Chapter 7

After a couple hours of horse riding Khan Ter and his guards reached the campsite from Queen Mother’s castle. Because of the circumstances, Princess Tulia had to part with her now turned best friend with a bit of sorrow once she was brought back to the castle.

Before the departure Ter spoke to Tulia in bossy manner:

- Get ready. In a week we are visiting Shekkhat Kingdom for the Coronation Ceremony. You will be meeting your spouse. I won’t be accepting any fuss!

Was Khan ready for it? Yes.

Unexpectedly, Princess’s attitude displayed that she has grown in such a short time spent with Nia. Maybe this is what the Queen mentioned to him earlier.

On the way back to the main castle Ter decided to take the ride with Nia. Besides Ter, she tightened her backbone, clenched her fists and was getting ready to take action on any movement she could face. As she felt, Ter pulled her to himself sharply, holding from behind. Nia’s heart could jump out of her chest at any time. Ter’s breezeful words tingled under her right ear on her neck.

- What game are you playing?

Nia has gained Khan’s attention. No matter how much she tries, she can’t change it anymore.

- I am not playing any games. You are overthinking it, husband.

Nia tried to hide her shaky voice, kept herself calm. Her wrist was paining from Ter’s tight grip. Ter noticed it from Nia biting her lips from pain and pushed her hard to the corner of the cart. Ter’s palm has left red marks on her wrist which she rubbed to soothe the pain afterwards.

Once they reached the caste Nia rushed to her room. Unfortunately, the door of the room wasn’t closed by her. She didn’t notice that Ter chased after her. She was pushed to the bed forcefully after the door made a loud closing sound. Cold ran through her body from the tip of her feet to the back of her head. She wasn’t feeling her legs from fear. She couldn’t refuse his forceful kisses. No matter how hard she tried to push him with all her strength, she felt as the weakest, miserable person in the world. “I am done” thought Nia, that’s when the door was knocked.

- Don’t bother,  growled Ter.

- It is important, my lord, said the voice behind the door.

With an annoyed look Ter backed down and sat on the edge of the bed.

- Come in, said Ter while buttoning up his shirt collar.

It was his servant who came to inform him that consort Petra was having the baby and his presence was important there as she was giving birth to the first child of the ruler.

Nia’s tears were running down from the sides of her eyes while she was lying there motionless on the bed. She felt even worse for the real body owner. Marrying an unloving man, being forced by him. She must have felt lonely, unsafe. These feelings were Minera’s, maybe Nia had been through more. Who knows!

In a bit, after gaining some strength Nia got up, called Mek. Mek brought her warm water to bathe and asked if she could help her with it. Nia refused and said that she wants some alone time. As soon as Mek went out Nia locked the doors. Her stone cold, blood-stiffed body maybe can be heated with a hot bath. The feeling of forceful touch has not faded away for a while. She felt so broken, unfixable anymore. In many similar stories from novels the heroines were portrayed as strong, smart and they would be happy eventually with the partner they were paired with. However, what Minera is facing in this body is so real that she finds it hard to accept.

She wishes if this is one of her previous dreams, she could wake up right away from the nightmare.

Khan Ter had to spend 7 days looking after the mother of her first child, preparing for a banquet. In 7 days people of the Khanate and the neighboring kingdoms paid a visit to congratulate the Khan with having the firstborn son. No matter how jealous the concubines were for it, Nia was completely indifferent. Maybe this is what annoyed the Khan the most about her.

Indifference of a person can kill a horse. The power of it could show Nia stronger each time. Maybe the real her already gave up for her destiny, so her affection for his husband wasn't much noticeable, but Minera’s didn't make much difference because she doesn't like him anyway. That's what can bother some men, feeling undesired, ignored or even losing the power of control over their women.

The banquet hall was full of guests. Everyone was chit-chatting, their voices sounding like a bee buzzing. Nia was standing in the corner, surrounded by unfamiliar faces until Tulia and The Queen asked her to join them. Everyone visited the occasion, however, Nia’s father couldn't make it because of the delayed journey back from abroad. This excuse could trick others but it was obvious he didn't want to feel humiliated. It was supposed to be his daughter who should have given birth to a grandchild, the first son now. It is humiliating for him.

After a couple of days it was time for Ter and Tulia to leave the Khanate to the Shekkhat Kingdom. Everything has been prepared and was ready to set off in a bit.