Many people want to work in the kingdom of Corohelia. Aside from the generous pay, it also elevates the dignity of those who work there. The Corohelia family is not neglectful of their workers either.
However, there are two rules they must follow. First, they must obey whatever each member of the Corohelia family commands. Second, they are not allowed to leave or venture far from the palace, unless they are leaving their job.
These rules are in place to protect the secrets that everyone in the palace is keeping.
Even though the former couple, Trevor and Naomi, knew about these conditions, they didn't hesitate to enter.
"This is for our daughter, Naomi," Trevor said as he held his ex-wife's hand. "I know our marriage wasn't great, but let's do it for Ella. For her better future."
"I agree," Naomi responded with a smile.
Trevor and Naomi had been separated for a long time, but they had remained good friends. Naomi had also accepted that her ex-husband, Trevor, was now with Elizabeth.
Trevor worked in the palace as a woodcutter, while Naomi served Ciara, the younger sister of Prince Ashton.
Even though Naomi had a child, she was still remarkably beautiful, and she caught the attention of the men who crossed her path. After a few months, she became the talk of the town due to her kindness, making more people interested in her.
One of them was Alexander, the King of Corohelia. His queen was on vacation elsewhere, and he had been lonely for quite some time. Naomi had captured his attention, and he kept an eye on her.
Unbeknownst to all, the king had the beautiful palace workers kidnapped and forced himself on them. He believed that as a king, he had the right to taste all the women in their land because, according to him, everything in Corohelia, whether it's an object or a person, belonged to him.
"Lala," Alexander called to the servant who was currently sitting in front of him, massaging his feet. "The one who guards Ciara. Who is she?"
"Her name is Naomi Fortelle, Your Majesty," Lala, the name of the servant, replied. "As far as I know, she's here in the palace with her ex-husband and they work here for their only child."
"Ex-husband? Won't they get back together?" Alexander raised an eyebrow, while one of his feet journeyed between Lala's thighs, causing her to let out a soft moan.
Nevertheless, Lala managed to respond properly. "That's impossible, Your Majesty. Trevor already has a new wife. If Naomi were to reconcile with him, she'd be his mistress."
"Is that so? Hmm..." The king nodded in agreement, his foot gently moving up and down. "With her beauty, it's impossible that her husband won't try to win her back."
Lala nodded as she spread her legs further. Besides the king's power, he was also handsome and charismatic, so some women didn't mind his advances. However, their pleasure was short-lived when someone spoke at the door.
"Y-Your Majesty," a woman stuttered. "Prince Ashton has something to give you. He said I should bring it to you personally."
It was Naomi. This was the first time the king saw her up close, and he was immediately entranced. Her voice was also incredibly alluring to Alexander.
"Alright. Just place it on the table." The king adjusted his sitting position, and so did Lala. "But you should learn to knock next time."
"I-I'm sorry," Naomi said.
She followed Alexander's command before he quickly left. The man's gaze lingered on her until Naomi closed the door.
While Lala wasn't finished cleaning Alexander's feet, he promptly stood up. He retrieved the robe hanging on the chair and put it on.
"When someone asks for me, tell them I'll be back in the afternoon," he instructed Lala before walking out the door.
IN THE depths of midnight, as the palace staff rested, Trevor and Naomi strolled through the forest. They simply wanted to relax since the recent palace work had been challenging.
"When we finish our work here... would you agree if Ella stays with me for a while?" Naomi asked while kicking stones on the path.
She had wanted to ask Trevor that for a long time. Ella was still young when they parted, and Naomi knew she couldn't provide for their child at the time. So, she left Ella with Trevor, but now she had saved up some money. Once she established a small business, she wanted to have her daughter back.
Trevor remained silent. Instead, he stopped walking and gazed at her.
"B-Because I haven't been with her for a long time—"
"It's okay with me, Naomi," Trevor interrupted his ex-wife. "I know you're a good mother, and you won't neglect Ella. Just let me visit her, alright?"
"Of course!" Naomi replied before hugging Trevor.
There was no malice in it. Their separation wasn't painful due to a particular reason. They simply weren't meant for each other.
"Thank you so much, Trevor! I promise, I'll dedicate my whole life to Ella!"
Trevor responded with a simple laugh. Despite their short-lived marriage, they still shared a common dream—to give Ella a better life.
After a while, they decided to return to the palace, but they were immediately stopped by a man who appeared out of nowhere.
"What are my workers doing outside at this time of night?" Alexander asked with a furrowed brow.
"Greetings to the beloved king!" Trevor and Naomi replied in unison, kneeling out of respect.
Alexander didn't say a word. Instead, he approached Naomi. He bent down and aggressively held her chin. "Are you back with your ex-husband?"
"N-No, Your Majesty!"
"Is that so?" It grinned as it gently caressed its skin. "That's great. I can definitely claim you."
With a snap of the king's fingers, two guards quickly approached Trevor and held his shoulders. The king's guards were strong, making it difficult for them to be swayed, no matter how much Trevor resisted.
"Follow me," Alexander ordered before pulling Naomi away. She tried to fight back even though Alexander was stronger.
A wave of anxiety coursed through her body. She knew something terrible was about to happen, so she tried her best to break free from Alexander's grasp, which only seemed to annoy him.
"Will you come with me, or should I kill the father of your child?" he threatened, turning his gaze to Trevor. "With one command, I can have him beheaded. Do you want that? To have your child lose her father?"
"Don't, Naomi! Don't listen to him—" Trevor didn't finish his sentence when he was punched in the stomach by one of the guards.
"If I were you, I'd obey the king of this place. Do you understand?" Alexander said in a frightening tone.
With her eyes closed tightly, Naomi nodded repeatedly while tears streamed down her face. It hurt her inside, but she had to agree. She couldn't bear to lose Trevor, Ella's father, and she couldn't let anyone die because of her.
Alexander and his guards brought Trevor and Naomi to an abandoned house where he would violate the women he had abducted. Naomi was special because it was the first time he personally abducted a woman he wanted to possess.
Most of the women he abducts are either killed or freed in exchange for them bearing his child.
But he had other plans for Naomi. He will use her for a long time until he gets tired of her.