Chapter 3 The Court of Serpents

The morning after the fifth wife lay in the king's bed, the sun rose like a blade over Ikora's towers. In the Garden of Mirrors, three queens gathered beneath the shade of flowering trees.

Lina,Velira, Rhana, their gowns shimmered, but their eyes were sharp. They spoke in whispers so they will.not be heard by others.

"She did it," Rhana hissed. "The little snake has done it. She shared his bed last night."

"I saw her leave his chambers at dawn," Lina said, her voice low and cold. "Wrapped in his cloak. Smiling like a lioness who's tasted blood."

Velira leaned forward, arms folded tightly. "And now the king ignores us. He didn't call for wine, didn't attend court. She's feeding him words in private while we rot in silence."

"Foolish of us to trust she'd stay in line," Rhana muttered. But at least that useless seraya is down let us be able to breath, Lina clenched her jaw.

As the three wives sat in tense silence, listening to the sounds of the palace - the distant clang of steel, the voices of ministers... and eshara laugh floating on the wind as carries herself as one who was given gold.

"She's in control now," Lina said bitterly.

They looked at each other. And far below, in a cell beneath stone and sorrow, Seraya wept bitterly.

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The throne room had never known silence like this.

Marble pillars stood tall as mountains. The air was thick with incense and unease. Advisors lined the walls. Guards stood rigid with halberds

gripped tight.

Even the birds outside seemed to hush as Mila, the handmaiden, stepped into the throne room. She was shaking.

Her dress was plain, her eyes red-rimmed, her body trembling in fear from the weight of what she was about to do.

King Kael sat on the blackstone throne, dressed in midnight robes. Eshara stood beside him now, not behind. Her hand rested on the throne's arm-his arm. She watched Mila approach with a smirk, her fingers tightening slightly.

The girl bowed low.

"Your Majesty," Mila said softly. "Forgive me.

Kael's gaze was sharp. "what brings you here? If it is the case of Seraya, get lost.

"No..yes" she replied. I came because i know that the queen will never betray you.

Eshara's eyes darkened.

Kael's jaw clenched. "seeking death little one"

Mila stepped forward, tears brimming. "i don't know what happened but am sure that there is a misunderstanding somewhere.

Eshara snapped, "Lies! Maybe you have known Seraya had an affair this and have kept it secret. My king, she is nothing-"

"Silence," Kael growled. He rose from the throne.

"Mila," he said slowly. "Do you know why you are still breathing till now?"

Her hands trembled.

Kael stared at her. A full minute passed.

Then, at last, he gave a single nod to his guards.

"Bring Seraya."

And behind the throne, Eshara's fingers curled into fists.

And in the cells below, a chained queen felt a shift in the air as if the walls had finally begun to crack.

The grand doors creaked open, and from the darkness beyond, two guards emerged-dragging behind them Queen Seraya.

She no longer walked like royalty. Her gown hung in tatters. Her hair was matted, her wrists bruised. But her eyes-though tired-still held the faint ember of the queen she once was.

She looked up and saw Kael on the throne.

And beside him, the snake herself Eshara,

standing tall in crimson and gold. Seraya's heart clenched.

But it was Mila who broke the silence, falling to her knees again before the king. "Please, Your Majesty. She has suffered unjustly. Please investigate this matter.

Kael's jaw tightened. His knuckles went white.

He descended the steps, heavy-footed, walking past Seraya without a glance, then he asked a question what were you during at that time instead of being in the feast. Seraya couldn't say anything cause she didnt know how she ended up there either. He stared down at Mila. There you have it.

"Mila, You disobeyed royal law. Spoke up for a traitor.

Mila's eyes widened. "I-I only spoke truth, my king..."

Kael raised his hand.

"Fifty lashes, In the square. At dawn."

The court gasped.

Seraya lifted her head weakly. "No..." she croaked.

Mila's face went pale, but she bowed her head. "If that is my punishment, I accept it. I only regret I couldn't save her from this ."

Kael's fury burned hotter. He turned away from them all, his cloak snapping behind him like a flame.

"I will not be made a fool again!" he roared. "Let no one speak of Seraya in my court!

He stormed toward the exit, his guards scrambling to follow.

Eshara trailed behind, her eyes gleaming with fake concern. "My king-please-let me soothe your spirit. You don't have to carry this rage alone..." But Kael didn't stop. He vanished through the towering doors, his anger echoing long after he was gone.

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The summons echoed across the fifty-seven kingdoms like a divine command.

From the mountains of Zurar to the coasts of Darenhold, from icebound citadels to desert palaces, banners were raised and riders dispatched. One message was clear:

"By order of King Kael Aruzi, all rulers, nobles, and chieftains of the 57 kingdoms are to appear at the Royal Square of Ikora on the seventh day for a public decree and punishment."

The capital swelled with processions. Flags waved. Trumpets blared. Rumors spread like wildfire.

And at the center of it all, the Square of Ikora rebuilt into a stage for wrath.

The seventh day dawned blood-red.

Thousands gathered. The entire royal court, commanders, nobles, servants, and kings from distant lands stood in respectful silence. The gallows loomed in the background. The whipping post stood in full view.

Kael stood on the high platform, dressed in black and gold. Beside him, the four wives, Lina, Velira, Rhana, and Eshara, watched from their seats. And in chains before the crowd stood Mila, trembling and sad.

Kael's voice rang out, deep and commanding.

"Let it be known across all kingdoms. In my palace, there shall be no betrayal. No defiance. No deceit."

He raised his

"Bring the handmaiden. Begin the sentence. Fifty lashes. By royal decree."

Gasps rippled through the crowd as Mila was tied to the post. The whip cracked through the air, and with it the pain began. Blood streaked down her back. Mila screamed and cried her heart out. She bit her lip, eyes staring into the sky.

Ten lashes.

Twenty.

Thirty.

The people began to murmur.

By the fiftieth, Kael raised his hand again. "Release her."

Two guards untied her, and Mila collapsed into a heap.

Then Kael's voice deepened.

"And now... the second decree."

Two guards dragged Queen Seraya forward. She wore no crown, only chains. Her once-fine hair tangled, her face gaunt but proud. The people recognized her.

She stood before Kael, and he looked down at her.

"Seraya of Kezara," he declared, "you are hereby stripped of your title as queen. You are to be remembered not as consort, but as traitor, a cheat, a halot.

The crowd grew tense.

Kael continued, eyes locked on hers. "You will be a slave for the rest of your life.

A stunned silence followed. Then a voice called out,

"No, execute her, how can she cheat on the king." That is the law of the land.

Execute her!! execute her!!. Voices from the crowd shouted.

SILENCE, I KING KAEL HAS SPOKEN.