Alpha Malik ventured into the palace garden with a heart brimming with joy. It was a beautiful evening, and the garden seemed to bloom in response to his elation. With every step he took, anticipation grew within him as he eagerly awaited the arrival of the masked girl who had become the light in his life. This was a moment he longed to cherish-ones of the memories that were etched in his heart.
As he stood there, a smile playing on his lips, the passing minutes turned into an hour, and time slipped away unnoticed. The smile that once adorned his face slowly faded, replaced by a flicker of concern. Where was the masked girl? The question lingered in his mind, eroding the happiness he had held moments ago.
Just then, the garden was disturbed by the arrival of the queen. She gracefully approached the king, her gaze filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She lowered herself into a graceful curtsy, intending to offer her greetings. However, before she could utter a word, the king turned his back on her, a cold shoulder presented in response to her presence.
“What are you doing here?” Alpha Malik questioned, his voice laced with anger and frustration. His eyes bore into her, searching for answers.
The queen’s innocent face contorted with confusion. She glanced behind her and responded, “Where are you?”
At that moment, Daphne emerged from the scene, bowing respectfully before the king.
“Tell the king everything you said you heard earlier ago” Nneka said, giving Daphne go ahead to talk
“Okay Your Highness,” she began, “My king I was having solace in the garden at the back of the maid’s quarter to ease my mind. It was there that I overheard a conversation from the king guards. Guard Evans was instructing a maid named Shastina to pretend to be the masked girl tonight,”
The king’s attention was piqued at the mention of the name., masked girl, but before the maid could continue, he interrupted,”She’s not pretending,” he corrected firmly. “I know about her. She is the masked girl.”
This revelation left the queen bewildered. Her gaze shifted towards Daphne, seeking an explanation for the unfolding events. Ideas sprouted in her mind, and she suddenly spoke up, her voice carrying a sense of realization. “My king, the masked girl isn’t Shastina. The masked girl might have called herself Shatstina to you, but is a lie king, this is why she isn’t here”
Her words ignited a spark of interest within the king, he wanted to find out as the queen knew the information, moreover the masked girl didn’t delay him this way before. Everything started to make sense to him as if the pieces of a puzzle were falling into place. Impatiently, he inquired, “Who is the original masked girl?”
The queen suggested, “Let the maid herself confirm it, my king. Allow her to speak her name.”
Daphne, now given permission, spoke up, her voice trembling with trepidation. “Aurora, my king. I overheard Shastina speaking about the truth. Aurora did it deliberately, and Evans is aware.”
Before Daphne could finish, the queen seized the opportunity to express her intent. “My king, if it weren’t for Aurora’s illness, I would have suggested making an example out of her and Evans. She should be made…”
The king, his patience now exhausted, interjected abruptly. “You both may leave,” he commanded, his voice tinged with a mix of anger and disappointment.
Hearing his stern tone, the queen and Daphne swiftly turned to go, their heads bowed in obedience. However, the king’s voice halted their retreat. “I hope this never repeats itself. Anytime you have something to say, inform me directly through my guards.” The king stated harshly but deep down it pained Nneka but she brushed it away, inwardly she thought soon she will be the only one for the king.
Earlier when Daphne listened to Evans pleading with Shastina to pretend to be the masked girl, she initially refused. However, after persistent persuasion, she reluctantly agreed, but on one condition: she would dress exactly like Aurora always did whenever she assumed the role. With a heavy heart, Shastina made her way to the maid quarters to change, determined to honor the true essence of the masked girl.
However, as she arrived, a maid frantically approached, urgently calling out Shastina’s name. The words uttered sent shivers down her spine. Aurora was dying, Morena sought your presence.
The news struck her like a lightning bolt, instantly changing her mind. How could she go on with the charade when the person she wanted to do it for was at death’s door? She quickly changed her mind even though Evans was asking her to go and show herself to the king first but she declined.
Daphne, curious and concerned, followed them and found herself in front of Morena, the chambers where she treated the sick, she was attending to one of the physicians, also attending to Aurora. She overheard Morena questioning Shastina about the antidote she used before, she asked as soon as she saw Shastina
But Shastina confirmed that it was in her bag, which was left behind in the maid quarters.
“Are you certain you changed the contents of the antidote before Shastina reached there?” the queen asked Daphne as they walked away from the king.
“Yes,” Daphne replied, a victorious smirk brushing the queen’s lips. Deep down, she felt a surge of satisfaction. Finally, she had succeeded in eliminating one of her enemies who had long been a thorn in her side, taking her place in the King’s heart.
“Aurora, when you return to this world, you won’t cross my path,” the queen silently vowed.
“My queen, are you confident that the poison will indeed kill her?” Daphne inquired cautiously.
“Let us wait for the news tomorrow morning,” the queen replied, her voice tinged with a mixture of anticipation and cruelty. “Since there is no antidote, and you put l poison into the container, then more of the poison will be administered to her, so she cannot survive tonight.”
“No, she cannot,” the queen muttered, a sinister gleam in her eyes.
As they walked away, the queen’s emotions remained concealed, masked behind an air of cold detachment. Deep within her, a sense of triumph mingled with an unsettling darkness.
She felt happy and excited that there is no way Aurora will survive it.