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
Jeanne sauntered into Nneka's chamber, after Nneka asked her to comes in.Her eyes traveled around the room, her mouth parted in awe, seeing how beautiful her room was more than her friend, she scoffed and muttered inwardly that everything will soon ends."Mother of the country," Jeanne said with a respectful bow, "Concubine Xena requests your presence in her chambers. She needs your assistance."Nneka felt a wave of indignation wash over her. How dare Jeanne, Concubine Xena's bed friend, demand her presence like this? She thought inwardly She bristled at the condescending tone, but she couldn't refuse a request from a concubine since she had always portrayed a good queen in front of everyone."Of course," she said through gritted teeth. "Lead the way."Jeanne nodded. "Thank you, Nneka. Xena needs your help, and I'm sure she will be grateful for your presence."As they made their way through the palace, Jeanne maintained her polite demeanor but Nneka could sense something off about h
Jeanne burst into the clinic with Xena in her arms, followed closely by Nneka.Morena, the healer, looked up from her work and her eyes widened in alarm at the sight of the unconscious Xena.“Quickly, lay her down here,” Morena instructed, pointing to a nearby bed. “I'll take care of her.”Jeanne gently placed Xena on the bed as Morena went to work, checking Xena's pulse and feeling her forehead. Morena's eyes widened in shock as she tested Xena and confirmed that she had lost her pregnancy.Morena's mind raced as she tried to imagine how it could have happened.Queen Nneka had tasked her with administering infertility medicine to the palace women to prevent any heirs from being born. Had she made a mistake? Has someone else interfered? The possibilities raced through her mind as she worked to save Xena's life.Morena's mind raced as she examined Xena. She couldn't help but wonder if the infertility medicine and the antidote she had prepared had caused this. She clenched her fists tig
King Malik sat in front of his mirror, preparing himself for his meeting with the masked girl. His seamstress carefully dressed him in a deep crimson tunic embroidered with gold thread, accompanied by black leather pants and polished boots. As she added the final touches to his outfit, Malik couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of what was to come."Make sure I look my best," he said to the seamstress. "I want to make a good impression."The seamstress bowed her head, thinking to herself that the king was already the most handsome man in all the land, even without her dressing him up.She couldn't believe that he wasn't aware of his charms and attractiveness."Yes, your majesty," she replied, and after she finished dressing up for the king, she bowed and left the room.Once alone, Malik took a deep breath and smiled, thinking about the masked girl he had been meeting secretly for months.He couldn't believe he could find solace In the hand of a stranger, someone he hadn't seen hi
Aurora stood inside the garden, her heart beating fast with anticipation. She was dressed in a beautiful mask, a long flowing gown, and her hair styled to perfection. She was looking straight at the entrance, hoping to see the king walk at any moment.She could even feel a presence and thought it was the king, but it was just the wind blowing through the leaves. She couldn't help but wonder if the king had forgotten about their meeting, or if he had found out that she was the masked girl.No," she thought to herself. "He would have asked for my capture if he found out." The mere thought of being captured again or losing the king was unbearable for Aurora.As the hours ticked by, Aurora's anxiety grew. She felt a pang of disappointment with every passing moment. Eventually, she gave up and took off her mask, her heart heavy with sorrow. She knew that she had to find out what was going on, so she decided to trace the king to his chamber.Arriving at the spot, she saw Evans standing out
Aurora couldn't conceal the jealousy simmering inside of her, so she decided to turn and confirm her suspicions. She wondered what could have kept Alpha Malik, the cold king, in Xena's clinic for so long. Just as she was about to head towards Morena's clinic, her eyes locked onto the figure of the king approaching her.A shiver ran down her spine as she felt her heart racing in her chest. She knew she shouldn't feel this way, that her love for the king was forbidden and dangerous. But try as she might, she couldn't resist the intense attraction she felt towards him. As the king drew nearer, Aurora's mind raced with thoughts of what could happen if the king had found out about her identity as the masked girl.King Malik stood in front of Aurora, he couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty. Aurora had dressed up today, intentionally wanting to impress the king as the masked girl. She noticed the admiration on the king's face and felt a flutter in her chest.But immediately, the kin
Jericho stood outside, engrossed in his task of inspecting various items within the palace. As he meticulously examined each object, his thoughts wandered to Xena, the concubine he couldn't get out of his mind. A mischievous smile danced upon his lips, fueled by an irresistible urge to be with her again. Jericho couldn't help but ponder when he would have her fully, without the need for clandestine encounters. At that moment, he regretted not claiming Xena as his concubine before his brother, Alpha Malik. Just as Jericho was lost in his thoughts, a guard approached, bowing respectfully before him, and paid his obeisance. "My Lord Jericho, please pardon the interruption. I brought important news." Jericho looked at the guard with anticipation, eager to hear what tidings he carried, since he is the one he planted as his informant among the king's guards. "Speak, my good man. What news have you brought for me?" Jericho ordered The guard straightened his posture, his voice filled wit
Nneka's chamber echoed with the sound of her restless footsteps, her anger smoldering just beneath the surface. Anxious anticipation and frustration mingled within her as she impatiently awaited Daphne's arrival. At long last, the doors swung open, and Daphne entered, gracefully bowing before her queen. However, Nneka remained unmoved by the courteous gesture, wasting no time in getting to the heart of the matter."Where have you been? I've been waiting for you," Nneka demanded as she stepped forward into the room.Daphne's expression conveyed a mixture of regret and apology as she lowered her head, aware of the queen's displeasure. She cleared her throat before offering an explanation."I apologize, Your Majesty," Daphne began. "I was waiting for the king, but he never showed up. Instead, I encountered a masked girl in the garden."Nneka's brows furrowed in disbelief, her anger intensifying with each passing moment. The unforeseen turn of events only served to stoke the flames of fru
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