• At The Market •
Obed, like many others, swore he wouldn't let anything distract him from his quest for revenge. His sister's murder, a cold-blooded act, fueled his every thought. He knew he needed to stay focused, especially when Ruth was around. Her presence had a way of stirring something within him, making him irritable and determined to keep her at bay. He reminded himself that he had a project to complete - the magic arrow, a tool for his vengeance.
However, when Selah was near, his resolve crumbled. He'd forget everything, his purpose dissolving into a haze of distraction. All that mattered was her. He'd become a different person, completely captivated by her charm.
He was currently in the market, selling goods for Selah along with her. But if he had known about the present chaos brewing around the Golden Castle he will know he needed the magic arrow for his own protection. So he will have to be serious to complete it. Yet, whenever Selah was close, his future, his plans, everything faded into the background. All he could think about was her happiness, her smile.
The day had been consumed by his devotion to her. He'd been selling for her since morning, not even considering going home. Selah, in turn, was happy, praising him for his dedication. He was lost in her world, his own ambitions temporarily forgotten.
Hunger pangs began to gnaw at Obed's stomach. Apples were everywhere, a veritable feast for the taking. He reached for one, his hand instinctively going for a juicy red apple from a nearby bowl. Before he could bite into it, Selah slapped his hand away.
"Come on! We don't do that here," she said, her voice firm. "We don't eat from the ones we're selling. If you want to eat, there's a basket behind you."
Obed looked back, surprised. He hadn't even noticed the basket tucked behind him, filled with apples specifically for their consumption. The apples in the bowls were for sale, not for eating.
Selah, sensing his confusion, softened her tone. "Don't worry about it," she said. "It's a normal thing. You're still learning how things are done here. You'll understand everything soon enough."
Obed nodded sheepishly, placing the apple back in the bowl. He turned to the basket behind him, ready to grab an apple from the designated "eating" pile. only for him to discover that it's damaged ones.
Obed took the first apple from the basket, his face twisted in a grimace. He looked at Selah, who shrugged. He put the apple back and grabbed another, only to discover that every single apple in the basket was flawed. Some had bite marks, rotten, others were bruised, and a few were even split in two.
"Come on, you can't expect me to eat this," he said, his voice laced with annoyance. "I mean you can't be serious about this"
Selah chuckled, "Well, it just means you're not hungry enough. If you're really hungry, you'll eat it. I do eat them also, there's nothing wrong with them. They're just a bit broken, or the insects have been at them. We don't want to sell these to customers, because they've paid good money so they deserve better and we don't want to waste the fruits either. So, it's better we eat them ourselves!"
Obed remained unconvinced, his dissatisfaction evident. He knew she was lying. She didn't want him eating from the perfect apples; she wanted him to eat the spoiled ones. It was becoming increasingly clear that she treated him like as if he is been foolish for loving her. He had seen her and her mum eating fresh, delicious fruit, but never once had he seen anyone of them touch the basket of flawed apples. His mouth was as dry as the desert, and he deserved a decent fruit, just like everyone else.
"What...?" Selah said, noticing his suspicious gaze and the slight smirk on his face.
"Alright then, if you're tired of my help, you should have said so," Obed said, his voice tight with anger. "I'm not going to waste my time watering a stone." He threw away the rotten apple in his hand and started to remove his apron, ready to leave.
Selah stopped him, her voice laced with amusement. "Oh, come on! I was just joking with you! I was teasing! Of course, you can eat from the fresh ones. You've worked hard today, and we still have more to do, so you deserve to eat good. But don't worry, you can eat whatever you like. I've got something special waiting for you at home. I'm sure you wouldn't hesitate to follow me home. I'll have something delicious for you!"
Obed couldn't help but smile. He knew she was teasing him, and he was relieved. His anger was a charade. He wasn't truly upset; he was simply testing her reaction. He wanted to see if she would let him leave, if she truly cared for him, or if she was just using him. Her invitation to her home, however, filled him with a thrill. It was amazing! That's to show she do love him too but just trying to pretend, you know... women things.
"Oh wow! Of course, I'd be glad to follow you home for dinner," he said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. He immediately grabbed a fresh apple from the basket and took a bite.
"Hmm, this is delicious! No wonder customers keep coming back. This fruit is truly special!" He savored the taste, his appreciation evident.
 
               • Golden Castle •
 
"I do not understand why I haven't seen Ruth around. Where exactly has she gone?" Mara asked one of her personal guards, who was standing beside her throne in the courtroom.
"My princess, she hasn't returned from washing the clothes by the riverside," the guard responded.
"Really? I thought I sent some men to accompany her," she said, and the guard nodded.
"You did, my princess, and they went with her, but none of them have returned—not Ruth, either. She probably hasn't finished washing the clothes," he replied.
"Well, that doesn't feel right. The clothes I gave her aren't that many. I want you to go down to the river where she was washing and check on her. If she is still unable to return, I need her here! She should stop washing and come home directly. I need to dress up because I will have important visitors very soon!" she announced. The guard nodded and immediately ran out of the hall.
Mara took a deep breath. She understood very well what it meant that there is no peace for the wicked. However, there is also no peace for a king's too, as they have many responsibilities to manage. When her father was alive, he was a good king to the people, but he still faced challenges due to the sacrifices he had to make to protect the kingdom.
But her situation was different. She had many worries, from Dara potentially returning one day to claim what was his, to her brother Peter. She struggled with how to reveal that she wasn’t actually fighting for the throne for Peter; she was fighting for herself. However, it wasn’t the right time to let him know. She would keep this to herself until she was finally crowned queen.
She needed to get dressed because she was expecting visitors soon—men who had changed their minds about supporting her claim to the throne. After the news of Dara being a murderer—not just any murderer, but a king-slayer and a father-slayer—some of the influential men that once despised her decided to support her. Still, there were those who remained steadfast, believing that Dara wouldn’t commit such acts. They still believed it was all part of her manipulative strategy.
Honestly, the outcomes had changed many hearts. They sent her a letter stating they were coming to see her to discuss her situation. They were supposed to arrive this evening, so they were likely on their way coming, or perhaps they were already at the gate.
 
She was supposed to be dressed by now, but she was still waiting for Ruth. Unable to wait any longer, she decided to send for her. If Ruth returned quickly, she would dress up in time; if not, there was nothing wrong with her appearance, and she would welcome her visitors as she was.
As she sat silently, a guard opened the courtroom door, walked in, and whispered something in her ear. She nodded in acknowledgment.
"Let them in," she said. The guard immediately ran back to open the door, and as expected, the elders walked in. However, she was surprised to see Karl among them.
She thought he might have come to support her or perhaps he was the one who helped convince the others to back her. After all, he had been instrumental in her plans. It was he whom she had approached for advice when her father had recently chosen Dara as the crowned prince of the kingdom.
Seeing Karl, she immediately rose to her feet, eager to pay her respects. As he walked in, she was about to speak when a strange groaning sound began outside, followed by the clash of swords.
Before she could understand what was happening, warriors stormed into the hall, brandishing their swords.
"I don't understand what's going on here, Karl," she said, while Karl smiled at her.
"I don't think there's anything confusing here. Your reign is over. Step down from the throne and bend the knee," Karl responded, his voice deadly.
......The End......
This is the end for book 1, the book 2 is on the way already you just have to wait a bit while it drops, please if you love the book, give me some tips, it would encourage me to work the more.