MasukA small gathering, mostly palace workers, gathered around a pile of wood.They all wore black, their faces sober as they stood quietly, waiting for the corpse bearers.They came moments later with a tarp on their shoulders. The head maid lay on it, and her body was wrapped with a white binding that also covered her face.Once or twice, a light sob broke out as words were offered in memory of her. She had been dearly loved by everyone. She was one of the oldest workers in the palace and had been like a shield to the newly appointed ones until she had fallen ill.Adriana hadn't known her, but she also felt the loss. She was standing with some of the royal slaves and servants, and she also wore a black dress.The body was laid onto the wood slowly, and everyone was given the chance to pour kerosene on the sides of the wood; then the King was next, and he poured the last bit.He was handed a burning piece of wood, and he placed it on the remaining pile, setting it ablaze. The flames licke
"She died a few minutes ago. I was informed by an apprentice sent by the royal physician. He was on his way..."Kallias tried to register what the royal aide was saying, but the roaring in his ears didn't let him hear the remaining words.Just one word rang in his head."The head maid was dead."And it brought back memories he thought he had gotten over. They resurfaced, and it felt like yesterday, when the royal aide had rushed in to break the news about Rhea's death.He had gone out of the palace that fateful day to conduct the research he had been doing about the cure. He had just gotten back when the news was broken to him, and he had run as fast as his legs could carry him to her bedchamber, where she had been treated. A memory of how he had scrambled to the ground after he had seen her gaunt body lifeless on the bed flashed through his mind, and his body shook.That was the first time he had ever cried. He hadn't cried when he had watched his father die slowly, the black magic
The next day began with its usual bustle, everyone going about their duties with vigor.The royal slaves teased Adriana again during the bath, but now other things occupied their minds, and their attention shifted away from her.Adriana waited for the royal aide to assign her the day's work, but it was the King's attendant who came to get her."The King is requesting for you." He said to her, and her heart skipped.She was finally going to see him.Adriana subconsciously twisted her fingers as she folded them on her stomach. Her heart thumped faster when they drew near his study.The attendant was already announcing their presence, and Adriana adjusted her dress, then she stepped in.Her heart skipped again upon seeing him. He was seated behind the large wooden table and was crushing a piece of coal to be used later for scribbling. He had rolled his sleeves up so they wouldn't get stained, and Adriana's gaze lingered on his veined forearms.He looked up and caught her staring, and he
Kallias adjusted the cloak he wore over his dress, his eyes focused on a mansion.The Prime Minister's house.The royal aide looked around them, trying to detect any hidden threats. He was also wearing a cloak, and their horses were tied to a tree a few paces from them.Kallias started walking towards the house, and the royal aide followed. They climbed the few steps leading to the entrance."His Majesty should let me knock on the door..." The royal aide whispered, but Kallias raised his wrist and tapped on the door instead."Your Majesty!" The royal aide protested.Kallias knocked again, and he glanced at the royal aide and gave him a smirk.Before the royal aide could say anything else, the door creaked open, and a young girl dressed in maid attire appeared at the doorway.She eyed them and waited for them to speak.The royal aide stepped forward before Kallias could speak."We are here for your master."The girl continued eyeing them curiously, probably sizing them up to see if the
Adriana's eyes fluttered open, and they met the grey ceiling. She sat up slowly and grimaced.Her whole of her body ached, and she sat on the bed for a while, reminiscing about what had gone on with her and the King.It had been a passionate night, and she had felt the walls she had built around her crumbling when the King took her.He had been rough at first, gripping and squeezing, thrusting into her with guttural force; then later on he had held her gently and his thrusts had come in slowly.She had taken it all with the same energy, and now her body was drained of strength.Adriana looked over at the drapes that hung over the window. Sunlight was slipping in through its light material, and she gasped.This wasn't morning. It must already be midday.Why didn't anyone wake her?There was barely any imprint on the other side of the bed, which meant the King had risen for a long time.Why had she slept so late?Adriana swung her feet to the ground, but she winced when she stood up.He
The royal aide wondered if this was the right time to tell the King what he had heard.After the confrontation with Lord Gerald and Lady Mica, he expected the King to be drowning in agony, just like he had always done in the past, but the King seated in front of him appeared unaffected.His face held no sadness. His eyes looked alive when he looked up at him."So what happened? What do you have to say?" The King asked him, and the royal aide studied his face.Still no reaction to what happened earlier, and he wondered if the King was faking it, maybe because he didn't want to bother him."Umm... Maybe I could tell His Majesty later in the day.""Why can't it be said now?" The King furrowed his brows."I'm not sure His Majesty would desire to hear anything I have to say now. Maybe His Majesty needs some alone time." He said carefully, and he saw the King's brows creased further."Tell me what happened, now."The royal aide stared at his expression a second longer, and he saw only impat
Alpha Raymond stared at his soon-to-be son-in-law like he had grown two heads.Xavier's lips quivered and he repeated the exact words he had spoken a moment ago.“Adriana is dead.”“How foolish of you to say that about my daughter!” Alpha Raymond snapped.“I didn't want to believe it as well, but i
Adriana fought against the hand clamping heavily on her mouth but Ton was stronger and he succeeded in forcibly dragging her away.Adriana's hands came up to the hand on her mouth and tried to remove it but it came down only an inch and she bit down hard.Ton snatched his hand away mumbling curses
Adriana held the wall for support, feeling like her world had come crashing down.She couldn't deny what she had heard within this door.Xavier was having an affair with her sister.The realization hit harder than their words and her despair turned into rage.How dare they?How dare he deceive her
Footsteps echoed on the marble floor as people bustled around with trays of food, drinks, and flowers. The air was misty with the scent of the delicious food being prepared and mingling with the flowers hung on the walls.A woman with grey hair tied into a tight bun barked out orders and tapped her







