The whole compound was quiet as the indefinite realisation dawned on everyone.
Even the Gods don't want her dead, but why would the eternal flame bow to a lowly tribut girl everyone wondered.
Elara was still reeling from the molten pain in her feet and thighs. In an instant the fire covered her but instead of pain she felt immense relief.
Nooo!!! Seraphine seethes looking at Elara come out, her little burn gone. How is it that the Gods are against her. This isn't how things should go.
She huffs before leaving the scene declaring it's a total waste of her time.
Meanwhile, the holy priest Elion smiles a weak and knowing smile. He knew the Gods would never abandon their choice.
Elara is very important for the peace of the whole entire kingdom.
Lani was both confused and glad that her friend got to see another day. But the celebration was short lived when Elara was being held by soldiers and dragged away.
"Hey!! Let me go!!" She tries to push back but pointless. "I can work you know. No need to drag me like an animal"
Ugh!!! These motherfuckers aren't even listening to her and that engraved her even more. If her hand was free. She would've smacked the soldiers head upside down.
But alas she simply kept quiet as they led her to the hall of sultans. There, the king was perched on his throne with an unreadable expression.
The gods must really be testing him to leave an ordinary girl alive. What's so special about her? The king refuses to admit that the thing's unraveling because that would mean submission and a king doesn't submit.
The whole hall of sultan as grand as it is, is eerily quiet as everyone thinks upon the change of event.
Elara was pushed through the door like some piece of worthless shit. She glares at them before straightening and taking note of where she is.
The whole hall was grand and it's walls painted white with golden drawings of dragons here and there. The place felt cold and endearing but at the same time it had some alluring effects.
"Step forward" some pot bellied man instructed and every blood in her wishes to defy his command but it is her life hanging on the line after all.
Once she stood in front of the king and the councillors. Elara thought; now what.
"Your majesty. I suggest we slit her throat" the pot bellied spoke.
"I disagree. I suggest we drown her.."
"No, let's feed her to the wolves, and—"
"Your majesty" high priest Elion interrupts. "I think we should let her consort. Just like how the gods wanted"
Murmurs broke out in the hall but Elion stayed grounded. He already knew the king's answer before he was heading there.
The king gives a very small nod. "Very well, take her to the house of petals and instruct Madame Tilda to teach her some palace courtesies before tomorrow."
Elara wanted to remark; well it's not like I was born and bred to become the king's consort but decided against it.
Did she just escape death right now. A soft exhale that mixes disbelief and relief together escapes her.
High priest Elion guides her outside the hall gently like he doesn't want to frighten her but that's not what's on Elara's mind.
She's gazing at the outer realm in a new spectacle. From supposed to be the court maid to the king's almost consort. To finally being his consort.
She felt like skipping and singing in the top of her lungs. She cannot wait to take a shower and actually tour the entire outer realm.
Oblivious to the high priest stopping; she bumps into him before righting herself.
"My apologies" she lowers her head embarrassed. But high priest only smiles at her knowing she must be feeling particularly happy she's survived today.
Just then a vision flashes his eyes and the smile drops from his face. He releases a sigh coming to terms with the endless destruction that's to come.
And it's all centred around Elara. The high priest wanted to speak when Madame Tilda suddenly emerged from the house of petals.