The door to the hall opened, and Jeanne walked in, feeling disoriented. She couldn’t place her hand on the reason the king summoned her, the king is hard to see. Although they both live inside the palace, even his concubine might not sight him for two months. His presence is so scarce. For the past three months, she hadn’t sighted the king, and standing close to him made her wonder if the king had found out Xena lied to him. Her heart thumped, thinking of the outcome of the king's found out. She ransacked her brains, trying to find a way out for Xena, if eventually the king find out. She wouldn’t mind getting hurt, then letting Xena lose favor with the king. “Good day… My lord” She greeted and bowed her head towards the king. Just then her face traveled to where Xena stood, hoping she would notify her of the reason she was brought in, but she didn’t look her way, rather she held a frowned expression, facing the king directly. Although Xena considered signaling her, knowing Jea
Nneka's stomach giggled excitedly after Daphne informed her of the punishment given to Xena. The excitement was so obvious on her face, making Daphne wonder why she was feeling so joyous about it. Although, since the queen came into the palace, she hadn’t seen her feeling this happy without the input of alcohol. Whenever she’s angry at the king for not acknowledging her presence as his queen, she always turns to alcohol to kill the boredom, anger, and rage in her. Sporadically Daphne wondered why the king was wicked and evil to his women, especially his queen. The citizen is expecting the queen to conceive soon, but as far as she knows, the king hasn’t laid with the queen for the past five months since she entered the palace. The King only gives his precious time to Concubine Xena. She concluded, that seeing Xena getting hurt is enough to make the queen happy now that she was in prison. The realization struck her heart and she understood the reason the queen was thrilled. Sh
As soon as Sally left Nneka's chamber, she called for her maid to dress her up using makeup and accessories to beautify her. She wanted to show Xena that she is smarter and more beautiful than her in every way, she wanted to prove to her that she owns the king, not her. With amusement on her face, she stood up after she had been dressed in royal attire, she looked at her reflection in the mirror and a chuckle ensued on her face. She loves what the mirror portrayed as her reflection. “Tell Shastina to come to my chamber in the evening, I want to discuss She said, to her maid as she exited the room. “Oka, y my queen” Daphne lowered her head, watching Nneka as she left the chamber. Daphne loved and respected Nneka a lot, she hoped to be like her someday even though it might never happen since she was born a slave while Nneka was born royal. Moreover, seeing the way she always carried herself majestically and proudly makes her want to be like her the most. On her way to the roya
Aurora was performing her duties fetching water into the kitchen, she made sure to take along the fetcher with her whenever she went to pour the filled bucket into the jar inside the kitchen. She couldn't forget the experience she had two days ago when someone threw the fetcher into the well just to punish her. She had thought the king would punish her for it. Although the king eventually punished her that day, she knows it isn't because of the fetcher, but because of the man who lied against her. She wanted to punish whoever threw the fetcher into the well, but she hasn't had time to investigate it since she didn't know the perpetrator, likewise, she hasn't had time to rebuke Tira for slapping her, but she sensed Tira knows the person who poured her water away and threw the fetcher into the well. She might take every insult from the king's women, but she can't take insults from slaves, she's born Royal and won't allow circumstances to give her another legacy. Anyway, she was exci
Aloha's heart was in her throat as she drawled closer to the king's chamber. She wondered why the king would call for her. She hoped she hadn't done something wrong again, just as she reached the front of the king's chamber, she breathed deeply, trying to calm the anxiety brewing in her. “Comes in” The king's voice came from his chambers, and she pushed herself inside. She knitted her brows confused, seeing Mira and Tira kneeling in front of the king, their hands wrapped at the back, lowering their faces to the ground. She wondered what they were doing in the king's chamber. Knowing how much Mira's determination to destroy her made her shake inwardly, she just hoped she hadn't said something that would cost her life. Although she was afraid, still she tried to remain cool and calm in the king's presence, she didn't want Mira to know how fearful she was because of her presence with the king. “I thought you had been warned not to call me Your Highness… I'm not a lord over a mur
Her features clouded with confusion hearing Alpha Malik, she wondered the kind of person Alpha Malik was. Did he learn how to make a woman cry and how to make them feel happy again? She shook her head, thinking she might have heard him wrongly. “Don't you have anything you want me to do for you?” Alpha Malik uttered, bringing her out from the doubting realm and jumping to the physical realm. “Ehmm. Ehmmmm" She stammered, after the truth glaring at her face, indeed that the all mighty powerful Alpha Malik wanted to fulfill a promise to her. There was prolonged silence after asking for the second time, and the silence was getting on the king's nerves. “If you don't have any request, you can find your way out,” He said with gritted teeth. Aurora's eyes widened knowing she had prolonged her response, unaware to her that she had wasted the king's previous time, the excitement and what she was going to ask the king filled her thoughts, forgetting the king was demanding her request. “
Aurora couldn't keep the excitement brewing inside of her, she was jumping up and down doing her work, waiting for the sky to settle down. Checking the sky constantly wanting to know the changes in the sky since she's conversant with when darkness overthrows the light Likewise, she was oblivious to the eyes other maids gave her as she continued humming to a song. It was a song she loved singing so much back then in Gigal whenever her step-sister started with their problems. She will sing and tears will start oozing down her eyes, hoping to meet a knight that will take her away from her father's castle someday. Until her father trained her as an assassin, then she started leaving the palace, having fun outside their palace. This is the song she loves singing and imagines signing to her man someday; There's a place in your heartAnd I know that it is loveAnd this place was brighter than tomorrow. And if you'll find there's no need to cryIn this place, you'll feel there's no hu
Xena had been pacing up and down the room, she regretted that she fell into Nneka's trap, even after knowing she was a bitch. She clenched her fist in anger wondering why Jeanne hadn't come and checked up on her, naturally, she should blame her, but she couldn't since she knew Jeanne never wanted all this to happen to her. The shuffling footsteps coming closer to the prison made a smile brush her face, she was confident that Jeanne was the one coming. Truly, it was Jeanne, she stopped at the entrance, and one guard looked up at him “You aren't permitted to come here,” The guard said to her, following the king's order. The King ordered the guard not to allow Jeanne to enter the prison, he wanted Xena to reflect on her mistakes and errors. Xena is someone the king cares so much for, he can't forget how she stood with his mother in times of difficulty, protecting her from becoming a monster is his duty. He had known that the Palace was a place where people can easily turn into mon
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