Weeks passed since King of North and his men have been speeding down the woods. They have stopped only twice to hunt and feed and to empty their stomachs. Daphne has not laid her eyes on the king but luckily, she has eaten to her heart's content and feels so much better. The journey to the palace was a tiring one, surely Daphne can't think of running back to her small kingdom even if she wants to.
The palace is a faraway place and she's afraid she will lose her way if she ever plans something too careless and stupid. But after a long journey, they finally get to the kingdom. Daphne had no idea what she was expecting but it surpassed her expectations. Her mouth was wide open as she looked at the kingdom from her window, the people trading and going about their day.
It was crowded with lots of traders. The kingdom is more successful and bigger than her kingdom. In her kingdom, the marketplaces and streets were always so free, but here, everywhere was tight, people bumping into each other as they walked.
"Make way for the king!" the warrior yelled, and the once chaotic atmosphere changed as they all left the pathway, bowing their heads. Daphne was surprised, it's either they really respect their king, or they fear him. With how everyone had their heads totally bowed, not looking up or moving, Daphne knew it was the latter. The carriage kept going and she kept looking outside the window and soon, they got to the enormous palace.
What was her father thinking? There was no way he would fight a kingdom that was so big and powerful. The palace had a unique design, with a fountain in the middle of it. She looked up mesmerized at three towers with animal statues designing it. The beautiful green trees moved in different directions, giving the palace a cool breeze. Daphne took a deep breath and sighed, she may not like the king but can't deny the palace is beautiful and unique. Daphne was so engrossed in looking around she didn't notice the king's carriage going another way. They got to the front of the palace and finally, she breathed out. She was here. A guard came, opening the carriage door and she came down.
"Good morning, my lady. We would be escorting you to the chambers," the guard said, and Daphne nodded her head. She came here with nothing, just in her undergarments. But at least, the king was kind enough to give her a thick coat. She followed the guard into the palace and people stared as she passed but she ignored them with her head raised high.
The king has a habit of taking princesses and powerful Duchess as his wife or concubine. The amount of power her father holds depends on if she would be a queen or concubine. No one knows why the king takes women as his wife or concubine, but he has numerous, and the palace is chaotic as it comes. All the women fighting for the king's attention. But the new lady was different.
She looks young, her face blank with her head raised high. She didn't bother about the stares, she didn't look at anyone, her eyes looked straight ahead and focused. Everyone marveled at her beauty, her golden hair and blue eyes gave her an ethereal beauty, she looked like a human in an angelic form. But with the small frown that sat on her lips, everyone knew she was going to be different from all the other ladies, especially with the way she wasn't crying or throwing a fit. Most ladies who have been brought to the palace usually throw a fit, crying hysterically to be taken back to their home; a few weeks later, they join the other women to fight for the king's attention. It was pathetic watching all the women and the palace was tired, but she didn't cry, she walked as gracefully as ever. Do the queens perhaps have a bigger competition now?
"This is your chambers," the guard said, opening the double door. Daphne walked in, looking around. It was a small living room, with a basic table and chair in the middle of the room. The walls of the room was painted in a beautiful unique design. There was a table at the end of the room with some empty shelves and a fireplace. Nothing out of the ordinary and it smelled like it's just been cleaned.
"Your servants would be arriving soon to get you ready," he continued.
"Ready for what?" she asked, confusion lacing her tone. The guards couldn't deny how soft spoken and angelic she sounds.
"To meet the other queens and concubines, my lady," he said, and Daphne nodded her head. The guard bowed, taking his leave. Daphne breathes out, she would rather rest her head after the stressful journey, she is in the least interested in seeing the queen or concubine, obviously, they won't take any liking to her. She entered the inner chamber, and at least it was beautifully decorated.
In the middle of the room, a queen-sized bed sat with white covers and pillows which looked soft. A bed bench was at the front of the bed with a small shelf inside for books. The walls are a creamy design with flowers drawn on them. At the side of the room there is a dressing table with a big mirror in front of it. The other side leads to a balcony with glass windows. The design of the room was simple and spacious, there was not too much design, and she loved it. She went to the small hallway, and it led her to the bath house. Daphne sighed, is this her new life now? She didn't get enough time to ponder her thoughts as a gentle knock was on her door. She walked to the door and three women stood in front of her, bowing their heads.
"Good morning, my lady. We will be your ladies in waiting. My name is Agnes, this is Elina, and this is Ava," the one in the middle said, pointing at the other two as she introduced them. Daphne nodded her head, they wore a uniform, a white shirt with a long gown covering them to the legs, then they paired it with a purple scarf and black sandals.
"Nice to meet you three, please come in," she said, and they came in carrying some bags.
"His majesty has ordered us to get you ready for breakfast, after breakfast we will head to market for everything her lady might be needing," Agnes said, and Daphne nodded her head. She watched them do their thing, and soon they bathed her, dressing her up in a purple free gown. Daphne felt so relieved, her hair was properly washed and let loose, she felt refreshed.
"We will head to the dining room first then, you can meet all the ladies," Agnes said, and Daphne nodded her head again. They were quickly on their way to the dining room, Daphne was a bit nervous, she didn't know the type of women she was about to meet and how their attitude was going to be towards her. But she kept an open mind. If they react positively or negatively, it won't be a bother to her.
They got to the double door, and she could already smell the fresh aroma of gingerbread, and her stomach grumbled. The double doors opened, and Daphne walked in. Immediately she did, eyes turned to her and the big dining hall was suddenly quiet. All the ladies looked at her from head to toe, trying to gain dominance but Daphne stared back at them blankly. She had no idea how old the king was, but there were about 15 women here and they mostly looked old. Daphne wondered if the king's Favorite habit was collecting brides.
She walked in fully and the jealousy in their eyes was hard to miss. Daphne was young, she looked like she had never stepped outside of the scorching sun before. Her skin was like that of a newborn, fresh and spotless, and it complimented her golden waves so much. She wore a free gown, but they could all see the outline of her tiny waist and curvy hips.
Which kingdom is she from? Why does she look like an angel? She ignored them all, going to the last seat at the long table and she gracefully took her seat. His majesty has outdone himself with this one, she is young, graceful and beautiful, the way she picked the bread, using her right utensils, she is a young lady who has been taught how to be a lady all her life and they can all see it. She is going to be a problem.
"Would you like some porridge my lady?" Agnes asked me to ease the tension a bit.
"Yes, please," she said and even her voice was so soft. Agnes smiled, serving her some porridge. The lady beside her smiled as she ate, she must have been exhausted from the journey.
"Hello, my name is Sofia, nice to meet you," she said, smiling at her and Daphne, chewed her food slowly, swallowing before turning to her returning her smile.
"My name is Daphne, my lady," she said, and Sofia smiled. Well mannered, proper lady, quite interesting.
"What kingdom are you from?" she asked. Daphne knew at once they heard her kingdom, they would frown upon her the most.
"Evermore Kingdom, my lady," she said, and she could see the logs turning in their heads at the name of her kingdom.
"Evermore? Where is that?" a lady asked, her tone filled with confusion.
"It's very far from the palace my lady, you won't know it," she said, and Stella felt insulted by the young lady. She couldn't help but notice the underlying insult in her words.
"They didn't teach you manners in your kingdom?" she asked, her deep accent flowing in. Daphne smiled, politely.
"I apologize if I have offended you, my lady. I simply didn't mean to disrespect you, I come from an exceedingly small kingdom in a faraway place, and based on your reaction, you never heard of it," she said, and they all stared at her. She is also a sweet talker, she is cunning.
"Is that why you passed by the queen of this kingdom without a greeting?" another lady asked. She was seated at the second seat to the left of the dining table.
"I was famished, I only wanted to regain my strength before I said my greetings," she replied, and Daphne knew she was lying. Of course, she was never going to greet them. Daphne is rather brave, ever since she was young, she was thought to respect people in authority, but Daphne would never bow her head to whoever doesn't deserve it, they shouldn't expect a greeting from her.
"May I ask how old her lady is?" a lady asked, she didn't sit far from her, and she looked around 30 years old. Daphne smiled, something about her made her feel she was a good person, perhaps because she didn't look at her with disdain or jealousy, and she is rather beautiful.
"I am 25 years old," she replied. They were shocked. She looks so much like a young lady in her teens, how did she keep her beauty and body so small?
"Wow, her lady needs to tell me what beauty products she is using, look at me, I am only 28 years old, and I look way older than her," she said, laughing out loudly. Daphne laughed with her a bit, honestly, she thought she was around her thirties, it makes her feel better knowing someone around her age was here.
"Please, eat," she said, and Daphne nodded her head, eating her food. There was no more talk after that and Daphne was happy, she could now eat peacefully. Of course, she knows some of the women don't like her, she is their new competition and prey, but Daphne wasn't scared. Her father has so many reasons why he didn't want her in another kingdom, Daphne tells the truth, she is never the one to hide her feelings or her take on something, no one can bully her.
"Would you be joining the ladies for breakfast, your majesty?" a servant asked, standing behind the king as she looked at his wives from the opened window.
"No," he replied, his voice dismissive.
"Princess Daphne seems to be what the rumor describes her," Antonio said, standing beside the king. The rumors say the princess is very stubborn with a sharp mouth, they also say she is truly kind and loves to have children around her. Looking at the stubborn look on her face, Antonio knows it would be hard to bully her. They won't like her at all.
"She is intriguing," the king said, looking at her as she ate quietly. A lot of times, he has seen his queens and concubines letting go of themselves and acting rather discomposed. But she sat poised, lost in her thoughts while his other queens conversed. Antonio looked at his brother and he wondered what he was thinking. He left the window, walking away and Antonio followed behind him smiling. Is the new lady going to be the one to open his majesty's dark heart? He hopes so.