Chapter 7

"Oh, her luck had helped her a lot, even after the shameful scandal she caused," said a maid, speaking near Yuray, in a voice that she deliberately made sure was heard. 

"She will be a queen in the kingdom of the Tulip; I envy her," the other maid replied.

Yuray always dreamed of becoming a member of the royal family and having many maids, but Taya was nothing, and yet she would get everything. Yuray couldn't handle her anger, so she walked into Taya's room, pushed the guards aside, and entered.

Taya was sitting in a chair, staring into the mirror. She had just finished wearing her wedding dress; she looked beautiful, like a rose in a herbal field.

"You have no right to be happy. Is it not enough for you to be a maidservant with the brother of the crown prince? Why did you accept to marry Prince Orig? Do you want to tease me?" 

Yuray cried, throwing Taya's makeup to the floor. The maids sensed that this confrontation wouldn't go well, so they left the room to bring the eldest lady, Lucy.

"Yes, I want to tease you. Have you forgotten how you used every chance against me? I will become the ruler of the seven kingdoms of Rose, not just Tulip. Do you understand? Just practice calling me the Queen, or Majesty Taya, from now on," Taya said with a smile of vanity.

"You're nothing but a nobody, and everyone knows who Orig is—a murderous serial killer who carries out the orders of the Supreme King of Rose to get rid of those who threaten his throne. You will not find happiness or love with that person," Yuray retorted. 

Before Yuray could finish, she found herself on the floor with a red cheek. Taya was standing above her, pulling her hair.

"What do you know about my husband, Orig? You don't have the right to talk about him, not with a single word. Next time I won't be satisfied with slapping you; I will forget that I'm close to you, Yuray Diduchi," Taya said in a harsh tone, letting go of Yuray's hair.

"Have you forgotten that I'm your eldest sister and you shouldn't treat me this way?" Yuray complained, her lips trembling. Taya felt that she had overreacted slightly, but when it came to Orig, she turned into someone unrecognizable.

"It seems that you've forgotten everything in the past eighteen years," Taya thought as she caught a glimpse of Orig's reflection in the mirror.

"Orig," she whispered, and as soon as she did, he quickly left. Before she could follow him, the maids stopped her. According to their customs, the bride must not see her husband before the wedding, as it would bring misfortune to their life together.

"What drives him to come to my room?" she wondered. She still had to put on her jewelry, so she returned to the room. Yuray was gone, but there was a necklace on the table.

She recognized it immediately. It belonged to the Orig family, a necklace Orig had never given her in her previous life. Why had he done so now? A storm of questions brewed in her mind as she put it on.

Meanwhile, Orig and the rest of the dignitaries, nobles, and even kings waited in the wedding hall for the bride.

"Orig, you're marrying her to satisfy your curiosity about what this woman is hiding, how she knows your plans and intentions—nothing more," 

Orig thought, staring at the priest, who looked as though he might faint under the prince's sharp gaze.

The gold bells rang, announcing the arrival of the bride. The guests marveled at her beauty; her body was perfect, her curves accentuated by the dress, and everyone envied Orig for having such a stunning woman by his side.

When she stood in front of him, her heart pounded in her chest. In her previous life, no one had attended their wedding. He had married her out of obligation, but now, this marriage was recognized by everyone, even the king of the seven lands of Rose.

"Hear me out, Orig. Do not expect to get an heir from me, for I would rather die than let someone like you touch me. You who satisfy your desires with what you call a 'physical relationship with benefits.' I am not like Meral, Orig Dessmann. Don't think you'll use the same system on me." 

Taya whispered, her words making Orig's heart momentarily pause, his red eyes widening in shock.

'No love, then no fair deal between us,' 

she thought, smirking at his reaction. In her previous life, Orig had betrayed her with Meral, a woman he had saved and cared for before her very eyes. Taya would never forget it.

Orig thought she was insane to say such things. Even the priest had heard her and couldn't believe Taya would make such a statement on her wedding day.

"Come on, let the groom kiss his bride," 

the priest stammered, his face pale. This was the most bizarre wedding he had ever officiated. 

Suddenly, Orig pulled Taya close, her carved waist pressing against his body. His warm breath teased her neck, and she realized he had lost control. She couldn't push him away or even ask him to stop; she was lost in her own thoughts when his lips pressed against hers. His kiss was different, as though he were swearing that she would not succeed with her plans, that he would thwart her at every turn.

'Damn it, my heart can't stop pounding like crazy,' 

she thought, staring at him.