Confusion was an understatement for what Solana felt. Her deep russet eyes widened as she took in the sight before her—a row of bare-chested men, their collars glinting under the warm light. Their toned bodies were on full display, an array of exotic beauties from across the world.
Her mouth fell open.
"Holy crap," she whispered, flinching when she caught the unmistakable animosity in some of their gazes.
They weren't just attractive. They looked strong—like warriors. The kind of men who had carried an entire nation on their backs. Some bore scars, their muscles telling stories of past battles, while others possessed a sharp, flawless beauty. But none of them looked at her kindly.
Fear. Resignation. Hatred. Disgust.
The emotions in their eyes varied, but none held warmth.
Solana blinked, wondering why they were chained this way. Then she laughed.
"Haha! I must have hit my head so hard I'm seeing things," she chuckled, pressing her fingers to her temple. "There's no way…"
She trailed off as her gaze flicked up again.
The men were still there. Silent. Watching.
Her breath hitched.
The air was too crisp, too clean—nothing like the smog-choked city she remembered. It carried a tinge of earthiness, laced with something rich, warm, and almost intoxicating. Steam curled around her body, wrapping her in gentle heat.
She lowered her gaze and—
"Oh, my god."
Her heart slammed against her ribs. She was wearing nothing but a thin, white robe. A robe that clung to her wet skin.
She could see everything.
A rush of heat flooded her face as she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, submerging herself deeper into the water.
All these men—barely clothed, chained, staring at her—had been watching while she—
Clenching her teeth, she splashed the water at them.
"What are you looking at?!"
The water erupted from her hands—far more than she intended. It wasn't a normal splash. It was as if the water obeyed her.
Before she could even process that, the men moved.
All at once.
With eerie precision, they turned their heads away in perfect unison.
They couldn't fully turn—the chains on their collars held them back—but they obeyed without hesitation.
Solana stared in disbelief. "What the hell?"
Her gaze flicked back to her own hands.
Something felt wrong.
Her fingers twitched, and for a fleeting second, she saw it—a golden glow pulsing beneath her skin. Warm. Flickering. Like liquid fire running through her veins.
Then it disappeared.
That was new.
That was weird.
"No. That didn't just happen…" she trailed off, falling silent.
Her body felt lighter than it should. Stronger. A buzz of energy thrummed beneath her skin, unlike anything she had ever felt before.
And then, she noticed—her legs were longer.
Her waist, smaller.
Her bust—definitely bigger.
Her breath shallowed, lips quivering as she whispered, "This isn't my… body."
As the ridiculous thought crossed her mind, her stomach twisted. Her heart thumped, panic ringing in her ears.
"How did this… where…?"
Before she could say it, heavy footsteps echoed against the stone. Solana turned, following the sound until they stopped. Even then, she could feel it—whoever it was, they were still there.
A figure in full armor stepped into the steamy chamber, stopping just beyond the thin red fabric draped over the entrance.
"..." Solana blinked. Then blinked again.
All she could see was the man's massive silhouette, likely exaggerated by his armor. But when he knelt, her brows knitted together.
"Your Majesty, the King of the Sleonine Dynasty has sent word." The man's rough voice snapped Solana out of her trance. "He seeks peace. Thus, he surrenders and agrees to Your Majesty's benevolent offer."
"Huh?" Solana pointed at herself, utterly clueless. "Did he just call me Your Majesty?"
As far as she knew, she claimed to be of royal blood, not a king or queen. Just a distant relative.
Confused, she glanced at the chained men around her, but none of them reacted. They stood like mannequins—silent, still. Even their breathing seemed unnaturally controlled.
"Your Majesty, the Duke is awaiting your decision. They will soon reach the border of Sleonine." The man's tone remained formal, unwavering.
"Are you talking to me?" she asked, startled by the sound of her own voice—clear, rich, alluring.
The man lowered his head. "Forgive me for interrupting your bathing time, Your Majesty. However, you might want to change your mind before the slaughter begins."
Meanwhile, Solana clapped a hand over her mouth, still hung up on the unfamiliar sound she made.
'Was that really my voice?'
Her mind raced, but the soldier's voice pulled her back.
"I will return once you've finished your bath," he said, taking her silence as an answer that she wasn't pleased by this interruption. He bowed again before rising to his feet. Without another word, he turned and began to leave.
"Wait—"
A sharp pain flared in her skull. Solana winced, gripping her head as the throbbing intensified.
"Your Majesty?" the man asked, his voice laced with concern. Through the blur of steam, he narrowed his eyes, barely making out her silhouette in the water.
"Your Majesty?"
Solana clutched her hair, her teeth grinding as the pain grew unbearable. "I—" Another wave of agony exploded in her head. A searing, unbearable pain sent her crashing forward.
"Ahh!" A scream tore from her throat as memories slammed into her.
Blood. A throne room. Soldiers kneeling—not in respect, but in terror.
"Mercy?" A voice sneered in her head. "Did you ever show us mercy?"
Her body tensed. 'Whose memory was this?'
More images flashed through her mind—like a film reel spinning at four hundred miles per hour.
A crown. Heavy on her head.
A man's throat slit open at her feet, his eyes wide with betrayal.
'Who was she?'
Solana's mouth opened in a silent scream. Water rushed in, choking her.
Then, everything went black.
At the same time, the armored man rushed forward. His breath caught in his throat as his pupils constricted, watching bubbles rise to the surface.
"Your Majesty!"
Panic swelled in his chest. Without hesitation, he lunged into the water, armor clanking as he pulled her limp body into his arms.
"Your Majesty! Wake up!"
Nothing.
His pulse quickened as his face turned ashen.
And then—
A red hue spread beneath her in the water as the smell of blood mixed in the air.
"The Empress has been attacked! Seal the palace gates—NOW!"