Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 148: Queen Mira

Chapter 148: Queen Mira

Zamian, Mira, and Little Zami sat together in the backseat of the car, the atmosphere quiet yet filled with anticipation. As the vehicle glided onto a narrow, winding road, Mira’s gaze remained fixed outside the window. The surroundings were foreign to her, unlike anything she had seen before. The road seemed to stretch endlessly, flanked on both sides by towering walls of trees that cast long, shifting shadows in the fading light. The occasional flicker of headlights from distant vehicles was the only sign of life beyond their own.

Mira’s chest tightened with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. This road wasn’t just leading to any place; it was leading her to Zamian’s kingdom—a world that, until now, had existed only in his stories and her imagination.

"Could this truly be happening?" she thought.

Everything around her felt surreal. This was the life Zamian had always been a part of, the one he had carefully kept hidden from her for so long. Now, she was finally on the verge of stepping into it. Her heart raced as she tried to process the flood of emotions swirling within her. How could she describe what it meant to leave behind her ordinary life and walk into this extraordinary world?

Zamian’s deep voice broke the stillness, resonating with pride and warmth. "There will be a ball tonight to formally introduce my beautiful wife and daughter to the kingdom."

Mira turned to look at him, her golden eyes meeting his. His words, though simple, carried a profound weight that made her cheeks flush.

"I’m very, very, very grateful to have you," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with sincerity.

Zamian’s lips curled into a small smile as he leaned slightly closer. "I’m more than grateful," he replied teasingly, his tone light but his gaze steady and affectionate.

A soft laugh escaped Mira’s lips, her heart fluttering at his words. She knew Zamian well enough to understand the deeper meaning behind his playful demeanor. No matter what trials they had faced—or would face—he wanted her to know that she was his anchor. And in return, she silently vowed to always stand by his side.

"Sometimes," Mira thought, "experience is the best teacher."

The drive stretched on, the silence occasionally broken by Little Zami’s innocent observations and Lutu’s soft hums of agreement. Finally, the car slowed to a halt, and Mira’s breath hitched as she took in the sight before her.

The castle loomed ahead, its grandeur overwhelming in every sense of the word. It wasn’t just a castle—it was a masterpiece of architecture, with intricate towers that seemed to pierce the sky and walls that shimmered faintly under the glow of the setting sun. Beyond the gates stood an enormous mansion, nestled within the castle grounds like a jewel in a crown.

"Wow, so big!" Little Zami’s voice rang out, breaking the awestruck silence.

Mira glanced at her daughter and laughed, the sound light and melodic. Her heart swelled with love as she saw the wonder in Zami’s wide, innocent eyes. She reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from the little girl’s face.

"Do you like it?" Mira asked with a smile.

Zami nodded enthusiastically, her energy contagious. "Of course, Mommy!" she exclaimed, her small hands clasped together in excitement.

Zamian’s deep chuckle joined the moment. "We’re finally here," he said, his voice laced with satisfaction as he gestured toward the castle.

The large gates creaked open, revealing a paved driveway that led directly to the mansion’s entrance. The car glided forward, and as it came to a stop, Mira felt her pulse quicken. She stepped out alongside Zamian and Little Zami, her gaze darting from one breathtaking detail to another. Everything about this place exuded a sense of majesty and power.

A group of staff awaited them at the entrance, their postures straight and respectful. As they approached, the maids and attendants bowed deeply.

"Welcome back, King Zamian," one of the maids said, her voice steady yet reverent.

Zamian nodded in acknowledgment, his demeanor calm but commanding. As they walked past, Mira couldn’t help but notice a flicker of surprise in some of the staff’s eyes. It was clear they hadn’t expected to see her or Zami. The resemblance the two shared with Zamian left no room for doubt about their identities, yet their presence seemed to catch everyone off guard.

The staff quickly masked their reactions, maintaining a professionalism that Mira found both impressive and intimidating.

They were soon led through the grand entrance and into the mansion. The halls were vast and intricately decorated, with polished floors that reflected the soft glow of the chandeliers above. Every detail, from the carved wooden doors to the vibrant tapestries adorning the walls, spoke of elegance and history.

Zamian turned to Mira and Little Zami, his tone firm but kind. "We’ll be going to change into royal gowns—both of you."

Zami’s small face lit up with excitement, though she tried her best to hide it, biting her lip and nodding solemnly. Mira couldn’t help but smile at her daughter’s attempt to appear composed.

As they walked further into the mansion, a maid approached, bowing respectfully. "This way, Queen Mira," she said, gesturing toward a corridor that led to the dressing rooms.

Mira hesitated for a moment, her eyes meeting Zamian’s. He gave her an encouraging nod, his gaze steady and reassuring. Taking a deep breath, she followed the maid.

The room Mira entered was nothing short of magnificent. Soft, golden light from the candelabras bathed the space, highlighting the intricate details of the furnishings. A large mirror stood against one wall, its ornate frame glinting in the light.

Revised Version with Corrections:

The maid carefully helped Mira into a black gown, its fabric rich and smooth against her skin. The dress was unlike anything she had ever worn before—elegant and regal, with intricate gold embroidery that shimmered like sunlight on water with every subtle movement. It fit her perfectly, accentuating her natural beauty while draping her in an air of quiet authority.

As the maid adjusted the hem, Mira ran her hand lightly over the fabric, marveling at its craftsmanship. The faint hum of distant footsteps echoed through the stone hallway outside, but inside the room, it was just the two of them, the atmosphere calm yet charged with quiet anticipation.

Once Mira was dressed, the maid began arranging her hair. Each strand was meticulously combed and woven into an intricate braid, the soft tugging sensation both soothing and grounding. Delicate golden pins, shaped like tiny leaves, were carefully placed throughout the braid, their shine catching the faint glow of the room’s candles. When the maid finally stepped back, she looked at Mira with a smile of approval.

"You look stunning, Queen Mira," the maid said softly, her tone carrying a reverence that made Mira’s cheeks flush a gentle pink.

Mira paused, her reflection catching her off guard. The title "Queen" felt foreign, almost like it belonged to someone else, yet the image in the mirror told a different story. She gave the maid a small smile, her voice steady despite the swirl of emotions within her. "Thank you so much," she said sincerely, her words carrying more weight than she intended.

The maid nodded, stepping aside to allow Mira a final moment to compose herself. As Mira glanced down at her gown, the golden embroidery seemed to almost glow under the soft light, a reminder of the role she was stepping into. She took a deep breath, smoothing the fabric nervously.

Was she ready for this? She wasn’t sure, but as the maid gestured toward the door, Mira knew there was no turning back now.

The maid bowed again before gesturing toward the door. "This way, please," she said.

Mira followed her, the sound of her heels clicking softly against the stone floors. The corridor they walked through seemed endless, lined with tall windows that offered glimpses of the sprawling castle grounds. Mira’s heart raced as they approached a large, ornately carved door.

The maid pushed the door open with a slow creak, revealing a room bathed in warm light. Mira’s gaze immediately found Zamian and Little Zami, both seated comfortably. Their faces lit up when they saw her, and Mira felt a surge of warmth fill her chest.

As she stepped closer, her attention was drawn to two unfamiliar faces in the room. Her eyes darted from one figure to the other—one was unmistakably Zander, Zamian’s brother, but the second was a mystery.

Zamian’s voice broke the stillness, his tone light yet carrying a hint of amusement. "I was planning to have a family dinner when some uninvited guests arrived."

Mira’s breath caught as her gaze settled on Zander. "Long time, Mira," Zander said with a warm smile, his eyes glinting with familiarity.

Mira mirrored his smile, though her mind raced. Familiarity brought her a fleeting sense of comfort, but unease lurked just beneath the surface. Before she could respond, the air in the room seemed to shift, growing heavier.

Her gaze flickered to the other guest—a tall figure shrouded in an air of quiet authority. Though their identity was unclear, their presence was impossible to ignore. Questions swirled in Mira’s mind as the tension thickened, leaving her wondering what surprises the evening still held.