King Aric sat in his grand court, surrounded by his courtiers, in the midst of a critical meeting. However, his attention wavered as one of the courtiers droned on about a subject he struggled to comprehend. His mind was awash with thoughts of Alia, rendering him almost deaf to the discourse.
Despite his authority, he had summoned Alia the previous night, only to be met with her unwavering refusal. A bold act, considering that defying the King could lead to dire consequences. Yet, she seemed unaffected, a fact that intrigued him.
He pondered the enigma that was Alia. Their conversation from noon yesterday echoed incessantly in his mind, leaving him restless.
Frustration surged within him as the courtiers' discussion stretched on, pushing him to his limit. The final straw came when a courtier asked for his opinion, revealing Aric's detachment.
"Let us adjourn this meeting for today and reconvene tomorrow," Aric declared, cutting through the chatter.
The courtiers exchanged glances, taken aback by the King's abrupt decision. Nevertheless, none dared question his command, given his authority.
Lucas, the King's unwavering confidant, promptly followed Aric out of the courtroom, intrigued by the unexpected departure. The King's directive didn't come as a surprise to Lucas when he heard the reason.
"Fetch Alia," Aric instructed Lucas as he made his way towards his private chambers.
"Of course, Your Majesty," Lucas replied with a respectful bow, swiftly heading in the opposite direction to carry out his orders.
Inside his chambers, Aric paced, his anticipation building. Today, he was determined to uncover the mystery shrouding Alia's behavior.
A knock on the door disrupted his thoughts, and he turned with a hopeful smile, only for it to fade as he found not Alia, but his wife, Nadia, standing there.
A knowing smirk tugged at Nadia's lips. "Were you expecting someone else?"
Her words were laced with subtle amusement. She wasn't oblivious to the fleeting change in his expression when he laid eyes on her.
Aric's cold voice sliced through the tension-laden air, "What brings you here at this hour?" His feelings of resentment towards his wife, Nadia, were palpable. Marrying her solely to avoid conflict with her scheming father had left him devoid of any affection for her.
"I sought a conversation with you, husband," she replied, cautiously advancing. "Rumors of your interactions with a certain maid have reached my ears."
Aric's face reddened, but he masked his emotions skillfully. "And what rumors might those be?"
"Enough with the pretense, Aric," she retorted bitterly. "I am well aware of your affair with Alia, the maid. Furthermore, I know she carries your child."
A chill ran down the King's spine at the mention of Alia being pregnant. He gazed at Nadia, searching for answers. "How did you come upon this information?" he inquired, his voice a mere whisper.
"I have my sources," Queen Nadia responded, a triumphant curl on her lips.
Aric's concern deepened. "What have you done to her?"
"Only what was fitting for a wretched maid like her."
An undercurrent of fury surged within Aric. "Harm her, and I assure you, I'll personally end your life," he growled.
"Would you truly kill your wife, the Queen of Evaria, for a mere maid?" Nadia scoffed in disbelief.
"Don't test me Nadia. Where is Alia?"
"Discover her whereabouts on your own."
Aric's anger intensified, his voice rising, "What do you mean?"
"Your supposed soulmate fled last night. Fear seemed to grip her. I wonder what horrors she encountered," Nadia taunted, her words dripping with venom.
Aric's fists clenched, his face drawing nearer to Nadia's. "Should any harm befall Alia or our child, you won't live to see another day." With that, he stormed away, his heart pounding. The reality of the situation was too much to bear.