Chapter 24

We got back to Guham after a long hectic two days journey as I quickly retreated out of the chariot not wanting to stay any more close to King Archer at all, I decided to go to my room instead as I have not seen it for days now.

I got into my room to see it empty, I lay on my really soft bed. I have missed it a whole lot and really wish to come back to it.

Staying in that room with King Archer will be really disturbing especially now that he is acting strange, he said he will let me go once I get better from whatever he thinks might be wrong with me and I think I am strong enough to leave his room, he really needs to release me.

I stood from my bed and walked to my crystal clear mirror looking at the reflection of my freckled skin in amazement, how did those maids do the magic of covering it up that nothing was showing at all!?

"My queen you're back!" Sage Squealed as she ran to me and almost hugged me when she realized herself and bowed still looking excited. I was really happy that she missed me to the extent of wanting to hug me and I wished she hugged me.

"Sage how are you? You look quite pale. Were you sick or something?" I asked worriedly as I tucked her baby hairs behind her ears.

"No my queen, I am perfectly fine, just excited to see you because the castle has been quite boring without your presence" she said in a smile making me blush.

"Aww, I am sure you sneaked in here because I heard that you were warned not to come close to me and by the way how did you know that I will be in my room?" I asked, giving her a fake suspicious look.

"Well, my queen I didn't sneak in" she said and smiled looking straight into my eyes "The king made me your hand maid again and also I came here because I felt like you will be here" she replied making me happier, I couldn't hide my happiness of getting Sage back at least my days of boredom will be over.

But why the sudden change of mind? I was sure of how strict he was with his decision and suddenly he reversed it… Well that's a good one.

"I am glad to have you back Sage" I smiled and hugged her. I could see that she was uncomfortable hugging me hence it isn't usual for a maid to be so formal with her mistress, but I don't care, I want Sage to be my friend.

"I have a welcome surprise for you packaged by the king" The king? What kind of surprise could that be?

"What's that? Please don't keep me in suspense" I said curiously as the door gradually opened as it revealed my two best friends, Seren and Rosamund.

What's going on here!…

"Seren! Rose!… How did you guys get here!?" I was surprised as I hurried to them and gave them a quick hug.

"Well a guard came to pick us saying that he was sent by the king, so we can't really tell the full story" Rosamund said in a wide cute smile "The good thing here is that we got to see each other, right Seren?" I noticed Seren's eyes on my belly, she will definitely have a lot to ask.

"Pearl, you look great as royalty, gosh! And you added so much weight… Your hair? Why is it black instead of red?" Seren is the very observant one and I know that she won't give me a breathing space, she will literally ask me all the questions on Earth.

"I will excuse you, my queen," Sage said as my friends gave me that knowing smile.

"Yes, and please do well to come back. The dye on my hair needs to be washed off," I said as she bowed and left.

I turned back to my friends, amazed by their sudden appearance, they are the last persons I ever thought would visit me!

"Come on girls, let's sit and discuss," I said, pulling them to the bed.

"Queen Pearl, is there something you ain't telling us?" Seren started as I bit my lips.

"Something like what?" I asked, pretending not to know what she was talking about.

"Something like that" she said pointing at my bump as I sighed.

"Oh this? Well it's a long story for another day" I said as I lay tiredly on my bed.

"That day is today, so you are telling us why you are the only wife that is pregnant and why you got pregnant so fast… Sorry for sounding toxic" she said as the both of them stared at me dramatically.

I sighed not knowing how to tell them about my rape story, that sounds insane and no normal being would believe that.

"Well, I'm married now so everything is possible, let's just change the topic into something else please" I replied frustrated by the thought of actually having a rape baby.

"So how has King Archer been treating you? Because he seems to love and care for you so much" I sighed on hearing that for the second time.

"He doesn't love me, stop saying that please… He acts like a king that he is for sure" I said not knowing if I am right or not.

I mean, behind all the ruthless attitudes he still pays attention to what I need even if he does it anonymously because he doesn't want to be seen as a caring man, but I notice it.

I guess he brought my friends to me because he knows how important they are to me, and he has also brought my hand maid Sage back too… Or maybe he is acting out of jealousy, maybe he is trying to hold me back from loving another man.

"You ain't even sure of what you said, King Archer loves you and it's obvious, he might be acting all cruel and ruthless but we all know it's his life style and you can change him if you want" Seren said as a bit my lips, she keeps on reminding me of words I have heard before and they are all difficult.

King Archer is a crowned Casanova and to change him is actually close to impossible! A man that fvcks every creature that has a vagina even when he is married to five women can't be changed.

"You all keep talking about changing king Archer's lifestyle when you know that it's impossible, he grew up with that lifestyle and the belief that women don't deserve to be loved… His father shaped him into that already and it's stuck to his brain, I can't change him, he has many wives and none of them could change him then why do you all think that I, the newest wife would?" I was confused and frustrated.

"Well, I can help" Rosamund gave me that knowing smirk as I rolled my eyes at her knowing what she had in mind.

"No way Rosamund, you don't expect me to seduce him right?" I retorted in a narrowed gaze.

"Common! That's not seduction! You are only luring your husband to want you and you alone, like to make him obsessed with you and only crave to have you"

"You know that I am not his only wife right? I can't do such, I can't make him stop caring for his other wives, that's me being selfish and by the way, I don't love him and I don't care about who he fvcks" I uttered bluntly as they all gazed at me in shock.

Well I don't care about who he fvcks hence he doesn't touch Sage. Again.

"You didn't say that Pearl! That is wrong, you can't say that about your husband!" Rosamund said as she slapped my cheeks a little bit hard.

"Listen Queen Pearl" She started, the sound of the title sounds weird coming from them "You are in a competition right now but I am sure you're just too blind to notice that, The king married Four wives including you and they all wish to have the king's attention one way or the other" she bite her lips, yeah indeed I am in a competition expecially with Zinnia, I don't think I am in a competition but Zinnia sees me as a competitor, so stupid.

"One day you will need the king's love and attention but you might not get it again because one of his wives will definitely win his heart, you have to take advantage of his growing love for you and get him at your beck and call, do not consider the other wives, just think of yourself alone. By the way you have his child… So that's a plus" Rosamund said and I was getting to understand the point she was making.

She is 100 percent right! Zinnia definitely tries hard to get closer to the King because the King doesn't really pay attention to her as he might be doing before, she was once the King's favorite and now she no longer gets the king's attention.

I have noticed that she is trying hard to get me out of this castle as she sees me as a barrier.

And for Lula, She has said words to me that shows that she also sees me as a competitor, she warned me strictly the first time she approached me, for Felicity and Snow I think they might be worse as they are just too quiet and it's becoming suspicious.

By the way I need love and attention indeed, as a pregnant woman at times I just wish to make Archer suffer for putting his seed in me illegally without my consent, sometimes I need a good massage from the father of my unborn baby and not from some soft hand maid.

Maybe Rosamund is right, I should win the King's heart. I am married to him and There is no going back so I have to get his attention to enjoy this marriage better.

@pop precious