Under the warmth of Zarith's embrace and that deep kiss, all of Amunet's anger melted away in an instant. Despite her best efforts, she could no longer maintain her cold exterior.
Blushing Cheeks: Resting her head against Zarith's chest, Amunet felt an intense wave of shyness. Her fair cheeks instantly turned bright red like a ripe apple. She found it impossible to meet Zarith's eyes in her state of embarrassment.
The Racing Heart: As Zarith carried her toward the royal bedchamber, Amunet could hear the steady thrum of his powerful heartbeat. Her own heart was racing just as fast.
The Majestic Veil: Overwhelmed with shyness, she hid her face against Zarith's shoulder. Her massive royal veil trailed behind them, creating a majestic pattern on the floor. Behind them, the ten maids shared secret smiles, delighted to see this softer side of their Queen.
Zarith's Teasing: Seeing her blush, Zarith let out a playful chuckle. He leaned in and whispered near her ear, "Even the blazing sun of Egypt would be jealous of the crimson glow on your cheeks right now."As Zarith entered the chamber with Amunet in his arms, the soft glow of scented candles created a magical aura around them. He gently placed her down on the royal bed with utmost care.
The Gentle Descent: Zarith set Amunet down on the soft silken sheets. She kept her head bowed in shyness, the candlelight dancing on her blushing cheeks.
Removing the Massive Veil: Amunet's grand veil was fastened to her heavy collar, sprawling across the entire bed. With steady hands, Zarith began to unpin the fabric slowly. As the weight of the veil was lifted away, Amunet felt a sense of relief.
The Gaze: Setting the veil aside, Zarith tilted her chin up to meet his eyes. He looked at her cut lip with a soft smile and whispered, "There are no barriers between us now, not even this heavy royal attire."
Peak Shyness: When the veil was gone and Zarith placed his hand on her shoulder, a shiver ran through Amunet. The crimson on her cheeks deepened further.After setting the veil aside, the room grew even more intimate. The candle flames cast dancing shadows of the two souls merged into one. Amunet tightened her grip on the silk sheets.
Zarith's Confession: Zarith moved closer to her. His voice was no longer that of a stern king, but a soft lover. He whispered:
"Amunet, do you know? This empire, this throne—everything is insignificant compared to you. I only wanted this moment, where you sit before me, blushing and mine."
Amunet's Soft Reply: Lifting her head slightly, her cheeks still crimson, she replied:
"I only knew your wrath, Zarith. I never knew such deep love was hidden within you. Have I truly become your Queen?"
The Long-Awaited Kiss: Zarith didn't let her finish. He ran his hand through her hair and tilted her face toward his. He gazed at her cut lip with immense tenderness. Slowly, he leaned in and very gently, with profound affection, kissed her lips again.
The Sensation: This kiss wasn't forced; it was a kiss of forgiveness, love, and a vow for a new beginning. Amunet closed her eyes, letting the sensation wash over her, feeling all her hesitations melt away.Resting her head on Zarith's chest, Amunet remained silent for a while. Then, she suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with deep doubt and a yearning for the truth. Gazing into Zarith's crimson eyes, she asked in a steady voice:
"Will you tell me the truth? You won't hide anything, will you?"
Zarith's Reaction: Zarith was taken aback by her sudden seriousness. His playful smile faded. Taking her hands in his, he replied, "Tonight is the night of our union, Amunet. There is no room for lies. Ask me anything, and I shall answer."
Amunet's Inquiry: Hesitatingly, biting her lip, she asked, "What I saw between you and Kael... and the way you begged me not to say 'shame on you'... is there true love for me in your heart, or is this just an obsession to conquer me?"
The Honest Answer: Zarith leaned in closer. He whispered into her ear, "Listen, Amunet. I knelt before Kael because I wanted him to know that while I won the war, I lost my heart to you. There is no deceit in me. I don't just want you as a Queen; I want you as the only guiding star of my life."
Amunet looked into Zarith's eyes and realized he wasn't acting. In those red eyes, there was nothing but a profound, honest love for her.The atmosphere in the bedchamber suddenly froze at Zarith's blunt and unexpected question. Amunet could never have imagined that in the midst of their intimate moment, Zarith would strike with such a sharp inquiry.
Zarith's Question: Staring intensely into Amunet's eyes, Zarith asked in an incredibly serious tone:
"Did you have a physical relationship with Kael? Tell me the truth."
Amunet's Reaction: The question pierced her like an arrow. Her cheeks, which were crimson with shyness moments ago, turned pale. She looked into his red eyes, trying to discern what lay behind the question—was it suspicion or a possessive right?
The Tense Silence: The candles seemed to flicker violently. Amunet couldn't find her voice for a moment. Her heart hammered against her chest. She realized Zarith didn't just want her body; he wanted to claim every secret corner of her past tonight.Amunet's candid confession sent a jolt of electricity through the chamber's air. She braced herself mentally for Zarith's reaction—expecting him to scream or explode in a fit of rage. But what happened next was entirely unforeseen.
The Mysterious Laughter and Zarith's Madness
Amunet's Confession: Looking directly into Zarith's eyes, Amunet spoke with a fearless voice: "Yes, I did. I had a relationship with Kael, and I had a physical relationship with that man named 'Sath' as well."
Zarith's Strange Laughter: When Amunet mentioned "Sath," Zarith stood frozen for a few seconds. Then, suddenly, he burst into a fit of giggles. His laughter seemed unstoppable. In the candlelight, his laughter combined with his crimson eyes took on a haunting yet enchanting quality.
Amunet's Astonishment: Amunet was utterly stunned. She thought Zarith might strike her or cast her out of the room. Seeing him laugh like this made her wonder—had Zarith gone mad? Or did he already know everything?
Zarith's Jest: Still laughing, Zarith moved even closer to Amunet. Wiping a stray tear from her eye, he said, "Sath? That man? He is a mere speck of dust! Amunet, do you think I am going to dwell on your past? I am laughing because I'm thinking that after everything, in the end, you are right here in my bed, held captive in my arms!"Zarith's laughter died down abruptly. His voice dropped to a low, mysterious whisper that made Amunet's blood run cold. He leaned in and revealed a truth she was never prepared for.
The Terrifying Reveal: Looking into her eyes with a twisted smile, Zarith said, "Sath? Didn't you realize, Amunet? I was Sath!" He revealed that he had approached her in disguise just to test her.
Amunet's Horror: The moment she heard this, Amunet felt like she had been struck by lightning. Her skin crawled with a mixture of disgust and terror. The person she thought was someone else was this cruel King all along! She immediately tried to pull away from him.
The Iron Grip: As she tried to scramble off the bed, Zarith swiftly grabbed her hand. His grip was so powerful that she couldn't move an inch.
The Struggle: Amunet cried out, "Let me go! Don't touch me!" She struggled desperately to free her hand, but Zarith pulled her even closer to his chest, his crimson eyes gleaming with a dark, triumphant obsession.Seeing Amunet's attempt to escape, Zarith's expression shifted instantly. He tightened his grip, but his voice held a strange mixture of dominance and twisted affection.
Zarith's Command: Pulling Amunet closer, Zarith commanded in a low, stern voice, "Shut up, Amunet! Be quiet, Amunet!" His command echoed through the silent room. Amunet realized all paths of escape were blocked by his monstrous strength.
Crying Like a Baby: Unable to handle the weight of the truth about 'Sath' and Zarith's overwhelming presence, Amunet broke down. She stopped fighting and started crying like a baby, burying her face in Zarith's chest. All her royal pride washed away with her tears.
Zarith's Softening: Seeing her sob so helplessly, Zarith's hardness softened slightly. He loosened his iron grip and wrapped his arms around her with surprising tenderness. Stroking her hair, he kept whispering, "Shh, be quiet. I am right here. You don't look good when you cry."
The Scene: Amunet's tears soaked into her heavy royal attire and the silken bedsheets. Zarith held her close with one arm while wiping her tears with the other, just as one would soothe a frightened child.After the stormy night of tears, Amunet eventually fell asleep in Zarith's arms, exhausted. Zarith had held her all night, guarding her like a precious jewel.
The Fresh Morning: As morning arrived, the Egyptian sun peeked through the palace windows with its golden rays. The terror and tears of the night had faded, leaving a calm melancholy on Amunet's face.
The Royal Attire: Amunet is now wearing an exquisite dress. The light silk fabric, embroidered with gold, makes her look ethereal. Her heavy veil is gone; in this lighter attire, she looks like a royal wanderer.
Amunet in the Garden: She is sitting in the palace's vast garden, surrounded by colorful flowers and the sound of fountains. She seems to be seeking peace within nature.
The Three Maids: Standing behind her, ever watchful, are her three loyal maids. They are ready to obey her every whim. Amunet sits in silence, watching the peacocks, but Zarith's words from the night before still echo in her mind.In the quiet of the garden, the maid's words felt like a spark to a flame. Amunet's internal turmoil was only fueled by their whispers.
The Maid's Remark: One of the maids leaned in and whispered, "My Queen, do not be sad. You looked perfect with that shadowSath. When King Zarith was in that disguise, the chemistry between you was undeniable. But with Kael, it just doesn't fit."
Amunet's Question: Hearing Kael's name, Amunet turned around, her eyes filled with intensity. She asked sharply— "Tell me, why doesn't it fit? Why is Zarith, or that 'Sath', better than Kael?"
The Maids' Logic: The maid bowed her head and replied, "Kael might be a good man, but a powerful Queen like you needs a strong, mad lover. What Zarith did to win you, Kael could never do. Kael respects you, but Zarith knows how to possess you."