Hello all, I am truly sincerely touched by your well wishes in the reviews and DMs I have received. It really means a lot because these past few months has been really hard for me. Thank you, you are all truly sweet people so much so you guys even made me cry T.T

I do hope you enjoy the chapter and I will update again as soon as I can :)

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"Thank you for transporting such scum to the castle Miss Layla." King Lot tells the brunette before him after watching her roughly drag in Jeremiah and push him on to his knees. Layla emotionlessly proceeds to bow to King Lot respectfully, recognizing him as the ruler of Essetir. After Cenred had passed, Lot who was his cousin took over the throne and Layla, being a sharp one; was wary of him.

Rumor has it that King Lot dislikes strangers, known to cut off the heads of his enemies and hangs them on his walls. Understanding this, Layla made a visit as soon as she heard, acting as a political representative with her mother-in-law in tow. Ordinarily, Jeremiah's father should have done this but the man was old, weak and sick so he could not afford to go on such a journey plus Jeremiah was much too slothful to take up such an important task. Hence, Hunith and Layla was to go instead.

Layla raises her head, her grey eyes studying the king carefully, it was important to note the man's moods as he was known to have a reputation of being a strong and brutal leader as a testament to is cruel ways.

"Layla, stand and face me."

The brunette stands, lifting her face to meet the cold blue eyes of the king that were full of intensity but she did not waver and that's what Lot liked about her. He smirks before standing up and coming toward her. All the while, Jeremiah watches, taking in the appearance and the strong presence of the handsome king.

The tall king with alluring rugged features towered over him; his raven black hair glistened in the moonlight illuminating from the window at his side, combed back and a face carefully structured as if God had molded him just to spoil the eyes of any woman that stood before him. He had a Roman nose, a tight jaw that was an angular shape that was filled with little stubbles and a thin pair of lips that was in a form of a smirk as he looked over the curvaceous Layla.

"You always seem to grow even more beautiful everytime I see you Miss Layla."

Jeremiah watched, clearly curious. After all, Layla was in front of a king, THE king of Essetir where Ealdor resided hence Layla had to be on her best behaviour and comply with the wishes of the king.

Lot watched as Layla replied with a small smile, a modest thank you and a bow; she seemed young but Lot was no fool, she had these deep grey eyes that exuded an intelligence and grace that was well beyond her years.

She was a woman of stature.

"You have told me that this man had been a terror to the women of Ealdor, is that true?"

"Yes my liege."

Jeremiah stiffened, readying himself.

"Has he ever touched you?"

Layla froze, clearly not expecting him to ask that but before she could even reply, Lot turned and swiftly kicked hard and repeatedly at Jeremiah's abdomen. She counted it as 10 times before the older king finally stopped, she sneaked a peak at Jeremiah who seemed to be struggling to breathe. Layla had made no move to stop him after all, Lot was her ruler.

"Please stand Miss Layla and drink in the pitiful mess of this wretched fool."

Jeremiah meets eyes with Layla but he could not read her expression and continued to cough.

"Layla, you have yet to answer my question and please do not lie to me."

The brunette stiffens, unsure but she knew that she had no choice.

"H-he attempted milord...but he did not succeed."

Lot nods in understanding before kicking hard at Jeremiah's face making the man howl in pain. Layla watched as blood streamed down his face from his nose. Without warning, Lot yelled for the guards to take Jeremiah away.

"Set him straight!"

Jeremiah groaned, looking at the crazed blue eyes of the king.

"You are lucky you didn't succeed you little weasel or I would have just done all of Ealdor a favour and killed your sorry arse."

Lot gestured the guards to take him away and he watched, snickering as Jeremiah was whisked away by the guards and once the doors was closed, the king turned to Layla and took her chin in his fingers, angling her head so that the two would meet eyes.

"Are you satisfied Miss Layla?"

Layla nodded, wary of the king's expression.

"You need not be afraid of me you know."

Ever so slowly, Lot withdrew his hand and Layla straightened her posture, readying herself. She kept still as Lot walked around her, obviously taking his sweet time to admire how well the woman dressed herself in her all leather ensemble; light grey heeled boots, tight black pants that hugged her shapely legs perfectly and a long-sleeved dark grey jacket with a lace up front that allowed her hourglass figure to be easily observed.

Lot finally stopped and Layla turned to face him properly.

"Remove the jacket at once."

"Milord?" the brunette asks, her eyes widening in alarm.

"You heard me. Now, do as I say Miss Layla."

Layla's fingers twitched in discomfort, she had no idea what to do...she couldn't defy him, he was her king.

"That's enough Lot."

Lot turned slowly to see Greer looking at him disapproval from her place on her throne.

"You are well aware that this woman is married. How about for once you let a woman leave this palace with some dignity?"

Lot deadpanned, looking at his wife, "I am king. I can do whatever the hell I want."

"Yes but this woman is not like the others you have taken to bed. She has a family; a husband, a child and a mother-in-law. She is not a plaything you can easily make use of."

"She is my subject, therefore she is mine. Do not interrupt me again Greer."

The queen closed her mouth, obviously unhappy but Lot could care less.

"Take off the jacket. I will not repeat again."

Layla took a deep, deep breath and slowly undid the laces on the front of the jacket as she breathed out. The king and queen watched on as Layla ever so slowly took of her jacket, obviously uncomfortable as she looked up and the hooded jacket fell onto the floor.

Lot smirks again, seeing the sleeveless satin maroon-colored overbust corset she had on that was underneath the jacket. The corset accentuated her small waist nicely and the corset even had a sweetheart neckline allowing the rulers of Essetir a gracious view of Layla's ample cleavage. Lot licks his lips, admiring what a beautiful body Layla has; large bust, broad hips, tiny waist and long legs.

Gosh, the things he could do this woman in bed!

"Lot, that is enough. Let her return home to her husband."

Lot grit his teeth, irate, "No, I am taking this woman as my concubine."

Layla's eyes widened but before she could even make a sound of protest, Greer rose from her throne, obviously enraged.

"How dare you! I am your wife! Don't you dare take this woman as your mistress or concubine or whatever else! If you do, you will disgrace me and our marriage! Haven't you put me through enough?!"

"SILENCE WOMAN!"

Lot, out of nowhere, pulls Layla to him by her wrist.

"This woman is a gem! I am not going to care about your damn reputation!"

"My reputation is just as important as yours you imbecile! We are married!"

Having enough, Lot kisses Layla hard on the mouth only to find himself feeling dizzy upon immediate lip contact but before he could even pull away, he loses consciousness and Layla catches him before his head could connect onto the floor. The dark-eyed brunette struggles setting down the well-built king but somehow manages, laying him on his back.

"What just happened?"

Layla looks up, meeting eyes with the queen and that's when she realizes.

"Ah, you cast a spell on your lips while we were arguing. Very clever Miss Layla."

"I am terribly sorry, he isn't dead I assure you, I was just-"

"No need to explain yourself." Greer tells her, sitting down on her throne once more. "I just wish I had powers like yours, an effective method to shut him up."

Layla tilts her head, confused, "I'm sorry, am I not going to be punished for this?"

"My dear, my husband should have never laid a finger on you! He can take as many girls as he likes to his chambers but not a married woman whom I highly respect."

"M-me?"

"You, Miss Layla had proven in your monthly meetings with me and my husband these past few years that you are woman of many talents and a heart bigger than my husband's wretched ego. You do not deserve such treatment."

The corners of Layla lips twitched, wanting to smile but she couldn't, she was still too baffled by everything that just had occurred."

"Besides, I quite liked your mother. She was always very kind, nurturing and sweet in all my encounters with her. You look like her you know, very much so in fact. If I had let you be defiled by my husband's hands, I am sure she would have turned in her grave and her ghost would haunt me in my dreams for eternity."

"Y-you knew my mother?"

"Why yes I did, Nimueh was truly one of a kind."

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A review would be most appreciated! Hope you liked the chapter! ^^

Have a good day! :)