Royal treason.
Tamar brushed Berth's thick black hair gently; the latter was seated in front of her dressing mirror, smiling like she had just won a lottery.
"My lady, you deserve every bit of what has come your way; the king will be glad he decided to make you his bride." Tamar said and then languidly dropped the brush on the dressing table.
"This is like a dream come true for me, Tamar, getting married to the king." Berth said, gazing at her reflection in the mirror; the candle at the side of the dressing mirror illuminated her face.
"I always knew I was born to be royalty, born to order people around, and watch people bow at my feet. Something inside me always spoke those words; I dreamed it, and now I am living it." Berth smiled, then slowly rose to her feet.
"You have served me well, Tamar. Once I become the third queen of Decreash, I will not forget your loyalty." Berth said, then walked past her, making her way to her bed.
Just then a knock came on the door…
"Who could that be at this late hour? Tamar questioned rhetorically, then shifted her gaze to Berth.
"Get the door." Berth said, her pupils dilating in fear of the unknown.
Tamar made it to the door….
"Who is there? She questioned as she reached for the knob of the door.
"I have a message from the king." The guard outside the door shrilled.
Tamar gave Berth one more glance before opening the door.
"A message from the king? Berth said, adjusting her nightgown as she climbed down from the bed she was already seated on.
"My lady, the king has summoned you to his chamber immediately." The guard said calmly, delivering his message.
"Did the King say why? Berth asked.
"No, my lady, he only asked me to deliver this message." The guard said, but Tamar seems to be smiling knowingly.
"You may leave." She said and shut the door, then turned to look at Berth.
"My lady, the king has summoned you to his chamber at this late hour…" Berth interceded, looking worried.
"Have I done anything wrong? She questioned, pacing to and fro around her chamber.
"My lady, you don't seem to be able to read the handwriting on the walls; the king wants to lay with you! Tamar said, and Berth froze in her steps.
"Why would you think that? Berth asked with all seriousness.
Tamar became quiet…
"I am sorry, my lady; I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I should leave." Tamar said, turning to take her leave.
"And if you leave, who would help me get ready to lay with the king? Berth said calmly. Tamar slowly turned around and saw a leering smirk on Berth's lips.
Ragaleon heard the door to his chamber slowly open, followed by footsteps sounds that only a lady's shoe could make.
His hair was packed in a bun, the wind from outside swaying the white curtains, as he drank from the silver cup in his hand containing wine.
Berth looked so pure, her black hair let down, and her rosy lips looking lustrous. Her blue eyes roamed around Ragaleon's chamber in awe.
It was like a mini ballroom, quite huge, just like she had imagined. Berth fondled her fingers anxiously as her blue eyes caught sight of a shadow cast on the white curtain separating the chamber in sections.
She slowly made her way to where the shadow stood fixed in a position; she slowly opened the curtains and took a step forward. The night breeze hit her face, and her black hair swayed; she looked so angelic at the moment.
Ragaleon perches on the wall of the terrace in his chamber, his gaze cast down on the green flower maze that could be seen from where he stood.
Berth slowly took some steps closer and then hugged Ragaleon from behind.
"Your Majesty, you wanted to see me." Berth said, inhaling his spicy scent.
Ragaleon slowly took off her hand, which was wrapped around his body, then turned to gaze at her, his brown eyes making him dreadful.
"Lady Berth, I have some questions to ask you, and you must answer me truthfully. I hate liars, so don't you dare lie to my face." Ragaleon said, bringing his face closer to Berth's face. The latter gazed at his soft lips, then slowly shifted her gaze to his alluring eyes.
"Of course, ask me anything, Your Majesty." She said, taking a step closer.
Ragaleon studied her countenance for a while before smacking his thin lips…
"Your father was a good man; I have never seen anyone so loyal. I have heard all my subjects hate me as their king, not that I care. But the fact that a subject of mine, who wasn't sworn to protect me like a knight would, stakes his life for mine is admirable." Ragaleon started and then raised the silver glass in his hand.
"Wealth is a powerful thing, but when it falls into the wrong hands, it becomes a liability." Ragaleon said peering at the glass of wine, then brought his mouth to Berth's ears.
Berth shut her ears; her lips brushed his face as he breathed down on her neck.
"Lady Berth, are you the eldest daughter of Jahad Ferdinand? His question made Berth open her eyes wide in shock.
She took a step backward and looked him in the eye.
"Your Majesty, do you doubt the very words I said to you? Berth asked, keeping a straight face.
"I am the one asking questions here! Ragaleon said firmly… "You will do the answering."
"I…I am the eldest daughter, your majesty." Berth's tongue was beginning to fail her.
"You lie to my face again." Ragaleon scoffed, then shook his head from side to side.
"No, your majesty. Why would I do that? Did my sister say anything to you? Is that why you doubt me? Berth answers, taking his hands, but he snatches his hand away from her grip.
"I admire you, Lady Berth; you are very cunning. You would have survived in my harem. But then you just had to go and lie to my face twice." Ragaleon, she said, gazing into nothing.
"No, no, Your Majesty." Tears stung Berth's eyes; this wasn't what she prepared for.
"Where is all this coming from? You shouldn't believe rumors; not many people want me to be your wife." Berth said, her pupils dilating.
"Rumors? Ragaleon scoffed and then took out the paper that was hidden under his cloak. He threw it at Berth, but it fell on the floor.
Berth was quaking like a drenched cat, her eyes red, as she slowly shifted her gaze to the paper on the floor; she picked it up and languidly opened it.
She read the content in the paper and lost her stability, collapsing on the floor with a thud. The hand she was using to hold the paper trembled as she broke into tears.
Her hair cascaded over her face as she clenched her hand while she cried on the floor.
"The alliance between me and you is over, Lady Berth; I will be getting married to your sister Micah." He said, and Berth's eyes shone in astonishment.
"No! No, please don't do this. Micah hates you; she won't accept this; she won't love you the way I will." Berth said slowly, rising to her feet, she wiped her tears away.
"Look at me." She said, but Ragaleon didn't even spare her a gaze.
"I did what I had to do to survive. I know it was wrong of me to lie to your face, your majesty, and for that I am very sorry. You can punish me; I will accept any punishment, but calling off the alliance….
"That is your punishment, Lady Berth!" Ragaleon said, turning to look at her.
"You have committed treason, and for that your head should be hanging on the execution block, but I will spare your life and that of your sister because I am indebted to your father." Ragaleon was furious, and his tone was becoming scary.
Berth placed one of her hands on her mouth and continued to weep as Ragaleon took one last look at her and then walked past her.
Jahad was a very intelligent man; he was literate, and he also sought to teach his daughters, but Berth was stubborn. Only Micah was willing to learn, and he thought her well.
A day came when he wanted Micah to practice her handwriting, so he got a paper and told her to write the day and the year she was born and that of her sister. Micah did as she was told and showed her father; Jahad was very proud of her that day.
He kept the paper in the chest box in his room after tying it with a thread. That was years ago, before he became sick and bedridden.
That was the same paper Ragaleon had just thrown at Berth. The truth was out. Berth isn't the eldest daughter; Micah is.
...…..
William staggered across the halls of the castle, blabbering rubbish. He opened the door to his chamber and then frantically walked in.
The room was dimly illuminated; he simply took off his shirt and was about to take off his pants when he spotted someone on his bed.
He drew close to the bed and could hear a small, very feminine snore.
William smiled gladly…..
"This night just keeps getting better and better." He said in delight as he slowly placed his hands on the lady who was covered up with a blanket from her neck down to her feet.
Micah shifted uncomfortably when she felt a hand on her back; she groaned slightly, then instinctively changed her sleeping position, turning to face the other side. Her eyes were still heavy with sleep but slowly began to open when she felt the presence of someone in her room.
At first her vision was a bit blurry; she rubbed her eyes, then shot her eyes open when she felt a hand on her boobs!
"Goodness, why are you fully dressed? William asked, and Micah quickly sat up…
"Who are you?! What…what are you doing here? Micah asked as she sprang up and sat on the bed, taking off the blanket covering her body. She wasn't wearing any bra, and the nightwear she wore had a soft material.
The man standing in front of her could have easy access.
"You are beautiful. It was quite bold of you to have lain on my bed awaiting my arrival." William pressed forward, bringing his face to Micah's neck. Micah pushed him away and made to run, but he grabbed her forcefully and pinned her down on the bed; he slowly raised her dress, his hands already moving under her thighs.
Just then something hit William's head; he groaned in pain, using both his hands to clench his hair, before staggering a bit and then falling unconscious on the bed.
Micah was terrified; she raised her gaze and was amused….
"Your Majesty? Her voice quivered.
"Were you having fun with my brother? Ragaleon asked.
"What? No…no, he barged into my room. I don't even know who he is… What are you doing in my room? Micah asked desperately.
"Don't you ever let anyone touch you, because you are my wife." Ragaleon said, dropping the golden cup he had used to hit William.
"What do you mean, you can't possibly be mistaking me for my sister?"
"Don't play dumb! Ragaleon clenched his jaws, gritting his teeth.
"You and your sister's little game is over; I know which among you is the eldest. You should thank your stars I have been in a good mood lately." Ragaleon whispered, his voice ominous.
Micah was stunned, her breath etched…
"I don't care; I am not getting married to you," she still managed to refute.
"You don't have a choice. It is either that, or I will hang both of you for royal treason, for lying to a king." Ragaleon said before redrawing, he walked out of the room.
Micah trembled as tears stung her eyes; she covered her face with both her palms as she drew her knees to her chest….
"No…no, this can't be happening."