ISABELLE’S POV The question which always haunts me in my dreams and never lets me have peace, again reappears in my mind. Why? Why did this happen to me? What mistake have I done to deserve this? What bad sin I had done then God left me alone in this world to face this cruelty. Am I really so unfortunate that even God does not listen to my prayers? I feel like everyone around me is deaf or maybe their hearts have turned into stone because no matter how much I cry or beg, no one listens to my pleas. Sometimes I feel like I am the only sane person in this castle and I have entered a place filled with completely different people. My life is a mess and I don’t know what to do anymore. There is no one with me to guide me and tell me which path I should follow. I can do nothing except cry. I have no other option than to cry at my suffering. When the flashes of last night appear in my mind, I feel an inner loathness for myself. I can still feel the touch of his fingers on my body and this

ERIC’S POV I look towards the letter which is placed in front of me. The golden stamp of King Lucas Steven is shining under the candlelight. Yesterday, I received a letter from my friend Lucas. He is the king of the Alavia kingdom. He has written about how much he is worried. He has written about the issues he is facing because of some ungrateful people in his kingdom. They have started a rebellion in some towns of his kingdom and they are gaining power day by day. He has asked me for my help and as a friend, I should help him. I cannot stand watching his kingdom be ruined. I am thinking of writing a suitable reply to it. Today I talked with Marius about how many soldiers we can give to the Alavia Kingdom along with swords. Alavia has always stood by our kingdom whenever we faced difficulty. So, in this time of need, I should help him like a good friend and as a neighbor kingdom. I should write a letter and send soldiers from my kingdom as soon as possible. I pick up my scribe and

ISABELLE’S POVI am standing outside the king’s room. Lillian is standing on a little distance from me. Today I am dressed in a more suitable gown. I am thankful to Edith for this. It is red and is off the shoulder. Its bright red color is making it more beautiful. The dress shows the top of my breast. It will not be wrong to say that this dress is making my breasts look bigger. I did not like this dress but it is better than last night. It is tight on my waist but I am glad that it reaches the floor.The guard whose name I think is Walter opens the door. I take a deep breath before entering the king’s room and I am feeling the same dread, and terror which I had felt the last time when I was here in his room. His room is basked in darkness with only a few candles illuminated which is not doing a good job of illuminating the dark room. There is an eerie silence around me and I feel a little colder here in his room despite the wood burning in the fire heart. Maybe I am feeling cold be

ISABELLE’S POV Elise and Ivy left some while ago. They told me about the new slaves which were brought into the harem yesterday and some other things as well. I was quite surprised to hear about the previous mistresses. Mistresses are in the place to take care of the king’s needs and they are at a high rank than the other common slaves like me. They live in a separate part of the harem but they are treated nicely. They can roam freely in the palace and wherever they want. Now the king has sent them to the old palace. I have been thinking about this for a while now. What could be the reason for sending them away? Has the king lost interest in them? If it is right, then I hope the king loses interest in me too. I don’t want to be here. I have heard that there are not many soldiers in the old palace. This means that escape from there is easier and there are more chances. I don’t know what is written in my destiny but I hope whatever it is, it is good. I am looking outside the window.

ISABELLE’S POV “Till now you have seen my love but now you will see the wrath of King Eric Leonor. I tried to be good with you but I think you will not understand the importance of my love without going through suffering and pain”. King says angrily. I cry louder at his words. I look at him with my tear-filled eyes and blurry vision. In his eyes, for the first time, I see a glimpse of that cruel king about whom everyone used to talk about. In his eyes, I see rage and the thirst to punish me for disobeying him. I wish I could do something to calm his anger down. I wish I had not said those words. I wish I had not disobeyed him. Now I have no other option than to regret my actions. “Get up, Isabelle”. He orders angrily. His voice was so cruel, cold, and filled with anger. I got a shiver down my spine after hearing his order. What is he going to do with me now? I hope he is not planning to beat me. I have heard that the king cuts the tongue of those who say a word against them. I pray