Disclaimer: the cover for this novel is an original work of mine, please don’t repost it and don’t use it for any purpose.

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I was dragged here from my cottage, every step i took was heavy, I didn’t want to leave my peaceful life behind.

My head keep turning back, looking at the entrance of this massive castle, i wanted to escape, if only the two guards behind me let their guard down.

I walked through a never ending hall way, i was too afraid to question anything at this point, everytime i passed by a stranger they’ll start whispering.

Furthermore, the person that has brought me here were nowhere to be found.

When he first barged into my house he looked hellish, his body was covered with blood, that night still lingers in my head, if only i told him *no *when he ask for a shelter, I won’t be here.

It seems that I’ve reached my destination, it was a room on the second floor of the castle, “please dress her up, order from the king” he said to someone who was already waiting in the room.

She nodded in reply.

They handed me to the woman and left.

“Good day, I’m Theressa, I’m in charge of preparing your dress for the royal meeting” she bowed, i don’t understand why she bowed.

“Oh my..” she whispered, but i can clearly hear it due to the silence around us, “you’re much more than i imagine, i guess i chose the wrong dress” she glared at the red dress that was hung in front of the tall window in front of us, “i think cream suits you better”

She opened a box with a dress folded neatly inside.

“What royal meeting?” I was afraid to say anything but if she’s this dedicated i should at least know what’s waiting infront of me.

“Hm?” She looked surprised but still carry on with the dress, “ah.. knowing Prince Leo he probably didn’t explain anything to you” she sighed, “pardon me”

She unbottoned my shirt out of my concern, “w-wait! What are you doing?!” I hissed, that was very rude for her, what do she think I Am to be undressed without my consent

She pulled her hand in embarrassment also, “oh, i forgot, I’m sorry, of course you’re not used to this… please do prepare yourself” she bowed, “I’ll be waiting outside if you need anything” with that she excused herself out.

I breath in relief, what’s with that girl.

My eyes wondered to the dress that she has picked for me, it’s a beautiful cream dress with the softest cloth i have ever touch, i was so amazed that i got to wear this.

Slowly, i put the dress on me in front of the mirror, it flows as soon as i put my head in it, it felt like i was covered by the goddess’s silk.

Suddenly there were a knock on the door, “maam, are you finished?” Theressa asked.

“I Am” i said half mad at her action before.

She let herself in, “oh! It suits you very well!” She approached me in an awe, “let me do your hair, maam! Please take a sit”

I do as she told, as much as i hate how she touch me , my hair is a mess.

“You have beautiful hair maam” she smiled at my reflection, “i love it’s pink shade”

“Thank you..”

I don’t know what’s she’s getting at the compliment, and why am i treated this way. I watched as she brush my hair softly, do i really deserve this dress.

Question and doubts keep filling my head, and before i notice it she has finished doing my hair.

“Oh my, you look really pretty now!” She look proud as if I’m a bread she has baked perfectly.

She flattered me too much that it made me slightly uncomfortable, “thank you” is the only word i can think of.

“Of course” she cheered, “now may i escort you to the throne room, everyone has been waiting” she said as she guided me out of the room.

Who’s everyone, is what i really wanted to ask but i resisted, I don’t know if i want to hear the answer.

As i past the hall of the bedroom two guards that was guiding me before joined us, and we’re suddenly walking together now.

I didn’t know anyone nor anything in this castle, how should i interact with them, what if i said the wrong thing and they throw eyes at me, sweats starts running through my back, what’s waiting me behind the door of this throne room.

They opened the grand door and showed dozens of people staring at me as i passed the door, they started to whisper just like everyone else.

I squished my hand together as to not show my trembling arms, the air became as cold as winter.

Vyrless, the royal counselor that greeted me when i arrived here guided me to the seat next to the man that brought me in.

As i took a seat it felt like weight was put on my shoulder, i tried to avoid their gazes.

Vyrless stood in front of me and Leo, “Albreicht” he roared, “you may know that years ago, when the Maries invaded our land, The Goddess of light has bestowed her daughter upon the king’s hand, we are very grateful to her as she saved our kingdom from doom so in the hope of our new beginning of King Leo’s reign we have brought her safely from her hideout for this day to be our Queen”

Wait, what goddess, what queen, what reign, my eyes moved around the room looking for answer, no one has explain this to me when they kidnapped me here, why did my grandfather agree with this, i need answers, “wai—“ when i was about to stood up, Leo, is i think what his name was, grabbed my hand.

His red crimson eyes glared at me, he didn’t have to say a word to warn me that i should stay in my seat, but I can’t just be an obidient dog to an unknown person.

“Let me go” i struggled.

Right after i whispered the room was filled with cheers, “long live King Leo!” It echoed through the room making my heart pound faster, what have i gotten myself into.

“Long live King Leo!” The words roared across the room sending shiver down my spine.

Suddenly the room was less tensed, everyone looked happy chattering here and there, what’s with this sudden change of atmosphere.

People started to line up in front of me and Leo. I really, really, desperately want to get out of this situation, what if i said the wrong thing, what if people don’t want me here, what am i supposed to do, those unanswered question pain my head.

“Just nod” Leo spoke without looking at me.

I don’t know if i can do that but there were no other better option.

Vyrless stood next to Leo’s seat and as the first person approached he whispered to Leo’s ear.

The first person was a young lady with, i think, her two daughter, “greeting, King Leo” she bowed deeply and so does her daughters, “we’re very happy to know that you’ve sat on the throne” she complimented.

Leo nodded, “Countess Yulia, thank you for your gratitude”.

The countess, and me, was waiting for Leo to say another word but he didn’t seems to open his mouth again and so the countess continue her speech.

“I was wondering, my king” she carefully spoke, her nervous hand elegantly holding each other, “about my family land since my husband has died, and we were never on his side, may we have it back?”

Land? I don’t understand a single thing she said.

Leo sighed, “Countess Yulia, I’ve spared you and your daughter from treason, and now you want your land back? I even gave you a place to live” I can’t tell if that his usual voice or is he angry, “if you ask any more than this you’ll have the same faith as your husband, note that”

Countess Yulia shivered, she backed down, “o-of course, I’m sorry for taking your time, Your Highness” they quickly left in hurry.

Countess Yulia was one of the many person who ask Leo for favor, but he only granted some of them that include money and ammunition. Hearing their conversation i got a little picture of what’s going on and what Leo was doing.

Fortunately, from all the line no one question me, even if they tried to, Leo will always change the subject.

The meeting lasted longer than I thought it would, i was stressing, but the length of this meeting gave me enough time to calm myself. I even ate a dessert a maid brought to my seat.

The line was a never ending story. Looking at that, Leo sighed, “I’ll be leaving now, sends the dukes and the duchesses to the ballroom” he stood up.

“King Leo will be retreating along with Queen Eve for now” Vyrless announced.

Queen, I don’t quiet get it.

“Long live King Leo!”

As everyone cheered i exit the room along with Leo, surprisingly no one was following us now.

I looked out the window to see that the day has gone dark, I didn’t realize it took that long, i was too focused on his conversation.

“Leo” i called since we’re finally alone, i really hope the hall stretched a little longer, “am i to be a queen?” I asked.

He didn’t reply for a minute, “yes” he answered shortly.

“W-why?!” I didn’t sign up for this, and i will not, I don’t know how to interact with people, moreover run a whole kingdom, “don’t you think it’s rude for you to kidnap me here and suddenly weight me with a massive responsibility?!” I wanted to pressed my temper but it was out of my control, i need to let out my frustrations.

“It’s not in my control, if i can control this do you think i would choose a stranger like you?”

That’s right, i too, a stranger to him. Still he got more information and insight than me, “how is it not in your control, you’re the king are you not?”

Leo sighed he brushed his hair, probably annoyed, making it much more messier than it was before, “did you not hear Vyrless? We were forced to wed each other ever since you were a baby!” He started shouting.

I flinched, how is it my fault now, “I don’t get it” i replied with a smaller voice, scared to raise it.

“Just keep your mouth shut and open it again at the ballroom”

As much as i still want to question him, i also don’t want to fight in this hallway.

We entered the massive ballroom, this time with only a couple of people gathering inside, they threw us uncomfortable gazes, i looked over to Leo to see him unbothered even though not a single person in this room seems to be happy with our arrival.

I followed Leo to the taller platform in front of a massive window that shows the front gate of the castle. As soon as we arrived their gazes felt like thorn making me feel awkward and scared.

“First of all” he started speaking, this time Vyrless was nowhere to be found, do i have to speak for myself also, “I genuinely thank everyone for coming to this meeting at this hour”.

No one replied.

“As my father’s reign came to an end i want to adress things I’m looking forward to change, i have made the changes upon the defense and security last week and changed the formation, as for this week i would like to talk about diplomatic matters” he spoke so fluently, even I’m amazed at how well he talk, “i want to limit our resources’s export and import between Harrington Kingdom and make a deeper alliance with Kalym Kingdom so i will be moving Duke Halpasy’s residence there for a month. My father has allowed Ace Kingdom to take our soldiers for training, cancel that Duke Fredrick” he continued to list the relations he wants with other kingdom that i never heard of nor i knew existed.

“Moving on to financial matters” he continued his long speech, “i would like the queen to handle it”

I choked at the word, but before i could deny it someone else did it for me.

“Your majesty!” He shouted, “do you think it’s too reckless to leave a stranger managing our kingdom money?!”

Another one spoke up, “yes! The financial was perfectly under control with the current secretary, you don’t have to change a thing! I’m sure your late father wouldn’t want that too!”

“I fired the last secretary” he replied as if he didn’t notice the angry eyes that wanted to kill us.

Suddenly the room exploded into chaos.

“YOU WHAT?!” Another one and another one just keep coming to protest it.

“Your majesty” an elegant woman finally spoke up, silencing the rest of the room, “Corrine, the last secretary is my best friend, i know how dedicated she is to her job and how well she’s doing it, your late father chose her with his own hand, as for example when the country was going under market crisis she managed to find a solution and averted the situation”

Leo chuckled, i was surprised at his reaction to such a sincere explanation, “do i really look like a stupid person?”

Suddenly their face flushed with embarrassment.

“I won’t go into detail, but i have my own reasons to fire her, and I’m sure you all know why”

The room grew silence before someone shouted again, “you bastard!”.

My eyes widened, I didn’t think someone would dare curse like that to a king.

“You took your father’s reign on purpose, you don’t even have it in you to run a kingdom, do you think we will obey anything that you say?” He laughed, “open your eyes boy, the throne is not for you”

“Oh how disappointed your father will be if he sees you right now” a man with a green suit joined.

Leo laughed, “i would love to see his dissapointed face right now”

The two of them grunted, “you will never be our king, we will never acknowledge such a selfish king” he growled.

“Do as you like that doesn’t change the fact that i hold the title” Leo stood up, and he signaled me to follow him with his head.

As we passed by them cursing words were thrown at him, how can he handle this so calmly.

We finally went out the ballroom, i looked back to peek and all i can see was angry masses.

I stared at his back as i followed him, i feel pity for him but also amazed, at the end i didn’t open my mouth when I’m in there, i will need explanation but I don’t think now is a right time.

The last destination i was guided to was the library, inside it was only me, Leo, Vyrless, and a guard.

I felt so out of place in this group, no, in this place.

I sat beside Leo on a long sofa, the room was dimmed because only the candles in our stall is lighten up, it sends shivers down my spine, but since there were less people maybe i can finally ask what’s going on.

“Good Evening Eve” Vyrless greeted, “thank you for putting up with our events today, now we can finally speak about your situation”

My face lit up, I felt really relieved, “thank you” i sighed, my mouth finally able to speak again after being shut for the whole day.

“Let me introduce, Claurambaut the major general”

The knight sitting next to Vyrless bowed at me without saying a word.

“And—“ when he’s about to continue his gaze fell upon the empty space, “Fredrick!” He shouted and it roared across the library, not a moment after that a blonde haired man appeared from behind the bookshelves, “—our librarian” he sighed.

“Good to see you in person madam” he smiled with books in his hand.

Judging from everyone’s reaction it seems that I’m not a new topic in this kingdom, how come I didn’t know that i have these responsibilities waiting for me.

Still, being thrown in this situation frustrates me, I don’t want to suddenly be a queen of some kingdom i only heard a few times.

“As you may have figured it out, you were already bestowed a queen when Leo stepped up as a king, now before you can ask anything, let me ask you first, do you know about gods and godesses?” Vyrless asked he was so polite that I didn’t feel threatened.

“I’ve read about them before, but i never put more thought to those subjects, it seems so abstract that it’s hard for me to believe they’re real..” i said while remembering my days that i spent at the cottage, reading all kind of books my grandfather brought me.

“Hm..” Vyrless nodded, “you see twenty one years ago this kingdom was invaded by a group of wizards, they almost destroy this palace to the ground if it wasn’t for the help of a certain goddess”

There were so many question i want to ask from that explanation alone.

“That Goddess name was Lichta, the Goddess of light that absorbed the wizard’s magic allowing us to have better chances at attacking and obtaining victory” his voice was eager, “but nothing comes with free price, oh no, no” he shrugged, “it costs Lichta her existence, she dissolved to become one with the light itself”

My heart ached hearing it even though i barely knew or even believe in goddesses.

“Just before her time ran out, she wed two person that was very important to her and to the people, she bestowed you and Leo to be a husband and wife, in front of everyone in the kingdom including the high priest that has a pure connection with the gods and goddesses itself”

“H-how am i important” i interrupted, how am i so involve in the history of this kingdom, why am i so tied up with everyone here.

“Lichta is your mother” Leo answered.

My eyes widened and my heart was pounding, but I can’t tell if it’s excitement or fear, “mother?!” I gasped.

My grandfather did said that my mother passed away when i was a baby, but I didn’t think the story would go as enchanted as that.

“Goddesses can only have one child in their eternal life, you are hers, Lichta said that she wanted you to grow within the castle and that she believed what’s left of her remains inside you, so with you here as the queen she can continue to guard the kingdom” Frederick finally joined in.

“What left of her…” it’s hard to accept that I’m a daughter of a goddess, “I don’t know if i can fulfil that expectation” i spilled the truth, I don’t want to give them hope.

“Do not worry, beside that reason we’re actually grateful for what Lichta did” Vyrless continued, “this king of ours right here is not very good at romance, that’s why with you being our queen we don’t have to worry about him being alone forever” sarcasm was heard in his tone.

“Watch your mouth, Vyrless” Leo glared.

“So I didn’t have a choice from the start” i mumbled looking down at my feet, “what about the financial thing Leo mentioned? I don’t know anything about money and stuff”

“About that, i will be sending you a schedule regarding the economic studies tomorrow” Vyrless answered, “you will also be scanning through the ammunition supplies and food supplies, the rest will follow on the next day”

“Is it my turn to speak now? It’s getting so late” Claurembaut interrupted, “King Leo you should reconsider your act in the ballroom”

He didn’t give me a chance to answer, there’s still so many things i wanted to ask, they can’t just leave me hanging again.

Leo sighed, “i thought we agree on this Claurembaut”

“The thought, yes, the way you execute it, hell, they will form an alliance against us!” He seems really pissed off, but i do understand what he means, “they never like you in the first place and now they hate you! Without the support of the dukes and duchesses it will be hard” he sounds so frustated, “they’re the core of the society in this kingdom, if they refuse to compromise with our security system in the future it will be a fatal move”

“I have my reasons, you know what I’m aiming at,” Leo replied he looked annoyed as well but remain calm.

“But you can’t be this reckless!”

“Enough of this conversation! Those topic is not to be lectured to me, i have my ways, if you want to talk about this further wait for the next meeting!” He slamed his fist on the table, i flinched at the loud bang that echoed.

Leo stood up from his seat with temper, “Come” Leo glared at me again.

I panicked while looking at Vyrless asking for help, “it is late, we’ll continue this tomorrow, thank you Your Majesty, please rest well.”

That’s not what i wanted to hear.

“Eve!” Leo called from the door, i hurried and followed him outside.