Jin Anika knew her charms and talents just as well as she knew how to use them to her advantage. When he first saw her, she smiled rather wickedly as she surrounded herself with countless of men, from all walks of life, on her birthday.
Kasser did not mean to be part of those men that had flocked towards her. At first glance, she had not seemed suitable enough for a life in the desert, and Kasser quickly deemed it to be a futile attempt. However, she had approached Kasser herself and had struck a queer deal with him, including a rather strange suggestion.
“Help me maintain a formal marriage for three years,” she told him, “And in three years, you shall have your successor.” she finished, and Kasser hummed in thought.
“Why me?” he asked her, and she just gave him another mischievous smirk.
“I don’t think you are interested in me,” she said, “It’ll make the three years of marriage a lot easier.”
“Why do you need a fake marriage?” He insisted
“I’ll tell you when the deal is done without any trouble,” she told him.
“And what will you do after the baby is born?”
“I’ll tell you that later too.” she said, “It’s not a bad offer, don’t you think my King?” she purred at him, “After all, you need an heir sooner or later.”
And with that, he struck the deal, and all Anika needed to do was to bear him his heir, for only she, her kind, can give birth to a child that will inherit his abilities.
Ever since before, the four kings have always dealt with the struggle of succession. There came a time when the kingdom was put in jeopardy with the lack of successors to the throne. Fortunately, it was abated when Kasser’s father had him; but even then, he was already in his fifties.
The kingdom of Hashi was the farthest from the Holy city where Jin Anika came from. To reach it, one must cross a perilous mountain range, which meant only a few people would ever take such roads. Which ultimately resulted in less diverse people, and cultural exchanges, and lesser new blood to the current population.
Due to its isolation, the Hashi Kingdom’s culture had become frugal. Despite it being a luxurious and splendid aristocratic in nature, its culture remained undeveloped. It became a desolate periphery for the aristocrats residing in the castle who only lived for the joy of pleasure.
The ultimate goal the king needs is a successor. And for that goal, that dream to become a reality, he must take Anika to bed. Anika, descending from the Holy city, led a rather affluent lifestyle, and it was common knowledge that people of her kind refrain from traveling to the distant desert kingdom.
As what nature demands, Kasser would get older, and it was only a matter of time until things would be too late. He was already exhausted at the thought of searching far and wide for a way to produce an heir. It’s like his father all over again…
So back then, he figured it was a good deal. However, as time went on, he was beginning to have doubts about whether or not he was dealt with an easy solution, or was tricked.
Before, at the start of their marriage, his mind was filled with thoughts on whether or not she was going to keep her promise, her end of the deal. But now, considering Anika’s corrupt nature, he was filled with a different kind of concern…
Would the child that would grow inside her be fit as my successor?
Whenever anyone would ask if he had any problems, he would always remain vague. As if it was an automatic response to deny any form of help at all…But for years, he always had a gut feeling something was not right, but still, he chose to ignore it.
YOU ARE READING
(1) Living As the Villainess Queen
General Fiction'I want to travel to a place unknown to the many...' It was a passing wish to the weary and tired Eugene and she'd not think it'd ever come to pass... but it did. She opened her eyes and found she was sent to a novel-like world she wrote in passing...
