XX

DAE

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Dae stared at golden door of the king's room. His guard remained standing by the side of the door, waiting for her to open up the door...... They stood their awkwardly. She's trying to will herself to knock ...Just knock.

with a deep breath, She had finally muster a courage ana knock.... Once, twice...

"Enter" She heard the king said. She swallowed first before turning down the knob and opening the door. It wasn't that heavy she noted. When she opened the door the first thing she noticed was... How lavish the room of the king was... This is her first time visiting him, therefore it left her speechless... Despite the room being dimly lit Dae hadn't had a hard time seeing, as the gold that covers the room shines...

From the walls, down to the floor, up to the ceilings and into the furniture... Everything was cold. The wardrobe, the table and the chair, even the bedframe. But what amazed her more was the cover of the bed, made from the rare gold silk that kingdom of Solvira was known for. Her eyes finally went to the king who's standing there, watching her like how a lion watches his prey... Dae swallowed and closed the door behind her.

"You're Grace." She greeted him before curtsying. The room was beautiful... And the king stood like a sore sight it the mids of it's elegance, he donned an elegant golden robe, that doesn't sit well with him.

"Come closer my dear." He beckons her, Dae did as what he asked her, and didn't miss the way his eyes grow heavy with lust. His smirk grew bigger showings his yellowish crooked teeth, his hair was a mess, there's still a golden strand on top of his head, that slowly turns grey and then black at its end. It looks like he's not washing it carefully.

"You wished to see me." He stated, and Dae quickly remembers her duty. She composed herself and smiled, hoping that it didn't look nervous at all.

"Yes... I wish to congratulate you your majesty." She turns towards the small table in the king's room where the wine was and pour some into the king's glass. While pouring some wine, she thought of the poison that her father gave her, she left it to her room... What if she poisoned him? It would make everything easier and faster, it would put her out of her misery.

"You have heard about my Battles?" The king asked once she's done pouring the wine, she smiled at him and gave him his glass which he gladly took, then she gently pull him towards the sofa.

"Yes... The princess told me about it, she told me of how great you are." The king squinted his eyes, as if not believing her.

"Roshanne... Did?" Dae was beggining to panic, he's not believing her, what if he sees past her? Noticed that she's lying?

"My daughter speaks about me... To you?" He questions again, Dae nods her head, and settled the wine glass down.

"Well... I asked her... Since... I-i want to you... Better. If you know what I mean. You were basically busy with the kingdoms affair and I don't wanna burden you with going out on a date... You are a king after all." This seems to please him, as his questioning glare slowly disappeared, and was replaced by a satisfied smirk. He reaches towards her, touching her hair, before going down to her night gown, making sure to pull the slit exposing her... Chest more. Dae's breath hitch, but she didn't move.

"Was it to ease your fear about me? Is that why you wanted to get to know me?" His eyes never left her breast, which made lying more easy.

"I must admit, yes your grace." she told him, she noticed that his glass of wine was already empty, so she refilled it.

"Talk to me... Tell me about yourself." She encourages him.

"Well... I am king. Who's aim is to unified the divided lands, I lead the strongest kingdom and wishes to expand my territory for the sake of my people." Dae's breath hitches when he leans forward and smelled her.

" And to taste all the beauty's the land has to offer and to obtained every richest I could get." Greedy, he is greedy. Dae bit her lips and slowly lift her arms, before wrapping it around his head and pulling him closer to her, until his face was on her chest.

" I'm sure you can do it your majesty... I believe in you." She told him, the king looked up at her and laugh, before burying his face further to her, leaving his scent on her skin, making her itch.

Dae and the king continued to talk, the king kept on drinking his wine until he got drunk, and sooner than later... He was drifting off to sleep.

" I was strong back then! I crashed the skull of my enemies." He stated, though his speeches was slurring and starting to get harder to understand.

" Hmmm." She Humms before scrunching up her nose, somewhere along their conversation the king actually pissed himself... And the pungent smell of it gives her a head ache, she pointed it at him, but he ignores it... Now the sofa was soaked, and she's sure the hem of her night gown was soaked too.

" I drove my battalion to victory when I defeated those savages that tried to steal my land." He was telling her about how he hunted the Sakran people that used to live in his land. And how he raped the women he deemed beautiful. It disgusted her.

" I tried collecting those red haired barbarians, tried to breed with them, to see what my child would look like. A child with the holy blood of the Gods and barbarians, I hear that it could create abomination... So imagine my disappointment when one of my bitches gave birth to a perfectly human being with blonde hair. I killed them after that. Though I regret it, you see... The beauty of Sakran people are something hard to come by... I tried hunting more... But I couldn't catch any." He reaches towards her, and touched her hair. The hair on her body stood on its end, not just by his touch alone, but the story he told her, he was talking about it like it was just a normal hunt. Like he was just breeding dogs and humans.

" That why I tried to conquer Lysos, In order to travel to the west and look for a Sakran bitch... But who would have thought that that Bastard Titus was hiding you... A ruby among his sapphires." That was the last thing he said before closing his eyes. Dae remained seated for a moment, looking at the sleeping face of the king... Ever since she was a child, Dae had known how to be angry, she only knows how to get sad, to cry, to beg, to feel absolute hopelessness, and sometimes be happy... But she had never felt before a strong urge to smash a rock against a persons head until she heard the sickening sound of bone crashing and until she sees the blood pool and soaked her whole body... The king... He is no man! But a monster! And the devil reincarnated himself! He is by far worst than her father! How could he?!

The Loud snore startled her... She blinks twice before gathering her thoughts more clearly, as satisfying as it may seem, she cannot do it, not without the princess's order... She she took a deep breath, grab the nearest pillow and softly placed it under the king's head before standing up. The book shelves, she approaches it and touch every book, pulling some to look behind for a secret drawer, before putting it back, she would stop and look back when the king would stop snoring and mumble in his sleep, sweat started appearing on her forehead, apprehension was making her stomach camps but she has to do it, hastily.

It took her a good thirty minutes before finding the said secret drawer, she quickly inserted the key and opened it, true to her words there was a dagger inside, and it was beautiful with a vine engraving. She quickly got it and wrap it in the shawl that she was carrying before closing the drawer and putting back the books. She made sure not to lose the key before making her quiet exit, she was glad that the knights didn't bother, but she still walked in a normal pace... Once out of their sights she quickly runs! Her heart thrumming in fear... She had never done that before, and it was really scary, she hopes that the King doesn't find it out so soon.

When she reaches her room she quickly Opened the door and closed it, before leaning her head against it. She unraveled the shawl and looked at the glistening dagger, she closes her eyes and a breath of relief scapes her mouth. Finally, she's done it, she hopes the princess would be proud of her. So proud of her now.

"I'm guessing you made it." She jumped! Startled when she heard the princess's voice, she quickly turns around to see here there sitting by the hearth... Wearing a night gown same as her, with a robe. Her hair was loose and she was holding a glass of... Something gold, she had never seen a golden drink before... What is that?

"You're highness." She greeted her. The princess smiled and stood up before slowly approaching her, the eyes of the princess remained focused on her.

"What took you so long?" She asked, stopping just merely an inch away from her, she smells good, Dae had noted.

"I-it took me a while you're highness... But I found it." She smiles showing the dagger, the princess looked at it pleased, but her smile turns into a scowl, her eyes left the dagger and instead she looks at her with an accusing look before she grabs her the cheeks. It startled her, and at the same time scared her... Her father used to that to her before beating her... Did she do something wrong? Perhaps she's taken too, but didn't the princess told her that she would get the dagger tomorrow?

"You smell of him... Tell me did you let him.... Mount you?" The question made her cheeks burn in embarrassment.

"N-no! No your highness! B-but h-he did lean close to me the whole time... T-that must have been the reason!" She stutters while her beat loudly. The princess looks at her for a moment before nodding her head and letting go of her...

"You stunk of him... Strip." She told ordered her, she didn't move and just stared at her highness for a minute... She wanted her to strip? Right now? She thought.

"What? Would you want me to do it for you?" She angrily asked making Dae move... She strip from her night gown with ease, the princess then gave her a robe... Where did she get that? She then watches her pick her night gown before she threw it at the fire...

"I wasn't supposed to get the dagger tonight... But I couldn't wait." Princess Roshanne sat back to her chair... She was now holding the dagger. She was staring at it, admiring it's beauty and everything before hiding it somewhere at the sleeves of her night gown.

"You had me worried for a moment." She told her with a soft smile before taking a sip at the golden substance she was drinking.

"I thought you didn't make it, come sit with me." She beckons her. But she was patting her lap.

" Y-you want me... To sit on your lap?" She asked her while pointing herself, the princess just nod... So Dae did so, at first she sat awkwardly, not giving her whole weight afraid that she's too heavy for the princess, but the princess ended up pulling her even closer until she's comfortable.

" What nonsense did he tell you? I'm curious." She inquires her. Dae swallowed and nod her head.

" Well... Many... He told me about his expeditions... The first battle that he fought in the great island of Maktan. Then his reasons for trying to unite the divided lands." She told her and the princess hums.

" The Great Hills of Maktan... That

Land is located further down the coast of Solvira, the island was situated between Solvira and the The isle of dragons." The princess supplied for her.

" My father fought valiantly, so greatly... Besides him is my uncle, Lord Ormond, the husband of my auntie, which is the younger sister of my father... And the owner of this dagger." She showed her the dagger.

" The lord was a kind man, and loves my aunt despite being in an arranged marriage, something rare to be found in the Royal family." Roshanne stared at the dagger with great fondness.

" But the lord was sent by my father to war. They fought along side but the lord fell... He was shot by an arrow to his right eye that pierced through his skull. His death was what ruined my aunt and she cursed my father, saying... No Golden heir shall ever be born again from him. That me and Khalil are the last. Before leaving to settle somewhere in the northern border together with her only daughter." She told her, The curse must have became true, as no other children posses the same glowing hair as the princess, as well as their golden eyes which are the trademark of the royal family of Solvira.

" In my father's wrath he stole the dagger and hid it. This is a family heirloom of my uncle. This is precious for the princess Katrine." Dae smiles at the princess, she is truly kind as to look for it and return it to her aunt.

"Your aunt would be ecstatic to see it again for so long." She told her. And the princess chuckled.

" What makes you think she'll be happy?" She asked her.

" Well... Because your going to give it back... Wouldn't you?" Roshanne stared at her for a moment, before laughing. She was laughing as if she told her a joke.

"It's really is so cute of you to think that I'll return this to her." Her smile disappears quickly and she looks confused at her...if she wouldn't return it to her aunt...then why did she ordered her to steal it from the king?Princess Roshanne leaned down and kissed her cheeks.

"So why...?" She doesn't know if she should ask her or not, so she just settled their frowning.

"It was just merely a test I did for you. To see if you would fail me and disappoint me... I just see no value in friendship where I couldn't get something in return... And you have proven yourself... And for that you shall have my trust." Dae was silent for a moment... She was quite unsure of what she should feel about the revelation... But at least she has a friend and the princess trust her now, she finally has someone she could rely on.

"Would you like a taste of this? I noticed that you were looking at it every now and then." The princess showed her the glass.

"What is that?" The princess twirl the glass and Dae watches as the thick content of the glass swirl too. It sparkles.

"This? It's called the Golden Cognac, but it was more known as the wine of the Gods." She drink the whole of it's content before turning to her... She grip Dae's hair before kissing her... And making her taste the sweet taste of the wine.

Dae... Had never tasted something so sweet and intoxicating drink before, it made her whole body heat and her head feel light. When the princess pulled away she was panting already.

" It's a drink made for only the King himself and his heir, as well for me... The Sainte, if a normal person such as you drink it... It is equal to taking a heavy dose of cannabis. One could lead to death, but don't worry... I only give you a small dose." The princess stated but it was already a blur... Everything was so light, the room was moving and... And she feels like she's not in the place but in the clouds.

"Come, come I shall tuck you to bed." She told her before she pulled Dae to the bed... Dae stared at the painting in the ceiling, the clouds were moving and the Goddess was peering at her... Tucking her to bed. Before kissing her goodnight.

"Sleep well lady Dae... Tomorrow is a bid day for you."

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PRINCESS ROSHANNE

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She left the room of Dae feeling content and happy that the lady

Actually did it, she looks at the dagger at hand and smiled, she lied a little when she said she wouldn't return it, she will give it back, but first it must serve it's

Purpose, she will have something to do with it later... For now she'll just relax and sleep, she'll have to rise early tomorrow to prepare for the wedding, she will be the one accompanying Dae to the temple and help her dress.

"Roshanne?" She stops in her track when she saw her mother, standing in front of her door with nothing but her night gown, her mother's hair that was usually stylized was loose, giving Roshanne a view of a vulnerable woman, that she had barely recognize, gone was the image of powerful queen, of a strong woman. And she despise her for that, for allowing weakness to reign over her consciousness, for throwing everything she had strive in her life away.

"Mother." She acknowledges her, stepping closer to her. She would have to try and steer her back towards her room

"What's going on Roshanne? Where are the people going?" Her mother asked her, touching her arm, she flinched at the contact but didn't pull away, afraid that she'll scare her away.

"They are going to the temple of Imyrill to attend a wedding." She informed her, as she gently steer her towards the direction of where her room is. Her mother didn't quickly noticed what she was doing, she was distracted by the mention of a wedding.

"Wedding? Perhaps Are you and Khalil getting married? Did he finally heed my advice?" Roshanne paused for a moment to look at her mother with a confused look.

"Advice?" She asks her, what advice? And why would she advised him to get married to her? As far as she remembers she always pushes Khalil towards Lady Morraine, of the the dragon Isle, the niece of lady Clementine. Not towards her, she even thought that her mother was against it too.

"Yes... I wrote letters to him, telling him the he should marry you instead. It will be a good thing, it will make the kingdom prosper to have you two as their king and queen, both a blessed children." Roshanne couldn't hold back the question she has, and finally asked...

"Didn't you... Didn't you favor lady Morraine for him?" The queen looked away from her, and into the gloomy hallway they are walking.

"It was just to please your father. I already told your brother that he should wed you instead... because you are good for him. You see, your brother is weak at heart, he is always been Lenient towards his subject and I'm afraid that they'll use it against him... You will balance him. Your light will be his guide. And..." Her mother looked into her eyes... And Roshanne for a moment saw her reflection into her mother's eyes... Clear as a mirror, she shines bright.

"And it would bring you closer to the throne, something that you have always wanted." Roshanne stared at her mother, wide eyed, speechless... She knew? Her mother knew about her desire? Roshanne wasn't able to speak more when a servant approached them, worried sick and pulled the queen from her.

"When you see your brother... Do tell him to come and see me... We have a lot of catching up to do... And if you wouldn't mind it... Come join us." Her mother stated one final time before allowing the maid to bring her to her room. While Roshanne stood their in silence.