Arriving at Malik's chamber, Evans gently opened the door for Aurora, and she quietly slipped into the chamber. She stepped inside and was welcomed into the darkness, the room was completely dark but warm. She felt a wintry chill lingering in the air, she heard nothing but a soft whistle of wind coming from a tiny crack in the window pane. The sour scent of stale lavender arises from a lonely incent stick in the corner and dances all around her. A taste of decomposing flowers abruptly hits her mouth, as if she’d taken a bite or two of ting rose bush. The room atmosphere was impenetrable, and she stood rooted to the spot, trying to stretch her eyes as wide as possible, but she could barely make out a feeble until her gaze fell on a man laying on the bed, she knew instantly that the man is Alpha Malik. She stood at the spot waiting for his command, she rarely saw his face, since Malik lay on the bed, facing downward on the bed. After a few minutes of a silent ambiance, Malik final
In the morning, the sun is bright, and the sunlight is warm and not harsh.The birds continue to chirp, and the sound echoes in Aurora's ears, which made her know that it is morning already.Aurora's stretched her legs off the mat and onto the floor, her arms raised grazing the ceiling.She opened her eyes, and it dawned on her that she was in Malik's room.Instantly she gazed her eyes to where Malik slept, he was still sleeping soundly, and a smile left her mouth, excited inwardly that he had not woken up.She got out of bed and waltzed into the door, opening the door gently, she found her way out of the room.“Don't tell me you sleep here?” Evans asked her, staring at her from the head to the toe like he was finding a clue.“The King is resting and I can't dare disturb his sleep. Moreover, the king didn't know I was the one who attended to him last night, I think it is better you don't let him know I'm the maid who attended to her last night if he eventually asks of me” Aurora told
Feeling exhausted and tired, Aurora finished her morning work, she was walking toward the maid quarters, to have a quick nap, before going to her second daily work—She was feeling sleepy since she didn't have a good bed rest last night, so she was up until 3:00 am watching her charming king, King Malik.When her body couldn't take it anymore, she slept off around 3:00 am and woke up by 5:00 am, to attend to her morning work.Since Morena pleaded with the king to lift the ban and made her a maid again, they made her do more work than other maids in the palace, ordered by the king.She worked tirelessly every single day, sometimes she ate once a day, or won't eat at all, except if Morena secretly gave her food, which the king had ordered to make life miserable for her.Jericho has been out of the town for a while now, to trade for the community on behalf of the king, which has made the palace a bit comfortable for Aurora, she made sure she didn't show her face in the presence of the ki
Aurora was still kneeling, when Morena entered Concubine Xena's chamber, she beheld Aurora's back with fresh wounds, and blood was sipping down from her back. Morena looked at Concubine Xena with a killing stare. She wondered if she had any human feelings, she hadn't seen a woman as wicked and harsh as Xena before. Morena had a cold stare, that could have killed Xena if it is enough to kill. “What are you doing here?” Xena bought Morena sense back. Morena sighed deeply, trying to suppress her anger, she knew better than her anger cannot do anything. “Your highness, we need Aurora to come and perform her evening duties, she had delayed some of the other maid's duties,", Morena said as humbly as possible. “Hmmm” Xena hummed “I'm not confident, this thing here has enough strength to perform the duties, moreover, she hasn't finished receiving the punishment I had for her”, Xena said, her eyes holding anger, Morena wondered why she hated Aurora this much. “Your highness, Aurora must
On entering the Morena chamber, she helped Aurora to the bed, and attended to her wounds. She pulled out some herbs beneath the bed where Aurora laid. On entering the Morena chamber, she helped Aurora to the bed and attended to her wounds. She pulled out some herbs beneath the bed where Aurora lay. Unfold some wrapped herbs, ed them into an oil, and brought out cotton, she inserted the cotton inside the herb mixture and started applying it on Morena's wounds, every of her touched on Aurora's bored reverberated pains in her body, but she didn't make a sound, she suffered the pain inwardly. “You are a human, it is okay to cry sometimes, don't take in the tears that wish to come out, it's more painful” Morena said to her, she knew how much discomfort the herb caused on the injured body, not hearing Aurora's moaning of pain saddened her heart, she saw her as a poor soul, who has been suffering all her life. “I'm okay,” Aurora said with a gritted tooth. “I know you are not, I don't kn
*FIVE DAYS AFTER* “After the marriage ceremony of Alpha Malik to princess Nneka” Alpha Malik and Princess arrived at the palace, Nneka gripped Alpha Malik's waist as he turned the horse around and headed back towards the hacienda (the horse-designated park) The servant workers there rushed to meet with the king as they sighted him, with their heads bowed, the princess hopped down likewise, leaving the horse to the workers to attend to. “Watch the horse and feed him well, he worked hard these two days,” Malik said in his domineering tone to the workers. “Okay, your highness”, they chorused simultaneously. He stepped forward, and Princess Nneka followed behind him, admiring the Palace, it looked huge and beautiful more than her father's Palace. At the entrance of the main building, they were welcomed by all the royals in the palace, there stood Xena with a smiling face, to welcome the Queen of Uruk into the palace, though there is venom inside the smile. As custom demands, every
Morena was lost in thought as she entered her chamber-Thinking about queen Nneka, her sudden interest in Aurora, baffled her. Though no one believed in Aurora's innocence, she believed her, she saw Aurora as a lady that couldn't hurt an ant.She was lost in thought that she didn't know that Aurora hid behind the door, suddenly Aurora jumped out and made a scary sound, it frightened morena and she shouted.“My God, please temper mercy”, Morena said, with her eyes closed waiting for the death that would kill her, she had experienced people being killed in her eyes, and this memory has made her have a fearful nature, it tortures her a lot and couldn't erase it from her memory, even though she had used many herbs just to cure herself.Aurora busted into laughter, seeing how frightening Morena looked.“Don't tell me you are this afraid ma'am, how could you take care of your patients, if you are this afraid?” Aurora said smiling.Instead of Morena too replied, rather she slumped on a seat t
, and refuses upon INSIDE QUEEN NNEKA CHAMBER**Queen Nneka was on the bed tossing and turning from one side to another, waiting for the door to be flung open by the king.At Intervals, she kept checking the time, it was late already, and she expected the king to be in her chamber by now, when she became restless, she called the maid standing in front of her chamber.“Your Highness,” the maid said with her head lowered to the ground as she entered.“Have you sight the lantern of the king?” Nneka asked, hoping the maid has sighted it.“No, your Highness I haven't”, the maid said politely as much as possible.She wanted to avoid provoking the queen. The maid knew the king won't be coming into her chamber since everyone knew the king only touch Concubine Xena.“Okay, there is no problem, you can go back to your duty post,” Nneka said, and the maid exited her chamber after she bowed her head to queen Nneka.Before coming to the palace, Nneka has made some research about Alpha Malik, sh
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