Chapter 21: Another Gift?
~Katrina~
I sat in the carriage, wearing a green dress that made me stand out. My red, wavy hair fell over my shoulders, and the dress hugged my body tightly, revealing a hint of skin. Beside me sat Marissa, explaining the buildings and the lives of the people in Xylonia.
Ahead of us rode Queen Fortuna's carriage, though we hadn't spoken since the journey began.
I had so many worries, and she was the least of them. The king rode further ahead on horseback, not turning to look back until we reached our destination.
As we arrived, the sounds of a large crowd filled the air, like the bustling of a marketplace.
Curious, I parted the carriage curtain slightly, and a wave of faces appeared—hundreds, maybe even a thousand people, gathered to cheer for the king. Were they truly happy, or was it fear behind their voices?
A gentle tap on the door snapped me out of my thoughts.
"It's the guard, milady. We can step down now," Marissa whispered.
I nodded as she exited first, standing beside the guard to wait for me. I took his hand as I stepped down, finally able to take in the sight.
The complex was massive, even unfinished. It was grander than anything I'd seen outside of Xylonia. The king must've spent a fortune on this.
As I admired the building, I noticed the people around us had all gone silent. Every eye was on me.
"Why are they staring at me?" I whispered to the guard beside us.
"Forgive me, my lady. I am forbidden to say," he replied.
His response surprised me. Apparently, he wasn't allowed to converse with me unless it was strictly for duty. I turned to Marissa, hoping she'd answer.
"You look beautiful, milady. Your red hair—it's rare here, so they know you're not from Xylonia. And the green dress with those precious stones…you look like something out of a legend. Everything about you is striking."
I hadn't dressed to catch the crowd's attention—only the king's.
"Maybe I did too much," I murmured, a bit regretful. "I only wanted the king to notice me, that's all."
"I think you've achieved that, milady," Marissa whispered with a small smile. "Look over there—the king is watching."
I followed her gaze. She was right; he was looking directly at me.
I held my head high, feeling a surge of confidence. This felt like the start of a new game, one where I was not just a player but the one in control.
Queen Fortuna didn't seem pleased to see me. Her face twisted with a scowl as I walked closer. And the moment I reached them, she didn't hold back her frustration.
"You took far too long walking from the carriage," she snapped, knowing full well that everyone was watching us.
"There's no need to argue, Queen Fortuna," the king said calmly. "She's here now, and that's all that matters."
Fortuna huffed, turning her back on me. I didn't mind—I was standing right beside him now.
"The word 'stunning' doesn't even begin to describe you," he whispered. I tried not to smile, but his words broke through my guard.
He went on, "If an artist tried to capture your beauty, even the finest sketch would fail you."
He was good with words, too good. I knew better than to fall for them; he was a master at this, after all.
"I'd go to war just to keep you close. I'd fight demons, monsters, men, high priests, kings, and queens—anything to see your face."
Did he truly mean all of this? His voice was so soft, his words so sweet. Maybe, if he stayed in this mood, I could even ask if I might visit his chambers.
"That's all you have to say?" I asked, pretending his words meant nothing.
"Really?" he asked, amused, and took a step closer. Just then, the servants began unloading items we'd brought for charity, and we paused.
Queen Fortuna was busy with the women, who sang her praises—she soaked up their attention as if it were her birthright.
"What if I gave this complex to you?" he asked softly.
I turned, looking at him, and then at the grand building.
This complex was meant for the people, but it was set to be named after Queen Fortuna, making her the first queen to own something so important here.
Marissa had told me how hard Fortuna had worked to bring this building to life. Now, with it almost complete, the king was hinting at giving it to me instead. It didn't feel real—surely, he was just teasing.
"You can't. It belongs to your wife," I said, keeping my voice steady.
"I haven't given it to her yet," he replied, his expression unreadable, serious.
If he named this complex after me, it would be a legacy, a mark in history. I would be the first woman in Xylonia to have both a horse and a complex in her name—a woman of standing, of importance.
But as tempting as it was, taking it from Fortuna would be cruel, wouldn't it?
**
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Ella_Dominic23
Ella_Dominic23 Hello everyone,
I would love to hear your opinion about the complex. Do you think the king is right by giving out what should have been Fortuna's?
Will it be fair if Katrina accept the gift?
I'm waiting for all your comments. It will help me plan future chapters. Thank you.
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