Chapter 5

• The way I felt was not normal. My stomach churned violently, my body burned with heat, and my vision spun. I was not in the right state of mind.
• “My Queen, I hope you will be alright. You do not look well at all,” Sage said anxiously as she removed my gown and shoes and covered me with a thick duvet.
• I trembled uncontrollably, yet sweat soaked through the bedding.
• “My Queen, your temperature is too high. This duvet will only worsen it. I should call a physician,” she said, reaching to remove it.
• “No, please leave it,” I murmured weakly. “I am cold. Do not call a doctor. I will feel better after some rest.”
• I was unsure how long it would take to recover, but the thought of being examined unsettled me.
• “If you insist, my Queen, I will prepare green tea for you. It may help warm and calm you,” she said with a bow before leaving the room.
• Despite the heat, I shivered violently. My vision blurred as the door opened again, revealing Queen Lula. I could barely focus.
• She approached with a soft smile, lifting her gown slightly as she sat beside me. Her hand brushed gently through my hair.
• “You may be reacting to the unfamiliar environment,” she said calmly. “You must learn to endure. King Archer does not concern himself with illness. If he desires you, he expects you to be ready.”
• She spoke while staring into the air, her expression distant. She was strikingly beautiful, though painfully thin, her collarbones sharp and pronounced.
• Her emerald jewelry gleamed brilliantly, far too valuable for everyday wear. I wondered why she adorned herself so lavishly within the castle walls.
• She studied my trembling body, then slowly pulled the duvet away.
• “You do not need this. It is better for the fever to cool than for you to sweat endlessly,” she said, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Queen Zinnia despises you. The others do as well. I do not like you either, but I am not cruel. I will help you where I can. This life was not your choice.”
• Her words weighed heavily on me.
• Why did they all hate me? How was I supposed to survive in a place where I was neither welcomed nor loved?
• “We all know you are the youngest,” she continued. “You are untouched. Innocent. The King will turn his attention to you soon, and that is why we resent you. He favors new blood. Once he grows bored, he will discard you and seek another.”
• That caught my attention. I struggled to sit up.
• “Yes, Pearl,” she said quietly. “We were once his favorites too. Now he prefers servants over us. That is the man you married. He is insatiable, yet forbids us from bearing children.”
• Fear tightened my chest.
• “How is that possible?” I asked. “How can he sleep with you and forbid pregnancy? And why does he not want an heir?”
• Her smile faded.
• “The King sends physicians to us every seven days to administer preventative medicine. He has vowed to kill any woman who conceives his child,” she said.
• My breath caught.
• “As for an heir, I cannot say. But one truth remains. King Archer does not love anyone. Not even himself.”
• She rose to her feet.
• “I have told you enough. Do not cross our paths, especially Zinnia’s. She is dangerous. Rest well.”
• She left me alone with my thoughts.
• How could anyone endure such a life? The Queens were bound to a man they did not love, competing in silent misery.
• How could a man be so heartless? Married to five women, yet seeking others and denying them children.
• Only someone like King Archer could live this way.
• “Here is your tea, my Queen,” Sage said, breaking my thoughts.
• I accepted the cup, studying her. How could I know he had not taken her as well? She was beautiful, everything men desired.
• This was not the life I wanted. I had dreamed of love and peace, not this.
• I sipped the tea and sighed softly. It was delicious.
• “You made this?” I asked. She nodded, smiling shyly.
• “It is wonderful. Perhaps you could teach me someday,” I teased gently.
• She blushed deeply. “I would love to, my Queen, but royalty is forbidden from entering the kitchen. I am glad you enjoy it.”
• “I am feeling better,” I said softly.
• “That is good to hear,” she replied.
• “Sage, please look at me when you speak. We are alone,” I said gently.
• She hesitated, then slowly lifted her head. Her round face was delicate and kind.
• “Come sit beside me,” I said, patting the bed.
• She panicked immediately. “No, my Queen. I would be punished.”
• “Then sit on the couch,” I suggested.
• She shook her head. “I would rather stand.”
• “Fine,” I sighed. “Do as you wish.”
• I drank the rest of the tea quickly. Her eyes widened.
• “My Queen, drink slowly. You must be in good health. Your wedding is tomorrow.”
• “Tomorrow?” I gasped.
• “You did not know?” she asked, confused.
• “I did,” I lied weakly. “Thank you. I need to be alone.”
• I lay back, staring at the ceiling.
• Tomorrow.
• I was nowhere near ready.
• @pop precious