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Baski walked into the small entrance of the dungeon. She stopped when she saw Danika lying down on the cold ground several feet away for her.
She turned to Dargak who's stood behind her, "Open this cell for me, please."
"You know the King did not instruct it. It will get me into a huge trouble." The warrior answered gently.
Baski knows all that, but she was desperate. The King hasn't gotten out of his bedroom since he walked into it in the morning. The sun is down now, it's late evening.
"I won't put you in trouble, Dargak. I will take full responsibility being caught inside her cell. But you have to let me in, please. It's cold in there and she is barely dressed." She pleaded.
The warrior took in the dress she has in her hand. Baski did well to hide the bread she'd gotten from the kitchen inside the big
1179 word(s)Published180Tears of gratitude and relief slipped from Danika's eyes. She lowered her head again and closed her eyes. "Thank you for believing in me."She closed her hand around the young woman's thigh in a reassuring squeeze. "We will get through this, Danika. Together. I will do everything I can to---""I don't think there is anything that can be done." She paused and swallowed, "I c-can't stop seeing the King's face in the store room. That coldness. He trusted me... He thinks I betrayed him...in so many ways."More tears left her eyes as she continued hoarsely. "He has never used the collar on me, not in a long time. In fact, he stopped s-seeing the collar. He stopped seeing me as a Slave. His slave. And then, today...Baski knew she had to tell her. There is no need hiding the truth anybody."You know that King C
1498 word(s) Published 181 "Can I kiss you?" Kamara's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected request from Callan. Her cheeks went a deep shade of red, and she lowered her eyes to the ground. Callan was beating up his head six ways to Sunday for blurting out a request like that. She's a Lady, and peasants don't ask Ladies for kisses. What was he thinking? But that was just the problem. He wasn't. All evening he'd been drawn to that bow-shaped pink lips repeatedly. The princess is a very beautiful woman. He shifted uneasily from one foot to another. "I'm so sorry for asking this of you. It was nevery intention to insult you and put you in an uncomfortable situ---" "Shh..." She took a step towards him and placed a finger to his mouth, shaking her head, "I did not see it like an insult.'' "Oh..."
1051 word(s)Published182🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠Inside the inner bedroom of the King's Chambers, a huge figure was seated at the floor of the Library, his head supported by the shelf behind him.The King did not know how long he sat there...might have been since he dismissed Vetta in the morning. His back aches. His butt aches too.They are nothing compared to the ache in his heart. If he doesn't know better, he would say that he has developed a chest problem. He knows better, but the knowledge does not help.The headache pounding the back of his head was too severe, he drank from the bottle of whiskey in his hand and lowered his head. The bottle empty, he dropped it beside the seven empty other bottles and picked up a new bottle.He was tipsy, but he isn't drunk. He never gets drunk and he hasn't drank in years.&
1053 word(s)Published183Sally heard about the ordeals in the Palace and Danika's pending execution from Uyah who ran to her house on the morning of the next day to inform her.She was devastated hearing it, she'd cried all the way to the Palace, but there was no way to see the King because he refused to see any visitor. Not even Chad.So, she'd gone to her Princess's dungeon. At the sight of her, Danika had teared up instantly, not to mention Sally. They'd cried together, clinging to each other through the bars that separated the cell from the outside.Danika told her everything that happened, Sally couldn't stop crying when she saw how complicated the situation is. How does her princess get saved from this?She'd stayed with Danika all day, reading to her and telling her stories of her married life just to take her mind away from her situation. And
1177 word(s)Published184He's still hurting about the incident with Danika. With time, he will change."I can take care of your needs, I'm already taking care of them. You don't need a-another mistress." She stuttered out, the idea throwing her off-guard. She never expected it."I think I'm damaging you, Vetta. It's the most reasonable thing to do.""No! I'm fine. You know how much I enjoy being with you." She'd reassured him, hiding her pain very well."Vetta---""Can't you c-curb your needs? You are giving in to your mind's twisted demands about being a monster. Danika's father made that man. You are not that man." She breathes sadly.He'd flinched slightly at the mention of her name. Then, he'd walked out of the bedroom.Vetta sighed at the memory as she say on her bed, waiting for the
981 word(s)Published185Remeta reached the gates of the Palace and hesitated. Her heart in her throat. So much guilt in her heart.Beware of the Three W.If her Queen had known that it means, beware of the Three Witnesses that witnessed her compromising position with the former Slave Trainer, would it have changed a thing?Remeta's mother, the King and his mistress had witnessed that day in the storeroom. The day that changed everything. Would it have changed a thing?Corna had told her in those tiny voice of his that it's not her fault, and it wouldn't have changed anything.She gathered enough strength and walked into the gates of the Palace. She went straight to her mother's bedroom.Baski and Sally just got back from the forest, they just spent hours picking different kinds of leaves and seeds.&nb
1243 word(s)Published186King Lucien was seating at the inner room, reading Melia's favorite book. He has lost count how many times he'd read that book over the years. He'd memorized almost all the wordings.A knock came at the door. Soft. Hesitant."Go away." He flipped the page, his brows knitted in concentration.Long minutes passed, he forgot about the knock, reading more pages from the storybook.The knock came again, the same as the first one."Go away. I will not say it again." He groaned, flipping to a new page.The sound of door opening forced the King's head up. He closed the book and rose from his chair.His steps steady, he walked out of the inner bedroom just in time to see the wild auburn hair of Remeta as she peeped into the bedroom. Wide eyes met his and held. 
865 word(s)Published187Danika laid there on the mat that covered the coldness of the ground, but it did not cover the hardness of the ground. Or the coldness in her heart.It's been three days and she will be executed tomorrow morning.She does not want to give up. Baski said never to give up because her child is also fighting for them. But, she can't help that her heart is no longer strong enough to bear all this.Tears licked from her eyes and splashed at the white cloth beside her. In between her thighs, she can feel a new wetness slip down her body. It has been like this for the past few days.Everywhere hurts from lying on the ground. Her belly aches, either from hunger or her baby... And her heart?The pain is excruciating.For the past three days, she asked herself how something like this can ever hap
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