Cross to Bear
Etuicia Empire
AMARI
I woke up with a start, jolted by a bump in the road. For a moment, I was disoriented, forgetting where I was. I sat up, straightening my dress with a sigh.
This was my second day of travel. The Etuicia Empire was a five-day journey from the Pallatine Empire. The rough roads and monotonous scenery made the days drag on.
I opened the carriage window, taking in the view. We were still in Pallatine territory. One more day and we’d be out of here. I longed to stretch my legs, but I knew I couldn’t.
Thankfully, I’d brought some books and paper to keep me occupied. I sighed again, looking up at the sky. It was a clear blue, indicating it was mid-afternoon. We’d be stopping soon for a break.
The two coachmen accompanying me were kind enough to stop now and then. They knew this journey was a struggle for me. After all, it was my first time leaving the palace.
I’d spent my entire life within the palace walls, never even setting foot in a carriage. This should have been an exciting adventure, but excitement was the furthest thing from my mind.
Just thinking about the painful days I’d endured was enough to send a shiver down my spine. My father never showed me any love. My sister wouldn’t even look at me.
Celine, that was her name. She was four years older than me, with golden hair and blue eyes that made her one of the most beautiful princesses. She had the beauty I lacked.
Was I jealous of her? Perhaps a little. While her porcelain skin glowed in the sunlight and her curvaceous figure turned heads, I felt like the ugly duckling.
My skin was pale and scarred, my face dotted with freckles. The only feature I was proud of were my eyes. They were an icy blue, reminiscent of the morning sky after a night of rain.
The horses whinnied, drawing my attention. I peered out the window as the carriage came to a halt. I tried to see what was happening.
“Apologies, my lady, we had to stop. They’re checking the gate,” the coachman explained, offering an embarrassed smile. I nodded in understanding and settled back into my seat.
I hadn’t even realized we were already at the empire’s gates.
Deciding to distract myself with a book, I picked out a romance novel. I was a bookworm, addicted to the fantasy worlds that offered an escape from my own miserable existence, especially when my father was punishing me.
As the carriage resumed its slow pace, I waited patiently. When I looked out the window again, I saw the towering wooden gates. They stood wide open, allowing travelers to pass in and out of the empire’s walls.
Vendors were selling all sorts of goods. Intrigued, I leaned out the window to get a better look. The vibrant dresses and food caught my eye.
The beautiful colors and designs made me wonder how they would look on me. But I had no money.
The only money I had was in a small pouch given to me by Mayah. But that was for emergencies. I missed her.
With a sad smile, I drew back into the carriage and closed the curtains. There was no point in longing for things I couldn’t have.
The setting sun indicated it was past six. My stomach growled, reminding me that I needed to eat.
Back in the palace, I often went days without food. When I was being punished, they would take away my meals and leave me with only water.
But Mayah, ever the loyal friend, would bring me scraps to ensure I didn’t starve.
A soft knock from the front of the carriage drew my attention. I unlatched the small window to see who it was.
“Apologies, my lady, but we won’t be stopping tonight. We need to reach the Etuicia Empire earlier,” the coachman informed me.
I smiled faintly and closed the latch. That meant no dinner for me tonight. Abandoning the idea of eating, I lay down.
My backside ached from the constant jostling. Even the cushioned seats of the carriage did little to alleviate the discomfort. I felt like my back would snap if this kept up.
I took a deep breath, pondering my future in the Etuicia Empire.
Growing up, I’d heard whispers about the king of the Etuicia Empire. The palace maids would gossip about him, and I’d catch bits and pieces of their conversations.
When I asked Mayah about him, she said he was handsome but feared by all. Rumor had it he was cruel to his women, which was why he’d never married.
But why now? What had changed?
I remembered asking Mayah for his name. My curiosity was piqued, but she couldn’t recall it exactly, only that it started with an m.
I’d searched for more information about him, but there were no books about him in the palace.
And since I wasn’t allowed in the library, I was left with the old, dusty books that were discarded.
I never found his name. It was something that always intrigued me. The king of the Etuicia Empire. If the rumors were true, I was likely to meet a grim fate.
The thought made me anxious. Would he torture me? Despise me? Would he punish me for my appearance?
I wasn’t the prettiest girl around, and I was still a virgin. What did I really know about anything? I was just a girl who had been mistreated in her own home.
***
I woke up to the sound of voices. I must have fallen asleep in the most awkward position. My neck and arms were stiff, and I groaned as I tried to move.
Then I heard more voices, louder this time, coming from outside. Curious, I peeked through the curtain. The carriage was moving at a slow pace. Had we reached our destination?
Unsure of what was going on, I unlatched the small window and called out to one of the coachmen.
“My lady, we are in the small town of Riverdale. We still have a day’s journey ahead of us. We’ll stop here for a bit so you can rest.
“Please sit tight, and we’ll let you know once we find a suitable place,” the coachman said, flashing me a bright smile.
Returning his smile, I nodded and thanked him. The town seemed lively. I bit my lip and looked out the window, eager to get there.
The town was bustling with people. Food vendors and merchants were scattered around the small market we were passing through. I watched in awe as the cheerful townsfolk went about their business.
“This is different,” I murmured to myself. My eyes darted around, taking in the sights. I couldn’t wait to take a short walk around.
Once the carriage came to a halt, the coachman knocked on the window. I opened it and looked up at him.
“We’ve arrived, my lady,” he announced. I smiled, put away my things, and grabbed my small bag.
Stepping out of the carriage, my legs wobbled. It had been a day since I last stood up. I held onto the door rail to steady myself, then waited excitedly for the coachmen to give me instructions.
We were supposed to stay for an hour. That was enough time for me to explore a bit. After memorizing our location, I told them I’d be back soon and headed towards the busy market.
Clutching my bag, I wandered around. I was dying to buy something, even if it was just food.
My stomach growled as I walked past a food stall and caught a whiff of the delicious fish. My mouth watered as I stared at the cooked fish.
“Would you like to buy some, my dear?” the woman asked, smiling kindly at me. I nodded, gulped, and handed her some coins. After paying her, I took the fish and moved on to the other stalls.
My time was almost up. I needed to get back before anything happened. After paying for some fruit, I made my way back to the carriage.
I was in such a rush that I didn’t notice the person who turned the corner and bumped into me. I fell hard onto the ground, feeling a sharp pain in my hand. I winced.
“I-I’m sorry,” I stuttered nervously, looking up at a man in a cape.
He towered over me. His face was hidden by his dark cloak. I cringed as our eyes met for a split second. I apologized again and got up.
He didn’t say anything, so I bowed and hurried away. Why did he give me the creeps? As I walked faster, I could feel his gaze on me.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw him still staring at me. I gasped and ran away. I didn’t know who he was, but I knew I needed to get out of his sight.
Finally, I reached the carriage. The coachmen were eating. One of them noticed me, stood up, and opened the door.
“Oh, here, this is for you,” I said, offering them some apples.
“Thank you, my lady,” the coachman said, bowing. I nodded and climbed in.
I put the food on the floor and straightened my dress and hair. As I braided my hair, I felt a sharp pain in my left hand. I looked at it and saw dried blood. Had I been bleeding?
I must have scraped my hand when I fell. I cleaned it with some water and thought about the man.
He was strange. Just thinking about him gave me goosebumps.
“Forget it, Amari,” I told myself. I forced a smile onto my face and reached for an apple. But I wasn’t hungry anymore. Sighing, I put it back and picked up my book.
We’d been on the move for a few hours. I had read some of my books, drawn, written, eaten, and slept. It was boring, and I felt trapped. It was frustrating.
Sighing, I ran my fingers through my now messy hair and opened the window. The cool air brushed against my face. The sun was setting. Were we still far from the Etuicia Empire?
I looked outside. I hadn’t noticed it before, but now I could see open fields with tall trees in the distance. The greenery and blue sky were a beautiful sight.
Then, scanning the area, I spotted a lake. I gasped and sat up straighter to get a better look.
“Wow,” I mumbled, my eyes fixed on the lake.
“That’s Myriad Lake,” the coachman said, looking at me. “We’re close to the Etuicia Empire. Be prepared.”
My smile faded, and I nodded. We were close now, and I was getting closer to my new home.
Nervousness started to creep in. I fiddled with my hands, wondering what was in store for me. Would I be killed? Would he punish me? Or would he abuse me?
My chest tightened just thinking about it. I placed my hand over my heart, trying to steady my breathing.
“Don’t cry, Amari, don’t cry,” I whispered to myself. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, all of them centered around the unknown. I didn’t even know who my supposed husband was.
I sniffed, closing my eyes. I had to stay strong, not let my fear show.
I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. I couldn’t afford to keep crying.
Taking a deep breath, I reached for the small bag the head maid had given me. She’d told me it contained essentials—makeup, lotions, and some jewelry.
I was surprised they’d even given me this. But she’d said it was for my arrival in Etuicia.
“We’re at the gates of the Etuicia Empire!” the coachman called out.
I jumped, startled.
I hadn’t dared to peek through the carriage curtains. After I’d made myself presentable, I’d leaned back in the seat and tried to mentally prepare myself. I glanced at my hands and saw the scar from earlier.
“You’re a monster,” I muttered.
The sight of that small scar brought back memories of the ones on my back. I’d managed to clean them a bit during the journey. Some were fresh, others were starting to heal.
That worried me. What if he was repulsed by them?
My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden stop. The horses whinnied outside. I gripped the seat, waiting for someone to say something.
A soft knock on the door sent my heart racing.
“We’ve arrived, my lady,” the coachman announced.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, my voice shaky.
I gathered my things.
I made sure I was presentable before stepping out. As the coachman opened the door, I took a deep breath and forced a smile.
My eyes widened as I took in the palace before me. The coachman extended his hand to me. I accepted it, slowly descending the steps.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the palace. Its towering pillars and grand entrance made me feel insignificant. But the entire place was a stark gray and white.
What a dreary place, I thought.
I stood at the entrance, taking in my surroundings. A beautiful garden offset the gloominess of the palace.
A white fountain with an angel at its center was the focal point. Rose bushes lined the sides, and other trees and flowers filled in the rest.
I frowned as I noticed the dense forest surrounding the palace. Rows of trees blocked the view.
A throat clearing brought me back to reality. I turned to see a man with gray eyes and black hair looking down at me. He was tall and muscular, dressed in a black uniform. His intimidating presence made me swallow hard. Who was he?
“Welcome, I’m Sasha, the head butler for the king. Please follow me,” the man, Sasha, introduced himself.
He looked at me with a serious expression. Feeling uncomfortable, I bowed and introduced myself.
I glanced at the coachmen, who both nodded in response.
I hadn’t noticed them earlier, too distracted by my surroundings, but three other men were waiting off to the side. They kept their eyes downcast, dressed in the same black uniform but with gold detailing.
I held my head high as I followed Sasha. I had to keep it together.
As we approached the entrance, two massive dark wooden doors swung open. Guards stood to the side, opening the doors wide for us to enter. I nodded and looked down at the floor.
I frowned at my reflection in the polished white marble floor. It was so clean it was almost shocking. Shaking off my surprise, I looked up and ahead.
My mouth fell open at the sight before me. Paintings and furniture lined the long hallway we were walking down. I looked from side to side.
The gray walls were adorned with various portraits, their dark wooden frames making the colors stand out.
“Wow,” I whispered, feeling foolish.
I closed my mouth when I noticed Sasha looking at me over his shoulder. He rolled his eyes and turned away. Had he just scoffed at me?
I chose to ignore it.
As I continued to take in the palace, I noticed the ceiling. It was breathtaking. It was high and dome-shaped. I squinted, were those drawings up there?
There were images of small creatures painted on the ceiling. It was so detailed it looked like a story. But what caught my attention were the dragons.
I furrowed my brows, the thought playing on my mind. Dragons didn’t exist, did they?
I continued to follow Sasha. We turned a corner and entered another hallway. How much longer would we be walking?
As we turned another corner, I saw servants bustling about. Some bowed when they saw us. Others simply stopped and lowered their heads. None of them looked at me, which was odd.
I was so distracted by my surroundings that I bumped into someone. I groaned under my breath and looked up. Sasha was scowling down at me. I gasped and backed away nervously.
“S-sorry,” I stammered, covering my throbbing nose.
Sasha sighed and said something to the two guards.
“This is where the king is. Remember to be respectful and do as he asks. Are we clear?” Sasha instructed, sounding exasperated.
I nodded and smiled at him. Sasha turned his back to me and ordered the guards to open the doors. I started fidgeting with my hands, suddenly nervous. Why was I nervous now?
The two heavy, dark wooden doors creaked open, and an angry shout echoed from within. The man’s voice was laced with such fury that my body trembled in response.
I bit my lip, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath to steady myself. The sound of approaching footsteps made me look up. Another man, dressed similarly to Sasha, had joined us. He dismissed Sasha with a wave of his hand and motioned for me to follow him. With a resigned sigh, I did.
I straightened my back and lifted my chin, staring straight ahead. I took my first step into the unknown. I had no idea what was in store for me, but I didn’t have a choice anymore. This was my new challenge. But the question remained—was I ready to face it?
Continue to the next chapter of Cross to Bear