Princess Evelina Valemont glanced at her reflection in the mirror nervously. She couldn't decide what dress she should put on to attend the Title Conferral Ceremony of her husband, Alaric Stormholt.
He was to be promoted from Knight Commander to General to honor his victory in defending the kingdom's border from their enemies.
"My lady, don't be so tense. Just be yourself. You are so pretty in whatever dress you are wearing. Your husband will be happy to see you." Annie, her personal maid, gently tapped her back as she continued brushing her hair.
Eve looked at her through the mirror, her eyes filled with doubts and insecurities.
She grabbed the quill pen and wrote something on the parchment paper.
When she was only ten, Eve suffered a traumatic experience caused by the Queen's severe maltreatment which led her to become a mute. Since then, she had to write her thoughts to communicate with others.
[ I'm nervous. I've not seen him for a year. We only met once on our wedding day. Many people will attend the ceremony. I'm also afraid to face the crowd.]
Annie smiled tenderly and started braiding her long silver-gray hair.
"Don't be afraid, my Lady. You should be confident and proud to face them because you are the wife of our kingdom's hero." She continued boosting Eve's confidence.
Eve was about to write her thoughts when they were interrupted by the loud bang of the door. Queen Amara barged into her room, her icy glare fell on Eve's figure.
Meanwhile, Eve's body stiffened in fear at the sight of the Queen. Cold sweat formed on her palms as she clenched her fists.
Despite her frightened expression, Eve stood up and politely greeted Queen Amara, courtly bowing her head.
Queen Amara arched her eyebrow as she watched Eve with her scrutinizing eyes. Though Eve was wearing her ugly disguise, she noticed that Eve was properly dressed today like a real princess.
"Leave us," Queen Amara ordered Eve's servant in her commanding tone.
Annie could only look at her mistress worriedly before complying with the Queen's command.
Left alone with the overbearing presence of the queen, Eve stood fidgeting as she lowered her gaze.
Queen Amara sized her up from top to bottom, her lips forming a thin line.
"What is the meaning of this? Don't tell me are you planning to attend the Title Conferral Ceremony today?" Queen Amara questioned her with a mocking tone.
Eve could only bite her lips and nodded hesitantly in response.
Slap!
Queen Amara's hand hit Eve's right cheek, catching her off guard.
"Don't you dare embarrass the Royal family by showing your face in the ceremony! No one needs you there." Queen Amara roared at her.
Eve tried her best to hold back her tears, her palm holding her reddened cheek. Though she wanted to welcome her husband, she couldn't talk back nor defy the Queen.
"You are not going anywhere! Do you understand?!" Queen Amara grabbed her by her chin, her fingers pinching her jaw tightly.
Subconsciously, Eve shook her head in defiance. She had been looking forward to her husband's return so she wanted to see him.
Her response angered Queen Amara further. With a strong force, she pushed her violently, making Eve fall back to the floor.
"Kneel! You deserve some punishment for trying to defy me!" Queen Amara commanded her, kicking her stomach.
Her body always trembled every time she faced the Queen. Once she was angry like this, Eve could only kneel before her in order not to offend her further.
'Please. Let me see my husband. Let me celebrate his successful return,' Eve thought to herself as she rubbed her palms together, begging the queen.
However, Queen Amara would never permit her to join the celebratory gathering for the hero's welcome. Allowing her presence might elevate her status from a weak and forsaken princess to that of the hero's wife.
"Don't be so ambitious. Though your husband is no longer a low-ranking knight, your status will never change!"
She grabbed her hair tightly, pulling it down as she gave her another hard slap.
Slap!
"You are just a daughter of a slave. And you are my slave, Evelina! Don't you ever forget that! Know your place!" Queen Amara yelled at her as she picked up her leather whip and started lashing Eve mercilessly.
Eve remained still as she endured the striking pain in her back. She folded her fingers into fists, swallowing her tears. She was used to this kind of harsh treatment from the queen. Crying would not help her change anything.
Slash!
The slashing sound of the leather whip continuously hitting her back echoed in the room. Her face twitched from one lash after another. Blood began to seep from her wound, soaking and tainting her dress.
'It hurts… a lot. Can someone free me from this misery?' Eve's tears streamed down from the corners of her eyes.
Her only wish was to get free from Queen Amara's controlling grasp. Now that her husband had returned, Eve thought she could finally leave the palace and live with him.
After twenty more lashes, Queen Amara finally stopped hitting her.
"Today, I forbid you from leaving the Lotus Pavilion." Queen Amara ordered sternly.
Eve nodded in obedience to the queen's words. She was powerless against her.
Queen Amara scowled at her one last time before leaving her behind. She ordered her servant to lock the Lotus Pavilion to make sure that Eve wouldn't be able to sneak out.
"Don't let her out. And make sure she doesn't show up in the gathering. Assign several knights to guard this pavilion."
"I shall see to it, Your Majesty," the servant replied.
By the time Queen Amara left the Lotus Pavilion, Eve collapsed, her face almost kissing the dusty floor.
Her clothes were already soaked with blood and sweat. Her malnourished body was so weak. The injury inflicted by the queen made her suffer further.
From her current spot, she could hear the celebratory trumpet, an indication that Alaric and his knights had arrived in the palace.
'My husband is here,' she thought, her lips curling up in a faint smile.
Feeling exhausted, she gazed at the closed door while listening to the loud cheering of the people for the heroes' welcome. With her remaining strength, she used her elbow for support as she forced herself to stand up.
She clamped her hands and placed them near her heart.
'My husband is now a hero of this kingdom. He is my only hope to get my freedom away from Queen Amara.' Eve had those wishful thoughts in mind, hoping that Alaric could also become her hero.
'I must see him at all costs.' Her eyes were filled with unyielding determination.
The door was locked and knights stayed on guard. Eve shifted her gaze to the balcony attached to her chamber. That was her only way out.
However, her chamber was located on the second floor. To sneak out, she had to jump a certain height without alerting the knights.
She traced her steps toward her wardrobe. She wiped the blood on her back and changed into another clean yet simple dress just to conceal her injuries.
In her weak state, Eve managed to tie several pieces of clothes, using them to sneak out of the pavilion. Enduring the pain of her wounds, she climbed down using the tied clothes she made.
She was still halfway to reaching the ground when the bind suddenly broke, causing her body to be flung violently to the ground.
Thud!
She winced in pain as her already wounded back hit the ground with great impact.
'Argh! Did I break my bones?' She thought in tears, whimpering in pain.
She dragged her body up, forcing herself to walk. Pushing through her painful discomfort, Eve hurriedly left the Lotus Pavilion, heading to the palace. She just wanted to see her husband and secretly watch his title conferral ceremony without letting Queen Amara know.
However, the moment she arrived, the Title Conferral Ceremony was done. Her eyes scanned the royal courtyard and finally caught a familiar figure.
Standing in front of King Solomon and Queen Amara was a large man wearing full armor. She could tell that it was Alaric, her husband.
'I'm glad that he is safe and unharmed.' Eve thought to herself, her eyes fixated on Alaric's back.
But her happiness was just short-lived as the beautiful woman standing next to Alaric suddenly spoke up.
"I'm Princess Thalia from the Kingdom Eldara, Averion's Allied Kingdom, whom General Alaric rescued during the battle. Your Majesty, I am here to humbly request from both of you… to further strengthen our kingdom's alliance, please allow me to marry General Alaric."