Jasmine's destiny

"For now, you can still leave here. Do you want it or not?"

Will stood in front of me in the back, looking at Jasmine in the mirror. There was no trace of worry or sadness on her face. She still smiled, a gentle smile like the wind blowing from some cool blue sea. Jasmine turned slightly to look at him, her eyes darting deep into his inner world. She looked like that for a long time, like she was trying to find something he didn't know either.

Then, she lowered her eyes. Long lashes are like curtains, covering big, round black eyes. Jasmine shook her head. Does it matter if she is or not? She wanted to leave, but how to leave? A girl, a lowly slave in this land. She left. How can she live here? Freedom? After all, it's just a fantasy.

Receiving her answer, Will suppressed a sigh. He didn't know why he was asking her that question, even though it was a useless question. Whatever her answer was, he would take her to see the king.

The chests were finally stowed on the carriage. Jasmine was helped by a maid. She turned around, her eyes searching for a small figure. Andale stood in the corner of the door, looking at Jasmine from afar. The day before, the housekeeper had told her that Jasmine would never see her again. Andale didn't understand why; she simply thought that Jasmine didn't need her anymore. But in the end, Andale still couldn't help it. She rushed over and jumped into Jasmine's lap.

Jasmine took Andale's petite body and patted him on the back. She's gone. No one would protect her anymore. Of course, Jasmine was at ease with the servants on Prince Will's estate, but not seeing the little sister she raised to grow up daily, Jasmine's heart was also a little disappointed. But perhaps she and Andale could only say goodbye.

The horse neighed with a long sound, pulling the heavy carriages into motion. Gradually, the dense forest faded into the light, leaving only the bumpy and rocky road behind.

Jasmine sat in the carriage. She was a little bored and quietly took out a book to read. As a child, Jasmine was not taught literacy. The only word she could write was her name. But then the war came, her parents died, and she could no longer write her name on the white sand. In her memory now, all she knew was that her name was Jasmine, the name the landlady of the brothel Normen had given her. In the past few days at Will's estate, she had been taught many things. As it turns out, new things like that can only be received with social status.

Jasmine smiled lightly. She missed Andale a bit. Perhaps, used to the fact that she was always behind, he ran after her like a small tail. Sometimes she sits in her lap, and sometimes walks beside her, laughing and talking happily. Now, without her, Jasmine feels that boredom also comes more quickly.

"Prince Will, can you tell me about your family?"

Apparently, because it was too boring, adding to the suffocating silence, Jasmine put the book down. She looked at the man sitting in front of her and asked softly. This was the first time she'd started a conversation with him, and Will stared at her for a long time in surprise.

What about his family? Will was dumbfounded for a moment. What is there to say in the palace? Will is the country's fourth prince, the son of a servant. The king is insatiable. Even the servants in the palace, just a little bit beautiful, will be targeted by the king. His mother is also a person like that.

Originally, it was only a night to serve the king, but who knows, his mother was pregnant. And he, a prince born without love, His mother was killed by the queen. She was jealous for no reason, thinking that her son was the one who seduced the king. Ridiculous! Charming? No one wants to please someone like the king. But, what kind of voice can a servant have? His mother died tragically, stabbed until she lost her blood. That year, Will was only five years old.

When Jasmine heard that, her spine couldn't help but feel cold, she didn't know it was like that in the palace. Perhaps she was destined to die. Her heart sank a little, and she didn't know why. For Jasmine, life or death is not such a big deal. Humans all have to die. No one will ever be able to reach immortality.

"But rest assured, if you can become a chosen one, the queen will not dare do anything to you."

The chosen one? It sounds so soft. In the middle of a forest of flowers, she cannot guarantee that she is the most beautiful flower. Moreover, no one dares to guarantee that, once the chosen one, she will escape the queen's clutches. In this place, the only person who can become the king's wife has the right name and is recognised by others. That's the queen. Others, to say the least, are lovers. To say the least, they are those used by the king to satisfy his beastly desires. She is no different from the little "lovers", with no voice.

"If you're in trouble, I'm behind you. Don't worry."

Will took her hand, his voice low and warm. He was the one who brought Jasmine into the palace, so he was also responsible for this. He took her to the tiger's den, where he had to protect her life.

Jasmine smiled lightly. She said nothing. There would be no guarantee that Will would protect her. If she wanted to live, she could only survive in that harsh palace by herself. If she does not want to live, no one can force her to continue to open her eyes to life.

But she wanted to live. Jasmine lowered her head. She wanted to live. She wanted to live until she couldn't continue because of old age. She wanted to see the clear blue sky above. She wanted to hear the waves crashing against the coral reefs. She wanted to go home. If she couldn't do that, she couldn't die.

The carriage went for most of the day, and the city gate appeared in front of him. Jasmine lifted the curtain to reveal a magnificent castle. Perhaps her fate has been arranged in advance. She just needs to step forward. She will know whether she lives or dies. She sat up straight and put a veil over her face, covering half of her face.

"Prince Will wants to come in."

The driver stopped in front of the guard and shouted. The guards looked at the carriage and immediately dared not stand in the way. They want to live, that is, don't touch the royal people.

Loud noises came. The people living in the city are doing their daily chores. Some sell fruit, some sell milk, and some sell fabrics of all kinds. Sometimes, there are happy children running around, laughing freely. very happy! Jasmine couldn't help but exclaim. These children, with enough love from their parents, whether the people living in the city know about the children who work day and night in the brothels just to have a good meal. They don't dare ask for good food; just fill their hungry stomachs.

A servant helped Jasmine out of the car. In front of her were long steps leading to the palace gates. Will held out his hand to her, and Jasmine understood. She put her hand on his arm and slowly walked inside.

Take all the long stairs to the main hall. At this time, the main hall was full of people, all of the aristocrats. Beside them was a girl. Beautiful girls, each with their own look, like flowers blooming in the early spring sunlight. They all wear their makeup carefully, wanting to show the best of themselves.

When Will and Jasmine appeared, all eyes were on the two of them. They looked at her, a girl wearing a white tuxedo and veil. They looked at her for a long time, then whispered to each other. Will walked away quietly, patting the back of her hand as if to reassure her. Jasmine smiled lightly. She was already used to these scenes; how could she be frightened? Those peeping eyes had already experienced it.

Because Will is the prince, he will be the last to see the king. The nobles entered one by one, followed by the beautiful girls. Perhaps they also wanted to take this opportunity to please the king. Everyone is like that, trying to please the rich so that they can live better.

Jasmine was the last to enter. She let go of Will's hand and slowly walked in front of the king. The slender body slightly knelt. She gently saluted. The king was hugging the beautiful girls. Jasmine glimpsed, to the right of the king, a girl with auburn hair sitting up straight. The girl's gaze, from beginning to end, was directed at Will. This is the girl the prince said, right? The girl in his heart.

"You!"

The king glanced around at the girls below. The king was an old man with a wrinkled face and a bloated stomach. Perhaps because of that, the children outside the city called the king "fat toad". Jasmine silently assessed in her mind that the children said it was not wrong.

"Yes."

Jasmine saw the king's finger pointing towards her, took a step forward, and crouched slightly.

"Remove the mask. I want to see your face."

The king ordered. Jasmine swallowed a mouthful of saliva, raised her hand, and slowly removed the silk veil.