The door pushed open and Shastina walled in, her heart banging heavily on her chest, pitching her fingernails anxiously. "Your Highness” She bowed and greeted while Queen Nneka, watching through the window, turned and faced her. “My answer” She went straight to the point without bothering to acknowledge her greetings. “Your Highness, I haven't been able to find out the person beneath the mask” Shastina stated, although she knows Nneka would never believe in her lies, she was as smart even back then in their community. “And you expect me to believe your lies” Nneka states, and she bursts into devilish laughter. “I didn't…” A sudden strike landed on her cheeks before she could finish with the sentences, Shastina's hands moved to her cheeks, she tilted her head and her deadly gaze glaring at Nneka, she has to control her temper, she could have pinned her to her wall due to her nasty temper, but she tried breathing in and out to calm herself down. “I heard about your nasty temper, yo
In the evening, after Aurora finished with her duties, she was in her bedroom brushing her hair, and humming to her favorite song.Today is one of her best days in life, having King Malik agree to her requests. She wanted to use tonight to carve a good imprint into the king's heart, hoping he would never forget her name, even though she might leave the palace soon.Dancing, brushing her hair, and humming, the door slammed open and Morena walked in."Morena" She called, looking back with a smile on her face, making it obvious that she was happy indeed.“The king ordered me to give you this and wear it when coming, and he requested your presence at the meeting spot you agreed” She informed her with a concerned smile, she was feeling concerned for her, knowing about her feelings for the king, although she knows the king felt the same way even though he didn't want to accept it.This is the first time she will hear the king asking her to give a woman a necklace, although it's their respon
The king felt a strange sense of comfort as Aurora's hand rested on his back. He turned to face her, noticing the concern etched on her face. Her eyes held a warmth that he couldn't help but appreciate.They continued walking around the garden, the king felt a sense of ease and comfort in Aurora's presence. The moon was full, casting a soft glow over the flowers and trees, and the air was cool and refreshing.“Tonight is so beautiful,” Aurora said softly. “It's a shame that moments like this are so rare.”The king nodded in agreement. “I know. That's why I came out tonight's”Aurora smiled, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight, she was happy that the king decided to spend it with her.“Thank you, your Majesty” Aurora uttered silently, making the king p his feet and look at her.“What for? He asked.“For spending it with me,” Aurora said, and the king didn't say anything, he didn't get angry for calling him Your Majesty instead of my lord, this all made Aurora's cheeks redden and she co
Aurora walked along the dimly lit hallway, her mind filled with thoughts of Nneka 's strange behavior and the possibility of Xena discovering her secret. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off, that she was walking into a trap. She quickened her pace, eager to get to the maid quarter and away from the prying eyes of the palace.As she reached the door, Aurora paused and took a deep breath, hoping all the maids had slept, especially the trouble maker among them, Shastina. She likes stepping on her toes even when Aurora knows her secrets—Both know each other's weaknesses.Aurora knew that she couldn't let her guard down, not even for a moment. She had to find out if Xena had really discovered her identity, and if so, what her next move would be.She entered the room and the flickering candlelight cast shadows across the walls. Aurora found her way among the maids sleeping on this mat until she reached her mat and settled on it, then she closed her eyes, taking a momen
Alpha Malik strode into the throne room, his regal figure towering over the ministers who quickly fell silent, their gazes dropping to the floor. Despite the smile on his face, his aura exuded a sense of danger that made them uneasy–Knowing the meaning whenever a smile curled up his lips.Taking his seat on the throne, he gestured to his right-hand man, Jaguars, to bring forth the messages and petitions. As he perused them, he occasionally muttered to himself, nodding in agreement or frowning in displeasure.Finally, he looked up and addressed the room. "Are there any matters that require my immediate attention?"One of the ministers stepped forward, bowing deeply before addressing the king. "Your Majesty, the people are growing restless. They demand an heir from the Queen, but she has not yet borne you a child, nor have any of the concubines."Alpha Malik's smile faltered, and his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "And what do you suggest we do about it?"The minister hesitated, knowing th
Morena didn't waste any time. She quickly picked up her treatment tools and rushed out from her infirmary, not caring about the people who greeted her on the way. Her only thought was to reach the king's chamber and attend to him as quickly as possible.She had always admired and loved the king, and his late mother had saved her life, which made her feel indebted to their family.As she walked, her heart raced with worry. She couldn't bear the thought of the king suffering again. He was a good man, and she felt a sense of loyalty to him, not just because of his mother's kindness to her in the past but also because of the kind of person he was.She couldn't help but feel emotional. The king was more than just a patient to her; he was like family. She wished she could do more to help him and take away his pain.Moreover, she couldn't bear to see a good man like the king suffer due to the treachery of others. Morena often wished she could leave and search for someone important in her lif
King Louis strode into the meeting room, his ministers bowing low as he took his seat at the head of the long table. His daughter, Princess Daisy, followed behind him, her presence causing a palpable tension in the air.The ministers greeted the king with forced smiles, but their eyes flicked nervously to Daisy."Your Majesty," one of the ministers spoke up, "may we begin?"King Louis nodded and turned to Daisy. "Tell us, my daughter, what challenges face our people?"Daisy cleared her throat and began to speak. She talked of how germs were devastating the crops, and how bandits were stealing the harvests. As she spoke, murmurs of discontent began to rise from the ministers.King Louis slammed his fist on the table. "Silence!" he barked. "This is a matter of utmost importance! Show respect for your future queen!"The ministers cowed, but Minister Lucas spoke up. "Your Majesty," he said, "Princess Daisy is not yet our crown princess. The ministers have not yet agreed on it."The room f
The sound of pounding herbs filled the air as Morena worked on her latest concoction inside the clinic. Aurora sat on a wooden stool beside her, watching her work with a smile on her face."So, Morena, tell me," Aurora started, breaking the silence. "Do you use the infertility drugs for the women in the kingdom?"Morena stopped pounding for a moment, looking up at Aurora with a small nod. "Yes, I do. I'm currently pounding another batch inside the mortar."Aurora raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Wow, you're always working so hard to help your Queen and put the other women in a problem. Moreover, how do you ensure that the infertility medicine won't affect them for the rest of their life"Morena smiled, happy to share her knowledge with Aurora. ". I use an antidote once a week to counteract any negative effects of the medicine. Since you expressed your concern last time, I considered it. Even though they can't get pregnant now, it won't affect their fertility in the future when the Quee
In the hall, whispers filled the air, mixing with anxiety. Ministers stood in their places, tension evident. Those backing Jericho couldn't muster their usual confidence; sweat beaded on their foreheads, a visible sign of their nerves.Despite the cool breeze, Jericho's supporters felt the heat of fear. They dreaded what this meeting might bring.The night before, Jericho had convinced a guard to take the blame for killing an assassin. He'd warned his followers not to support the ministers from the accounting and finance departments, suspecting a trap set by his brother, Alpha Malik.Suddenly, Jericho entered the hall, his usual regal manner intact. His face betrayed no guilt or fear, surprising his followers. Though they knew him to be cruel and wicked, they still expected a hint of fear in his eyes."Welcome, your Majesty," his followers bowed, paying homage to him as the royalty he was.Meanwhile, only hearing the greetings from his supporters, Jericho turned to see the faction aga
The morning unfolded, rural melodies danced through the air: the crowing roosters, the gentle clucking of hens, all harmonizing with the breaking dawn, rousing Alpha's Malik from his slumber.Gently, he opened his eyes to behold Aurora, still immersed in peaceful sleep. Time itself seemed to pause as he gazed upon her, his heart stirring with inexplicable warmth.In the quiet of the moment, he pondered the tranquil essence she brought to his life, marveling at how her presence could lull even the most restless soul into deep repose.Lost in contemplation, Alpha Malik found himself drawn to Aurora's forehead, his lips instinctively seeking connection. With each tender kiss, he expressed a silent devotion, each angle conveying a depth of emotion words could not capture.Last night, Alpha Malik had pushed aside thoughts of Aurora's deception as the masked girl, embracing her and embracing the moment, setting aside their differences.With gentle care, he eased Aurora's head from his shou
Shastina tightly clasped Aurora's hand, her eyes fixed on the delicate features of her face. Pain gripped her heart, an unbearable ache that whispered accusations against her own actions, blaming herself for Aurora's tragic end.The relentless thought echoed within her, a haunting refrain:"I could have confessed to the king, revealed that I, not Aurora, was the one who killed the late King."Grief overwhelmed Shastina, erasing the memory of the times when she callously told Aurora that she didn't care if she lived or died. The realization now hit her with a cruel force, a revelation of her true feelings."So you care this much about me," Aurora's voice cut through the heavy silence.Startled, Shastina and Morena leaped to their feet. The sudden realization that it was Morena's voice shattered the tension. Shastina moved closer to Aurora, and a groan escaped from Aurora's lips as Shastina inadvertently bounced on her hand."Why did you play that prank on us?" Shastina exclaimed, her e
Doubt coursed through Xena's mind as she watched the hulking man, hoping against hope for a shred of mercy. But alas, mercy was a stranger in his eyes, replaced instead by a seething anger that simmered beneath his burly exterior.With a thunderous rise, he towered over her, his gaze landing on the unfortunate canvas of clothes stained with vomit. At that moment, his anger exploded into a deafening cacophony that reverberated through the entire room, sending shivers down the spine of all who bore witness.The very walls seemed to tremble in response to his enraged bellow, rousing the other men within the prison from their slumber. As their master's voice boomed, they snapped to attention, their eyes darting around the room. Their collective focus then shifted to the source of their leader's fury, and they locked onto the telltale evidence of Xena's transgression."Kapoor!" They roared in unison, their feet slamming onto the ground in a synchronized display of loyalty. Yet, in that sam
Dread washed over Xena like a cold wave when one of the guards hurriedly went to fetch the King's Concubine, Xena knew that if none of the king's women came, she knew that if Sheba and Nneka would come, and if they got involved, things would take a dark turn.Her anxiety was palpable as they escorted her down to the dungeon. At this moment, she longed for Jeanne's presence more than ever. However, Jeanne had fallen for one of the guards and had left with him. Xena held onto the hope that Jeanne would return, though it seemed like a distant dream.It was too late for anyone to persuade the King to honor the promise he had made to his mother, the vow to protect. Yet, Xena clung to that promise, despite the risk of the King discovering her involvement. Memories of the kindness she had shown to the King's mother weighed heavily on her conscience.As they reached the cell and the guard swung open the door, a putrid stench overwhelmed Xena's senses, causing her to instinctively cover her no
Xena's body trembled with fear as she stood there, as Minster still held the document in his hand. The king's eyes scrutinized the scroll as he turned his gaze toward the minister of accounting. She felt her whole world collapse, trapped in a nightmare."What are you doing here?" The king's voice was icy, jolting her back to reality."I... I..." Xena stammered, feeling utterly helpless as Jaguar approached the minister and gently took the scroll from her shaking hands."Your Highness, the scroll..." Xena's heart sank as she grasped the gravity of her situation. The consequences would be dire if the document contained what they suspected. She wished she could vanish, but the king's words reverberated through the hall, freezing her in place."Jaguar, read the scroll's contents. Evans, send guards to find the criminal hiding in town. And when you locate the assassin, eliminate him immediately. Someone dared to set him free from prison." The king's tone brooked no argument, sending shiver
Aurora's eyes widened in awe as she found herself in an enchanting realm, surrounded by colors dancing in the sky. It was a place of breathtaking beauty that seemed almost otherworldly. As she explored this magical space, she was captivated by the sight of a stunning woman with eyes that sparkled like stars and a handsome man whose warm smile radiated kindness.Curiosity overwhelmed her, and she approached them with wonder in her eyes. "Why is this place so incredibly beautiful? And why do both of you look so lovely?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.The woman's response was soft and soothing, "This place is special, Aurora. It's where beauty and love intertwine."Aurora was taken aback, unsure of where she was or how she had arrived there. "Am I dreaming?" she questioned, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.The man's gentle laughter resonated through the air as he replied, "You're not dreaming, but you're not entirely awake either. This realm exists between realities, where the
Alpha stormed into Morena's chamber, his presence filling the room with an air of authority. His eyes widened in shock as he beheld Aurora, blood trickling from her nose. The sight sent a jolt of panic through his veins, and his voice thundered, overpowering every other sound in the room."What is going on here?!" he demanded, his voice reverberating with urgency and concern.The force of his voice made Morena snap her head in his direction, her eyes filled with worry. Evans, Shastina, and the other maid present in the physician's chamber followed suit, their gazes dropping in deference.Their murmured response of "Your Highness" barely registered as Alpha's attention remained fixed on Aurora's ailing form. He spoke again, the urgency in his voice demanding an immediate answer."I need to know what is happening here," he pressed, his tone filled with a mix of fear and determination.Morena, realizing the weight of the moment, turned to face the king. She spoke softly, her voice betray
As Alpha Malik made his way back inside the palace, a heavy cloud of hurt and betrayal engulfed him, obscuring the warmth and love Aurora had once ignited within his heart. With each step, his pain deepened, casting shadows on the memories of their shared moments.Unknown to him, a sense of urgency tugged at his soul, compelling him to seek out Aurora. He couldn't fathom the reason behind this inexplicable need, but he was certain that when she woke up, she would face the consequences of her deception. And as for Evans, Alpha's blood boiled with disbelief at the thought of his supposed ally supporting Aurora in fooling him. The mere idea was unfathomable, and he vowed that Evans would pay dearly for his betrayal.Yet, amidst his wild thoughts, Alpha brushed away the intrusive doubts, focusing on his path ahead. Determined, he walked with measured steps, the imposing presence of the palace surrounding him like a symphony of grandeur and deceit. As he advanced, his attention was drawn t