As Zarith pinned Amunet against the wall of the secret chamber, her condition was agonizing. She had just finished her bath with Kael, so her long hair was still completely wet.
The Scent of Wet Hair: When Zarith pulled her close, the cold water from Amunet's hair dripped onto his heated skin. The enchanting scent of Kael's perfume and her damp hair only infuriated him further. He wrapped her wet locks around his fist, jerking her head back to force her to look up.
The Crimson Rule: Zarith's glowing red eyes were now inches from hers. Water droplets from her hair rolled down her cheeks, as if every part of her body was testifying to Kael's touch. Zarith hissed through gritted teeth, "This wet hair drove Kael mad, didn't it? But now, it's in my hands!"
Cruel Union: Zarith wasted no more words. He began to violate her damp, vulnerable frame with his harsh touch. Her wet hair plastered against the cold stone wall as Zarith's every move reminded her that she was now a prisoner in a predator's cage.
Helpless Agony: Water from her hair soaked Zarith's hands, but there was no mercy in his heart. He laid his claim on her neck. Amunet buckled in pain, her wet, disheveled hair shielding her face in shame.
As the night grew darker, Amunet realized that her peaceful bath with Kael had turned into a cursed nightmare. The malice in Zarith's crimson eyes was slowly breaking her spirit.Zarith's crimson eyes glowed intensely in the dark. Amunet's damp body was still trembling violently, water from her wet hair mixing with the tears on her cheeks. Zarith loosened his grip on her hair slightly but did not let her go. He brought his lips dangerously close to her ear.
His voice carried a toxic, mocking tone. He whispered:
"How did it feel, Amunet? Isn't this burning fire of mine more satisfying than Kael's cold, sacred touch?"
Zarith didn't stop there. He gripped her chin firmly with his fingers, forcing her to look at him. He laughed softly and continued:
"Tell me, Amunet... don't be silent. Kael takes you to heaven, but I give you a taste of hell. And you know very well that the pull of hell has always been stronger for you. Did the authority in these red eyes not set your wet skin on fire?"
Amunet couldn't find the words to answer. No sound came from her throat, only a long, agonizing breath. Zarith's question—"How did it feel?"—felt like the lash of a whip against her soul. She realized Zarith wasn't just breaking her body; he was shattering her mind.Zarith's toxic mockery finally snapped Amunet's restraint. Consumed by fury and loathing, she could no longer hold herself back.
The Slap: Gathering every ounce of her strength, Amunet swung her right hand and slapped Zarith hard across his face. The sound of the slap echoed sharply through the silent, secret chamber. Her wet hair whipped across her face as she stood there gasping, her eyes now burning with hatred instead of fear.
Zarith's Reaction: Zarith's head jerked to the side from the impact. For a moment, he remained deathly still. But then, something chilling happened. Instead of exploding in rage, he began to laugh hysterically. His crimson eyes glowed even brighter in the shadows. Rubbing his cheek, he chuckled, "Bravo, Amunet! This is the fire I wanted to see. In Kael's arms, you became a kitten, but it took my touch to wake up the lioness within you!"
The Brutal Counter: Suddenly, the laughter stopped. His expression shifted into one of pure predatory violence. He grabbed both of Amunet's wrists, pinning them against the wall with such force that she winced in pain. Staring deep into her eyes with his glowing red gaze, he hissed, "You slapped me? Do you have any idea how you'll pay for this insult? From this moment, the game is no longer romantic... now, there is only dominance!"
Amunet realized she had poured gasoline on a fire. Zarith's laughter and those red eyes told her that the true nightmare of the night had only just begun.Zarith's "discipline" from the night before had left Amunet mentally shattered. As morning broke, she was back in her chamber, but the scars of the nightmare remained etched in her mind.
A Melancholy Morning: The golden morning sun streamed through the palace windows, but to Amunet, everything looked gray. She sat on a sofa, her hair dry now but disheveled. A bowl of fruit sat before her. She listlessly picked up a piece and began to eat, though it tasted like nothing. Her eyes were swollen—stones formed from a night of weeping.
The Maid Behind Her: Standing directly behind Amunet was the beautiful maid Zarith had threatened. She stood with her head bowed, her face a mask of guilt and fear. She reached out to comb Amunet's hair, her hands trembling. She knew she was now Zarith's spy.
The Cruel Punishment: Last night, Zarith hadn't just hurt her physically; he had imposed a psychological torment. Before leaving, he had declared, "From now on, this maid will be your shadow. Every time you meet Kael or think of Seth—she will report to me. This is the price for your slap."
Amunet's Emptiness: As she chewed the fruit, she wondered if Kael was still asleep. Did he know where she had been? She touched her neck, feeling the dark bruises left by Zarith's teeth.
Suddenly, the maid whispered in a low, shaky voice, "My Queen, Lord Zarith is waiting outside. He wishes to take you to the gardens."
The fruit slipped from Amunet's hand and fell to the floor. Even in the bright morning light, she felt the darkness closing in again.When Amunet reached the garden, she found Zarith already waiting for her. Under the sweet morning sun, looking at Zarith, it was impossible to tell how terrifying he had been the night before. He sat comfortably in a royally carved chair.Zarith's long red hair falls over his shoulders. He wears white royal robes and golden ornaments that glisten in the sun. But most terrifying are his crimson eyes—which filled with a demonic joy the moment he saw Amunet.
Amunet's Arrival: Amunet slowly stood before him. Her legs were trembling, but she tried to keep herself composed. Zarith scanned her from head to toe and let out a strange smile.
Zarith's Hospitality: With a gesture of his hand, Zarith pointed to a seat and said, "Come, Amunet, sit. You need this fresh morning air. Your face looks quite pale after the strains of last night."
Amunet sat opposite Zarith without a word. The colorful flowers and the chirping of birds felt like a mourning song to her now. Zarith picked up a grape from the table, held it toward Amunet, and whispered:
"You know, Amunet, this garden is my favorite. Sitting here, it's easy to see people's true colors. Tell me... has Kael still not found those 'gifts' I left on your neck?"
Amunet tried to hide the bruises on her neck with her veil. She realized Zarith was plotting a new way to humiliate her in front of everyone.
Zarith leaned back in his chair, his sharp crimson eyes fixed on Amunet. That mysterious, cruel smile never left his lips. He picked up a bright red, sweet cherry from the bowl on the table.
Zarith's Gesture: Zarith played with the fruit for a moment before suddenly placing half of it in his mouth, leaving the other half protruding. He then gave Amunet a terrifying yet intoxicating look with those red eyes. His gesture was clear—he wanted her to lean in and take the rest of the fruit directly from his lips.
Amunet's Hesitation: Amunet sat frozen. She felt like she was sinking into quicksand. Despite the bright sun in the garden, their corner felt shrouded in a primitive darkness. Zarith's silent command was a deep humiliation, yet she was helpless under his gaze.
The Kiss-like Moment: Amunet slowly leaned toward Zarith. His hot breath brushed against her face. As she touched her lips to the cherry held between his teeth, it felt less like eating fruit and more like an intense, burning kiss. Suddenly, Zarith pressed his hand against the bruises on her neck, forcing her closer in pain.
Zarith's Demonic Joy: The sweet juice of the cherry smeared across their lips. At that moment, Zarith let go of the fruit and claimed her lips instead. For a second, Amunet felt like she couldn't breathe. Zarith pulled back, returning to his relaxed posture, and laughed, "How was it, Amunet? Isn't my cherry sweeter than the breakfast Kael serves you?"
Just then, a shadow appeared at the garden entrance. Kael was likely heading toward the garden, searching for his Amunet. Zarith stopped laughing and stared intently at Amunet. He realized Kael was likely approaching the garden. Seizing this opportunity to further terrify Amunet and utterly humiliate her in front of Kael, Zarith devised a new cruel plan.
Zarith's Cruel Command: Zarith suddenly leaned toward Amunet. The crimson fury had returned to his eyes. He whispered into her ear, "See who's coming? Now, come sit on my lap. Right now!" His voice held an irresistible command that Amunet dared not defy.
Forced onto His Lap: Amunet froze with fear. But Zarith paid no heed to her hesitation or resistance. He grabbed her by the waist and, with a swift tug, pulled her onto his lap. Amunet's damp hair splayed across Zarith's royal robes. She trembled on his lap, like a helpless bird caught in a hunter's grasp.
Kael's Arrival: Just at that moment, Kael entered through the garden entrance. His eyes were filled with worry and a searching gaze. But as his eyes landed on Zarith's chair, what he saw froze his entire body. Amunet was sitting on Zarith's lap, her face pale with fear, while Zarith looked at Kael with a victorious smile.
Zarith's Demonic Joy: Zarith tightened his grip on Amunet, pressing her closer to him, and then let out a roaring laugh, looking at Kael. It was as if he wanted to tell Kael, "Look, Kael, your Amunet is now mine!"
Kael's eyes instantly turned bloodshot. The worry on his face was replaced by a terrifying rage. He began to advance rapidly toward Zarith and Amunet, the sword in his hand glinting.Everyone was stunned by Kael's reaction. Zarith expected Kael to explode in rage, but instead, Kael began to laugh. His laughter held no fear or anger; rather, it was filled with a mysterious confidence.
Kael's Laughter: Kael stepped forward slowly, countering Zarith's victorious smirk with a calm smile of his own. He seemed to have anticipated Zarith's cheap trick. He gave Amunet a subtle wink, which helped her regain some composure.
The Maid Eating Fruit: Meanwhile, Zarith's beautiful maid stood to the side, listlessly eating fruit. There was a strange indifference in her eyes; she seemed to know exactly where this royal drama was heading. Amidst the psychological war between Zarith and Kael, she was merely trying to survive.
Arrival of the Divine Beauty: At that very moment, an incredibly beautiful, god-like girl emerged from behind the garden hedges. There was a regal and ethereal aura about her. Her long hair danced in the wind, and her scent instantly transformed the atmosphere of the entire garden.
The girl walked straight up and stood behind Kael. In her presence, Zarith's crimson eyes narrowed for a moment. Zarith realized that the game was no longer just about AmuneKael had brought this mysterious beauty as his trump card.
The girl gave Zarith a charming yet cold smile. Sitting on Zarith's lap, Amunet could feel that the arrival of this new girl was shifting the balance of power.Amunet, sitting on Zarith's lap, was stunned as she looked at the newcomer. Despite Amunet's own breathtaking beauty, this girl's ethereal charm was mesmerizing. Her skin glowed like the first light of dawn, and her eyes held a mysterious blue aura.
Amunet's Appearance: The garden was filled with a strange energy. Amunet's damp hair was now somewhat dry and messy over her shoulders. One side of her lip was slightly cut from the cherry or Zarith's bite, with a single drop of blood glistening like a pearl. This wounded look made her appear even more tragic and alluring.
The Astonished Question: Forgetting her fear and Zarith's embrace, Amunet stared fixedly at the girl. In a faint voice, she asked:
"Who are you? Such beauty cannot belong to a mere mortal. Are you a Goddess from the heavens?"
Kael's Silent Smile: Kael didn't answer; he just stood beside the girl with a victorious grin. He knew her presence would shock both Zarith and Amunet.
Zarith's Suspicion: Zarith tightened his grip on Amunet. His crimson eyes were now locked solely on the newcomer, trying to fathom where Kael had found this powerful beauty.
The girl didn't speak in response to Amunet's question. She simply reached out her graceful hand and gestured toward Amunet's cut lip. Her eyes were filled with a strange compassion, as if she wished to absorb all of Amunet's pain in an instant.