The Labyrinth of Negrastir

Marital Alliance

Ever since that incident, I kept running into Vanir when I least expected it. The bridge, once my favourite spot, now put me off.

Like me, the prisoner would seek refuge from the chaotic palace each night, losing himself in the mesmerising sight of the twinkling stars, and only retreating when the clock struck past midnight.

He was getting on my nerves, he truly was. And what was that talk about taking on this world together, anyway?

I had travelled all the way from the past to ensure his demise, not to support his sinister aspirations of obliterating the world!

And as if things weren't already difficult here, he added to the misery by informing the Chief Maid that I would be relocated to the castle, where I would be taking care of Nessa together with Lara.

What made my blood boil, however, was not this.

Not only did that guy demand that I bring him food and drinks, which were beyond my official duties, but he also insisted that I try them to check for poison.

What did he say, again? Oh, right: 'I can't afford to take ill so you get sick in my place.'

Was I some kind of puppet who had to kick the bucket for him just because he couldn't afford to get sick? What a joke!

Today, however, there was a subtle change in the air.

For what seemed like an endless amount of time, I shuttled back and forth from the Royal Kitchen to the Great Hall, carrying trays of steaming hot dishes to the prisoner time and again.

But that wasn't the only odd thing.

Vanir rarely discussed the state of affairs when I was around, but on this specific occasion, he made an exception for reasons I couldn't fathom.

In fact, it almost sounded like he deliberately wanted me to overhear him. From what I could gather, it seemed that the Royal Court looked favourably upon an enticing offer that had come from the Realm of Eingum.

"Your Highness, have you thoroughly contemplated the matter?"

I had just taken a sip from the piping hot cup of barley tea I had brought with me from the Royal Kitchen when I briefly locked eyes with the prisoner.

"Since the offer came so untimely, I'm not sure what to make of it. What's your take, Kiah? I'd like to know."

"Your Highness, I believe this offer is of immeasurable value to the Kingdom. With Eingum and Hargelad by our side, the Queen will be left with no choice but to pledge her allegiance to us."

"How old was she, again? The girl from Eingum."

"She should be around your age, Your Highness," the Royal Advisor informed.

My heart skipped a beat and the dish I was tasting threatened to slip from my hands.

Girl? What on earth were they talking about? Hold on a second! Could it possibly be—I flinched.

"Hey, Hera! What do you think?" I put the dish away with faltering hands. "Should I just take them up on this generous offer?"

The Royal Advisor turned his attention towards me. It seemed as though he hadn't noticed me until the prisoner brought it to his attention.

With flushed cheeks, I leaned in so that only the prisoner could hear me and whispered through gritted teeth.

"What are you trying to do right now? Why would you ask me something like this in front of all these people?"

"I'm asking for your opinion since you said you'd turn me into a human..."

"What—"

He raised his voice so that everyone could hear this time. I was so taken aback that I swore under my breath and wanted to bury my head in the sand.

"As a human, if you were given the choice, would you rather accept this offer or partake in a brutal battle for the throne in Eingum? I'm inclined to do the latter but since you promised me—"

"All right!" I blurted out, my words muffled by gritted teeth. "I get it so just stop it already!"

"So?"

I sighed. "Just... just marry her."

As his eyes met mine in a silent confirmation, he asked a question that took me by surprise. It was so absurd that I couldn't even bring myself to respond. Not at first.

"And as a woman? What's your take on this marriage?"

What was he trying to pull off? Why did my opinion as a woman matter? I've already made my stance clear to him, regardless of my gender.

"Your Highness, I don't have an opinion on this matter as a woman."

He raised a brow. "Is that so?"

I let go of the fork I was clutching in my hand all along and managed to conjure a fake smile. I had to change the subject.

"You can eat now, Your Highness. The food is safe."

I bowed my head and was about to go when the prisoner stopped me dead in my tracks.

"Leaving already?"

Wetting my lips, I curled my hand into a fist. I didn't like the tone of his voice. Not one bit.

"Miss Nessa's been feeling under the weather lately. I should—"

"Miss Nessa?" He smirked. "Is that what you call her now?"

"She's the wife of a king. I should address her accordingly—"

A smirk played on his lips. "You still think so after all the memories I returned to you? Don't you think Hera deserves some sympathy?"

"You said it yourself. Hera might come off as tough, but she's got a heart of gold. Treating her adopted cousin with respect, regardless of the circumstances, isn't that a task only she can undertake?"

Instead of answering this question, he allowed me to walk away. We both knew I was telling the truth.

Hera wasn't some kind of monster who'd poison an innocent person, even if she came off that way.

This was exactly why Malachi's accusations against her crushed her heart. He, more than anyone, should've known that she'd never harm Nessa. But he did.

In the end, it wasn't his unfaithfulness that broke Hera, but rather the fact that he saw her through such a distorted lens.

Come to think of it, I don't think Hera loved Malachi the way she was supposed to.

For her, Malachi was a friend who always had her back – someone she could rely on no matter the circumstances.

Perhaps the link between her and me was rooted in this very reason.

I arrived in the past to not only save my people but also to help Hera see things for what they were and open her eyes to the truth.