A forged promise

The darkness which surrounded me turned into light as I opened my eyes. I winced in pain as I tried to sit up. My wrist pulsed with a stinging sensation. Damn it. I must have twisted my wrist.

I looked at my surroundings. Where am I? Luxurious furniture was adorned all around me with the color of gold. Paintings of several men sat on the walls. My heartbeat sped as the golden color reminded me of Cerebrius's eyes. When will I see him again? Will I ever see him again?

I looked down and saw a silk nightdress cover my body. It seemed luxurious. Now there was one thing that I was sure of. I was in the home of someone important. I moved my hand down my thigh and stiffened. The dagger which I usually hid was nowhere to be found. I can't even protect myself if push comes to shove.

I jumped from the bed and tiptoed to the door. I had to escape. Who knows what the intention is of who captured me. I must tread with caution. As I turned the doorknob, a sudden push to the door sent me flying.

I cried out in pain as I landed on my side.

"Miss, are you okay? We sincerely apologize! We didn't know that you were standing behind the door."

I looked to see three figures enter the room. Their bodies were slender but looked strong. They were women dressed in gray silks with golden jewels adorning their necks, wrists and ankles. The lower part of their faces covered by a thin sheer cloth with their hair. Their skin a golden color as if it were sun-kissed. To say that they were beautiful is an understatement.

"Where am I and who are you?" My voice sounded hoard coming out. It was as if I had spent the whole night screaming.

The three women kneeled and answered in unison.

"We are your appointed servants. Alesha, Darsha, and Varsha. We are triplets and hope to serve you well during your stay here."

Hmm. Their names sounded foreign. Which clan am I in?

"You still haven't answered my question. Where am I?"

The three maids flinched with the middle one speaking.

"You are in the residence of the great Varkish the third."

Varkish the third? Where have I heard of this name? I have to remember the information that I was taught in my History class.

The Animaliari kingdom is split into clans. Each clan is represented by a certain animal. The residents of that clan are naturally born with a symbol of their clan somewhere on their body. This symbol is the point of "focused energy". Every clan is blessed with a particular strength pertaining to the animal they represent.

The fox clan is blessed with the tattoo in the inner sole of our feet. This gives us an enhanced quickness to our step. Our bodies are naturally more nimble and flexible than others. The snake clan have the tattoo on their cheeks as their saliva can be used to either make poison or medicine depending on the dose.

Every clan is led by a particular ruler who is either chosen by birthright or through a series of trials. The fox clan is led by birthright which is why I should have been queen over my brother.

After some pondering I finally understood where I had heard the name Varkish the third. He was the king of the elephant clan. He is renowned in strength particularly upper arm strength. He was the only king to take his place through the "weight games" held every four years by the elephant clan. Participants are forced to undergo a series of tasks with carrying different weights. The winner is the participant who carries the most weight for the longest time. He was crowned last year only at the age of 20.

So I am in the elephant clan. I let out a breath in relief. The elephant clan are our most trusted allies. I was the one who had assured this alliance last year before the death of my parents.

I looked to the maids who were still kneeling. Remorse filled me. I had turned my frustration in then for no reason. Wait. Didn't their legs go numb from kneeling for so long. Despite my pain I rushed over to them and held their arms.

"Please rise. I apologize for my rude treatment of you. Please forgive me."

I then kneeled and bent my head to them. The three maids stood up with their faces red. Their arms flailing as they gushed our apologies.

"No miss, you mustn't kneel to humble servants such as us. We know how important you are. We forgive you so please stand up."

I chuckled bitterly. I am not important. What a shame. I am the runaway queen of the fox clan. I had left my duty and had broken my promise to my parents who are lamenting me in their graves. Tears began to flow down my cheeks.

It felt like something had suddenly cracked inside of me. I have been holding it in for years. When my parents died I didn't cry as the clan mourned for days as I thought that a queen shouldn't feel emotion. When my brother betrayed me I didn't cry despite the pain it caused me.

I felt broken and done. Why do I have to be subjected to this suffering. My whole life I have tried to be the best. I trained in combat till my hands and feet bled. I studied until the crack of dawn. All for the stupid role of queen. Maybe this happened for the better. Maybe I should just love my life as a normal person and build a small house for myself from a business I can start. If I were to do that I must go to the capital of the Animaliari Kingdom. Where the Peacock clan reigns supreme over all of the other clans. The young emperor is a close friend of mine anyways.

The maids surrounded me and hugged me close. I sniffled and laughed genuinely for the first time in my life. The elephant clan was known for being strong yet compassionate.

I stood up and stretched only to cry out in pain once more. The maids scurried out of the room and yelled.

"One minute miss we will bring the clan'a shaman to treat you. Please wait!"

I nodded and smiled. I sat back on the bed and closed my eyes. For some reason the last thing I could hear were Cerebrius's words to me.

"I will come and find you."

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Thank you so much for reading and all the support my luvs❤️ please stay safe with the virus going on. I will try to update everyday as I have finals this week❤️