Queen of Clowns, page 1
For every person who felt/was wronged. Your redemption will come.
If you perceive something to be valuable, then it becomes worth it.
Your feelings are true, your pain is valid.
Every book for this series is a road. Revenge, Betrayal, Love, and War. The pattern becomes apparent as each book in the series delves into a unique journey or sentiment: Rage, Betrayal, Dedication, and Rebellion.
Fight for the justice you rightfully deserve, but be aware of the challenges you'll face along the way. Be aware of the potential pain and wounds that may arise during this journey. Even so, make a stand and fight for it.
Table of Content
Disclaimer
CHAPTER 0
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
Disclaimer
It should be noted that any similarities in names, situations, or facts are entirely coincidental and not derived from real-world places, themes, or situations.
CHAPTER 0
Warning: this chapter contains implications of sexual assault.
The screams I uttered that night are still etched into my memory.
The night of the fire.
With the break of dawn came a refreshing coolness in the air, providing a soothing sensation after a night of warmth beneath the blankets. Positioned in the center of the kingdom, our clock tower would soon be kissed by the sun at its highest point. Laos was circular in shape and enclosed by towering brick walls, providing protection against the dangerous creatures of the forest. Nevertheless, the dragons that soared above us never caused us any concern. We took care of our surroundings to avoid any creatures getting mad at us, which we’d heard could sometimes occur.
There was something about the air that day. It was so easy to breathe... and then it wasn’t.
As I strolled through the bustling marketplace, the vibrant colors of fresh produce caught my eye, tempting me to find the perfect ingredients for my stew. Our kingdom, Laos, although smaller in size compared to others, was rich in resources. Even then, without the king, it would still likely have just been called a farming village.
I was excited to get creative with the yams from my kind-hearted next-door neighbor, who always came to my rescue with food whenever I was struggling to make ends meet.
Though I grew up with no family of my own, I was doing well for myself. I’d been discovered by the villagers as an infant in the forest. Not a single creature had dared to bother me, earning me the nickname of ‘miracle baby’. The villagers took care of me until I could talk, but when I was around four or five years old, I started living alone and finding solace with my next-door neighbor, Ferna.
Engrossed in my stroll, admiring the food and exchanging greetings with passersby, my eyes caught sight of a grand gold carriage, gracefully gliding down the street, pulled by a pair of magnificent white horses. Those present were awed by the display, whispering and cheering, and I awkwardly stepped to the side, watching as it went by. I shrugged it off, figuring it was likely some kind of noble. I wasn’t particularly excited about nobles, as they typically came off snobbish towards normal people, so I continued on my way, uninterested in the pomp and grandeur.
By the time I arrived back at my little home, Ferna was outside, cultivating her tomatoes and getting them ready to sell by placing them in her cart. She was an older lady, with a few wisps of gray peeking through her neatly cropped, thick hair.
Unfortunately for me, everyone in the kingdom was at least ten years older than me, as most of the young people had moved away in search of better opportunities and a more vibrant lifestyle. The once bustling kingdom slowly faded into a quiet and aging community. But I didn't mind it, because they always imparted valuable lessons on how to lead a more fulfilling life.
I waved to her before approaching my humble abode.
“Sentia!” she called out.
I turned back towards her and tipped my head, “Yes ma’am?”
She strolled up to me. “I heard from Luisa that a prince has come to Laos.” Laos was known to a lot of places for having perfect soil. Many royals from other kingdoms visited and traded with us because of our goods, so it wasn’t out of the ordinary for a royal to be visiting.
I nodded. “I saw their carriage.”
Ferna shook her head. “It isn’t just a regular prince, he is from Luark.” I frowned upon hearing that name. Among the neighboring kingdoms, Luark reigned supreme with its impressive infrastructure and prosperous economy. It was richer than ours, bigger than ours, and stronger. A powerful kingdom visiting always made me nervous. The top five kingdoms were all in line with each other, each with their specialties. Luark, in particular, were skilled dragon tamers.
“I heard he is looking for a one-night bride.”
I frowned again, scrunching my face up in disgust. One-night brides were essentially ‘lucky’ women or men who got to sleep with a royal descendant. In return, those nobles offered riches to the rags. It was a barter that many wanted a piece of. Some people even gave their young virgin daughters. If the one-night brides were ‘lucky’, as they said they were, they would get pregnant, and their families were liable to become nobles because their child was having a royal baby. It had always seemed foolish and revolting to me.
“Will you go with me? It seems they will be throwing fireworks for the occasion.”
I sighed, “Yeah, just let me put up my food.” I walked indoors, arranged my belongings, then joined her back outside.
Ferna grabbed my hand and guided me into town. We reached back to the marketplace just in time to see everyone gathered around a podium. Standing there was our mayor, introducing the people to the prince. Ferna and I maneuvered through the crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of the scene ahead. With his chiseled jawline and long whitish-blonde hair, the prince exuded an air of regal charm, complemented by his bright blue eyes. He was handsome. Not my type, though. I could see the other women swooning over him. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and let out a laugh.
“One of you will be very lucky tonight! For tonight, the crown prince from Luark, would like to choose a villager to have a simple dinner with.” I pursed my lips, surprised that he didn’t just say ‘one-night bride’ like usual. The mayor raised his hands. “Who would like to volunteer?”
As many hands went up, including some men, the prince stepped up and placed a hand on the mayor’s shoulder. “If I may, can I choose?” The mayor nodded and stepped back. The prince held a sly smile as he scanned the crowd. “Theres so many beautiful people here in Laos. I heard there was a miracle child, are they here?” Eyes snapped towards me as I released Ferna, and I anxiously scanned my surroundings. He held out his hand. “Come! Come, child!” I hesitated at first but began to move my feet, approaching the podium and climbing up. The prince met me with a smile. “I heard you are a miracle. It would be wonderful to have dinner with you.”
I sighed, “Thank you, your majesty.” As the crowd below us erupted in cheers, I uncomfortably shifted my weight.
The next thing I knew, I was sitting in an expensive room in gold chairs. I knew the kingdom well, but Laos didn’t offer many dining options like this. Despite the wealth our kingdom produced, the majority of us were still farmers. As I settled into the uncomfortable chair, the sight of the chopped meat and vegetables on my plate seemed to taunt me, making me feel even more out of place. The prince sat across from me, a smile playing on his lips as he held a glass of wine, his icy gaze locked onto me so intensely I almost shivered.
“How old are you, girl?” he smiled.
“20.” I responded.
“So, miracle child. You have powers, yes?” I nodded. With my powers, I was able to connect with the villagers on a deeper level, gaining their trust and admiration. It didn’t take long for the village to witness the radiant light that emanated from my very being, and although powers were not uncommon, I became revered and respected because of it. I wasted no time in mastering my gifts, which the villagers perceived as harmless, unaware of the destructive capabilities light possessed.
He happily set down his glass. “Show me.”
I took a deep breath and held out my hands. A surge of power rose in my fingertips, and I released it after feeling the tingly sensation building up. A gentle warmth radiated from my palms as a luminous bubble formed and ascended into the air. With a look of amusement, he stared at the scene before him. I was always delighted to use my abilities to bring joy to others, and despite my situation, a light smile formed on my face. He sat back and smirked. “Interesting. So how do you feel about living here with your ability? Wouldn’t you rather move somewhere you could put those powers to use?”
I shook my head. “No your Highness, I’m pretty at peace with what I do with it. I wouldn’t want to use it to harm anyone. At most, I would just like to defend myself.” I shrugged. “Anyway, I don’t know how to use it for battle.”
“Interesting.” The silence hung heavy between us, and the knot in my stomach made it impossible to even think about eating. It was just strange. He scooted his chair closer. My lips parted nervously, seeing him so close, and my hands felt clammy. “Are you not hungry?” He stared at my food before looking back at me. “I can ask them to bring you something else.”
I shook my head and lied, “I don’t know. I guess I’m not really that hungry.” As his hand moved up my arm, a tingling sensation spread through me, making me squirm. His hands moved with a purpose, and one of them made its way up my leg, venturing near my groin. I turned to him. “Don’t touch me, please.” I said seriously. There was no humor in my words, and I was determined not to allow him to manipulate me.
His grip on my thigh tightened, eliciting a sharp, painful flinch. “Who do you think you’re talking to?” he demanded. Despite my efforts to remove his hand, his grip remained unyielding.
“Please let go!” I yelled. In a swift motion, he reached out with his free hand and tightly gripped my neck. Ignoring any consequences, he lifted me off the ground and ruthlessly threw me onto the table, leaving the remnants of the meal smeared against my back. I coughed, trying to breathe against his arm. “Stop!”
In all honesty, my recollection of what followed is a complete blur.
The sound of my clothes being ripped is the only thing that stuck in my memory from that moment. The kicking and screaming...
I only directed my attention towards my pinned wrist, concentrating all my energy on my hands until finally, a light appeared, turning into a spear. With a quick movement, I struck the crown prince’s head, and he crumpled to the floor, unconscious. Sitting up, I gasped as his hand finally released its grip on my throat. I could feel my adrenaline coursing through my veins and my heart pounding in my chest. I glanced down at the crimson stain between my thighs, frantically tugging at my clothing to conceal my bare legs. Trembling, my hands couldn’t find stillness. Desperate for an escape, I looked at the window and opened it. Just as I peered down the side building, I could see the guards emerging through the opened door.
“Your majesty?”
I was already halfway out of the window, carefully maneuvering to avoid knocking anything over as I descended to the ground. I didn’t know what to think, but my legs were moving fast on their own, pounding against the ground, propelling my numb body towards home. I could hear the guards screaming to catch me all the way.
When I arrived back at my house, Ferna was still outside, and I approached her with tears. “Ferna...”
She grabbed my shoulders, concern edging into her voice. “What is wrong, dear?”
Tears streamed down my face as I sniffled, hastily wiping them away. “He tried to... no... he did it.”
Ferna blinked and backed away from me. “You slept with him?”
“No! He took advantage of me, so I hit him!”
She was silent, and in my head, I was panicking. Why was she silent? What could she possibly be thinking? At the time, I’d wanted a hug. I wanted her to sit me down and soothe me. But she only stared at me. When her eyes shifted, I swiftly turned to follow her gaze, seeing the torches that people held as they neared our home. The prince was in the front, his guards behind him. Somehow, he had gathered the villagers, who now followed him, their curious eyes locked on me as they approached.
The prince stopped a few feet away from me and Ferna as the mayor managed to squeeze his way up to him. “What is going on? The villagers and I heard all this commotion. Oh my, are you hurt?” he asked, noticing the prince’s bleeding forehead.
The crown prince smiled lightly and said in a soft voice, “I just wanted a small conversation, but it seems I have been threatened.”
The mayor frowned, looking at me in disbelief. “No, Sentia is not like that. She is a sweet girl.”
“Sweet?” he spoke. “She caused me injury and proclaims I raped her when she came on to me.”
I gaped at his lies, and the mayor frowned condemningly. “Sentia! Why would you do that!?”
I shook my head in disbelief. “No! He’s lying!”
“He is a royal. Why would he come all the way here to lie to us?”
“You said it yourself! He’s a royal! He can lie anytime he wants!” I screamed.
“Lower your voice! You are in the presence of the crown prince of Luark. Even if he did take you, you should be grateful. It is known as a blessing to sleep with royalty.”
Ferna placed a hand on my back. “It is a blessing. You should apologize to the prince.”
“A-apologize!?” I was so baffled that I couldn’t find the words to express myself. “Y-you want me to apologize to someone who raped me?” I slapped her hand off me, feeling disgusted. I was nauseous, bending over, nearly gagging until I threw up. “I am not... I will not!” I yelled.
The prince shook his head. “You could have told me anytime that you didn’t want it. You didn’t. You’re acting out.”
The people of Laos all screamed out agreements, their voices echoing through the air as they raised their hands in unison. The sound of their collective voices reverberated through the crowd, creating a symphony of affirmation. The sight of their passionate expressions and animated gestures filled the scene with energy and enthusiasm. The men and the woman who had swooned over him earlier that day all agreed with his words. I had never known betrayal from these people before. From a young age, they were a part of my everyday life. How could they possibly have thought of me this way?
That’s what I originally was thinking. I thought it couldn’t get any worse.
It did.
The crown prince sighed and shook his head disappointingly, “This is horribly shameful! You know, those who lie about royalty like this bring bad luck to their people. It’s best to get rid of those like her. If my father found out—”
The mayor interrupted him, fear etched into his voice, “We can punish her! What shall we do?”
“Would taking her life be sufficient?”
Ferna asked.
“Stop! What are you doing!?” I screamed, banging on the wooden doors. At the time, I couldn’t believe what was happening. It was insane. Despite spending twenty years growing up in this kingdom, they had now imprisoned me inside a barn. Once again, it was all a blur. I don’t even remember how many hours I spent waiting, but I remember the anxiety, my heart pounding out of my chest.
Eventually, I stopped banging the door in order to hear the villagers on the other side. “There! Should that please you enough, your majesty?” I heard the voice of the mayor. “If you would so kindly just wipe this memory from your mind.”
I heard the prince chuckle. “Of course this pleases me. But I think what will please me more is having her fully. You see, I never really got my one-night bride.”
I heard the mayor hesitate. “But she might attack you again.”
The prince grunted. “Not if you subdue her for me.”
In the next minute, the door swung open, and I instinctively took a step back, raising my hands in surrender. Men from the village had surrounded me. With their hands held high, the sight of the ropes gripped tightly within them became unmistakable.
“Get away from me!” I growled. I conjured up my ability, but using it on the prince had been my first time calling on it for defense. I had no clue how to do it again. When they all lunged towards me, my vision blurred as I tried to fend them off. I struggled intensely as my hands were tightly bound behind my back, the world around me seeming to close in. The sight of the rope cutting into my skin sent a shiver down my spine, and the muffled sounds of my own panicked breath filled my ears, drowning out any other noise. The faint scent of fear lingered in the air, mingling with the taste of adrenaline—trapped and helpless, leaving me with no choice but to accept my immobilized state. In the blink of an eye, the mayor hoisted a heavy rock into the air, and in an instant, everything went dark.
As I opened my eyes, I saw the prince hastily putting his clothes back on. I felt dizzy and numb. The ties around my hand were breaking my skin. The prince smirked at me and turned to his left. He said something, his voice echoing as though someone else stood beside him. Still drifting in and out of consciousness, however, I couldn’t see who it was. As he turned towards me, his fingers snapped, and suddenly, a flickering flame surrounded me, trapping me in its fiery embrace. I still wasn’t fully consciousness when he left the barn, but I could hear the creaking of the door. He said something to the villagers, his words muffled and indiscernible. As his speech concluded, the resounding applause of the villagers filled the air.
