The girl gave Amunet a magical smile. When her voice finally spoke, it sounded as if a thousand silver bells were chiming together. The entire garden fell silent under that ethereal tone.
The Goddess Reveals Herself:
The girl stepped closer to Zarith. She remained unfazed despite Zarith's red eyes and Amunet's helpless position on his lap. In a calm yet deep voice, she said:
"My name is Sundari. I am the Goddess Sundari."
The Divine Glow:
As soon as she spoke, a strange golden aura radiated from her. She nodded toward Amunet and said, "Do not fear, Amunet. I am the Goddess of all beauty and desire in this world. Your pain and this humiliation have not gone unnoticed by me."
Effect on Zarith:
At the mention of the Goddess's name, Zarith's grip seemed to loosen slightly. His cruelty and malice began to pale before her infinite beauty. Zarith stared at her in disbelief.
Kael's Mystery:
Kael stood behind the Goddess, knowing that only she could lead Amunet out of this labyrinth. Kael said calmly, "Zarith, you said only you have authority over beauty. But the true Mother of Beauty stands before you today."
Amunet reached out toward Goddess Sundari. The trace of blood was still visible on her cut lip, but for the first time, a ray of hope ignited in her heart. Goddess Sundari now turned her sharp gaze toward Zarith.The standoff in the garden reached a fever pitch as the mortal and divine clashed. Goddess Sundari reached out with her shimmering, ethereal hand, intent on pulling Amunet away from the corruption of Zarith's lap.
The Clashing Forces
The Divine Touch: As Sundari's fingertips neared Amunet, a golden light flickered, promising to heal the cut on her lip and soothe her terror.
Zarith's Defiance: Zarith refused to yield. Instead of being intimidated by the Goddess, his red eyes burned with an even more sinister intensity. He tightened his grip on Amunet's waist, digging his fingers into her skin.
The Agony: Forced to stay in his iron grip, Amunet let out a sharp, pained "Ahh..." as the pressure on her bruised body became unbearable. She was trapped between the saving grace of the Goddess and the suffocating darkness of her captor.
The Crimson Stare: Zarith stared directly into the Goddess's eyes, his own red eyes glowing with a demonic defiance. He hissed, "She is marked by my teeth and held by my arms. Even a Goddess cannot take what I have claimed as my prize!"
Kael stood ready, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword, waiting for the Goddess's command. The air in the garden grew heavy with the scent of ozone and ancient power as Sundari's calm expression began to shift into something far more formidable.The story took an unimaginable turn. Just as the tension between Goddess Sundari and Zarith reached its peak, Amunet revealed her true self.
The Gesture of Restraint: As Goddess Sundari moved to attack Zarith or touch Amunet, Amunet raised her hand in a calm yet powerful gesture. Her eyes spoke clearly, signaling the Goddess: "Stop, your help is not needed."
More Powerful than the Divine: Within moments, a cosmic energy began to radiate from Amunet's body, so intense that even Goddess Sundari had to step back several paces. The wind in the garden stood still. Amunet was no ordinary mortal; her latent power was far more superior than that of the Goddess.
Zarith's Shock: Zarith, who had treated Amunet as his plaything on his lap, suddenly felt a shock like a massive electric jolt. Amunet's touch was no longer soft; it was as hot as volcanic lava.
The Victor's Smirk: Still sitting on Zarith's lap, Amunet slowly turned her head toward him. A terrifyingly beautiful smile appeared on her cut lips. Staring deep into his red eyes, she whispered:
"Did you really think I was your prey, Zarith? I was merely measuring the depth of your darkness."
The brilliance radiating from Amunet made even Sundari's divine light pale in comparison. Kael stood by the entrance, bowing his head, for he had known all along who Amunet truly was.After Amunet revealed her supreme power, the atmosphere of the palace shifted entirely. Zarith realized that the one he sought to imprison was the source of an invincible force. Yet, this power struggle led to a strange destiny: to maintain peace in Egypt, the marriage of Amunet and Zarith was decreed.
The Royal Attire: On the wedding day, Amunet was dressed in an unparalleled Egyptian royal bridal gown, woven with pure gold thread. Her neck was adorned with intricate collars and heavy jewelry, highlighting her divine beauty.
The Grand Veil and Maids: Her gown had an incredibly long and majestic train. To manage this massive veil, 10 beautiful maids walked in a row behind her. The fabric was so long that it swept across the marble floors of the royal path.
Zarith's Transformation: Zarith stood beside her with his signature royal elegance. His long red hair glowed beneath a golden crown. His crimson eyes no longer held hatred but a deep sense of respect and fascination.
As the wedding was celebrated with grand Egyptian festivities, Amunet carried a silent melancholy. She knew that happiness isn't always perfect, but she chose this path for the empire's sake. As they took their place on the throne, Zarith whispered:
"You are no ordinary woman; you are the greatest conquest of my life. Our beginning was dark, but our end will be golden."The atmosphere at the grand Egyptian wedding was thick with unspoken agony. While the crowds cheered, a silent, bitter war was being waged through glances and gestures.
The Tears of a Secret Lover
Kael stood in the shadows, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He and Amunet shared a soul-deep love that no decree could erase. Watching her walk toward the throne in her golden robes, followed by ten maids carrying her massive veil, felt like a slow death to him. Every step she took away from him was a stab to his heart.
Zarith's Malicious Provocation
Zarith, sensing Kael's presence, did not offer a kingly grace. Instead, he fixed Kael with a vile, predatory gaze. His crimson eyes were filled with a dark triumph. To humiliate Kael further, Zarith caught his eye and made a crude, suggestive hand gesture, mocking the intimacy he intended to claim with Amunet that very night. It was a silent, filthy boast: "Tonight, she belongs to me, and there is nothing you can do."
Kael's Shock and Confusion
Kael was frozen in disbelief. He was repulsed by Zarith's lack of shame. Looking at Zarith's long, flowing red hair, his ornate jewelry, and his almost ethereal, delicate features, a flicker of genuine confusion crossed Kael's mind: "Is this creature a man or a woman?" Zarith's beauty was so androgynous and haunting that, for a moment, Kael couldn't tell if he was facing a malevolent king or a twisted goddess. But the sheer brute malice in Zarith's gesture confirmed the predator within.While Amunet was distracted talking to her maids and managing her massive gown, Zarith seized the moment. He slipped into the room where Kael was mourning in solitude and locked the door.
In a shocking turn, Zarith's malice vanished, replaced by a cute and desperate aura. He rushed to Kael and hugged him tightly. Falling to his knees, Zarith grabbed Kael's feet, his long red hair sweeping the floor. He pleaded, "Kael, I know your heart beats for Amunet, but my soul burns only for you. Do not cast me away." Kael stood frozen, unable to comprehend how the man who had mocked him hours ago was now weeping at his feet. Zarith looked up at Kael with eyes no longer burning with malice but filled with a strange, soft longing. He confessed, "I may be a king, but before you, I am just someone seeking your love. I know I am a boy, but does my form hold no value to you?"
Kael stood frozen, looking down at Zarith. He couldn't help but think that despite Zarith being a boy, he looked incredibly cute in this moment of vulnerability. His long red hair and the desperation in his eyes touched a chord in Kael's heart. Kael placed a hand on Zarith's head and whispered, "Even as a boy, it is impossible to hate you right now. This madness has made you strangely cute."Zarith burst into laughter seeing Kael's hand on his head. There was no malice in his laugh anymore, only a strange innocence. He looked into Kael's eyes as if a long-held secret had finally been released.
Zarith's Laughter: Zarith stood up, releasing Kael's feet, and put an arm around his shoulder. Chuckling, he said, "Hey, don't be so serious! Forget everything that happened. Don't take it to heart, think of me as a brother."
The Cute Expression: When Zarith addressed Kael in a brotherly tone, Kael was even more stunned. Zarith looked so cute that Kael couldn't help but laugh. Zarith pinched Kael's cheek and joked, "You're blushing more than I am!"
Kael's Relief: This sudden change in Zarith's behavior brought Kael immense relief. He never thought their bitterness would dissolve so easily. Kael smiled and said, "You are truly strange. One moment you're roaring like a lion, and the next, you're cute as a kid."
A Secret Pact: Glancing at the door, Zarith whispered, "Don't tell Amunet! She'll think I can't handle being away from her. Let this moment stay between us."
Outside, Amunet was still busy with her ten maids and her massive gown, completely unaware that inside, a new bond of friendship had formed between her husband and her former lover.As Amunet approached with her maids, she felt a flicker of suspicion. She suddenly opened the door, but what she saw left her speechless.
The Little Servant: Standing right in front of them was a small servant boy. Caught off guard by Amunet's sudden entry and the strange vibe in the room, the boy closed his eyes tight. It was as if he was too shy or scared to witness the unfolding drama between the royals.
Zarith's Playfulness: Seeing Amunet, Zarith let out a broad grin. Noting the boy's closed eyes, he joked to Kael, "See, Kael? Even this little one knows our bond is something special now!"
Amunet's Confusion: Amunet, managing her massive gown, stepped inside. She was baffled by Zarith's transformation. The man who was a predator moments ago was now acting like a mischievous friend to her beloved Kael.When Amunet opened the door and saw Zarith and Kael in such a close position, she completely misunderstood the situation. She thought they were conspiring against her.
"Shame on you!": Amunet stood frozen for a moment. Her eyes filled with pure disgust. She looked at them and shouted, "Chi! (Shame on you!) I never expected this from you both!"
The Little Servant: The small servant boy remained there with his eyes closed, trembling. Hearing Amunet's thunderous voice, he cowered even more.
The Confusion: Zarith tried to maintain his cute smile to de-escalate the situation, but it withered under Amunet's fiery gaze. Kael tried to speak, but Amunet cut him off.
The Exit: Amunet whipped her massive veil around and prepared to leave in a rage. Her ten maids shrank back in fear as she felt her trust had been shattered.Hearing Amunet's voice dripping with disgust, Zarith instantly became grave. He realized his playful antics and strange intimacy with Kael had left a deep wound in Amunet's heart.
Zarith's Plea and Reconciliation
Fear of the Curse: Zarith stepped toward Amunet, his voice trembling as he said, "Amunet, do not misunderstand me! That 'shame on you' from your lips feels like a curse more terrifying than death itself. Kael and I were only trying to settle our past bitterness."
The Departure: Zarith gave Kael one final look—a gaze that held a silent, final goodbye. Without another word, he walked out of Kael's chamber and headed straight for Amunet.
The Royal Lift: As Amunet fumed with rage, trying to walk away while dragging her massive, heavy veil, Zarith suddenly swept her up into his arms. Startled, Amunet instinctively clung to his neck. Within his powerful embrace, she found herself unable to move.
The Soulful Kiss: Holding her close, Zarith brought his face inches from hers. He looked at her lip—still slightly cut and crimson. He whispered softly, "Only I have the right to these lips, and only you have the right to this heart." Then, he pressed a deep, tender kiss onto Amunet's lips.