SMITTEN

Aisha watched in awe at the magnificent display of magic in front of her. 

She has seen it before in Master Aurelius' class. But this was more enormous and vivid, as if she was really in the location at that time. 

Now that Aisha was inside that room, she saw that it wasn't really a bed and table kind of room.

The elaborate walls of the octagonal room were filled with paintings of past kings and the heads of slain supernatural creatures. In the center of the room sat a large seven-sided war table, engraved with a very detailed map of the surrounding lands in Gaea.

"And the other news that you want to say?" King Leandro uttered in a nonchalant tone as he checked a map on the table. 

"It came from Cordelia herself, so it is very possible that it could be true. Humans could never handle a Gaean baby in their womb and vice versa. She told of a story of long ago where a mermaid was impregnated by a human.. Cordelia was the one who gave birth to her. But the offspring were mutated. It lived for a few months before it died," Lady Marina continued to share a story that she has just learned recently. 

Aisha's palms immediately went to her abdomen as she listened to Lady Marina's tale. Could that happen to her, too? 

It is true that different species breeds could not mate and produce a viable baby. And if they did, it will have some sort of abnormality in him. 

She remembered that part in her biology class as she got interested in breeding Keebo and a neighbor's cat. 

'If we have a baby, what will happen to him or her then? Will the baby have supernatural powers like the King? Or will he be without one and susceptible to die, like me? Or will he like that mutated monster. Or will he live at all?'

Aisha felt so bad for the unborn baby. She glanced around, hoping to hear from the Great Theos again about this matter. But he remained mum.

Her eyes quickly darted to King Leandro as she awaited his response. 

"Thank you for your concern, my lady. But I believe the Great Theos wouldn't approve of the female human if he didn't know of the risk. If he trusts her, then I will, too," King Leandro who spoke up. 

Then he added, "If there is a possibility that the child will be mutated, then there will also be a chance that he will not." 

Aisha couldn't help but release an appreciative sigh. She felt her heartbeats quickened at his gallant response. 

Even the atmosphere changed, making her feel more warm-hearted. The Great Theos must have been pleased with his answer, too.

She couldn't help but feel thankful for both the Great Theos and the King for thinking highly of her, even if she wasn't really that extraordinary.

Just then, Lady Marina spoke again. "Gaeans are for Gaeans. Why would you risk having an abnormal offspring when you have an alternative, your Majesty? To be honest, Cordelia gave me a tonic that could increase my chance of bearing a child." 

Aisha's eyes bulged out as Lady Marina stripped naked in one snap. Her body truly was a masterpiece to the eyes of both men and women alike. She has shapely beautiful curves, two round plump bottoms, and a porcelain smooth skin that every woman envies. 

Her eyes immediately darted to King Leandro to see how he views her. But he was glancing away. 

This was the scene that she probably witnessed before she turned around. 

Just then, Lady Marina put her arm around King Leandro's neck. But he stepped backward before drawing in a deep breath. 

Aisha could see beads of sweat on his forehead. His breathing was ragged and his throat was moving up and down. 

How could he not? *It was the rice who was coming to the chicken. 

She even found it odd that he would back out from that tempting offer. Just a one-night stand before the wedding. Who in his right mind would refuse that?

It must be the reason why Aisha quickly went away from the room without knowing the details first. She knew how alluring and attractive Lady Marina was, that the King would obviously take advantage of her offer. 

Plus the fact that they've been lovers before. 

But to her surprise, King Leandro said to Lady Marina, "There seems to be a misunderstanding, my lady. I am not marrying Lady Aisha just to conceive a child. Though I admit that was my initial intention before. I am now marrying her because I want her to be by my side in the lifespan that the Great Theos has given to me."

Aisha could see the determination in his eyes as he said that, making Aisha's hand fly to her chest. 

She couldn't believe what she was seeing. The King of Gaea was being faithful to her, even if they weren't married yet!

She thought that euphoria could only be felt while lovemaking, or getting drunk. But what the King did and what he just said sent her to the heavens. 

And he had no idea that she was there!

Lady Marina seemed upset. But she drew near him and continued her seductive bait as she said, "There's no harm in trying, your Majesty. I would gladly offer my body as a service to you and Gaea. Lady Aisha doesn't have to know."

Aisha gritted her teeth as she clenched her fist. "That's the sluttiest thing I have heard in my entire two lives!"

Lady Marina then pressed her bountiful breasts on his taut chest. Then she tiptoed, so she could reach the angle of his neck, so she could kiss it.

Aisha felt her blood boiling to the highest degree, making her bolt towards her and try to pull her hair. 

Aisha thought she wouldn't know that it was her because this was just a vision. 

But since it was a hologram, her hands just passed through."

"Uggh!" Aisha smirked and crossed her arms in frustration. 

Fortunately for her, King Leandro removed her arms again and uttered, "I respect you, my lady. You are a brilliant woman, a member of the Tribal Council, and the leader of all the living creatures living under the sea. You should respect yourself, too."

Aisha smelled victory, making a corner of her lips lift. She clapped her hands together as she applauded the King. 

"Woohoo! What do you say to that, b*tch?" Aisha cocked her head and crossed her arms as she glared at Lady Marina.

She was a little bold because she knew that Lady Marina couldn't see her. 

Just then, the vision lifted. And she was back in the mountains. The Great Theos spoke again, "Lady Marina was still my chosen Member of the Tribal Council. Respect her, too."

Aisha immediately went down on her knees and bowed to him. "Forgive me, your Majesty. I got ahead of myself."

She was still fuming mad. But she understood what the Great Theos meant.

"What is your decision now? Would you accept being the Chosen One?" The Great Theos asked again.

Aisha gulped as she was still hesitant. Yes, King Leandro didn't betray her. Thanks to the lords. But was she really ready for the responsibility? 

She cleared her throat as she asked, "I just have one last question, your Majesty. Why did you choose me?"

"I have hopes for humankind. I knew that there was goodness in them, and I saw that in you. I wanted a future where humans and supernatural creatures could thrive together and live in harmony. And that would start with you."

Aisha nodded her head as she now understood the Great Theos's intentions. It was for the benefit of all.

She recalled how the Gaeans explicitly shoot hate remarks against her kind. Because of that, she also desired to prove them wrong by trying to be a good example somehow. 

She was also reminded of the King's pure motive in ruling Gaea. He and his lineage deserve to sit on the throne.

"Thank you for clearing things up for me, your Majesty. I would gladly accept the call." Aisha bowed again. 

The atmosphere lifted again. The winds encircled around her, making Aisha fall to the ground and hold on to it, so she wouldn't be lifted off.

The Great Theos spoke again in a thundering voice, "The journey wouldn't be easy. But you will have the grace and strength that you need with the King beside you."

Those were the last words of the Great Theos before the heavy cloud lifted, making Aisha breathe normally again.

Aisha was still bowing low to the ground as she pondered on what the Great Theos just said.

She lifted her head as soon as she made her decision. And to her surprise, the mountains and the edge of the cliff vanished. 

Now it was replaced with the four corners of her Chamber. She drew in a deep breath as she knew now what to do.

She fixed herself in the dressing room and walked out of her Chamber with her face tilted up.

Just then, Lady Marina walked in. 

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Sometimes, bad things happen to us, so we can achieve a higher purpose and attain greater happiness and fulfillment in life.