Chapter 1 - Stranger from Nayak
“And if there's even a chance that she can change your fate, isn't it worth the risk?" Eria's words kept on ringing in my ears as she led the way to my supposed freedom.The familiar surroundings of Ruqgu's central market looked eerily unfamiliar tonight. It was nighttime, and it had been over a month since I left the Gattar Manor. The vibrant colors and the bustling night market contrasted sharply with my somber mood. Nothing amused a woman of twenty-six without a child, nothing fascinated a lady doomed to endure her husband's abuse.I trailed behind Eria as we ventured into a darker, more sinister part of the market, where the night's offerings were far from innocent. I adjusted my hood, ensuring my disguise concealed my identity. The lady of the House of Gattar could not be seen in such a place. I wondered about Eria's intentions and hoped that this secretive meeting would prove worthwhile, despite the risk of sneaking out.My head throbbed, and a chill ran down my spine involuntarily as I contemplated the potential consequences of my husband discovering my absence. I prayed that tonight wouldn't be one of those nights when his temper flared uncontrollably.Eria led us to a dimly lit inn tucked away from the main thoroughfare. She exchanged hushed words with the man guarding the entrance, who eyed me for a moment before allowing our passage. Eria shot him a stern glare, promptly wiping the smile from his face. I didn't understand the full extent of what was transpiring, but my head throbbed, and I longed for the comfort of my own bed.Then I remembered Eria's words: a woman capable of fulfilling my dream of bearing a child was leaving Ruqgu tonight. I couldn't afford to miss this opportunity, risky as it was.Inside the inn, Eria moved with familiarity, as though she knew every nook and cranny. I furrowed my brow in confusion. When did she find time, amidst her duties as my maid and managing my business, to become so acquainted with this place?"You seem to know your way around this inn. Are you a regular?" I inquired, clearing my throat to get her attention. She halted abruptly, her head bowing slightly in a gesture of respect—something she reserved for public settings. Tonight's secrecy didn't warrant such formality."My lady, the inn is yours. It was established after the cosmetics shop became popular. Have you forgotten? You were the one who opened it and named it your 'little child,'" Eria reminded me gently. I surveyed the inn for the first time, realizing that it bore the mark of my own design.How had I forgotten such a significant part of my life? My troubles had consumed me entirely."I apologize. You know how forgetful I've become," I replied with a nod, urging her to continue. She bowed once more and resumed leading the way."It's rare for you to apologize to your servants," Eria muttered under her breath, but her words reached my ears clearly. She still viewed me as her "young miss," a role she felt duty-bound to fulfill. But to me, she was more than a servant; she was my dearest friend. Someday, I vowed to find her a loving husband.Eria led us to a simple room, the smallest I had seen so far. It lacked the extravagance of the Gattar Manor but exuded a regal elegance. Pink chiffon curtains adorned the windows, and two red knots dangled gracefully from their ends. The bed was adorned with silk sheets and intricate embroidery. Eria's meticulous care and attention to detail did not go unnoticed.On the right side of the room, two chairs faced a table stacked with books.The presence of those books intrigued me; it hinted that our guest had a penchant for reading, much like myself. While women in Nayak were denied basic education, Ruqgu encouraged its women to read and write from an early age. Women here enjoyed greater freedom—they could own businesses, reject suitors, and pursue careers in various fields, excluding the military. Despite the shared language and many cultural similarities, Nayak and Ruqgu diverged significantly in terms of women's rights and societal norms.I marveled at the books, pondering whether our visitor was indeed from Nayak or if there had been some misunderstanding. I then noticed that the room was empty, and I removed my hood, casting a puzzled glance at Eria, who responded with a reassuring smile. She gestured for me to take a seat, but my impatience surged. Time was of the essence, and I couldn't afford a leisurely introduction. My husband must not discover my absence, and I feared his wrath more than anything else.I watched as the candle on the table burned slowly, each moment ticking away, adding to my frustration.Eventually, I surrendered to the inevitable and settled into one of the chairs, exhaling deeply. I hoped that this secretive rendezvous would prove worthwhile, for I had risked everything for this opportunity.Finally, the door creaked open, revealing a woman garbed in the attire of Nayak. While Ruqgu women took pride in modesty and covered as much skin as possible, their Nayak counterparts flaunted their bodies, revealing more than we did.Although this woman appeared too mature to expose her belly button, her blouse accentuated her cleavage, and her skirt boasted a daring slit that reached just above her knees. She discarded her hood and gazed at me for a moment before tears welled up in her eyes."I'm so sorry, Miss Marilyn. I should have come sooner," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. She reached out as if to touch my face, but I shifted slightly, maintaining a cautious distance. I couldn't fathom why this stranger, upon laying eyes on me, would break into tears and beg for forgiveness.Drawing nearer, she enveloped me in a tight hug, her tears staining my clothes. I had little patience for emotional displays at this moment. My husband's wrath, if he discovered my absence, was a far greater concern than this stranger's tears."You resemble your mother greatly, Your Majesty," she declared after releasing me from her embrace. My heart skipped a beat. My mother? But how did she know my mother? My mother had passed away when I was just four years old. Why did this stranger refer to me as "Your Majesty"? Was there a queen behind me?Chapter 2 - Tangled Threads of DestinyThe woman settled into the chair opposite mine, while Eria discreetly positioned herself in a corner, out of our line of sight."My mother? And 'Your Majesty'? There are no queens here," I replied with an unintentional iciness that highlighted just how much I had changed from my former self. My tone was devoid of emotion, reflecting the inner turmoil I had endured."Yes, Lady Ruby Kali Rusé. She was best friends with my former mistress," the woman responded calmly, brushing aside my cold demeanor and disregarding my previous comments. There was a melancholic undertone to the way she mentioned my mother's name, hinting at a deeper connection between them. If she knew my mother's noble lineage despite her Nayak origins, she undoubtedly had more to reveal."I understand that you don't know me, and that's partly my fault. By the end of our conversation, you might despise me more than anything in this world. Nevertheless, I must share what I know. If
Chapter 3 - The dawn of TroubleThe night deepened, and the weight of Annalise's revelation bore down on us. She clung to my legs, her pleas relentless, her tears flowing like rivulets of desperation, and her grip a stark reminder of the gravity of her words."I'm very sorry, my lady. I should have come sooner. I should have come before your marriage," her voice trembled with regret, as if the weight of her actions pressed heavily upon her conscience.Eria, my steadfast confidant, stood nearby, her expression a conflicted blend of skepticism and concern. "Perhaps, my lady, we should consider what Annalise is saying," she suggested cautiously.But I remained resolute in my doubts, unwilling to fully embrace this fantastical tale. "You can't simply emerge from the shadows, asking me to divorce my husband over a story I can hardly believe," I retorted, my voice tinged with exasperation.Annalise, however, refused to relent. She spoke with fervor, her eyes locked onto mine, her determinati
Chapter 4 Desperate escapeImmediately I entered my Chambers, I could smell the strong stink of trouble in the air. My head pounds as I tried to calm my panicked breaths. The orb burns in my hands as if it senses my emotions. I quickly concluded in my mind that today will be the day I will leave the surface of Earth.My feet refused to move forward as I stared at his face angry face staring back at me. No, I am dead already. Without warning, tears started streaming down my eyes uncontrollably. I slipped the orb into my inner pocket as my palm became sweaty. He looked at me like he was about to kill me and I took a step backward as he stood up from the chair he was sitting on.“ Do not take another step” He said with a cold tone that sends shivers down my spine. My heart beats wildly in my chest as I stay rooted in my position. Eria gave me a sympathetic look as she knew what my next fate will be. I could also read from her eyes that she thought all of this was her fault.“ I'm sorry m
Chapter 5 - Impossible Stranger"You don't deserve to be trapped in this hell when you can be a queen in Nayak," she said, dragging me through the secret passages again. All the guards my husband stationed in front of my door were sleeping, and I knew Eria must have had something to do with it."Annalise left the inn a while ago, but you will surely catch up to her before you reach the Fluer River. I sent a message to her already," she said while opening the backdoor again. She placed my hood on my head properly, draping it over my torn clothing to keep me modest."But I'm still married to my husband," I said, but she shushed me by placing a finger on my lips."All you should focus on right now is getting out of Ruqgu before the day breaks. I already prepared a double for you, and as of tomorrow, you will be dead. You committed suicide because you couldn't take the abuse from your husband anymore," she said, and I stared at her with my mouth open in shock. What the hell?"I will do an
Chapter 6 - Queen of Nayak"What?" I almost laughed at his expression. In fact, I did laugh. He looked like nobody had ever talked back to him before in his entire life and existence. His brows scrunched up in confusion and his mouth wide open in shock made my stomach rumble in laughter. His appearance suggested he was from Nayak; only their men kept their hair as long as women."You must think everyone is lazy brats like you? Unfortunately for you, some of us are tired after a long day's journey and need to rest. I'm sorry I fell on you, and if you can't accept my apology, you can shove it down your throat the opposite way." I knew I was saying nonsense by calling him a brat. I should have just said asshole instead. Damn! It's been a while since I sassed someone out.The man stared at me as I continued to drag my heavy bag through the passageway."You? ... You," he pointed his fingers at me, as if unsure of what to say. I just ignored him and dragged my duffel bag with all my strengt
Chapter 7 - FlamingoThere was only one thought that came to my mind as I stared at his unmoving body on the floor: "I am in big trouble." My heart beat wildly in my chest, and I found my thoughts flying in different directions."Hey," I tapped him with my shaky hands, but he remained still.I knelt beside him and felt his pulse. It was weak and faint. I sighed in relief, but that didn't mean it couldn't get worse. At least he was breathing, and he didn't show other life-threatening symptoms. At this point, every part of the inn was dead silent, like a graveyard. Everyone must have been sleeping, so I couldn't ask for help.I wondered what could have happened to him, but I couldn't just sit and do nothing.I paced around the room, my brows furrowed with worry as I watched his skin grow paler with each passing second. Then, I suddenly remembered the little orb that Annalise had given me before she left Ruqgu. I didn't even know how to use it on someone. The darn thing didn't come with a
Lady Marilyn Rusè Gattar/ Queen Lyn: A barren woman who journeyed to Nayak because of an oath her mother made to the goddess. Blessed by Natalí to be the true but has so many challenges preventing her from becoming the queen.King Treven Niamh: The king of Nayak, blessed by the deity Nati with strength and the power to communicate with hornets and control them. He has been searching for his true queen secretly.Lady Meisi: The first consort of the king, She believed only she deserved to be the true queen.Lady Laila and Lady Tia: Other consorts of King Treven.Princess Cixi: King Treven's Aunt, widowed but stays in the palace with her son. She is a cunny and a meticulous woman. Annalise: The late Queen's maid and the only witness to the oath.Eria: Marilyn's best friend and handmaid.Lord Patrick Gattar: One of the seven rulers of Ruqgu. Marilyn's ex-husband who maltreated her. Valtar and Tameka: the king's trusted men. etc...
Chapter 8 - Where Is He?My head hurts as I process what he said to me. I've hidden all my scars well; no one could see them, except the ones on my face. But they could have come from elsewhere, and no one has ever suspected they're from the long-lost abuse I endured in my marriage.Maybe it was the oath he made to me that caused this, or perhaps his hallucinations are more severe than I thought. He did vow to protect me until his last breath, so maybe that's why he's acting this way. Or am I just losing my mind and overthinking this, as I often do with my stupid trait? I huffed in annoyance as I opened the door and placed the foul chamber pot in a corner near the entrance of the room. I was afraid to venture into the passageway, just in case whoever or whatever was after him caught up to him. I certainly didn't want to become the sacrificial goat.Back in the room, he had already shifted away from the mattress, with half of his body on the ground, and only his leg lazily resting on th