Chapter 8

Any one who witnessed the interaction between Taya and Orig could easily see that they were destined to fall in love with each other. The chemistry between them was undeniable, an invisible force that seemed to draw them together. The kiss they shared, though only lasting for a few seconds, left Taya speechless. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced before, and she found herself overwhelmed by its effect. The briefness of the kiss only made it more intense, lingering in her mind long after it ended.

The guests, who had been watching from the sidelines, erupted into applause, clearly impressed by what they had witnessed. It was a moment that seemed to defy belief. Everyone knew that Prince Orig was notorious for despising physical contact, especially with women. Yet here he was, not only touching Taya but kissing her in front of everyone. The act was so unexpected that it left the crowd stunned.

Taya, however, wasn't focused on the applause or the congratulations from the guests. She barely even noticed the well-wishers coming forward to congratulate her on her marriage. Her mind was still reeling from the kiss, the closeness, the electricity that had passed between them. She couldn't shake the feeling that things had just changed irrevocably between them.

As the applause died down, Orig's smile faded, and his expression became more serious, almost as if he had overcome something. It was as though the moment had shifted, and now he was ready for whatever came next.

"Now talk," he whispered in her ear, his voice low and commanding.

Taya could feel the weight of his words, and she knew he wanted answers. But instead of waiting for him to speak further, she decided to take control of the conversation.

"Do you not want to know what will happen to your men, and how you will save them?" she asked quickly, her voice barely a whisper. "The king will take them to a prison near the Esser River. If your men act now, they will be able to block the path and save the rest of them."

She spoke before he could respond, her words coming out in a rush, as though she were trying to get them out before she lost the chance.

Orig didn't respond immediately, but his eyes darkened, and Taya could see the tension in his jaw. She couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction at having caught him off guard.

"You know what?" she said suddenly, her gaze hardening as she looked directly into his eyes. "You shouldn't try to kiss someone else. You're so bad, I feel disgusted by you."

Her words were sharp, but she knew they had to be said. She couldn't let him think he had control over her just because of a kiss.

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The chatter among the noble guests continued as they left the wedding ceremony, still buzzing with excitement over the events they had just witnessed. One of them, a man in his mid-forties, couldn't contain his surprise.

"Did you see how well they danced?" he asked in disbelief. "I never thought Prince Orig knew anything other than how to fight."

His companion, a woman, smiled and replied, "I know! The decorations were incredible, and the food afterward—absolutely delicious. I could've eaten my fingers."

A third noblewoman joined the conversation, her voice light and teasing. "And that necklace Lady Taya wore—did you see it? It must be worth a fortune."

Her companion interrupted with a soft laugh. "Well, she's not just Lady Taya anymore. She's Princess Taya Desmann now. A lady like her only comes around once every thousand years."

Yuray, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation, felt her chest tighten with frustration. Every positive comment about Taya made her feel as though she was suffocating. It was more than she could bear. She hadn't even realized her nails had dug into her skin, leaving angry red marks on her palm.

"I swear I'll make you suffer for the rest of your life," Yuray muttered under her breath, storming off to her mother's room to complain, as she always did.

However, what she found when she entered the room stunned her. Her mother, instead of being angry or upset, was calmly counting a large sum of coins. The same coins that Prince Orig had given them as part of the marriage arrangement. Yuray's mother hadn't even bothered to attend the wedding, too focused on the money she had just received.

"You're right on time," her mother said without looking up. "Do you believe Prince Orig didn't lie? All the coins are here, all counted by hand. You know, we might want to court Prince Orig more in the future."

Yuray's frustration mounted as her mother continued, "And you, Yuray, shouldn't be bothering Taya right now. Not until she leaves, anyway. I don't want any problems."

Yuray clenched her fists. She didn't have time for her mother's obsession with money. She couldn't rely on her for help. It was clear her mother's interests lay elsewhere. Yuray would have to make her own plans.

On the other side of the palace, Taya was preparing to leave. She noticed Yuray through the window, watching as she spoke to Orig, who was conversing with his knights. Taya decided to go downstairs to investigate what was going on.

"I know you married my sister," Yuray was saying as she approached Orig, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "But you don't even know anything about her. She's terrible at cooking, refuses to learn to read or write, and she doesn't even understand royal etiquette. She's a disaster."

Taya's heart sank as Yuray spoke about her so venomously. But when she glanced at Orig, she saw something unexpected. His lips curled into a sarcastic smile.

'Is this handsome idiot mocking me?' Yuray thought, her frustration mounting.

But Orig's voice interrupted her thoughts. "In Tulip's lands, we have skilled servants and cooks," he replied, his tone icy and unamused. "She won't have to worry about cooking. And as for reading or etiquette, I don't care. I chose her for a specific reason, and I think you should stay out of our affairs, Lady Yuray."

His words were clear and firm, with an unmistakable warning. It was as though he was asserting his authority, telling Yuray to mind her own business.

Taya, who had been watching the scene unfold, felt a rush of relief and joy. "Did he just defend me?" she whispered to herself. "He never did this in my previous life."

She quickly made her way to the cart that had been prepared for her and Orig. One of the maids met her with a tray of dessert, a sweet gesture meant to ease her journey. "We know you've had a hard time in this family," the maid said sympathetically, "but we hope this will make your journey a little easier."

Taya hesitated, sensing a trap in the gesture, but still accepted the sweets. Orig's voice interrupted her thoughts as he ordered his men to prepare. She had no time to dwell on it.

She donned a long dress that accentuated her figure, the blue fabric highlighting her shoulders and long neck. As she prepared to ride, Orig offered to help her. "Won't you ride with me?" he asked softly.

For a moment, she thought he might agree, but instead, he closed the cart door firmly in her face, as if to tell her that from now on, she would play by his rules.

No one came to say goodbye, and Taya couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness. The memory of her previous journey, harsh and unforgiving, haunted her thoughts.

'I won't let these painful events repeat in this life,' she vowed quietly, as the cart moved away from the capital. Their journey was just beginning, and she would have to prepare herself for whatever came next.

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