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It was believed that Goddess Aphrodite had blessed the people of Cyprus to have beauty reflected by the pureness of their hearts. The more beautiful you are, means the purer your heart is.
The attitude of a person can be determined in one glance.
And there was Anantari. Her beauty was comparable to that of the Goddess Aphrodite herself. The people of Cyprus worshipped her for her pureness. Kids aspire to be her when they grow up, elders commend her martyrdom and selflessness. Men flock to her side and chose to serve her.
It wasn't long before she was hailed as the ruler of Cyprus.
Anantari made Cyprus prosper unlike before. The people celebrated everyday as though it was Christmas.
One silent afternoon, the peaceful streets was disturbed.
"Who is that?" A citizen whispered to the person next to her.
A mysterious woman roamed the sidewalk wearing a white dress. Her skin seemed to glow and her beauty was the kind that men and women would die for. A beauty that cannot be forgotten, a finesse that makes a tyrant waver in submission.
"Did Anantari become more beautiful?"
"That's Anantari for sure!"
Everyone reached a conclusion. After all, who would believe someone can surpass their ruler's beauty?
However, they are entirely wrong.
It wasn't Anantari. The woman with the enchanting beauty was Kaffele, a maiden who was locked in someone's basement for so long, the reason why no one from Cyprus saw her face.
Soon, the news reached Anantari.
"What?" She stood up from her throne made of gold.
"Yes, a mysterious woman was seen in the streets. It has been judged that she is more... b-beautiful than you."
Anantari let out a sigh. She does not want to feel negative emotions, afraid that it might affect her appearance.
She forced a smile on her face. "I want to meet her. Invite her in my palace all at once."
"Yes, Anantari."
She waited anxiously while tapping her smooth fingers on the armrest of her throne.
How can this be? She did everything in her power to show kindness and she sacrifice a lot for this. Her deeds were so commendable even the heavens would be pleased. How can someone be more beautiful than her?
The sound of the double doors opening pulled her back to reality. She quickly fixed her posture and held her chin high to show dominance.
"Anantari, she is the woman you've wanted to meet."
Kaffele wandered her bright eyes around the hall. Then, she bowed gracefully at her. "It is a pleasure to meet the ruler of Cyprus."
Her voice was as soft and sweet as cotton candy. Anantari gulped down her saliva. "You may rise." She stood and walked towards her. "What is your name?"
"Kaffele. My name is Kaffele."
Kaffele stayed in the palace as a maid under Anantari's orders. She is diligent and always willing to learn. But, there is something strange about the woman.
She is not completely selfless, far from what Anantari expected.
Kaffele does things that puts her self first. She protected her peace and she avoided doing acts that doesn't align with her values.
"We should learn when to be selfless or not." Anantari heard her say to a fellow palace maid while she was passing by. She expected that the woman's beauty will fade soon because she does not put others before herself.
Anantari believed that selflessness is the essence of good. It's the secret behind her desirability.
Weeks passed but Kaffele's beauty didn't fade. If anything, she had become so attractive that people started calling her the next ruler of Cyprus.
Anantari decided to act.
"Sell all of my jewelries and give the money to those who needed it. Also, remove my gold throne and replace it with oak wood. The gold should be for the people, not for me."
Her intentions were good. She gave what she possessed whole-heartedly like she always did, not caring if there is nothing left for her.
But, her beauty didn't come close to Kaffele.
"Why?" She became too frustrated. She called the captain of her knights, as well as Kaffele.
With blank eyes, Anantari ordered, "Kill her."
No one moved. The captain remained standing.
"I said kill her!"
Kaffele's eyes turned serious. "Anantari..."
Anantari gasped after realizing her own words. She covered her mouth and quickly turned to look at the mirror beside her.
She touched her face and looked at all angles. But, nothing has changed. Her appearance remained the same. "W-What..."
"Goddess Aphrodite's blessing has been lifted a long time ago. How can you forget? You are all delusional, believing in something that didn't exist!" Kaffele turned her back at them and walked towards the door. "Whether you are good or evil, nothing will change. The world is not supposed to be fair. Someone will always be better than you."
YOU ARE READING
Why Fiction? (Short Stories Compilation)
Random'Cause magic don't exist in real life.
