Chapter 4

• "My Queen, the King has asked that you join the royal banquet in honor of your arrival,” Sage said with a bow. I sighed and rose from the bed.
• “Sage, it is time you spoke to me face to face instead of addressing the floor. Lead the way,” I said. She bowed again and guided me out.
• She was endlessly polite and devoted, almost as though she genuinely loved her life within the castle.
• I descended the stairs carefully, weighed down by the heaviness of my outer garments. I reached out to steady myself against the smooth wall, then quickly withdrew my hand. I did not want to stain it. I doubted I could ever repay such damage.
• “My Queen, this is the dining hall where the banquet will take place. The King and the Queens are waiting inside,” she said, gesturing toward the smudged glass doors. She bowed and departed.
• Nervousness crept over me. This was my first formal meeting as the King’s newest wife, facing him and the women already bound to him. Queen Zinnia had warned me clearly to keep my distance. She despised me already and saw me as a threat. I did not know how the others would treat me.
• I had not come here to compete for the King’s attention. I wanted no rivalry with any Queen. This life was forced upon me, and I doubted I would ever adapt to it, much less grow to love the man at its center.
• I pushed the doors open gently and stepped inside.
• The dining hall was massive, far larger than the sitting room back home. I stood frozen for a moment, overwhelmed by the beauty of everything around me.
• A grand chandelier hung above the table, glowing brilliantly. I could not help thinking that if I had been sold into slavery, I would not have fetched even half the cost of that single piece.
• I closed the door quietly and walked toward the nearest chair at the long dining table, which was large enough to seat at least fifty people.
• I had expected a private family banquet. Instead, the hall was filled with powerful figures, men and women dressed in regal attire. Every face carried authority.
• The table was laden with dishes, fruits, and drinks in abundance. Everything looked tempting. I resented the fact that I would have to eat with restraint and elegance instead of indulging freely.
• The King cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention.
• “I thank you all for honoring my invitation,” he said, gesturing toward me. Heat rushed to my face under the weight of so many eyes. “As you can see, I have taken a new wife. She is the youngest among them.”
• Several men stared openly, their gazes lingering in ways that made my skin crawl.
• “Her name is Pearl,” the King continued. “These are my allies and their wives, rulers of neighboring kingdoms. This is my elder brother, Ray. He resides here while his family remains abroad. And these are your fellow Queens. Zinnia, my first wife. Felicity, the second. Snow, the third. Lula, the fourth. And finally, you, the youngest.”
• Zinnia smirked knowingly. My eyes drifted toward her without intention. She sat pressed closely against the King, holding him possessively, while he appeared indifferent to her grip. His expression was cold, unreadable.
• I noticed the change in him. He was no longer smug or taunting as he had been earlier. Now, he was distant and controlled.
• Unsure of what was expected of me, I smiled and waved awkwardly. Almost immediately, I felt foolish.
• “You are quite beautiful,” one Queen remarked. “So fresh and untouched.”
• I smiled politely, though I did not understand her meaning.
• “I am sure once King Archer takes you to bed, you will loosen up,” another Queen added with a laugh. “You seem far too innocent.”
• Laughter rippled across the table.
• I glanced toward the King, but he paid no attention, whispering instead to a man dressed like a soldier.
• “Let the royal banquet begin,” King Archer announced.
• Servants entered swiftly, heads bowed, hands clasped behind their backs. They served the food and then stood silently at the corners of the room, watching us eat.
• “I suppose our new wife is struggling to adjust to royal life, being a poor commoner,” Queen Zinnia said mockingly, her eyes fixed on me.
• Before I could respond, another Queen spoke sharply.
• “Are you ashamed that a so-called commoner is far more beautiful than you?”
• Zinnia’s cheeks flushed red.
• “Even her skin is clearer than yours,” another added. “With time, the King’s attention will surely drift toward her.”
• I felt the King’s gaze burn into me. I kept my eyes down, unwilling to meet it.
• Zinnia slammed her hand against the table. “You have no right to insult me because of her,” she snapped, pointing at me.
• “Zinnia, stop this nonsense and eat,” the King said coldly.
• “You allow queens from other kingdoms to humiliate me, yet you silence me when I defend myself?” she cried, her voice trembling. The other Queens laughed quietly behind their hands.
• The King’s patience finally snapped.
• “Zinnia, be silent and eat your food!” he shouted.
• The room fell into stunned silence.
• Everyone turned to their meals. I stared down at my plate, where tapioca pudding sat neatly prepared. It was usually my favorite. My mother used to make it exactly to my taste.
• I lifted a spoonful, then paused.
• Something smelled wrong.
• The pudding I knew never carried such a scent. My stomach twisted. Nausea surged suddenly and violently.
• “Queen Pearl, are you alright?” Queen Lula asked.
• I nodded, though I felt far from fine.
• “I am fine,” I said weakly, turning back to the dish.
• The smell intensified. My throat tightened. I forced a spoonful into my mouth and swallowed without chewing.
• That was a mistake.
• The urge to vomit rose instantly.
• The King snapped his fingers. Before I could stand, a small bucket appeared beneath my chin.
• I hesitated, mortified by the stares, until my body betrayed me. I retched violently, emptying my stomach into the bucket.
• Concern spread across the table, except for Zinnia, whose face twisted in disgust, and the King, who continued eating without a glance.
• Shame washed over me.
• “You look unwell,” Queen Snow said gently. “Perhaps you should rest.”
• “I would prefer to return to my chambers,” I murmured.
• “You cannot leave until the banquet ends,” Zinnia said smugly.
• I lowered my head onto the table, exhausted.
• “Call her personal maid and take her inside,” King Archer ordered.
• @pop precious