Kore

The first day of official duties arrived. I stretched and stared out the window, still shaken from our encounter from last night. He had tried to steal my innoncce!

A soft tear stained my cheeks as I envision my future; I knew my life would be miserable here.

"Please your majesty! We must dress you! You have a full day ahead of you" the same female demon suggests as she lifted my blankets to dress the bed.

I cringed as I hear my title roll off her lips. "Your majesty"  I would never get used to it. She paused her actions as she realized my hesitancy.

"You will go to the throne room and help the master decide on daily matters" she informed me, trying to cam my spirits.

"Matters?"

"Like last wishes, death proceedings, things of that nature. People will ask the king for another chance of life. Common matters like those" the demons fills me in.

"Your bath has been prepared and breakfast is ready at your call" she piped as she stuffed the dirty sheets into the wicker basket. My eyes fell on the dress hanged against the door of the bathroom. There was no point in fighting against him or living in this kingdom. I tried many times before to escape. If my own mother couldn't help me, what purpose was there to fight? I knew I had to take matters into my own hands and kill him soon.

Once I dry myself and lotion, I slip on the lace dress. It was another revealing one, with my bosoms on full display. I tried to shove them deeper into the sides but it was no use.

I walk into the foyer of the throne room. The guards bow and direct me inside. My stomach dropped as I see a menacing shadow behind me. His fiery aura made me assured of his presence. He gives me no acknowledgment, not even a simple greeting or good morning. He only offered his arm so that I may grab it. Hesitantly I  take it and he escorts me to the center of the fiery throne room.

We both walk in silence as he led me to my throne, then calmly walked over to his. I stole a quick glance to observe him but his eyes only focused straight.

Why was he pretending as if I did not exist?

"Let us begin" he announces to the demons and the doors open.

The first person, a plump middle aged man, tiptoed in. "King of the underworld! I bring gifts for the new queen" he bowed low and left his basket at the base of the stairs.

"Thank you—-" I begin my praise but before I could finish, the king cuts me off.

"What is it?" he sighed, scrunching his nose with disgust.

"Lilies master. I know she is the goddess Kore and nurtured life on earth" he smiled warmly. I am touched by his honesty and tempt him to rise.

"What an insult for a gift!" the king announced.

"That is quite fine—" I try to stop his blows. He holds his hand up for silence and continued.

"You know just as any soul that Kore is the Queen's old title. You and every other man and child refers to her as Persephone."

"A insight on my part your majesty" he apologized.

"You have insulted not only my wife but me. I went through all the trouble to have a wedding and a ceremony to announce her new title and you simply demean her to a goddess?"

"Guards" he snapped his fingers, "take him out of my sight" he sighed and they escort him out.

I stare at his eyes as he observed the wall with no care. "Are you always this mean?"

"Mean? Was I harsh for telling him a basket of lilies was an insult?"

"It was all that he had?" I protested.

"I grow tired of this conversation. What's done is done" he silenced me and faced toward.

That's it! I refused to be disrespected like this. No way would I succumb myself to his demonizing ways. I shoot off from my throne chair to leave but he quickly grabbed my wrist and pushes me into his lap, running his warm lips against my neck.

"Release me" I quiver with rage. I attempted to pull away but he only dipped me lower and continued marking my skin with his teeth. Finally he broke and looked into my eyes. "My ardor intensifies by the simple touch of your skin." He curses as he pushes me against his arousal, "I would take you right now"

"Why don't you? You are used to taking things. You will strip me of my innonce in due time" I spat.

"Something hinders me at the moment...but in due time, you will beg me to take you." he bragged, softly brushing the bush of my brow.

His touch sent chills down my core...

He smirked as he inspected my busty chest and leaned back in the chair. I attempted to stand but he forced me to remain in his lap.

"Let's play a fun game." he whispered against my ear, "The next person that glances at you will be a treat for my dogs." he suggests, not breaking contact with me. I turned to face forward, away from his mischievous grin.

Chills ran down my spine as the guards called for the next person. It was another man from the afterlife.

"My wife the most beautiful woman in the world. Wouldn't you agree?" he asked.

"Yes your majesty," the man bowed in reverence, not looking up.

Phew!

Thank the heavens! He was too fearful to even look up.

"You haven't even glanced upon her beauty? How would you know?" Aides fumed.

"My majesty, I dare not look at someone so sacred. When she glances upon me, my hideous face will erase any memory she has of you" he confesses, already knowing the spirit of the king.

"Look to her dear friend; it will only be insult if you refuse to glance" he whispered, excited for his fate.

"The rumors alone are enough your majesty. I do not need to confirm them myself." he announced.

"Rumors? You go based off of rumors rather than truth? You may look for yourself."

"No he does not- don't lo—" but before I could finish my warning, the king pushes his fingers to my lips "Shhh. The king speaks" he growls into my ear, tightening his grip against my waist. I knew he was telling me to behave.

I reluctantly obey and pray this man kept his eyes glued to the floor.

"My wife is new and does not know what she means" he kisses my neck hungrily. "Look to her! She is beautiful."

The man knew he would not win and reluctantly looks to greet my eyes. I smile warmly but his eyes trail down to my busty bosoms. I covered them quickly and turned away from his gaze. I was uncomfortable since the dress was quite revealing

"How dare you!!" The king stands calmly, pulling me off his lap.

"My king?" The man titled his head with confusion.

"You glanced at her body. Now she is uncomfortable"

"No! no I was just cold! It is always cold down here in the underworld" I say, trying to spare the man. He claps and two demons come with their swords.

"Feed him to my dogs" he commands calmly.

"No no noooooo your majesty! please" the men begged for mercy.

"Please no! spare him" I interject, pulling Aides arm. He stared down at me as the man trembled with fear. "I was just cold. He didn't look.." I try to reason with him. He was a devil incarnate. He observed my face as I tried to spare his life.

"Is what my wife says true?"

The man looked to me then at the king. I signal him to lie and he nodded.

"No my king. She is lying! I did look! I rather be honest than deceitful. I am a dead man anyway but I rather die in honesty and have mercy in the after life" he cried.

"Traitors all of you!" he spat distastefully and dropped to his throne. "See my queen? He values his own life and even after you tried to help him?" He bragged, looking up at where I stood.

"I am not offended" I try to spare his life but he ignored me and snapped his fingers. "Your folly was trying to find favor with me when you should have impressed the Queen. How dare you accuse of her lying?" he asked the man.

"Master...I am foolish... it is why I died a foolish death. I do not know what I speak. Please have mercy"

"Take him for a feeding" he snaps, waving him away.

"Noooooo!!!" The man cried as he is dragged away.

I hear the barking of the dog and crunching of bones as I stare quietly in the distance. That is the moment when I decided I could take it no more.

"Let this be a lesson to you Persephone;" he stood and towered behind me. He pulls my chin to make me meet his gaze, "do not go against the king" he whispered against my lips. 

I slap his palm off and run to my room.

How dare he?

I didn't care about the solstice or his transformation!

I didn't care about those three crazy sisters and their test of fate!

I couldn't stand to look at him anymore! I cringed in his presence!

I would seduce him tonight and when the clock rang twice at the crack of midnight,

I would kill him.

AN:
Do you think the king is cruel? How do you guys like Aides so far?