Chaos erupted the moment Rashad's body was carried out. Shouts collided with one another, servants scrambling, guards barking orders but beneath it all, there was something far more dangerous lurking in the air. The physician's voice cut through it all, cold and final. "Dead." he offer no explanation. I do not remember how I returned to my chamber. One moment I was standing there, staring at the place where my husband had collapsed his blood still warm against my skin and the next, I was here.
My hands would not stop shaking. My entire body trembled as if something inside me had cracked beyond repair. My breath came in shallow, broken gasps, each one burning my lungs. This was impossible It had only just happened.
Moments ago, he was alive, moments ago, he was looking at me my stomach twisted violently. His eyes the way they widened, not in pain but in realization. As if, in his final breath… he understood something I did not. A strangled sob escaped me. Was he sick? Poisoned? Or... My chest tightened painfully was it me? The thought slithered into my mind like a curse, wrapping around my throat, squeezing.
I was the only one with him, the only witness, the only suspect. A bitter, hollow laugh nearly clawed its way out of my chest, but it died before it could escape. Of course, of course this would fall on me. A foreign bride a political union. A fragile peace stitched together with forced vows and empty promises. And now a dead prince. My fingers curled into the fabric of my dress, clutching it desperately as if it could keep me from unraveling. This would not remain a tragedy It would become an accusation and worst a war.
Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face as I drew my knees to my chest, folding into myself, as though I could disappear hide from the weight pressing down on me. But it was already too late. I felt it something had shifted Livia's hand moved gently along my back, her touch the only thing anchoring me to reality. "You should try to sleep," she whispered softly. "It's been three hours." Sleep? My lips parted slightly, a fragile, broken breath slipping through. How could I sleep… when I might have just killed a crown prince?
"I'll bring you something to calm your nerves." Livia's voice was soft, careful like she was afraid I might shatter if she spoke too loudly but I didn't respond. My hands were still trembling in my lap, my mind trapped in that moment Rashad collapsing, his body going still, his eyes "Please," Livia added gently, already rising. "Just a little tea." I heard her footsteps retreat, the faint clink of porcelain as she prepared it, the quiet rustle of movement that felt unbearably distant… as though I were no longer fully present in my own body. When she returned, she knelt beside me, holding out the cup. Thin wisps of steam curled into the air, carrying the faint scent of herbs something soothing, something meant to quiet the storm inside me. "My lady," she murmured. "Drink." For a moment, I only stared at it. Then, slowly, I reached out, my fingers brushed against the cup, unsteady, before finally wrapping around it. The warmth seeped into my skin, grounding me I lifted it to my lips, the first sip was bitter. By the third, a strange weight began to settle over me. My limbs felt slower, my thoughts… duller. I frowned faintly, my gaze lifting to Livia, but she only offered a small, reassuring smile, her hand resting gently against my back. "It will help you rest," she whispered.
The word echoed strangely in my mind.
Because I did not want to rest.
I did not want to close my eyes.
But my body betrayed me.
The cup slipped slightly in my grasp before Livia carefully took it from me, setting it aside. My vision blurred at the edges, the room softening, fading. The last thing I felt was her guiding me down onto the bed, her hand smoothing over my hair like she used to when I was younger. "Sleep, my lady," she said quietly and this time, darkness took me.
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Morning arrived without mercy. A pale, cold light slipped through the tall windows, stretching slowly across the floor until it reached the bed. My eyes opened, heavy, unfocused, for a moment… there was nothing. No thoughts, no memory just silence. Then it came crashing back. My breath hitched violently as I pushed myself upright, the sudden movement sending a sharp wave of dizziness through me. My head throbbed far heavier than it should have been, unnaturally so. Then it came back. Not all at once, but in fragments. Rashad, the wedding, the consummation, then… death. A sharp breath tore from my chest as panic flooded in. I looked around wildly. Morning light spilled through the curtains as if the world hadn't just shattered.
I had no idea what awaited me what my fate would be when the Sahramir council arrived… or when news of their crown prince's death spread across the kingdom. The doors burst open. "My… my… Lady…" Livia stuttered, her voice trembling. My heart lurched. "What's wrong?" I demanded. "His… His Majesty..."
"My father?" I cut in she nodded I didn't let her finish I was already moving. I threw the covers aside and ran barefoot, breath unsteady, heart pounding violently against my ribs. The cold marble floors bit into my skin as I rushed toward the throne room.
Something was wrong terribly wrong.
The moment I reached the entrance, I froze. The sight before me stole the air from my lungs. My father stood at the center, surrounded not by our guards, but by strangers armed, unfamiliar and dangerous. Murmurs rippled through the court like a brewing storm. Our guards stood tense, hands gripping their swords, yet none dared to draw them… as if held back by a silent command.
My gaze shifted. The two dignitaries who had come with Rashad stood nearby. Their faces were hollow, eyes empty devoid of grief, devoid of warmth, only cold intent remained. Of course this was inevitable. Their crown prince had died in our kingdom on the night of our marriage.
Captain of the Imperial Guard, Kavian, stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tension like steel. "The princess will come with us." My blood ran cold. "She was married to the prince before his demise," he continued. "That makes her ours." For a moment, my heart simply… stopped. "My daughter knows nothing about his highness's death," my father said, his voice strained but firm. "You will not take her." High Vizier Sorvan stepped forward next, calm and merciless. "The marriage still stands," he said. "She remains Prince Rashad's wife and until the cause of his death is uncovered…" His gaze shifted to me sharp, accusing. "She remains our suspect." My breath caught. "It is simple," he continued. "She comes with us… or we reduce this kingdom to ash." My eyes widened in horror, my father's fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening, but he said nothing then Captain Kavian glanced toward me, then gave a small signal. Two guards moved. "No..." I shook my head, stepping back, turning to run but they were faster strong hands seized me. "No! Let go!" I struggled, but it was useless. One of them hoisted me over his shoulder as if I weighed nothing. "Father!" I screamed, panic tearing through my voice. "I don't want to go!" But he didn't move, he didn't turn. His back faced me, rigid his shoulders trembling. And in that moment, I understood, he had already made his choice. "No... Father! Please!" My voice broke as tears streamed down my face. I kicked and fought, but they carried me away regardless. "Father! Father!!" My cries echoed through the throne room unanswered.
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My screams faded into the distance not because I stopped but because no one answered. No one came, no one saved me. The palace doors slammed shut behind us with a finality that echoed deep in my chest. The morning air struck my skin, cold and merciless, as if the world itself had turned against me.
I was thrown unceremoniously into a carriage. The impact knocked the breath from my lungs, before I could gather myself, the door shut. I scrambled up, rushing to the small window, my hands shaking as I pushed the curtain aside. The palace stood tall in the distance. "He didn't even look at me…" I whispered, my voice hollow. A crack formed in my chest then another. Then everything shattered. A sob tore through me violent, uncontrollable. My body folded in on itself as I collapsed against the seat, clutching at my chest as though I could hold my heart together with sheer force. I'm leaving my homeland to a place where I have no one, not knowing what await me.