Aurora walked along the dimly lit hallway, her mind filled with thoughts of Nneka ‘s strange behavior and the possibility of Xena discovering her secret. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off, that she was walking into a trap. She quickened her pace, eager to get to the maid quarter and away from the prying eyes of the palace.
As she reached the door, Aurora paused and took a deep breath, hoping all the maids had slept, especially the trouble maker among them, Shastina. She likes stepping on her toes even when Aurora knows her secrets-Both know each other’s weaknesses.
Aurora knew that she couldn’t let her guard down, not even for a moment. She had to find out if Xena had really discovered her identity, and if so, what her next move would be.
She entered the room and the flickering candlelight cast shadows across the walls. Aurora found her way among the maids sleeping on this mat until she reached her mat and settled on it, then she closed her eyes, taking a moment to calm herself. But her mind was restless, and her thoughts soon drifted to the king.
She thought of the kiss they had shared, the way his lips had felt against hers. She remembered his words, and a wave of sadness washed over her.
She wished there were possibilities of having the king even when she knows it’s a feeling of uncertainty, moreover she knew that she would be treading on dangerous ground if the king eventually wishes to date her.
What of her sister, Nneka? Would she be able to cope with the quilt of sharing a man with her?
Her mind filled with many things, hindering her sleeping.
Aurora tossed and turned, her mind too busy to let her rest. But eventually, exhaustion took hold and she drifted off into a fitful sleep, her dreams filled with images of masked girls and forbidden love.
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As the first rays of sunlight streamed through the windows of the royal bedchamber, Alpha Malik, also known as the King, stirred in his sleep. Slowly, he opened his eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh morning air. He sat up in bed and stretched his arms, feeling the warmth of the covers around him.
It has been a while since he had such a peaceful sleep and he wondered what made this happen.
His seamstress, a petite woman with nimble fingers and a gentle demeanor, stood by his bedside, waiting for him to rise. With a bow of her head, she approached him and began to remove his nightclothes. As she worked, the King closed his eyes and savored the sensation of her skilled hands on his skin.
His seamstress always dresses for him whenever he is holding a meeting or going outside the palace for official matters.
Once he was disrobed, he strode across the room to the large bathroom, it was a sight to behold. The walls were adorned with intricate mosaic patterns, and the floor was made of polished marble. The bathtub, situated at the center of the room, was made of pure gold and was big enough to accommodate four people.
As the King entered, the attendants bustled about, preparing his bath. They filled a large tub with steaming water and added a variety of herbs and oils to create a relaxing and invigorating blend. The King stepped into the tub, feeling the hot water envelop him from head to toe. He leaned back and closed his eyes, letting out a contented sigh.
However, his mind couldn’t help but wander to the memory of Aurora, remembering the kiss they shared last night.
His heart made a beat as he recalled the feel of her lips on his, and the sound of her voice when she said majesty, he could sense the sadness on it.
Nonetheless, he shifted his mind away, wanting to face the work ahead of him, today he wanted to reveal the state of the community business, how ministers of accounting and finance had embezzled the profit.
As he soaked, his seamstress reentered the room with his royal robe. The robe was made of the finest silk and embroidered with gold thread. It was a deep crimson color, the color of royalty, and was cut in a way that accentuated the King’s broad shoulders and powerful physique.
Once the King had finished his bath, he stepped out of the tub and allowed his seamstress to dry him off. He donned his robe with a flourish, feeling the luxurious fabric drape over his body. His aura was commanding and powerful, befitting his status as the ruler of the land.
As he walked out of his chambers, his right-hand man Jaguar was waiting for him at the door. The king’s powerful aura filled the room as he approached, and Jaguar bowed in respect.
“Good morning, Your Majesty”
“Good morning, my friend,” the King replied with a smile. “Shall we begin our day?”
Jaguar’s heart leapt with joy at the sight of the King’s smile. It had been a while since he had seen that smile, but his joy was short-lived as he knew that whenever the King smiled that way, it meant that danger was lurking.
“What could be wrong?” Jaguar thought to himself as they made their way to the meeting room.
As they approached the door to the meeting room, the King turned to him and asked, “Jaguar, what do you think about this meeting today?”
“I’m not sure, my lord,” Jaguar replied hesitantly. “But I have a feeling that something important is going to happen.”
The King nodded in agreement and pushed open the door to the meeting room. As they entered, Jaguar could sense the tension in the room. The ministers were all seated, but none of them were talking.