"Oh, her luck has helped her a lot, even after the shameful scandal she caused," a maid said loudly, speaking near Yuray. She deliberately made sure her voice was loud enough for Yuray to hear.
"She will be a queen in the kingdom of Tulip. I envy her," the other maid replied, her tone tinged with jealousy.
Yuray felt her anger rise. She had always dreamed of becoming a member of the royal family, having maids at her beck and call, living a life of luxury and power. But now, Taya—someone who had never cared for such things—was going to receive everything she had ever wanted. Yuray couldn't handle the thought of Taya outshining her, of someone so undeserving taking what should have been hers. With her temper flaring, she stormed into Taya's room, pushing past the guards and entering without a second thought.
Inside, Taya sat in front of a large mirror, her gaze fixed on her reflection. She had just finished putting on her wedding dress, and her beauty was undeniable. She looked like a rose blossoming in a field of herbs, her elegance striking, as if she were born for royalty.
Yuray, with her heart filled with jealousy, stepped forward, her voice sharp and biting. "You have no right to be happy. Is it not enough that you are a maidservant to the brother of the crown prince? Why did you accept to marry Prince Orig? Do you want to tease me?" she spat, her words dripping with venom. In a fit of rage, she grabbed Taya's makeup and threw it to the floor, the sound of the glass shattering echoing in the room.
The maids who had been attending to Taya's preparations sensed the tension and quickly exited, retreating to find the eldest lady, Lucy, who could intervene if things escalated further.
Taya remained unfazed, her calm demeanor only infuriating Yuray more. "Yes, I want to tease you," Taya replied coolly, her voice laced with arrogance. "Have you forgotten how you used every chance to turn things against me? I will become the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms of Rose, not just Tulip. Do you understand? Practice calling me 'Your Majesty' or 'Queen Taya' from now on," she said, her smile radiating pure vanity.
Yuray's face contorted with fury, her words dripping with disdain. "You're nothing but a nobody, and everyone knows who Orig is—a murderous serial killer who follows the Supreme King of Rose's orders to eliminate anyone who dares to threaten his throne. You will not find happiness or love with him."
Before Yuray could finish her tirade, she found herself suddenly on the floor, her cheek stinging from the force of a slap. Taya stood above her, her expression cold and unforgiving as she yanked at Yuray's hair.
"What do you know about my husband, Orig?" Taya hissed, her voice sharp. "You don't have the right to speak about him—not with a single word. If you continue, next time, I won't be satisfied with slapping you. I'll forget that you're my sister, Yuray Diduchi."
Yuray winced, rubbing her cheek as she struggled to regain her composure. "Have you forgotten that I'm your older sister? You shouldn't treat me like this!" she complained, her lips trembling with a mix of anger and frustration.
Taya paused for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. She had overreacted slightly, but when it came to Orig, she couldn't help but become someone unrecognizable. Her emotions swirled around her like a storm. She glanced into the mirror again, and her eyes caught sight of Orig's reflection. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw him watching her from the doorway.
"Orig," she whispered, her voice almost breaking.
As soon as she spoke his name, Orig, who had been standing just outside, quickly turned and disappeared down the hall. Before Taya could follow him, the maids stopped her, their eyes wide with concern.
"According to tradition, the bride must not see her husband before the wedding ceremony," one of the maids explained, her voice filled with urgency. "It's believed to bring misfortune if the bride and groom meet before the vows."
Taya, still confused by his sudden appearance in her room, wondered what had driven him to come to her at that moment. She needed to prepare herself, to finish putting on her jewelry. She returned to the room, but Yuray was already gone. However, there was something on the table—a necklace.
Taya's heart skipped a beat when she saw it. She recognized the necklace immediately—it was from Orig's family. This was something she had never received in her previous life. Why had he given it to her now? Her mind raced with questions as she carefully placed it around her neck, its weight both comforting and mysterious.
Meanwhile, Orig, along with the nobles, dignitaries, and even kings, waited in the wedding hall for the bride. Tension hung in the air as they eagerly anticipated the arrival of the woman who had captured the heart of Prince Orig.
Orig stood silently, his gaze fixed on the priest. His thoughts were clouded with doubt. "I'm marrying her to satisfy my curiosity about what this woman is hiding," he thought. "I need to know how she knows my plans and intentions. There's no other reason." His eyes narrowed as the priest shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
The sound of the gold bells ringing signaled the arrival of the bride. The guests marveled at her beauty, their eyes drawn to her as she entered the hall. Her dress accentuated her perfect figure, her curves highlighted by the delicate fabric. Everyone envied Orig for having such a stunning woman by his side.
As Taya stood before him, her heart raced. In her previous life, no one had attended their wedding. The marriage had been a cold, obligatory affair. But now, the entire kingdom of Rose, including its king, had recognized their union. This wasn't just a marriage—this was a power move, a public acknowledgment of her place at Orig's side.
Orig's eyes met hers, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of something in them—uncertainty, perhaps. Taya couldn't hold back any longer. She leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper, but carrying a heavy weight. "Hear me out, Orig. Do not expect to get an heir from me. I would rather die than let someone like you touch me. You satisfy your desires with what you call a 'physical relationship with benefits.' I am not like Meral, Orig Dessmann. Don't think you'll use the same system on me."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. She could feel the shock in Orig's gaze as he tried to process her blunt declaration. His red eyes widened, and for a brief moment, she saw a flicker of something—perhaps regret, or realization.
Taya smirked, her heart pounding in her chest. "No love, then no fair deal between us," she thought, her gaze never leaving his.
In her previous life, Orig had betrayed her with Meral, a woman he had saved and cared for—right before her eyes. Taya would never forget the pain it caused her. She would not allow him to repeat the same mistakes.
Orig was stunned. He thought she was insane for saying such things on her wedding day. Even the priest, who was officiating the ceremony, seemed taken aback by her words. He stammered, unsure how to proceed.
"Come on, let the groom kiss his bride," the priest urged, his face pale and shaken. This was, without a doubt, the most bizarre wedding he had ever witnessed.
In a sudden motion, Orig pulled Taya close. Her waist pressed against his chest, and she could feel the heat radiating from his body. His warm breath tickled her neck, and she realized that, for the first time, he had lost control. She couldn't push him away, couldn't even ask him to stop. She was too lost in her own thoughts as his lips pressed against hers.
But this kiss was different. It wasn't filled with love or tenderness—it was a promise. A promise that he would not let her succeed in her plans. A silent vow that he would thwart her at every turn.
"Damn it," Taya thought, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. "My heart can't stop racing." She stared at him, feeling both helpless and strangely exhilarated by the chaos that had only just begun.
---