KING'S QUEEN

The festival of thorns

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Third pov

The palace buzzed with excitement as the day of the grand festival dawned, but for Meera, the joy was tainted with unease. Every step she took reminded her of her precarious position in the palace. The elaborate decorations and bustling preparations seemed more like a battlefield than a celebration.

As Meera moved through the hallways, giving instructions to the servants, she couldn't shake the tension in her chest. The festival was an opportunity to prove herself, but the weight of her enemies' eyes upon her was suffocating. Every glance, every whisper, seemed to carry a challenge, daring her to fail.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Arad, who entered the courtyard with his usual cold demeanor. His presence was like a storm cloud, darkening the atmosphere around him. He had been distant, more so than usual, and Meera knew better than to expect any kindness from him today. Their marriage, a twisted bond born out of revenge and power, was nothing but a thorn in both their sides.

The festival was meant to be a display of unity, but for Meera, it was a painful reminder of the rift between her and Arad. They were bound by duty, yet divided by hatred. Every time she saw him, it was as if a dagger twisted in her heart, reminding her of the cold, calculated reason he had married her.

As the day progressed, Meera tried to focus on her responsibilities, but the tension between her and Arad was palpable. They barely exchanged words, their interactions reduced to curt nods and icy glares. It was as if they were two opposing forces, each struggling to maintain control in the face of the other's presence.

In the evening, the festival reached its climax with a grand feast. The dining hall was filled with the elite of the kingdom, all eager to witness the new queen's role in the celebrations. Meera sat beside Arad, her back straight, her face a mask of calm. But inside, she was a tempest of emotions-anger, frustration, and a deep, simmering resentment toward the man she was forced to call her husband.

The feast was a blur of opulence and formality. Meera smiled and nodded where required, playing the part of the dutiful queen. But every time her gaze met Arad's, it was like a clash of swords, sharp and unyielding. His cold eyes reminded her of the cruel reality of their marriage, and she despised him for it.

Then came the performance.

Dancers entered the hall, their movements graceful and haunting. The story they told was one of love and loss, a tale that mirrored the tragedy of Arad's past. As Meera watched, she could feel the tension in the room rise. The performance was a deliberate provocation, a cruel reminder of the first queen's shadow that still loomed over the palace.

Arad's face remained impassive, but Meera knew him well enough to see the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior. The dancers' portrayal of a love lost to death was a stab at the heart of their already fragile relationship. It was a reminder to everyone present that Meera was, and always would be, the second choice, a mere pawn in Arad's quest for vengeance.

As the performance ended, the hall erupted in applause, but it sounded hollow to Meera's ears. She could feel the walls closing in on her, the weight of her role as queen pressing down on her like a vice. The reality of her marriage to Arad was a bitter pill to swallow, and she could barely stand to be in the same room as him.

After the feast, Meera retreated to her chambers, seeking refuge from the suffocating atmosphere of the palace. But even in the solitude of her room, she could not escape the pain of her situation. She stood by the window, staring out at the moonlit gardens below, her thoughts a chaotic mix of anger and despair.

Her reverie was broken by the sound of the door opening. She turned to see Arad standing in the doorway, his expression as unreadable as ever. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence between them heavy with unresolved tension.

"You handled yourself well tonight," Arad said finally, his tone devoid of emotion.

Meera bristled at his words, her anger flaring. "Did I? Or did I merely play the part you assigned to me, like a puppet in your game?"

Arad's eyes narrowed, and Meera could see the flicker of anger in his gaze. "You knew what this marriage was when you agreed to it. Don't pretend to be the victim now."

Meera stepped forward, her voice low and filled with venom. "I am not pretending, Arad. I know exactly what this marriage is-a prison. A punishment for something I did not deserve."

Arad's jaw clenched, and for a moment, Meera thought he might lash out at her. But instead, he took a step closer, his voice cold and cutting. "And what of you, Meera? Are you so innocent in all of this? Or are you just as much a player in this game as I am?"

Their faces were inches apart now, the air between them charged with anger and something else-something darker, more dangerous. Meera's heart pounded in her chest, her hatred for Arad burning like a fire inside her.

"I never wanted this," she spat, her eyes blazing with fury. "I never wanted any of this."

Arad's gaze bore into hers, and for a moment, she saw something in his eyes that she couldn't quite place-something that made her heart skip a beat, despite her anger. But then, as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone, replaced by the cold, unyielding mask he always wore.

"Neither did I," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

And with that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Meera standing alone in the darkness, her anger giving way to a deep, aching sadness.

As the door closed behind him, Meera felt a tear slip down her cheek. She had been so consumed by her hatred for Arad that she had forgotten the one thing they had in common: they were both trapped in a marriage neither of them wanted. And no matter how much they hated each other, they were bound by a shared pain that neither of them could escape.

The road ahead was long, and the walls between them were high, but as Meera wiped away her tears, she knew one thing for certain-she would not let this marriage break her. Not now, not ever.

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Double update ...
Its like once in a blue moon

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