Antena secretly followed the trail left by Altarf, determined to infiltrate the Dragon Realm. Upon reaching the kingdom, she was confronted by the guards, who immediately detained her; no human was ever allowed to set foot in their world. Antena resisted capture, but her efforts only led to her being presented before the Dragon King as a suspected spy.
Altarf, seated regally on his throne, was visibly shocked by her sudden appearance.
"I followed you here on purpose," Antena admitted, her voice steady despite the tense atmosphere.
"What do you want?" Altarf asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I owe you my life. Let me repay you—make me your servant or anything else you wish. I'll do whatever it takes to clear my debt," she declared resolutely.
Altarf considered her words carefully before finally speaking. "Very well. Since this realm is perilous for your kind, I'll assign you as my personal attendant." With that, Antena was freed from her chains and escorted to the royal quarters.
The King's Chambers
Antena followed Altarf through grand corridors adorned with carvings of dragons and guarded by vigilant sentries. They climbed an endless staircase until they arrived at a sealed room. Altarf pushed the doors open, revealing a lavish but surprisingly understated space.
"You'll live here with me from now on," he stated firmly. "Do not leave without my permission."
Antena's curiosity bubbled over. "Who are you, really?"
"Just call me Altarf," he replied evasively.
"Fine, then you can call me Antena," she said, meeting his gaze unflinchingly.
After their brief exchange, Altarf left her to rest. Antena, exhausted from the day's ordeal, curled up on the sofa, her mind racing with questions about the enigmatic man.
Her First Day as a Servant
At dawn, a maid brought Antena a plain servant's uniform. Dressed and ready, she was led to the grand throne room, where Altarf sat in regal splendor. As Antena entered, the gathered court fell silent, captivated by her striking beauty. Ordered to kneel before the king, Antena obeyed without hesitation.
But Altarf's reaction stunned everyone. With a swift motion, he hurled a dagger, killing the two guards who had spoken the command.
"Stand by my side," he ordered in a voice that brooked no argument.
Antena rose and took her place beside the throne, standing vigil as Altarf managed the kingdom's affairs. Hours passed before Altarf finally dismissed her, instructing her to return to his chambers.
Whispers and Rumors
On her way back, Antena overheard hushed conversations among the palace staff.
"The king's never been this harsh before."
"That girl… she's no ordinary servant. Did you see her face? Even I can't forget it."
"Be careful what you say. If she's important to the king, we could pay dearly for gossiping."
Antena ignored the murmurs, but unease crept into her heart. Altarf's ruthless behavior disturbed her, yet she dared not confront him.
An Unsettling Night
Later that night, Altarf entered his chambers and, with unwavering authority, demanded, "You'll sleep here—with me."
Antena hesitated, but Altarf's patience was short. He pulled her onto the bed, positioning himself on one side while she cautiously kept to the other, wary of his unpredictable nature. Sleep came uneasily, with Antena remaining alert throughout the tense night.
A Dangerous Mission
The next day, Altarf assigned her a task: collect medicinal herbs from the forest. Antena complied, venturing into unfamiliar terrain. However, while gathering herbs, she was attacked by a masked figure. The assailant's clumsy moves made them easy to subdue, and Antena quickly unmasked them—a young, strikingly beautiful woman.
"Why did you attack me?" Antena demanded.
The woman didn't answer. Instead, she flung dirt into Antena's eyes and escaped.
Despite the encounter, Antena completed her mission and returned to the palace at dusk. Altarf, however, was furious.
"Why are you late? Do you realize what could've happened if the herbs were urgently needed?" he bellowed.
Antena apologized, but Altarf was unrelenting. "Guards, administer 100 lashes!"
Bound and helpless, Antena endured the punishment, her body collapsing under the brutal blows.
A Surprising Ally
When she awoke, Antena found herself in a clean gown, her wounds dressed. A man she didn't recognize stood nearby.
"Who are you?" she asked weakly.
"Levin. Altarf's younger brother," he replied.
Levin's calm demeanor was a stark contrast to Altarf's. He handed her a medicinal drink, watching as she cautiously inspected it before taking a sip.
"Rest. You'll heal faster if you don't strain yourself," he advised.
Later, Levin met with a shadowy figure.
"That girl isn't ordinary. We'll need to tread carefully around her," he warned.
An Uncertain Future
As Antena recovered, she grappled with conflicting emotions. Altarf's cruelty was undeniable, yet he had also saved her life. What did he truly want from her? And who was the mysterious girl who attacked her?
Antena knew one thing for certain: her journey in the Dragon Realm was far from over.