As I made my way to the king's garden, the sun's golden rays cascaded through the branches of the towering trees, casting a kaleidoscope of dancing shadows upon the path ahead. A soft breeze whispered through the leaves, carrying with it the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers. I rejoiced in the tranquility of the moment, relishing every step closer to my destination. It was then that I noticed the figures of Prince Roderick and Prince Maximus in the distance, their regal demeanor unmistakable. I knew we hadn't been on good terms since I became the acting queen, but I never for once tried to disrespect them even though the deserved it. I noticed the relationship between them and the concubines but who cared? As long as I was the acting queen, there was nothing any of them could do to me. That was the spirit. They stood side by side, a mischievous glint in their eyes as they fixed their gazes upon me. A flicker of uncertainty stirred within me, causing me to quicken my pace.
"Your Majesty," Prince Roderick spoke earnestly, "I believe it would be more prudent to approach Melina's aunt first. Directly confronting Melina might muddy the waters and cloud the information we seek. Her aunt, on the other hand, is likely to be aware of her whereabouts. Even if she denies Melina's visit to her beloved, we may be able to discern the truth from her demeanor. There is no way that woman can tell us a lie and we wouldn't detect it. And even if she doesn't say anything, we could threaten her to talk and if she doesn't, we would throw her into the dungeon. This would make Melina so vulnerable and tell us every truth and.." He paused and took a deep breath. The hesitation in his voice betrayed the weight of his words. Prince Roderick took a deep breath again, aware of the gravitas of what he was about to say. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, for the bluntness of my words, but bestowing the title of acting queen upon Melina... it seems undeserved. It would have been more fitting
After the maids had served the sumptuous lunch meal, the gazebo became a haven for the King and Melina. The air was thick with anticipation as they both settled into their seats, positioned directly opposite each other. Meticulously arranged plates adorned the elegant table, emitting tantalizing aromas that hung in the air, promising flavors fit for royalty. The King's anticipation hung in the air as he eagerly awaited the first taste of the meal. Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, he finally spoke, his voice laced with excitement. "Tell me, Melina, how is the meal?" he inquired, his gaze fixed upon her. Suppressing a giggle, Melina's voice resonated through the garden, filled with delight and a subtle hint of musicality. "Your Majesty, this meal is an absolute masterpiece. The flavors dance upon my palate, whisking me away on a journey of culinary bliss. It is truly extraordinary. The maids have outdone themselves, I can't love it more." Satisfied with h
The king's voice was tinged with curiosity as he impatiently demanded, "Then, open the envelope. What could be written in there?" Melina's petite frame trembled with an evident unease as she stammered, "I... I am sorry, your royal Majesty, but I cannot open it." Confusion etched across the king's face as he struggled to comprehend the reason behind Melina's reluctance. Why would she withhold such crucial information? His voice grew more urgent as he sought answers, "What do you mean? Explain yourself!" Summoning all her courage, Melina managed to reply, her words delicate yet resolved, "I must beg your pardon, your Majesty, but I am unable to reveal the contents of the letter. I humbly request your permission to take my leave." With grace and respect, Melina gathered the folds of her elegant gown, executing a deep curtsy before gliding gracefully towards the exit. Her departure seemed almost ethereal, leaving the king, with his mounting curiosity, standing stupefied in her wake. T
Melina stepped into her chamber, her body slick with sweat, her heart pounding heavily within her chest. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins as she sank onto her bed, the envelope clutched tightly in her trembling hands. With an urgency borne out of curiosity and trepidation, she tore open the envelope, casting aside any semblance of composure. Her fingers gingerly removed the piece of paper nestled within the envelope, and she began to read the words written upon it. Each word seemed to etch itself upon her heart, causing her eyes to dilate and her breath to catch in her throat. It was a letter, a message from someone unknown, and its contents held a mysterious promise. "Hi Melina dear," the letter began, "I am writing to let you know that I have missed you so much, and I can't really wait for us to reunite again. I know you must have been missing me too. We shall meet soon, bye for now." Melina's mind reeled with questions. Who had written this letter? And mo
Daphne and Xanthe stood on the opposite side of the hallway, at the entrance to Cleo's chamber. They were waiting patiently for Melina, their target, to emerge from her aunt's quarters. They had been shadowing her since she left the garden, knowing that she was up to something and they were both determined to uncover each and every steps she wanted to take regarding the letter. As they stood there, their eyes darted back and forth, making sure no one noticed their surreptitious surveillance. As they waited, the two servants they had summoned arrived, their footsteps echoing softly against the marble floors. Daphne and Xanthe turned to meet them, their expressions revealing a mix of anticipation and intrigue. The servants bowed respectfully, acknowledging the presence of the two concubines. "Good evening my ladies. May I inquire, why you have called for us?" Daphne stepped forward, her demeanor exuding confidence and authority. A sly smile curved her crimson lips as s
Melina emerged from her aunt's chamber, her heart pounding with trepidation. She scanned the hallway, her eyes darting from left to right, ensuring that no prying eyes were watching her every move. Satisfied that she was alone, she quickened her pace, her footsteps echoing against the stone walls as she made her way towards her chamber. Unbeknownst to her, two figures concealed in the shadows of the hallway had been patiently waiting for this very moment. Daphne and Xanthe exchanged glances filled with mischief, before silently instructing those servants to proceed with their plan. The servants, obediently nodding in response, scurried away without a sound. Melina continued her hurried steps, her eyes darting behind her, a hint of paranoia lingering within her gaze. Little did she know, the first servant had deliberately collided with her, sending them both tumbling to the ground in a swift and calculated maneuver. "Arrgh!" Melina screamed. As they fell, the p
I sat there on my bed, my heart pounding in my chest. It had been three days since the incident, and I couldn't shake off the uneasiness that had settled within me. The letter that I had lost haunted my thoughts. What if someone had found it? What if the king discovered its contents? My mind raced with all the possible scenarios, and I couldn't help but worry about my own fate. I just didn't know how to think, who to talk to about this. Everything just seemed to rest on my shoulder and it was beginning to hurt. Night had fallen, and the full moon cast a soft, ethereal glow through the window of my chamber. I found myself drawn to its beauty, as if seeking solace in its gentle light. But still, the worry persisted. If the king had found the letter, surely he would have confronted me by now. Yet, we hadn't crossed paths, and he hadn't uttered a word about it. I was expecting him to come to me, maybe ask me why I didn't want to show him the letter or something, but he didn't even