Qaya blinked back tears as she got closer to the Heris-Mariale mansion. The more steps she took towards the building, the louder her chest pounded and she was feeling dizzy.
It has been a few days since Rivan was arrested and she still had not made her way to the palace, they was no particular reason. She just wasn't in the mood to see Awin's irritating face.
When she finally got to the house, the reception wasn't all sunshine and roses after all no one forgot the circumstances in which she left. Jaslin had peeped at her, a couple of times reassuring her.
At a point she began to question herself; What right did she have to be here? Her parents would obviously think that she only came because of the harsh times she was facing.
After all, Rivan taking the fall did not convince anyone that she was indeed innocent. It only made more rumours fly about. People spoke about how wicked she was letting someone else take the fall for her crimes and others thought she had a romantic affair with Rivan that prompted him to take the fall for her. She didn't know why but the public opinion about her just seemed to worsen.
"what do we have here?"
Qaya's head shot up at her father's voice. She stood up wanting to hug him but chose to curtsey.
"Good day–"
"why are you here?" He asked coldly, not even bothering to hold eye contact with her.
"I just—"
"Jaslin, is this the guest that you spoke of" he called out but met no response
Qaya was now more tensed up, she understood why he would act like this but even this was too odd coming from her father.
"Father, I understand why you would be upset with me, that's why I'm here in the first place"
"I am not upset, nothing of the sort is happening, so you can return home"
"home?" Now her voice was now cracking as she tried her best not to start sobbing.
"I will have a carriage send you"
***
Awin scowled as Qaya strolled into the palace looking forlorn.
"wow her royal highness has decided to grace us mere mortals with her presence."
Qaya rubbed her temples and it was so evident that she was broken.
"not now, Awin. Maybe try again tomorrow "
As she made her way to her room, Awin held her back. The servants in the room immediately became pensive. Why couldn't this couple be like every other couple in their situation and pretend to be in good terms and save all of them from this trouble.
"you know what? I'm getting sick and tired of you constantly berating me. Have you forgotten who I am ? I AM YOUR KING!!"
Qaya pulled her arm from his grip and stared daggers at him.
"you can think whatever you want about me, oh great king. But I'll have you know that I'll never forget who you are, the vile things you've done to not just me but to so many others"
He snickered "vile things? I chose to make you my queen, the moon that rises on this kingdom and give you power that countless can only dream of and that's vile?"
"really is that what you think? That, that's not the only thing you've done to me Awin..." Her voice trailed off and she stormed to her room, Awin in hot pursuit.
"what have I done to you besides that? Tell me. I'm beginning to think that you just want to blame me for the sake of it like I'm the devil or something, because as far as things go, everything else that as happened was either by Melinda or You"
Qaya scoffed and turned to looked at him. In a way she was at a loss for words.
"that's one way to put it"
Awin dragged Qaya in a hug, kissing her hair. This repulsed her and she moved to push him but his grip was vice like and he just wouldn't budge.
"you seem stressed, I can make it better"
"what in heaven's name is wrong with you?" She shouted still trying to escape from his 'embrace'.
"calm down, my queen. I know you're still perturbed by the trafficking matter."
Maybe because she was tired from all the struggling but she calmed down and listened to him.
"the investigation submitted a request for the court to give an order to arrest you" he whispered in her ear making her cringe.
"and?" She asked uninterested
"I have a proposition. I just got my hands on undisputable proof that Rivan has truly been siphoning funds from a paper company to fund an illegal trafficking business, well his business is a guild that helps people move goods without the government's knowledge among other things but i could work with that"
"Awin, let go of me"
He obliged and sat on her bed, ruffling his hair.
"were you uncomfortable? You could have just talked even though you shouldn't be uncomfortable in the first place, I am your future husband after all"
"I'll have you know that the future is unpredictable. So refrain from speaking with such certainty"
Awin laughed heartily "the future is only unpredictable to normal people, it doesn't apply when you're the person who decides the future" with that he pulled out a piece of paper
"I approved their request to arrest you"
Qaya looked at him, arms crossed unperturbed. This interested Awin even more.
"maybe this is why I am so wildly drawn to you, you interest me and make me curious and eager to unravel you.
I imagine that you already know that once you're arrested it would need the appearance of literal angels to set you free, yet you refuse to show any sign of weakness"
He stood up and walked towards her. He made sure that the space between them was almost non existent.
"whatever you're planning can be explained without pushing me to the wall" Qaya was speaking through gritted teeth now which only encouraged Awin to continue his madness.
"Qaya, why do I feel like you're under some misconception that I'm in love with you"
"you're the one under the misconception. I know someone as selfish as you cannot love anyone else"
"good. Then you know that I will not hesitate to bring you down and beat you until I can mould you into what I desire. And I'll have you know that I'm very patient"
"what do you want from me?"
"wrong question. What can I give you? Well you can get imprisoned, convicted and sentenced basically have your life ruined or ..." His voice trailed off
"or what? "
"or I can get all this swept under the rug"
"and what would you like in return, to marry me tomorrow?"
"oh Qaya, you're full of yourself, have you forgotten that I am a patient man?"
"sorry, I didn't know you were such a saint as to do such a good thing for me freely"
"far from that"
"so what do you want?"
Awin was quiet and only stared intently at her. After a while he spoke up but he sounded different.
"your pale skin is so alluring"
Qaya caught him peering at her chest and pushed him away.
"are you mad" she screamed
"that's what I want. I'm a man Qaya, a faithful one at that. Don't you think it's fair if I ask that you warm my bed" he moved closer
Qaya fiercely slapped him " In your dreams, only in your dreame will I agree to such rubbish. Do you think I care if you decide to sleep around"
"you must really hate me, you'd rather throw your life away than sleep with me, your future husband"
Qaya shook her head "you're an evil man, you know that? You know I'm in such a weak and vulnerable state and all you can think of is to take advantage of me? And then you proceed to threaten me"
"Qaya—"
"get out!" She yelled and turned away from him
"so be prepared to spend your life in prison"
"we'll see about that"
***
BANG! BANG!! BANG!!!
"open the door Ms. Heris-Mariale, we've received a court order to arrest you"
The police woman called as they banged on the door to Qaya's room.
Awin sat downstairs. He knew that Qaya could not be defeated so easily, he just didn't know what her plan would be.
The loud banging continued for a while. Then they forced open the door of the room to be met with the greatest shock—Qaya was asleep.
For a minute, they, the police and servants alike, all stared at each other, confused on the sight before them.
"wake her up" the police woman in charge of the arrest, commanded a servant who scurried to Qaya's side.
"my lady, my... lady. The police are here" she patted her lightly "my lady?"
"what's the matter" the police woman asked now irritated by all the shenanigans
"there's a strange smell around her, like a spirit"
"excuse me?" One of the police asked in bewilderment
"she means alcohol" someone corrected
"yes and no" the maid cut in "she smells like both"
The police woman rushed over to Qaya and checked her pulse
"someone call a doctor, this vile woman has consumed poison"