The King's 11th Wife

Chapter 4: Love At Second Sight

No, impossible, the other side of King Raithen’s mind disagreed. She’s just maybe… he trailed off in thinking about anything. He couldn’t and shouldn’t judge or suspect her.

She is Tallahir’s daughter, and I saved her from the brink of death! She knows it.

“There’s nothing to apologize for, Khran (Head Keeper) Tallahir and Rhovatt (General) Morielle. I completely understand. After all, Prevoya Viarren just graces us with his presence to bless your family, and I can’t take that away from you now, can I?” he remarked instead in a calm tone.

He decided to gather himself together now and be civil toward the high priest. His intense dislike for the latter was not a good example for the Naims that his royal family loved and venerated so dearly. He had to remind himself that he had to at least respect his subjects’ religion, Zehiyya, even though he may have more than one reason to abhor it. Besides, he couldn’t let their religion be the reason for his subjects to despise him and perhaps rise against him and his reign.

“Since I have done the blessing ritual for Rhovatt Morielle’s family and watched her incredible sword exhibition that you barely missed, I will not extend my welcome in this wonderful and hospitable abode, my liege. Please do have a pleasant night with your loyal subjects.” Prevoya Viarren bowed his head to him, and he motioned for his companions, a couple of priests who also had white hair and wore plain teal robe, which was made of silk.

King Raithen was relieved that he wouldn’t share the same air with the high priest for a minute longer.

“Thank you for coming and for blessing us, Prevoya Viarren.”

The Naimheed ruler watched Morielle speak to and smile tightly at the high priest. She subtly ordered Aelor with a nod to take care of the religious leader. To follow her silent order, the head servant and a couple of other servants moved.

King Raithen followed the Prevoya Viarren with his eyes, as the high priest’s small group exited the huge residence. When the latter was out of sight, he regarded Morielle again that hammered his heart into a curious crescendo.

“Please, we have prepared you a table, my liege,” Tallahir immediately told him, taking his attention from the young and female general. He gestured a hand to follow him, and he did move his feet to walk.

He did hear about Tallahir’s adopted child enter Yet’hoda years ago. But he had never thought of checking out the new recruits and trainees. He had personally appointed a special master trainer for the ones that joined the Naim army and gave him the full responsibility for these trainees.

The King also heard about the rising of his head keeper’s daughter in the ranks of Yet’hoda, but he was busy with his duties in the kingdom that he didn’t pay much attention to it. There were subjects that needed his aid when they were hit by the cruel stormy weather where powerful lightning bolts burned and ruined a number of houses and lives during the zata season.

Zata season was the worst two-month season in the world of Orabea. It had alternating devastating lightning bolts, hail storms and hurricanes all throughout the season.

Orabea, the world wherein Naimheed and Reocht Kingdoms thrived, had six seasons with two months long each—spring, summer, barsi that was always rainy, autumn, zata and winter.

Lucky that the Naim ruler had a paid wizard, Voshebb, to keep the royal premises safe from this kind of destruction, but not all his subjects could afford such service from a powerful wizard. Until now, the Voshebb he paid could not do anything to protect the entire Naimheed even though the King was willing to recompense him to protect the Naims. While meager in number, Voshebb in Orabea were generally mercenaries.

The Voshebb told him of a sacrifice to be able to do it, but he didn’t and wouldn’t want black magic to have something to do with it, which was supposedly easier. Nonetheless, every Naim was precious to him.

If he began to sacrifice a Naim every year for everyone, his conscience wouldn’t let him rest even though it was for the good of all. It was a dilemma for him, really. Still, he insisted that the Voshebb must find another white magic way.  So far, the said Voshebb hadn’t delivered what he wanted, thus the ruination.

Now at the elevated area where a makeshift platform was, he sat at the rectangular table prepared for him. Bread, fruits, grilled meat and more other dishes were served before him. He was not particularly hungry, so he just motioned one of his keepers to taste the amber wine first. When it was safe, he drank from the golden goblet served to him by Tallahir himself.

The other guests, who were friends and close neighbors of the head keeper, also sat back down in their respective seats. They would not leave until the Naim King would leave the gathering, which they had no idea when. He was not one who ever left a social gathering early. He always observed his subjects reaction and behavior as they got drunk.

“My daughter has prepared a sword dance, especially for you, my liege,” the head keeper informed him with a smile. He looked at his daughter, who slightly bowed to them after taking her position to perform.

King Raithen knew that the khran wanted to make it up to him, so he’d let him. The Naim crowned head watched as Morielle stand in the middle of a circle that was matted with sweet-smelled violet franji petals that were bell-shaped. It was a few meters away from him, so he could get a very good look at the performer.

As he let his orbs rove on the young and alluring rhovatt, he noticed the peeking single white jewelry around her left ankle as she moved gracefully with strength, to dance in the beat of steel tongue drums and harps, whose musicians were all maidservants of Tallahir’s household and were seated on the right side.

Morielle’s bare feet though looked dainty but strong. Her well-toned arms were adorned by gold dust in a spiral pattern. Her long orange hair was coiled in a messy bun with sticks, pins and jeweled accessories, letting the tendrils of her hair fall in front of her beautiful oval face, making her look even more attractive. Noticeably, she also wore chain thread earrings that made her earlobes look tempting to kiss and lick. He could even feel his groin tense at the moment.

Her stunning body was clad in a fitted top, which had glimmering tiny chains of jewelries of green, red, white and gold. The sexy blue top covered only her small breasts but covered the upper half of her back. This also showed off her bare flat stomach, revealing a golden hoop ring in her navel. She also wore a fitted hip belt with diamonds and a matching glittering blue full-length and flowy harem pants that almost looked like a skirt. These pants hence emphasized her small waist and her perfect figure.

The handsome King’s eyes focused on the single white anklet around her left ankle. In Naim culture, the women wore anklets. One anklet meant a one-man woman, and the white gem meant she was single, while the red gem meant she was committed. Two yellow gem anklets, on the other hand, meant she was not exclusive, and she could sleep with anyone at the same time or could have multiple lovers or husbands.

The young general was focused on her performance, but her dark blue gaze would bump and hold with his now and then. And every time, he caught himself holding his breath and heart pumping hard against his rib cage.

Why? Why haven’t I seen or met you before I married my tenth wife Adrae last year? If I did, I wouldn’t have taken her, his silent regret.