Chapter 3 Princess Areza’s Plan

Without any recourse, Princess Areza needed to fulfill the condition laid down by Angel Rashnu. Otherwise, she would live for only one year from the time she rose from the dead.

So, together with her Queen Mother, they planned how she could easily enter the palace of the tyrant King of Persia.

To enter the palace of King Severo, Areza had to be captured first by the palace soldiers and presented to the King for judgment. Either she would lose her head or become the lowest servant of the palace—unless the King found something special in her, considering her as a bed warmer or one of the women to be included in his andaruni.

Princess Areza, now determined to fulfill her mission on earth in exchange for regaining her long life, bravely agreed to the plan.

To be held captive, Areza waited for the usual hunting trip of the high-ranking soldiers in the forest, one mountain away from their Carkas land.

Clad in her worn-out hunting clothes that revealed her toned, flat stomach, with her bow and quiver of arrows strapped across her back, Areza waited in the woods on the exact day the palace soldiers hunted for deer and other wild game.

She needed to anger the soldiers to get their attention and force them to catch her.

When one of the high-ranking officials aimed his bow at a running deer, Areza swiftly drew her own arrow and hit the deer first, right before the soldier could even release his string.

“Who the hell did that?!” the high official roared in total astonishment.

The soldiers were all stunned. They had not seen who sent that flying arrow, which had struck the deer right in the middle of its neck.

Areza stepped out from her hiding place and ran forward to claim the deer for herself. The palace soldiers looked at her in absolute awe. Everyone was speechless.

Agitated and deeply embarrassed by what the young woman had done, the high official shouted, “Capture her! Bring her to the palace for judgment—for hunting in a prohibited area and for disturbing our peaceful hunt!”

Immediately, two young soldiers stepped forward and forcefully tied Areza’s hands. She did not even attempt to resist.

“Who are you, young lady, and why are you so brave to shoot that deer when you clearly saw I was about to hit it?” the high official asked, a flicker of amusement mixing into his stern tone.

“My apologies. I did not notice that you were targeting the same deer. I gladly give it to you. May I go now?” Areza asked, trying her best to act innocent and guilt-free.

“Answer me properly. Who are you?” he demanded, stepping closer.

“Arez—I mean, I am Are. Just an orphan hunter,” she stammered slightly, offering a soft smile to the soldiers around her. “Can I go now?”

“Didn’t you know that no one is allowed to hunt in these royal woods?”

“No... I am truly sorry.”

“Young lady, you have committed two crimes today,” the official explained, a cruel grin spreading across his face. “First, hunting in the prohibited forest of the King. Second, disturbing the peaceful hunting time of the royal guard.”

He turned to his men and commanded, “Bring her along. We are returning to the palace immediately.”

Areza was temporarily thrown into a dark, small dungeon located in the palace underground. She could hear the faint squeaks of rats running across the stone floor. Trying to stay bold, she felt her stomach growl with hunger and decided to pull out a piece of bread and a small flask of water from her leather bag. She had already expected this harsh situation, so she had prepared herself beforehand, making sure she would not starve while waiting to be presented before the King.

The next day, along with several other prisoners, Princess Areza was brought before the young tyrant, King Severo, for judgment.

Looking at the King sitting high upon his throne, Areza was surprised to see how young and undeniably gorgeous he was. No one could ever tell by merely looking at his striking face that he was such a cold-hearted, evil tyrant.

After three male criminals were given harsh sentences by the young ruler, his dark eyes suddenly landed on Princess Areza, his forehead furrowing.

“So, what is the crime of this young woman, General Daedon?” the King asked, his sharp gaze locking onto her.

General Daedon stepped forward and stated her offenses.

Upon hearing the report, King Severo burst into loud, echoing laughter. “What? That is a complete embarrassment for all of you! A single young woman killed the deer before any of you could even release an arrow?” he mocked, looking at his guards.

The soldiers felt deeply embarrassed, especially General Daedon. Yet, they could not help staring at the young prisoner, their eyes filled with a mixture of admiration and lustful desire.

Seeing his men ogle the beautiful, agile woman in her worn-out hunter clothes—resembling the warrior women of the tribe they called Carkas—the young King smiled secretly. He found this pretty girl with the bow on her back both mysterious and thrilling.

“Very well,” King Severo declared, his voice echoing across the grand hall. “Since her crime is light, and she clearly possesses special talents, I have decided to place her among my andaruni women. Take her away and do what is necessary!”

With that, the King stood up and swept out of the throne room.

The unmarried young King frequently used his royal power to place any beautiful woman he desired into his andaruni. There, they would remain to bring him pleasure until the day he chose a Queen—either from among his harem or a princess from a neighboring kingdom.

The guards were visibly disappointed by their ruler's verdict, as many had wanted the brave beauty for themselves.

General Daedon, still feeling offended and humiliated by Areza, watched her being led away, finding her striking beauty and fearless spirit deeply disturbing.