Chapter 6

• I woke up the next morning with a dull headache. I had eaten nothing the previous day, and the nausea lingering in my stomach made everything worse.
• I scanned the room slowly. It was vast and elegant, adorned with a magnificent chandelier that hung proudly from the ceiling. Reality settled in again. I was no longer in my home. My parents were gone.
• This castle was now my life. I would wake every day on a queen-sized bed, be served, bathed, and expected to submit to the King whenever he desired. That was the life forced upon me.
• “I really need to adapt to this royal life,” I muttered.
• I ran my fingers through my tangled hair and yawned weakly before slipping my feet into animal-skin slippers and heading to the bathroom.
• “Why do they not brush my teeth too?” I scoffed sarcastically at my reflection in the large mirror.
• In a month, I would probably forget everything my parents taught me. I already hated living here. The thought of never leaving the castle made my chest tighten.
• A knock sounded at the door, interrupting my brushing. I ignored it and finished before dragging myself to the door.
• “Good morning, my Queen,” they greeted in unison, bowing deeply.
• Five female servants stood outside, each holding clothes, shoes, oils, hair extensions, and accessories. My mind clicked immediately. It was my engagement day.
• “Where is Sage?” I asked. “Is she not my personal maid?”
• The short, stout woman at the front bowed again. She appeared to be their leader.
• “No, my Queen. Today is an important occasion. We are assigned to prepare you.”
• I rolled my eyes and stepped aside to let them in.
• I sat on the edge of my bed, exhausted and unprepared for what lay ahead. Everything was happening too quickly. At the very least, the ceremony could have been delayed a week to allow me to prepare mentally.
• But this was King Archer. My readiness meant nothing to him.
• I watched the servants move efficiently, setting water in the bathroom while another arranged my outfit on the dressing table. The glitter caught my eye and nearly blinded me, but I resisted the urge to inspect it. I was the one expected to wear it.
• “My Queen, your bath is ready,” one of them said politely. “Please come so we may assist you.”
• I sucked my teeth.
• “I will not bathe until I eat,” I said firmly. “Tell Sage to bring my breakfast.”
• Confusion flickered across her face.
• “My Queen…”
• “Now,” I snapped.
• She bowed quickly. “At once, my Queen.”
• They truly did not expect me to attend my engagement starving. I refused to let that happen.
• The remaining servants stood silently against the wall, heads bowed like statues. From the looks of it, royal service was far from a dream.
• Rosamund used to say she wished to be a palace servant, believing they lived luxuriously and shared the same air as royalty. She was wrong. If these women had the chance to leave, they would run home without hesitation.
• “I am sorry, my Queen,” Sage said softly, pulling me from my thoughts. “I brought your dinner last night, but you were asleep. I should have woken you. I deserve punishment.”
• I exhaled slowly. It was my engagement day, yet I felt sluggish and unfocused. I did not want the King, the Queens, or the guards summoning me.
• “Place it here,” I said, tapping the bed.
• She carefully set the tray down.
• I uncovered the plate, revealing pasta coated in rich red sauce. I prayed the nausea would not return.
• I chewed the leafy garnish slowly, savoring its flavor, then took a sip of lemonade.
• I finished quickly but gently, finally feeling strength return to my body.
• “Thank you, Sage,” I said sincerely.
• “Always at your service, my Queen,” she replied with a bow before leaving.
• I turned to the servants lined against the wall.
• “Shall we?” I said quietly, stepping down from the bed and heading toward the bathroom as they followed.
• ***
• The people of the Kingdom of Guham filled the grand hall, murmuring in anticipation. The buzz of gossip was unmistakable.
• Silence fell as the King entered, his new bride beside him, with his elder brother and best man following in horseback attire.
• All King Archer could think about was the night ahead. He longed for the ceremony to end so he could claim his fresh-blooded wife.
• Pearl walked stiffly beside him, his arm wrapped possessively around her waist as they approached the priest. The humiliation burned within her. He had forced the priest to abandon the parish and conduct the ceremony in the castle hall.
• His grip made her skin crawl. He held her like property. And she was.
• They stood before the priest and the people of Guham, about to exchange vows devoid of love. Tears blurred her vision, but she blinked them away. Crying would earn punishment.
• “State your ages,” the priest commanded.
• “I am twenty-eight,” the King said.
• “I am twenty-three,” Pearl replied softly.
• “Are the bride and groom related by blood?”
• “No, Priest.”
• “Do you both consent freely to this union?”
• “Yes, Priest.”
• “You may now exchange your vows.”
• “I accept you as my husband, King Archer,” Pearl whispered, her voice cracking. “I promise to be submissive.”
• “I accept you as my wife,” the King replied curtly.
• The priest dared not question his lack of sentiment.
• “You may now share your love.”
• It was Pearl’s first kiss. Forced. Hollow. Necessary for survival.
• As their lips met, dizziness overwhelmed her. Nausea surged violently. She fought it, terrified of disgracing herself before the kingdom.
• She forced the kiss, but the room spun harder.
• Her vision darkened.
• She felt herself falling, only to be caught by the very man she feared, before everything went black.
• @pop precious