Hamstung Royal Palace
Joya was dressed in a niggardly plain white dress, her hair packed in a ponytail. She was washed up, and now she looked exactly like Katie. Her beauty was simply breathtaking.
As she walked along the marbled floor of the ancient palace, her hands trailed on the carved writings on the wall, intricate designs inscribed on the carvings.
It was at this point Ragaleon was seen coming, draped in red regalia, his dark shoulder-length hair sinfully resting on his shoulders. A cape-like black material with a golden button hooked around the neck billowed down to his feet, billowing from behind him and barely grazing the floor.
Behind him were servants carrying heavy boxes filled with golden coins and all sorts of earthy valuables. The hallway had different sections; Joya was in one of the sections of the hallway and was about to take a turn in the direction Ragaleon was coming from.
When another maid called her, catching her attention. She turned around, her ponytail dangling behind her, eyes so blue they reflected like crystals. Simultaneously, Ragaleon took the opposite direction of the hallway, without catching a glimpse of Joya; Joya was backing him.
The maid handed over a brush for dusting to Joya. Joya took the brush and then turned around; it was then she saw a man with a golden crown on his head, walking away, the cape attached to his royal outfit swaying behind. His right hand clenched a golden horn, which was a symbol of power.
Joya felt her lashes twitch, a weird feeling crawling up her skin. She had remembered having a dream about someone that looked exactly like her; the girl wouldn't tell Joya her name, but she kept screaming.
"I am you! You are me, and we are one in spirit!
Joya was shown to Omelia's room as an average lady…
"Princess Omelia will be your mistress." The lady said before walking away and leaving Joya to her fate. Omelia was asleep on her queen-sized bed. The red curtains in the chamber were draped aside.
She started cleaning the room, being careful not to wake the sleeping beauty.
A waiting carriage was outside the palace, packed in front of the great doors. The double doors swung open, and Ragaleon stepped out, the morning sun grazing his handsome tanned face.
He was returning to Decreash today, and King Orain didn't fail to spoil him with diamonds and gold, which were in the boxes the male servant carried.
Two knights were in front of Ragaleon, royal knights of King Orain, but they were sent to escort Ragaleon.Ragaleon stepped into the royal carriage, his masculine figure disappearing into the enclosed compartment.
The rider on the black horse kicked the horse, and the carriage started moving, turning around swiftly and rolling on the graveled ground, heading to the enormous golden gates of the palace.
...….
Decrease Empire
The journey was heinous, taking up to days. At intervals they would stop and pitch a tent for the night for Ragaleon and the rest of his men who accompanied him.
On the 9th day, they arrived in Decreash. The great silver iron gates of the palace swung open, and the royal carriage rolled in. Ragaleon was seated elegantly inside, his legs crossed elegantly, a nonchalant countenance etched on his face.
Racheal was in her room when her personal maid, Rosa, came to inform her about the king's arrival.
"My lady, King Ragaleon has returned from his journey."Racheal was knitting some yarn, but when she heard what her maid said, the knitting needles were swiftly dropped in a small basket beside the rocky chair she was sitting on.
Racheal's curly hair was let down, her green emerald eyes hidden under dark short lashes. She was wearing a green gown; it matches her eyes. A diamond necklace was embellished on her neck, and a coral hairpin was pinned to a side of her hair.
Her wrist was bare, but there was a golden ring on one of the fingers on her left hand.
By the time Racheal stepped outside the door of the palace. Tamina was already there to welcome Ragaleon; she fanned herself all over him, and he took her hand and kissed the back of her palm. Her belly was protruded under the gown, her siren-red hair packed in a low bun.
Ragaleon didn't seem to notice Racheal; he walked past her with his hand wrapped around Tamina's waist. Tamina's head leaned on his shoulder, one hand entwined in his, the other hand on her protruding stomach.
Tamina's pregnancy had earned her so much favor. Racheal could only blink in amusement at how fast favoritism can be switched; her face became pale.
Suddenly someone was behind her…
"The sting! Jazell hissed. Her short blonde hair slid down her face as she hid the smirk on her lips before she slowly tugged her hair behind her ear. Racheal was still gazing at Ragaleon and Tamina walking away; she didn't spare Jazell a glare, but she was listening to what she was saying.
*It was about time you knew how it felt to be ignored. As if your existence was a mere word that has been wiped off from the pages of a book." Jazell shrugged, enjoying the dismay on Racheal's face.
Racheal finally redraws her gaze, then looks down on the golden ring on her finger, fondling and twisting it as her thoughts run deep.
Jazell seemed to have had her fill, taunting Racheal. She simply turned around, the black gown she was wearing swaying as she did, her short blonde hair barely moving. She crossed her hands in front of her body and then walked away majestically.
The sun set quickly, and nightfall soon came. The hallways and the chambers in the palace were lit up with candles. The candle flames dwindled from the wind that blew by.
The royal family had dinner together at the great dining hall.
Vashi was wearing a black nightgown with a tiny string across her shoulder. The gown exposed most of her cleavage, her nipples shooting out of the gown. The gown had a long slit, exposing her long legs, glistening with oil.
Ragaleon's chamber was lit only by the glow of a single brazier, shadows stretching long across the stone walls. The king sat by the edge of his bed, his crown laid aside, a goblet in his hand. He was weary from council and war, yet his eyes were sharp—too sharp for the kind of weakness his enemies prayed for.
The door whispered open without a sound. She drifted in like a serpent on silk, her form cloaked in midnight black. A faint smile curved her lips, one that promised warmth yet carried venom.
"My lord," she breathed, her voice dripping with honey. "So powerful by day… yet so alone by night." She came closer, her perfume clinging to the air like smoke, her hand brushing the bedpost as if it already belonged to her.
Ragaleon did not move. His gaze was fixed on her, hard as iron.
"The hour is late."He knew it wasn't a reminder; she must have thought about this before sneaking into his room.
"Forgive me, your majesty." Vashi feigned ignorance.
'The night is long and lonely; I simply…
"I have five wives, need I remind you." His words snarled.
Her smile faltered, just for an instant. She reached to touch his arm, but his hand shot up, stopping her midair.
"You misunderstand my intentions." The anklet on her ankle jingled as she raised her leg slightly in the air to take another step forward.
Ragaleon glared at her; she was wearing a provocative nightgown.
"I am different, not like any other women out there who…"
"You are clearly different. You will have a chance to still live after this encounter; do me a favor and close the door behind you when you leave."
Vashi's smile suddenly fell completely; he was simply rude!
Her eyes narrowed, venom replacing charm. Yet in that chamber, with the firelight dancing across his defiance, she wasn't ready to give up yet.
She made her way to where he was seated on the bed, then slid her hand on his chest.
Ragaleon grabbed her hand, then yanked it away.
"Leave my chamber." He said with disgust. Vashi could now see that she had failed miserably; she had lusted after this man, but he showed no affection towards her.
Her eyes darkened more as she turned around and walked out of his chamber. She clenched her fist, dismay carved on her face.
When she got to her chamber, she swept everything on her dressing table on the floor, and they made an eerie noise as they fell on the floor.
Just then Viper crawled out of the bed, his dark scaly skin glowing under the candlelight. The wind from the open windows blew, the curtains in the room rising and falling languidly.
"I can't believe I lusted after the one person I came here to kill. What a small world." Vashi said as Viper crawled up her legs, then wrapped himself around her wrist, its head raised.
Vashi rubbed his shiny head, stroking it slowly, and Viper stuck out his tongue in satisfaction when his mistress patted him.
"Jazell, she's a tough one. Even when death stared her in the face, her rebellious spirit didn't falter." Vashi said, still stroking Viper's head.
"But first! ...The king must die."