Episode 16

The king awoke bewildered, a throbbing headache accompanying his confusion. Stretching, he felt the presence of another in his bed; as his senses cleared, he realized they were both unclothed. His gaze drifted to the scattered garments around the room. Rising from the mattress, he shook the fog from his mind and donned his robe, casting a glance at the naked woman in his bed, her outline a stark contrast against the blood-stained sheets.

Struggling to remember, he recalled Lady Zarina's attendance in his chambers the previous evening. She had intended to leave, yet he had restrained her. The kisses and caresses that followed haunted him, as did her pleading for him to stop—the urgent need to remove her dress; her revelation of her virginity as he hovered above her. And then—the void. Nothing but a blank emptiness where memory should reside.

As the woman in his bed stirred, he pondered the next course of action. She awoke, feigned disorientation, and upon glimpsing her sovereign, swiftly reached for the blanket to shield her from view.

"Why would your majesty do this? Why wouldn't you stop? I truly love you, but it wasn't supposed to be this way. It was not only painful but humiliating. I was content with being the second wife, but your mistress? You've made me your mistress, your majesty, and I—I was a virgin!" Lady Zarila sobbed, her cries painting the perfect picture of a victim.

Caught in uncertainty of how to proceed or what to say, the king was in love with this woman. How could he have debased her so? He couldn't even fully recall it all and witnessing Lady Zarila’s tears was excruciating. The bloodied sheets served as damning proof of what transpired—he had claimed her as his own, even without memory of it.

"What shall become of me now, your Majesty? I’m tarnished, a soiled woman," Zarila sobbed, seeking reassurance yet only met with the king's silent confusion. Did he not believe her? What if he had discerned the truth?

The king remained motionless, unable to comprehend his own actions—how had he sunk to this depravity? Lady Zarila had been a maiden, and he had forcefully made her his woman without proper marriage.

Fearing the king's realization, Lady Zarila was uncertain of her next move—perhaps her act had been less convincing than she hoped. She wrapped the blanket around her, intent on fleeing with her garments, absolute fear weeping from her eyes. As the king drew near, her strength waned.

"I apologize, Zarila. Forgive me, I don't understand what came over me. I never wanted to harm you in such a manner; I shall not abandon you. I will find a solution," the king assured her, embracing her gently, as she let out a sigh of relief upon his credulous reaction, preparing for the next part of the script Tesko had orchestrated.

"And what will you do? Grant me a discreet residency to visit occasionally, like a lover? Is that what you’ll do? If so, please, I implore you to be silent, forget what happened, and tell no one. I'd rather live alone, shielding my shame from the world than be marked as the king's mistress after all. It's unjust; ready to be second to an enemy’s daughter, all for love of you, but pride remains—I will not be made a mistress," Zarila declared with a well-measured indignation intended to tug at the king's heartstrings.

The green-eyed beauty hurried to clothe herself as they discussed her fate, moving ever so slowly towards the door, expecting to be stopped as Tesko had predicted while eavesdropping just outside.

The king realized the gravity of his misdeeds, and knew that silence and inaction equated to cowardice. But his mind scrambled for what was best for Majic; his perspective had transformed in mere moments after understanding the backstory of the girl brought to wed him.

Tesko—poised to interject at the king's silence—entered the room, affecting surprise at Lady Zarila's state and the intricately set scene of a passionate evening.

"What is the meaning of this? Lady Zarila, how scandalous to entice the king. Such a thought never crossed my mind! How could you? I took you for a decent woman," Tesko exclaimed with fictitious outrage.

In the kingdom, a woman accused of seduction faced the Moral Tribunal, where, if found guilty, she might be whipped at best, hanged at worst. Such was Lady Zarila’s potential fate, having beguiled a king already bound to a princess from Hurmaya's magical realms.

Swamped with dread, Lady Zarila could not discern whether Tesko's words were genuine or an act. She fell to the king's feet, weeping bitterly.

"Enough, Tesko! There’s no need for such harshness. I alone am to blame, having taken advantage of her naivety, forcing her to be my woman. She has suffered enough and is blameless—her sole mishap was loving me," the king declared, covering Lady Zarila with his cape.

"Even so, your Majesty, this occurred within the palace walls. Your wife resides here too; this cannot be disregarded," Tesko pressed for more from the king.

"I've admitted my fault and will rectify my misstep. I will discuss with Princess Majic the acceptance of another wife. It seems we’ll proceed with your desires, a second wedding with Lady Zarila," the king resolved, leading Zarila away with a supportive hand on her shoulder.

Tesko, a malevolent smile playing on his lips, felt a surge of satisfaction; his scheme had played out flawlessly. He knew the king well—he would not forsake a lady in distress, especially burdened with guilt. The deception was complete.

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