It must have been a thousand years that I have laid here, cursed to remember and replay my sins over and over again. I count the days, I count the minutes. But that's not even real. For time means nothing here. Time is just a word, a memory that lingers. And then when you have nothing to do, that's all you have - memories.
Once upon a time, I was the most beautiful girl in this land. Kings and warriors begged for my presence. In a time when good girls were not seen or heard, I ruled the men's hearts. Stories about my beauty spread far and wide. The strong and mighty, the rich and powerful, came begging for just a glimpse in the hopes that I would fall in love with them. But my fate belonged to the captain of my heart and little did I know then that I'd be shattered into a thousand pieces.
He had come from a land far away, on a majestic ship, with gold and jewels to woo me. Not for himself but his king. I had been prepared over three weeks by my chambermaids for his arrival and my departure.
As my brother entertained him in the courtyard, the maids having peeked at him, blushed and giggled. They hoped that I would choose them to go with me on the long journey, they hoped they could make him fall in love with them. Four months and seven days was a long time to make a man fall in love and they talked about the things they'd do on the journey.
I teased them for their foolishness and encouraged them to convince me of their worthiness but only until I served him tea. Our eyes met for a split second that expanded to eternity.
My heart stopped beating and I felt faint. My life flashed before my eyes at the insanity of the situation. My brother laughed his pleasure of seeing me decked in my best jewels and costume and I heard it echo as I walked back to the chambers followed by my chambermaids.
I sat there stunned, unsure of my thoughts. I had till that day been convinced that I would rule a man's heart. My pride was strong, my heart cold. But on that day, all I had ever believed, crumbled. This man was a servant, he was no king but I had in an instant become his.
We set out on the journey, me to my king, my two chambermaids vying for my captain's heart. With every passing day, my hatred for them grew stronger but I held my tongue. I would not have been disloyal to my brother's quest and my father's dying wish that we conquer lands far and wide.
I would not have betrayed my family but that fateful day came to pass, on a stormy night as the ship rocked back and forth, as deafening thunder and blinding flashes of light threatened to bury us in the liquid grave, as the deck crew shouted instructions, as the water slapped in and our belongings spilt out, as the winds howled their disapproval, warning us not to cross that line, we did.
My chambermaids, one seasick and the other burrowed in her bed, praying for her God to save her and forgive her sins, I ran into the captain as I went out to get some answers. Our eyes locked in the chaos and I knew that nothing could save us now. The longing was too deep and when we were out of the storm the next day, I went to his room and in the throes of our passion, we left behind the people we swore never to betray. He, his king, and me my father and brother.
For two months, we had stolen moments of pleasure unbeknownst to anyone. He promised me that we'd run away when we docked. I promised to follow him to the ends of the earth. But when we got off the ship, as the King himself came to greet us with elephants and horses decked in gold, dancing girls with tambourines, jugglers throwing fireballs into the sky, my captain stepped forward and never looked back.
He bowed to his king and I became invisible. I was whisked away to be readied for the king and realised that I was to be his 7th wife. My world started to cave in. I yearned to talk to my captain but I did not know how. I begged my chambermaids to find a way, but when they found out that I loved the same man they did, they shunned me and treated me with distaste. They even threatened to tell, gloating their power over me.
When I was with child, the king and his people rejoiced. At first, I was afraid they would find out the child was the captain's. Nobody suspected anything, they sang their praises to the gods for the blessing of the union. My days were long and weary, my heart was broken and sad. I was a captive in my own chambers and my chambermaids were my tormentors.
I was led to the Shaman's to protect the child from evil escaping the gates of hell that night, and he whispered my secrets into my ear. "This child is not the king's," he hissed. You have betrayed him and when the truth comes out, it will tear the kingdom apart."
He slipped something into my hand, "Wipe away your sins. Take this tonight and forgiveness will be yours."
That was the longest night in my entire life. I tossed and I turned, I walked up and down, I looked out the windows and watched little kids carving eyes and mouths into big orange pumpkins. They were lighting candles in them and laughing at the shadows. I imagined the captain's child as one of them, laughing and chanting rhymes.
Late that night, the King came to my chambers. As he lay in bed, a voice in my head drowned out his snores. When the King woke up and asked for his glass of milk as expected, I mixed the Shaman's potion in.
The next day, I was dragged out in my night clothes to the town centre. There were no juggling clowns or dancing girls. The people were not laughing and cheering me on. They were wailing and shouting. I was kicked when I fell, flinched when the stones hit me, but nothing could hurt as did my heart.
My necklace of rope went over my head, the Shaman damned me to hell, to never find my peace till the end of time, and all the while my eyes, they were locked on the Captain of my heart. He stood by the queen and her 5 sister-wives. In his eyes I saw, hatred for the woman who had killed his king.
jack-o-lantern. What would you write with this prompt? Head on over HERE to find out how to enter and to read the other stories :DThis is my entry to @theinkwell's prompt for the week
I do appreciate your time & being part of my story <33
Image from canva.com
I can't seem to find the right exclamation that would express how I feel after reading this gripping, emotive story with a heartbreaking end! Beautiful! Just beautiful.
The emotions of the narrator tugged at my heart... She fell in love with the help and not the king...got pregnant by him and not the king...only to feed the poison meant for her to the king...hoping she could have a chance at love! The sad part is — the captain did not love her as much. 😢 I love this story. 😊
oh my gosh - i did too!!! it was SO perfectly written!!!
❤️❤️❤️
Another story of a broken heart
Love so beautiful when right, and what a torture when not ;p
It makes me happy you enjoyed this read @kemmyb <33
As always, your writing is brilliant, @kaerpediem, and your ability to spin a yarn and draw me into its inner world is just phenomenal. This story is rich with drama, a great central conflict, and a tragic resolution which perfectly fits this dramatic tale.
And you have an excellent turn of phrase that provides a richness to your storytelling!
Well done!
Your feedback always means so much to me
Thank you so much @jayna <33
oh my goshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
this was sooooooooooo good!!!!!!!!! hehehehe what a story!!!! there is seriously so much to say here!!! I don't even know where to begin!
The preparation of this young woman - to give up ALL for king and country. and for what? to be a 7th wife!
To put her family ahead of everything.
Then to surrender!!! hm now - up until I said that - I almost sympathized with the captain. but just now - It quickly turned to hate. Isn't that odd?
At first glance, you see this captain bound by duty to live for his king and in the end - you see- he's even willing to cast aside anything he felt for her (if he ever did) because of her betrayal TO THE KING.
But.... but but but! If he REALLY felt a conviction to uphold his commitment - he would have never taken her to begin with. If anything - he should have despised himself even more than her - because he was the one who had the control and the ability to turn her away.
But he let his selfishness and desire trump his loyalty - and then left her with the blame and the shame and nowhere to turn to.
hmmmm wow - you got me thinking here Missy! hehehehe That's what I love about stories like this - they change as you twist and turn them in different lighting hehehehe like a jewel
amazing! amazing story!!!!
And now you've got me thinking about the other characters and what was running through their heads.
I'm so happy you liked this story <33
So happy ;DThank you so much @dreemsteem
hehehehe spinofffffffffff :)
I've been thinking about it 🙃
People are complicated, aren't they?
I don't have to tell you that you write well. You are in complete control of this narrative. You know exactly what you are doing and we are led along as you carefully plot the tragedy.
One of the things that shows your command is the structure. It begins in Hell, with a Dantean description of the woman's fate. It ends in hell. Dante's words are apt: "Abandon all hope ye who enter here." You go full circle, and consistent with the classic structure of a drama, you place a tempest at the center:
This is the climax of the tragedy and the woman's undoing. Passion, nature, and fate merge to bring about the inevitable conclusion.
You must forgive me. I have read so much serious literature (and studied it) that I appreciate good form when I see it. You manage the form and also manage to deliver a story that moves us and will be remembered.
Great writing.
I will savour this comment for some time
It means a lot to me Thank you so much @agmoore <33
Very intresting story. Need continiue this!
Glad you like it :DThank you @nerengot
The most beautiful woman on earth suffers from the evil of all women. She falls into seduction. An unfaithful man captains a plot in which she kills the King and thus condemns herself to death. Impeccably told story full of beautiful and colorful images and powerful feelings in which stands out the love given forever.
I wonder if we will see the captain's son grow up:Hello, @kaerpediem
A tale told in so many ways, a reality as old as time...
I truly appreciate your comment <33Thank you @gracielaacevedo
Thank you for posting this powerful, if tragic, story on @theinkwell, @kaerpediem
Your meaningful and kind comments are gratefully received by fellow writers.
For the opportunity to let the mind wander <33Thank you @theinkwell
Lovely but at the same time a warning not to fall for someone not worth your heart. Don't fall for looks and money but check his love 😂 On a serious note, you have done justice to your story by keeping me spellbound to the last letter.
What is it they say - it is better to have loved and lost than never loved at all...
That can only come from someones who has never been broken into a thousand pieces :D
Glad you liked the story @sunnyag :D
Okay, love is fine but what use is the love that leaves you in pieces that don't make you feel lovely. But as they say, every person has their own preferences.
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Thank you so much Team Ecency <33
You kept me guessing til near the end! Great story, !LUV ed it. How sad that her lover's heart was overshadowed by his loyalty to his king :-( and that her own heart was then held captive by the very chambermaids she had trusted as confidantes on her journey. What a mix of conflicting emotions and loyalties. !PIZZA
Makes me happy you enjoyed it :DThank you @samsmith1971
<><
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Beautiful, Poetic, Tragic and Melancholic. That's what I can describe this work, it's honestly one of the best short stories I've ever read.
It's a dark fairytale that I'd definitely reminisce. The tragic tale of giving love to an unworthy man, the captain had as much fault equally for everything as well, too bad the Queen didn't snitch on him before dying, otherwise he could have also been punished, which he rightfully deserved.
He had not right to hate her since it was also HIS doing, it's quite audacious, but scum never have guilt in them, not that it would make them any better.
Her broken heart directed her pain towards the king...wrong man
The Captain is definitely the villain here
what a sad twist
I love it
Thank you @ji33y
Sorry to jump in off-topic.
Do you mind reviewing and supporting the Hive Authentication Services proposal? That would be much appreciated.
Your feedback about the project is welcome too.
Thank you.Hey dear @kaerpediem 🌹
I shall check it out ;DHi @arcange
My pleasure and I agree it'd be great if I didn't have to search up my keys every now and then as I had to do to vote for the proposal hehe
And besides, I gotta be nice to you in case we have another bowling match :D
Oh dear, I miss that BKK atmosphere soooo much. Can't wait to play another bowling with the dream ladies team!
Glad you did @milezofplay :D