I’m your wife.” I whispered against his lips. I know you like the back of my hand. Of anything I’ve ever done in my life, falling in love with you was the best thing I did.“Can you? Let’s see your proof.” He replied softly. I could see him smirking at me from the soft light that came in under the door.“Michael isn’t your brother. And you’re married to Beatrice, who is most likely sleeping with Michael behind your back. You don’t want to be king… You lost close friends in your first campaign. They died protecting you.” I said softly. I nuzzled his neck and gave him a love bite.“Well… Only two people know about Michael’s paternity… And all of that is true… What’s my favorite meal?” He asked as he started kissing my neck.“Steak cooked medium well, mashed potatoes with a vegetable. For dessert, you like cheesecake. Whiskey is your favorite alcohol.” I whispered as he moved down to my chest. It’s so familiar! I want this so much. I moaned softly as I felt him
-Karen-“Yeah… I’m going to take you home and we are going to have a family together. I feel like I can trust you and you’ve been on my mind since the first night. Was it like that last time?” He asked laying down next to me. I snuggled up to him and nodded. “Good… History can repeat then.”The door opened and I heard two people come in the room. As they approached I felt happy to be re-meeting the people I cared so much about. “Hello Jo and Bart. It’s good to see you both again.” I said warmly to them. They both smiled warmly in return. “Are you a couple in this reality too?”“Yes! We’ve been married for almost a year now.” Joanne replied happily. “Conor has been telling us about the other reality that you say you’re from… I thought for a moment that you might be a bit out there but only someone who knows us intimately would know these things…”“Like Michael’s paternity for instance. Not even Bart or Jo knew, and they’ve known me forever… I knew you were being truthful when you said
-Karen-The next day, Lady Elsie woke me up. “C’mon. Father said I have to give you a bath.” She said helping me off the table. We walked into the next room and there was the lavish shower and bathroom that I had cleaned several times. The water was already drawn, and soap had been added. She locked the door behind us and unlocked the chain that had been my tether. “Wash up.”I quietly walked over and slipped into the water. Oh… This feels wonderful. I’m probably only getting this since the King is under the impression that I’m going to die tonight. I took my time washing my bruised skin in silence. I have purple, green and brown polka dots… It’s like a walk down memory lane from Lewis… I tried to wash the skin around the olive-green bracelets, but it was like the bracelets were becoming embedded in my skin with each passing day. At least they don’t hurt anymore…“Princess.” Elsie said pointedly. I looked over at her curiously. “Thank you.” Thank you? “Thank you for making my brother
-Karen-We talked for several hours and I even helped her dress up for the dinner. I helped her with her hair and picked out some of the jewelry that Conor had bought for me. She had taken all my dresses and jewelry, so it was not burned. Michael had taken some of Conor’s clothes, but the rest was burned along with Bart and Joanne’s things after my first raid. She replaced the chain and we walked back to King’s apartments chatting quietly about things she could do help show her affection for Roger without being intimate. She’s really a sweet girl and she’s got some great ideas. She just needs to be herself… If that were possible.Together, we slipped into the main room and the table had been moved into this room. There were fancy decorations on the table. We took our seats together as our names were written on some cards. We sat down and waited for everyone to join. We continued talking about some ideas she had for date nights to which I fully encouraged. Slowly the others trickled in
-Karen-Augustus dropped his gaze. He knows he’s caught. “I’m a terrible friend... We got drunk several times and I did sleep with her. Then I started to enjoy the thrill of the chase even after you came back from those campaigns. But I wasn’t ever aware that Michael was my son… Josephine never said anything to me. I swear Zach!” He looked over at Michael and then back at Zachary. “I realize that-”“It was you who put the idea of knocking Conor off in my head. You constantly kept saying he was weak and worthless. You even helped me torture him in hopes that we could build him up. While I do agree with you on him being weak and worthless, and it was my decision to ultimately try to get rid of him, you started the idea and kept reiterating it. Then after he and his-off-the-chain group left, I made your son my fucking heir. But there is a degree of irony that I will take from this: Michael married your daughter, and she is pregnant… An incestuous marriage that I will not undo for anythin
-Karen-After that night, I was placed with Elsie in her apartments. That did not go as I had planned. Talk about a total backfire. “Karen, I can’t believe all that has happened! This is such a terrible scandal against the Royal Family. I can’t even think straight from it. I can only wonder what the journalists in Attarax are going to say about everything!” Elsie said in tears still. “I wish I could talk to my mother but she died when I was little. At least the Queen accepted me even though I wasn’t hers- And now I’m all alone.” I hadn’t even thought about these consequences.“Sometimes it’s better not to think too much about these types of things.” I replied as I brushed her long dark hair. “If you think too much about it, you’ll just break down.” She burst into tears and cried herself to sleep. I’m sorry Elsie… But I’m here for you. I shifted her to lie down and tucked her in. I got up and sat down at the table thinking about what I did. Conor’s mother is dead… Augustus and his who
-Karen-“I’m so relieved that you’re alright!” Nathan cried, hugging me tightly. Nathan! I returned the warm hug. You came! “We’ve been trying to get you back since you were taken but Monica put up many different blockades... I finally was able to break that damn specialty seal she put up with Aaron’s help” He cupped my face. “What happened to your hair?” He opened a new portal and pulled me into the safety of the camp.“It was cut off by Michael… Where’s Conor? Is he okay?” I asked him looking around. All the remaining Mages erupted into loud cheers at the sight of me. “Where’s my baby?” Nathan pulled me into his tent where Joanne was rocking Alexander. “You’re finally home Kay!” Joanne said happily. “I’m so happy to see you!” I approached her and hugged her tightly. “Your hair… It’s different…” She frowned at me handing over Alexander. I hugged him tightly trying not to cry as my guilt punched me several times in the chest. I kissed his cheek and then his forehead. “Mama’s sorry f