When she stormed in, they stopped and stared at her. Anger darkened King Lucien's eyes.
"Vetta?" One word. A loaded question.
"I'm s-sorry, my king. I didn't know you were in the middle of something so important..." She faltered because she did know, but she didn't believe.
Lucien's mouth flattened in displeasure. He turned his attention back to the message man. "Get out." He dropped in a dismissive tone.
Vetta doesn't need to be told twice. She bowed her head and stepped out of the room in shame.
She didn't have to go and disgrace herself like that at all. Slave Danika got her all twisted, she's taking actions without thinking them through. She shouldn't do impulsive things that'll make the king lose favor in her.
No, she needs to do other things, she thought with a sudden smile.
It's high time
Danika's insides are practically quivering in fear and panic but she didn't let it show on the outside. She wouldn't give this woman the satisfaction."What am I doing here?" She asked politely, but her chin was tilted in that upward manner only a royalty can attain with ease.Vetta took one step closer and slapped her so hard across the face, Danika's head whipped to the side. For a full minute, she couldn't hear a thing as her ear rang, the pain reverberating all through her body."Let's get one thing straight, Slave." Vetta intoned, fasting her hand into Danika's hair and yanking it back to stare at her face openingly. "You do not get to question me!"Danika gritted her teeth. She said nothing, but her eyes burned with fire and anger for this woman.The king's torture is one thing...but a torture from his mistress is one that riles her up so much, especially when she hasn't do
1775 word(s) Published 21 When Sally ran out of the dungeon, Vetta can only laugh as she watched Danika shake on her knees. The slave can't do a thing. The king gave her permission to torture Danika, and there's nothing anybody can do about it. She gave the guards sign-order for them to stop whipping her. They bowed their heads. She stared at Danika. "See....even your slave you charmed has left you." She drawled as she walked close to the slave in front of her. Danika could barely hear the woman. Everywhere hurts. Her back is on fire. Her body no longer feels like her own. Tears fell from her eyes in waves, her body trembling while the Mistress laughed and made talks in front of her. "I will enjoy doing this to you daily. Torturing you is special fun on its own. The king has been way too kind o
1009 word(s) Published 22 Sally led the King and Baski to the particular dungeon where Vetta held Danika. When Sally entered the cave, Vetta was ready to laugh at her for her incompetence and stupidity, and she was ready to tell her to get out because no amount of pleading will save her princess from her hand. She opened her mouth, but the words were immediately cut off when Lucien strode right behind the little slave. The shock on Vetta's face was massive. "M-My King!" She stuttered out in shock, bowing her head. But none of them were staring at her. The king, Baski, and Sally's eyes were on a very unconscious Danika whose back was so bloody, the strokes of whip visible....some of it tearing her skin open. "Oh, Creator...!" Sally started crying again so openingly, but she didn't reach fo
1101 word(s) Published 23 Long minutes dragged by. Baski finished mixing her herbs and already, she's applying them to the princess's wounds. Sally helps her to squeeze out the water from each scoop of wet ground leaves, and she applies them to the wounds. Sally was happy that the princess is unconscious. This hurts like the very hell, and her princess already suffered enough in one day. The king was still leaning against the door, even though he'd long sent Chad away. He hasn't said anything else. His eyes just took everything in. Finally, Baski said... "All done." Sally breathed a sigh of relief as she took all the wounds they covered. Tears filled her eyes again because her princess's back looks like a map of green leaves. Baski faced the king. "I'll give her some concoctions to sleep really
1521 word(s) Published 24. Baski finished mixing the concoction and forced it down Danika's throat. She was still unconscious and the concoction is to make her sleep well. Chad was already waiting by the door when she was done. She nodded her head, signaling that he can take her now. He bent down and lifted Danika up the same way he carried her into her room. Her midriff on his shoulder, her back in the air. When he got to the king's room, he was sitting down behind his desk, writing. He didn't look up when they entered. "Make a bed for her down there." He pointed to his own bed. "Already on it, my king," Baski replied. Within minutes, she and Sally have another high big bed on the floor, besides the King's bed. They spread a fresh new bedsheet on it and built a tend around it.
846 word(s) Published 25. When she was done, Lucien withdrew the cup and tried to get up but she clung to him, her dazed eyes staring at his. "So cold..." "You're cold?" He asked with a furrowed brow, knowing that the room is not cold at all. "Your...eyes....they're so cold..." She whispered. Lucien said nothing, knowing that the woman isn't herself. She was heavily induced on pills and potions, and they have side effects. He knows that she won't remember any of these in the morning. And so, he just stared at her. It's the first time he allowed himself to stare at her so up close. The first time he allowed himself to really look at her. To see Danika....not Cone's Daughter. She's beautiful. The knowledge went to his cold heart and whispered on it. Beautiful and so pure-lo
1152 word(s) Published 26. That was the day he vowed that he'll have the princess as his slave one day. "Oh...Colder...." She sounded sad and sleepy. Her voice dragged him out of the bitter memory. "Are you cold?" He groaned in a hard voice. "Your eyes....they got colder...." She swallowed, "...filled with so much hate." He can't bear to stare at her face for long because no matter how he tries....he must still see her. Cone's daughter. "I hate you, Danika." Her lips twitched and she blinked ever so slowly. "I know...My King." He looked away. She placed a hand on his chest. "There are scars here too... Internal scars. Here....they seem bigger there...in your heart." "They are." "Can they....ever heal?"
1249 word(s) Published 27 When King Lucien spoke, his words were curt and straight to the point. "Make sure she doesn't work for so many days to come, Baski. Send out orders to the maids, slaves, servants, and slave trainers both in the palace and in the mine sights, that all of them should stay out of her way. I find out she worked, the person responsible will be punished." "Yes, my king." Baski wasn't really surprised. It's just like night he'd visited the girl in her bedroom. He'd given orders just like this...only lesser. "That girl... Sally...." he paused, "...these orders extend to her too. At least for today." "I understand, My King." Just like that day, he pinned her with a glare. "I don't need feedback, Baski. I don't care. Make sure you don't bring them." "Of course, My Lord."
1499 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 3b. Final Excerpt.Hours later, the sun is down. The moon rose high in the sky, glowing beautifully with the stars surrounding it. Anarieveta got down from the carriage, paid the carriage-rider some coins, and watched him drive away.Then, she entered the huge property of the Raskins. Staring at the elegantly decorated big home, she contemplated knocking on that huge door several feet away from her.There's no turning back now. Her baby, Merrily, needs her.With that in mind, she covered the distance and knocked on the door, her heart in her throat. The door swung open.Gedony Raskin stood tall behind the door. The sleepy look fled from his eyes as he saw Anarieveta standing uneasily behind his door.When he sent out that crazy message about Merrily being sick and needing her, he never expected that s
1035 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 3a.She didn't let him.In fact, Anarieveta began avoiding him again. This time, harder than the first time.Two months after their night together, Gedony Raskin has had it with her. He has done everything within his power to see Anarieveta again, but she always evaded him.He's in the school? She's suddenly out of the premises according to her assistant.He's in her office? She's not around.He goes to her home? Everywhere is locked.The next thing he heard is, she has gone to the palace to spend some time with her godson, the little Prince.Their night together lives in his head always, he hasn't been able to forget it. And frankly, it hurt him that she moved on without him. How can she just forget that beautiful intimate moment like it never happened?"Papa, papa,
1433 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 2b.Several hours later, Anarieveta admitted to herself that she's happy again for the first time in a long time. Genuinely, womanly happy.He was right there in the kitchen with her when she was making omelets and he found every reason to make her laugh. At first, it was difficult—she doesn't really have a lot to smile about.But he was always making jokes. And when jokes weren't working much, he told her stories about his children in the past. The stories were so funny, they made her smile. Smile so hard. Laugh.It didn't take long before she was laughing out loud as he told her tales elaborately.They ate together. Went out on a walk together. When they got back, they sat in the wooden chairs in the backyard, talking with each other.It was beautiful. It made Anarieveta so happy
1403 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 2a."You're right. So, let's talk about the present." His arms wrapped around her back, successfully caging her in his arms so she wouldn't escape, "Why have you been avoiding me?""I'm been too busy. I wasn't avoiding you.""If you're going to lie, at least look me in the eyes while doing that, will you?" He sounded amused."Alright. There was nothing to talk about. Mr. Odin makes sure any problem concerning the kids are solved." Shifting uncomfortably in his arms, her eyes darted to the door behind him longingly."What about the problem between us?""Mr. Raskin—"He kissed her. Gently. Passionately. Intensely. His lips molded with her perfectly, licking and tasting hers so thoroughly that a moan tore through Anarieveta's throat.Her body
857 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 1b.Note: There are only three excerpts...********In the early evening, Gedoni Raskin stood inside her living room with his daughter plastered to his body, his broad shoulder cushioning her head, her small arms wrapped around him."Why are you sick, Pumpkin? Don't be sick, you know Papa doesn't like that." He said, tenderly."I know, Papa. You get sad when we get sick." Merrily mumbled against his shoulder, her eyes closed."Yeah. Papa loves you two so much, he gets sad when you're not happy.""I am happy, Papa. Miss Ana gave me food and bitter herbs and sang to me. I don't feel so bad anymore.""Oh, guess we have Miss Ana to thank for that," his eyes found her across the living room and held."Yes, Papa. Miss Ana likes me, and I like M
981 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 1a.FIVE YEARS AFTER MOMBANA'S WAR.Anarieveta entered her Bed Chambers, her eyes darted to the fire pit which produced heated light into the bedroom, and felt satisfied that the fire hadn't burned out in her absence.A small figure occupied her king-size bed, the figure moving her body to glance at the door when she entered. Anarieveta smiled at the little girl, walking towards the bed, she lowered herself on it."I've seen Aiden off. Your father will be here very soon to take you home, okay?" She reassured the little girl.The sad lines on Merrily Raskin's small oval face disappeared immediately after her teacher appeared at her doorway. She isn't feeling so good, but her good teacher tells her that everything will be alright. So, everything will be alright."Alright, Miss Ana." She whispered, her br
1037 word(s)PublishedEpilogue...EPILOGUE.Five years later....It is a happy day in the Palace of Kingdom Avalon, as Kamara and Declan celebrate the birth of their second child, Princess Ainaa.A huge feast is held in the Court, a lot of people attended too. Sally and her family sat at one side of the round table, a huge smile on her face as she tries to feed solid food to her own second whose her youngest.Baski, Remeta, and her best friend Corna sat at one side, laughing and talking. Beside them; Haydara, Corna's mother, and her husband Gunther are trying to wipe the oil Raira, Corna's little sister, poured on her clothes.King Lucien has tried to hold Prince Nikolai repeatedly so he'll stay in his seat on the round table, but the Prince isn't having any of that. Instead, he has snuck out again with Princess Auroria, h
1392 word(s)Published296: Final Chapter 2.Name: KING LUCIEN AND QUEEN DANIKA'S FOREVER.....In the next three months, a lot happened.After the war and the birth of the Prince, the people of Mombana practically begged King Lucien to marry their Queen and keep ruling them. The Ministers were most in support of it after they saw the way the King protected their Kingdom, saw the intense love the King and their Queen has for each other, and heard the rumors of the heavy rain in Salem at the birth of the Prince.They wanted the King and the Prince in any way they can get them. In fact, they practically begged the King to merge their Kingdoms back together again and marry their Queen, if it means that he will keep ruling Mombana.Of course, the King agreed to it. The Queen was in support of it wholeheartedly.
1338 word(s) Published 295: Final Chapter 1. As Prince Nikolai nursed, that was when the King gave the Queen the good news of Vetta's survival. Danika was so happy. Tears of joy returned to her eyes again. So much joy, it was contagious. She kept thanking the heavens over and over again and immediately she was done breastfeeding, she insisted on going to see Vetta. No matter how Baski and the others tried to discourage her because of her vulnerable state, she refused adamantly. In the end, the King instructed Chad to carry her to Vetta's bedroom while he stayed with their sleeping baby. Vetta teared up at the sight of Danika. They were hugging immediately Danika's body touched the bed. They were crying together too. Vetta was thanking her for saving her life while the Queen is thanking her for being alive. Today has