“Your Highness, please forgive her!” Sensing the gravity of the situation, Prince Ariel sprang to his feet and bowed deeply toward the queen, his voice trembling slightly.
Consort Watelonu’s face darkened, her features twisting into a mask of rage as she watched her son’s submissive gesture. The usually elegant lines of her face were now marred by an expression of contempt and fury.
Her eyes flicked toward Rara, sharp and cold, betraying a simmering hatred. The contemptuous glance was brief but searing.
Rara bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor. She dared not lift her eyes to meet the accusing stares that seemed to burn into her.
‘It’s your fault! Why did you remind me of home?!’
<It’s not me. It’s you! You’re the one controlling my body! Look at the mess you’ve made! My God! Can we still go home now?!>
Inside Rara’s mind, Hara buzzed around like an agitated bee, her anxieties amplifying every second.
‘Stop.’
(Oh my god! We're gonna die!)
‘Stop!’
(Are we going to be executed in front of the public? (Gasp) Perhaps they want to hang us and feed us to the wild dogs they keep behind the castle?)
“I said, stop!” Rara’s voice cut through the tension as she stood abruptly, hurling the fork she had been holding onto her plate with a clatter that reverberated through the room.
The noise startled everyone, causing heads to turn. The sharp metallic sound of the fork hitting the plate seemed to hang in the air like a discordant note.
Prince Ariel’s face went pale, his eyes wide with shock and fear. He instinctively took a step back, as if distancing himself from the commotion.
Concubine Beanilda, caught off guard, tried to stand up to avoid the food splattering onto her. Despite her best efforts, some of it reached her new dress. Her face fell as she glanced down at the once-pristine Golden Blue Starry dress now stained with greenish streaks. The vibrant color had been ruined, transforming her elegant gown into a grotesque parody of cabbage.
The dress, a gift from the King himself, held sentimental value beyond its cost. Beanilda’s heart sank as she gazed at the King, her eyes filling with tears. She remained silent, her expression pleading, hoping the King would intervene and restore her dignity.
Consort Watelonu’s eyes widened with disbelief. She hadn’t anticipated such defiance from the girl. Her initial shock quickly turned into interest. This act of boldness—standing up and shouting in such a manner—was not only unexpected but seemed to ignite a spark of scheming within her.
Queen Lustia’s face flushed with fury. She had been prepared to dismiss the incident, but Prince Ariel’s intervention had only added fuel to her anger. Now, she was resolute in teaching this insolent girl a lesson.
Queen Lustia rose from her seat, and King Magdon followed, his expression thunderous. His eyes blazed with anger, not just over Rara’s outburst but over the disrespect she had shown by ruining the concubine’s dress.
The King’s pride was wounded. The prospect of a poorly mannered girl disgracing him and his family was unacceptable. How could he, the supreme ruler of the five great kingdoms, endure such humiliation?
The butler and the servants in the dining room exchanged glances, shaking their heads in quiet disapproval. The “Queen of the Day” or Chosen Lady had proven to be anything but refined.
(You... you... kneel down right now! Quickly! We might still be able to beg for forgiveness and ask them to let us go.)
Rara felt paralyzed, her mind racing with self-reproach.
‘This is not me. Hara, I know you don’t like me taking over your body. But... you... damn it! I’m not a poorly mannered girl!’
<It’s not me! It’s you!>
“Guards!”
The King’s command brought a swift reaction. The dining room door swung open, and the guards strode in with disciplined precision, their guns gleaming in the light.
Rara observed them with a mix of frustration and despair. They wore long, dark-blue uniforms with black pants and boots. Each guard had a nametag prominently displayed above the breast pocket, their attire signaling their rank and role.
The three guards in front were especially striking. Their uniforms were adorned with pendants of varying colors—white, green, and red—indicating their positions. The head guard, bearing the red pendant, stood out with a stern and authoritative presence.
‘Not cool. Not cool at all! You’re supposed to hold a spear and wear a soldier’s hat!’
(Stop your nonsense! Go and beg the King to spare you!)
‘What do you mean? You want me to beg the King? Are you insane?’
(Shut up! Do you want to live or not?)
‘Of course, I want to live! But I definitely won’t beg the King!’
(You... fine! When you die, I will settle this matter with you and the universe, hmph!)
Taking a deep breath, Rara approached the guards. She submitted to having her wrists cuffed, the cold metal feeling heavy and uncomfortable.
Turning toward the King and queen, she forced herself to meet their gaze. “I’m not a poorly mannered girl!” she declared defiantly, sticking her tongue out in a childish gesture.
The King and queen’s faces darkened further. Their expressions twisted into a mix of disbelief and disgust. Wasn’t sticking out her tongue just further proof of her lack of decorum?
The King and queen, their appetite spoiled by the scene, turned and retreated to their chambers, their departure marked by the rustle of silk and the muted click of their footsteps.
Concubine Beanilda, her face flushed with shame, hurriedly exited the dining room. Her strides were quick and unsteady, her eyes fixed ahead as she tried to escape the embarrassment.
Consort Watelonu, however, was in high spirits. She sipped her wine slowly, savoring the moment. The scene replayed in her mind, a gleeful smirk tugging at her lips.
What a delightful spectacle!
It seemed the palace would not be so dull in the coming days.
“Mama?” Ariel looked at his mother with a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that his mother was in an exceptionally good mood, her eyes sparkling with amusement and her lips curved into a satisfied smile.
“Mm... Ariel, you and that girl are acquainted, correct? What are your thoughts on her?”
Ariel folded his arms, his gaze thoughtful. Chihara wasn’t someone he was close to, but there was something different about her. Unlike most who would quail in the face of authority, Chihara had faced the King’s anger with a startling lack of fear.
She was unique, not easily intimidated, and her behavior had certainly been unconventional.
“We’re not that close, but... I think she’s special.”
Rara gritted her teeth as the cute-looking guard, adorned with a white pendant tied to his belt, shoved her for what felt like the hundredth time.“You—! Don’t push me around! It’s already generous of me to allow myself to be cuffed! I know how to walk without your help!” Her cheeks puffed out like a Bubble Eye fish, her frustration palpable.The guard with the green pendant, his irritation barely masked, muttered under his breath, “Stupid woman…”Despite his quiet tone, his words cut through the air and reached Rara’s ears. She halted abruptly and turned to face him, her eyes blazing with indignation.Before she could retort, a bone-shaking roar reverberated through the castle, startling both guards and prisoners alike.“Ahhhh!”The guards’ faces drained of color as they exchanged shocked glances. “Assistant Bear!” they shouted in unison, their eyes wide with alarm.“Assistant Panda... Chief Lisun... help me…” Assistant Bear, visibly distressed, reached out to his colleagues with a de
Rara waited, her anxiety mounting with every passing moment. The old man had been dragged away hours ago, and the silence in her cell felt oppressive. Every creak of the old mansion seemed to echo her growing concern.Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Assistant Panda appeared, his imposing figure framed by the dim light of the hallway. Rara looked up, surprised to see him, her heart fluttering with a mix of hope and suspicion.“Why am I being released?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. “Did something happen to the old man?”Assistant Panda’s eyes were cold and unreadable. “You’re coming with me.”They exited the mansion and approached a sleek black car waiting by the ornate palace gates. Rara’s curiosity was piqued, but Assistant Panda’s impassive demeanor offered no clues. As she glanced out of the car window, the world outside seemed to blur into an indistinct haze.“We’re going to watch a show,” Assistant Panda said with a hint of irritation in his voice.Rara’s eyebrows
“Enough!” Chief Lisun’s voice cut through the air like a blade, sharp and commanding.Assistant Panda, feeling the sting of the reprimand, lowered his head, his large, expressive eyes flickering with a mix of guilt and defiance. He wrapped his 'tail' around his legs in a submissive gesture, though his posture betrayed a deep-seated resentment.Rara’s gaze swept over the field, taking in the array of figures scattered across it. “Who are they?” she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity as she nodded toward the various groups.Chief Lisun’s finger traced the groups like a teacher pointing out elements on a map. “The people over there,” he began, gesturing toward a cluster dressed in uniform attire adorned with bird feather hats and tribal white markings.“They are the ones performing the ritual today. They are the White Tribals family. Apart from them, there are also the Black Tribals, the Red Tribals, and the Green Tribals. Each group will perform their rituals in sequence: red, green,
Chief Lisun finally released his grip on Rara’s waist and tried to wrench her claws away from his neck. The struggle was intense, his muscles straining as he grappled with her.Her eyes, glowing a menacing red, showed no hint of relenting. Desperation etched on his face, Chief Lisun resorted to sheer force, gripping her wrists with a painful tightness and yanking her hands away with a violent jerk.The movement left deep, five-line scratches on either side of his neck, which began to ooze a mix of blood and sweat.Around them, the tribe’s ceremonial circle was forming. The air was thick with the pungent scent of tiger’s blood, mixed with the rhythmic clang of gongs. Tribal dancers, adorned in elaborate garb and painted faces, moved in an eerie, synchronized pattern around a large, ancient stone.The low and high cultivators watched in silence, their gazes fixed on the transparent shield that now encased Bun Kukkinos.The shield, a shimmering barrier of light, crackled faintly with each
Chief Lisun halted at the large tree trunk that had been fashioned into a bench. It was a rustic piece, the bark rough and gnarled, yet it had been carefully carved to serve its purpose.With a gentle motion, Chief Lisun removed his coat and carefully draped it over Rara, who was sleeping soundly. He then settled onto the bench beside her, allowing her to lean against his shoulder.Her breathing was steady and calm, contrasting sharply with the tension that gripped the rest of the scene.The king, watching from a distance, was seething with fury.His normally composed demeanor had shattered, replaced by a smoldering rage that he struggled to contain. His face, usually a mask of regal serenity, was now etched with anger.Yet, the events of the day had left him momentarily speechless. He could only shoot Chief Lisun a baleful glare, his eyes narrow slits of molten fire.Assistant Panda, who had been standing stoically beside Chief Lisun, felt a cold sweat trickle down his forehead as he
Chief Lisun approached Rara with a scowl etched deeply into his rugged face. The harsh lines on his forehead and the steely glint in his eyes spoke of a man used to commanding respect.His presence was imposing, and his frustration was palpable.He had managed to defeat Blade.It had been a grueling battle, the kind that left both combatants physically and emotionally drained. The arena, a vast expanse of cracked stone and scorched earth, bore witness to the fierce clash between two titans.Blade, known for his relentless aggression and lightning-fast strikes, had seemed invincible to many. His reputation was built on an impressive string of victories, each one a testament to his unmatched skill and brute strength. His movements were fluid and precise, his blade a blur of deadly steel that cut through the air with lethal intent.But today, the tide had turned.The combatants’ breath came in ragged gasps as they circled each other, the air thick with tension and the acrid scent of sweat
Queen Lustia had just stepped out of the grand doors leading to the pond patio when her eyes fell upon an unexpected sight: a red-haired girl reclining casually in a chair, her back turned toward the queen.The sun cast long shadows across the lush garden, its golden rays dappling the ornate stone pathway. The scent of blooming jasmine mingled with the crisp, fresh air. The serene beauty of the pond, with its gently rippling water and vibrant lilies, contrasted starkly with the unsettling scene before Queen Lustia.Gulping audibly, Queen Lustia silently withdrew her foot and retreated into the hallway, her heart pounding in her chest. She had been anticipating a peaceful moment of solitude, not an encounter with someone so brazenly disregarding her presence.“Your Highness, the fish food is here,” came the sudden, nervous voice of a maidservant, breaking the queen’s reverie.Startled by the intrusion, Queen Lustia spun around and glared sharply at the maidservant who stood there. The m
During Dinner.Rara remained seated beside the queen, but her gaze was firmly fixed on the king. Her posture was respectful, but her attention was unmistakably on him, her eyes darting occasionally to catch his reactions.Her movements were delicate, like a devoted daughter eager to please. She had learned from the morning’s encounter that the queen’s temper was not something to be trifled with, and she was determined to avoid provoking another outburst.Despite her focus on the king, she occasionally turned to the queen with a sweet smile, though her attentiveness was clearly directed elsewhere.The queen, who had been in high spirits that morning, was now visibly displeased.Her expression was a mix of frustration and resignation as she watched Rara’s overt attempts to gain the king’s favor. The air around her felt charged, as though her displeasure could manifest physically.The meal itself seemed to lose its appeal for the queen. The once-delicious food now tasted bland and unappet
The smoky area was tense as Chief Watu, bruised and battered, led Prince Ariel through the underground networks of the Sitaga Kingdom's intelligence network.After a day of hasty investigating, and sending letters to the hidden spies in the Sitaga Kingdom, they finally found out. Unfortunately, Mayonne and the evil rogue wolf were seen heading to the Haguar Kingdom.Ariel's gaze turned cold. There really is something else behind the play.He didn't wait for dawn and rode through the night at full speed along with his men.However, what awaited him at the gates of the Haguar Kingdom was nothing good.Prince Ariel stopped his horse as his men followed suits. His heart ached when he saw the worn-out Mayonne behind the evil rogue wolf.Clenching his jaw, his gaze swept over the people a few meters away in front of him.The King of Sitaga Kingdom, King Pose Napo, stood with ruthlessness in his old eyes. His armour was like a midnight lake reflecting the stars above, its dark blue surface s
Prince Ariel rode ahead with his men, his grip on the reins tightening as they galloped toward the Sitaga Kingdom. His heart beat anxiously inside his chest with every passing second, and his mind constantly thinking of Mayonne.Was she safe? Was she scared?He gritted his teeth when he recalled his failure to protect her back at the Temple of Haguar.He had been so careless, believing that no one would dare to stir up chaos on such an important ceremony. He let his guard down and paid a price for it.She had just gone out of his room, taking care of him since she was his personal maidservant, before going back to her room. He had just laid down on the bed when suddenly, he heard a loud crash outside.The moment he dashed outside, he was stunned when he saw the bodies of his soldiers, who were guarding his door had fallen to the ground, lifeless.His eyes darted back to the culprit who was smiling smugly
Hearing Prince Xavier's words, Queen Lustia neither agree nor disagree.She doesn't want her son to go with such a dangerous group of supernatural.However, seeing such a rare scene of Hara being tortured made her feel conflicted.After all, Hara was also the daughter of her best friend."Master, let's go.""Wait," Prince Xavier stopped him, "I have a condition,"Lugh Tigranes grunted, "Speak!""I'll go with you. In return, your people won't touch my people,"''Tch!" Raymond face was filled with displeasure.Their lord had specifically instructed them to bring Prince Xavier at all cost.That being said means taking Prince Xavier away was priority."I promise...only if your people stay put and don't try anything funny,""Alright,"Prince Xavier stepped forward with indifference in his eyes. There was no fear nor anxiousness in hi
Two weeks later.Haguar Kingdom, Royal Palace.Assistant Bear dash past the palace door and rushed into the Palace Hall where King Magdon was discussing some political affairs with his ministers.The sound of the ongoing discussion died down when they heard the hurried footsteps coming towards them.Turning their heads around to look at Assistant Bear who looks very tense with seriousness on his face makes them very curious about what had happened to barged inside the Palace Hall where an important meeting was held.King Magdon frowned upon seeing Assistant Bear rushed in without informing him in advance about his arrival.However, he held himself from chiding him upon seeing the dreadful expression on Assistant Bear's face."Assistant Bear? What's the matter?" he asked.Assistant Bear walks towards the middle of the throne and stopped below the stairs.He knelt on one knee and bowed to King Magdon with his arms in front of his chest."Your Majesty, forgive my rudeness for coming unan
Rara was about to reply when someone else beat her to it. "Shut up!" The woman who had just berated her immediately stepped back in fright as she lowered her head. Biting her lips, she clenched her hand tightly beside her as she glared at Rara's back with hatred. As the man on the throne unleashed his aura that made others inside the main hall feel a heavy pressure, Rara's face was still as calm as usual. Since they didn't chain her hand behind her, Rara managed to move her fingers and made a hand gesture. Click! In an instant, a flame of fire burns through the chain around her before it spreads throughout her entire body. The spectators who saw this gasped in shock. "Heavens! What the hell is she trying to do?" "It can't be that she wanted to blow herself up?" "Quick, stop her! We can't let her destroy our main goal today!" The man on the throne was also shocked when he saw this. He stood up and flash in front of her. He waved his hand, trying to put out the fire that engu
Meanwhile, back to Rara's current situation.When the black-clothed men brought her away, Rara didn't struggle at all.Other than to save her children, she also wants to know the mastermind who orders her capture.This is a very risky move that could endanger her life. However, knowing that the Gods wouldn't let her die no matter what happen, she took a gamble once more.Just like how her children and her life were saved even though there was a trace of dark magic inside her, she believe that the Gods would definitely help her again.Actually, this bunch of assassins was nothing in her eyes. It would be a piece of cake for her to defeat them.However, in order to see who was so daring to kidnap her under Xavier's eyes, she let them bring her further and further away from the Haguar Kingdom.On that rainy night, the assassins didn't stop even once. Maybe it was due to fear that Xavier will chase after him, but they only stopped after an hour of the journey in a small empty town."Ugh!"
When morning comes, Assistant Panda arranged for his men to buy a few carriages to bring the guard's dead bodies back to their family in the capital.After that, the whole family along with the remaining guards went back to the capital in low spirits.Laurell and Laurence had been crying for a long time since last night. They only stopped when they became tired. Given Xavier's unstable emotions, Queen Lustia and King Magdon took care of the twins.The remaining guards were told to be more cautious during the trip back to the capital. It was unknown whether the group of assassins yesterday would appear again.Looking at the pale and sickly appearance of Laurell and Laurence, Queen Lustia sighed.Both of them were unable to sleep after the commotion that happen yesterday. Their face looks forlorn and tired.They were both shocked and full of fear when they heard what happened from Xavier's mouth."Hubby, why do you think those assassins took Hara away?" Queen Lustia asked.King Magdon a
The whole Haguar Kingdom was overjoyed when they heard of the birth of the twins. To celebrate, King Magdon announced that he will hold a celebration in three months. All four kingdoms and other mid and lower kingdoms were invited. The whole palace was busy preparing for the events. Not only were they need to decorate the whole palace, but they would also need to arrange for the royal parades throughout the streets of Haguar to the Temple of Haguar. Not only that, the soldiers and royal guards were trained strictly in order to protect the royals in case of emergency. *** After preparing for three months, the day for the celebration is finally here. Royals and nobles from all over the world arrived one after another and came through the gate towards the Haguar Palace. In front of the royal palace was the palace ground that could contain thousands of people. Everyone was discussing the event and some were just catching up with their acquaintances or making connections. The royal
Six months later.Around 1 in the morning, Rara was woken up by a sudden pain in her stomach. Her grunt woke Xavier up, "Honey, what's wrong?" he stretched out his hand to switch on the light in the room."My...my stomach hurt...so much..." Rara slowly got out of bed with Xavier's help.The moment she stood up, a gush of water landed on the floor and wetted the carpet on the floor.Looking down at the puddle of water on the floor, both of them went pale in panic.Xavier immediately carried her back to bed and put her in a lying position, "Ho-honey, w-wait here...I-I'll go and call the doctors over."After that, he flashed out of the room and down the second floor where the female doctors who specialized in giving birth were staying.Knock! Knock! Knock!The harsh knocking on the door woke the doctors up from their dreams.The head doctor, Hilda Goufn, got out of bed first and tidied herself up before opening the door, "What-?" she didn't manage to get a word out of her mouth before h