Chapter 2
I was telling all this to Granny Lee, who was like my royal nanny. She patted my head:
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“Honey, King Kaden sent you to the Land of the River, not because he’s mad. He did it because he loves Princess Ann and couldn’t bear to have her leave. So he used you instead, you’re the prettiest.”
I think I got it? Maybe not?
My chest felt a bit tight.
Granny Lee took my hand:
“Your job now is to survive. The River King, Rex, is cold, ruthless, and not interested in any chick. You need to be careful.”
Turns out, she was right. Rex didn’t care for anyone. I’ve been here for 3 months and haven’t even seen him.
So, I got bored and started raising chickens secretly. They were my best buddies.
One night, when I was sneaking out to feed my chicks, I found a guy passed out, bleeding all over the place.
And he was hot. Seriously hot.
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Chapter 2
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His face, all cut up, was gorgeous in the moonlight, the dark hair covering his face, those strong features and perfect angles.
I hauled his butt over by the chicken coop and did my best first
aid.
He woke up right before dawn.
“You’re awake?” I said, leaning in.
He hesitated, smiled with a cold light in his eyes. I didn’t know
that his hand was on his sword:
“Did you save me?”
- ep. And by the way, I’m not ‘a girl‘, I’m the Queen.”
e noticed the book in my hand.
His eyes narrowed. It was giving off super creepy vibes.
He read the cover:
“How to Be a Scandalous Queen Plan‘…what is this?”
Oh, this is my favorite topic!
I sat down next to him, opened the book, and a huge drawing of a bird was there:
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Chapter 2
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“You wouldn’t get it. This is my plan to be a scandalous queen and destroy the Land of the River. First, I’m gonna roast this bird!”
“Why?”
“Because this is the nation’s sacred bird. If I roast it, it’ll bring bad luck and everything goes to hell. But there’s a second level to this plan!”
“Oh?”
“I like to eat roasted bird! This way, I get to destroy the country and eat some good barbecue. It’s a win–win. Get it?”
He looked shocked.
“I…I understand.”
I flipped to the second page, which was a motivational slogan:
“Born in ’96, dream to be queen, yo yo yo!”
For some reason, all the coldness in his eyes vanished, replaced by… pity, maybe? Even a little bit of care?
He was about to leave.
I grabbed his sleeve, almost falling.
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Chapter 2
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He caught me, still as strong as a bull even with his injuries.
“Will you come back here?” I asked looking up at him.
He smirked down at me:
“Are you that bored?”
I nodded:
“This damn palace sucks. I feed my chickens here all the time, so if you show up tomorrow, I’ll introduce them. Deal?”
He paused, like he wanted to refuse.
But then his eyes went to his wrist where the bandage I had wrapped around it had an uneven, messed–up bow.
He said, “Deal.”
The next day, I showed him my three, chonky chickens:
“From left to right, give me your review.”
He deadpanned:
“1. Steamed. 2. Braised. 3. Fried.”
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Chapter 2
I panicked and shielded my chickens:
“They aren’t for eating! They are family!”
I whistled:
“General Thunder Chicken!”
One of the chickens stepped forward.
“Squishy Cheeks Chicken!”
Another one stepped forward.
I patted his arm:
“Now, it’s your turn to name one.”
He winced:
“I…no.”
“Okay! Fine, you don’t have to!”
And one chicken stepped forward.
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I was happy, while he laid under the tree, hot as ever, long legs crossed, and asked:
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Chapter 2
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“How’s your plan going? Have you become a scandalous queen yet?”
I looked a little sad:
“Not really, birds are hard to catch. And also, Rex hasn’t hooked up with me yet.”
He froze, not even blinking.
He looked like he couldn’t believe I had just said it out loud.
I explained:
“You know, all the old scandalous queens get it on with the kings. If King Rex doesn’t sleep with me, I can’t be a scandalous queen! It’s a problem!”
His face turned red:
“Shut up! … Don’t say things like that.”
“Okay.”
After a few minutes, he got over it and asked, voice lowered:
“Why do you want to be a scandalous queen so badly?”
Back in the Land of the Pines, I had asked the Prime Minister:
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Chapter 2
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“Why do I have to go to the Land of the River to be a scandalous queen?”
“Dear girl, doing this will help our country. When you look back, you’ll not have wasted your youth.”
“But, I don’t get it.”
“Dear girl, your king will be happy.”
“I get it! When are we going?”
I told the hot guy:
“If I become a scandalous queen, Kaden will be happy.”
He raised an eyebrow:
“Kaden? King Kaden of the Land of the Pines?”
I nodded, and started telling him about Kaden.
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