THE KING & STRANGE GIRL

EPISODE 1 — THE GIRL WHO FEARED NO KING Genre: Royal Romance • Fantasy • Mystery • Drama • Suspense Setting: The ancient kingdom of Eldoria. CHAPTER 1: THE KING EVERYONE FEARED Long ago, in a kingdom surrounded by mountains, golden rivers and endless forests, there lived a powerful king named King Alexander. He was twenty-eight years old, handsome, wealthy and feared by everyone. His kingdom was called Eldoria, and it was the richest kingdom in the seven lands. King Alexander was not an ordinary ruler. He had inherited his father’s throne at the age of nineteen after a terrible war that destroyed half the kingdom. Since then, he had become a cold and ruthless ruler. He trusted nobody. He smiled at nobody. And he had never allowed anyone to challenge his authority. His servants feared him. His soldiers respected him. His enemies trembled whenever they heard his name. Every morning, the royal palace was filled with servants preparing for the king’s daily meetings. But one rule was known throughout the palace: Nobody was allowed to look directly into the king’s eyes without permission. Anyone who disobeyed would be punished. One morning, King Alexander sat on his golden throne while his ministers stood before him. “Your Majesty,” the chief minister said, bowing deeply. “The neighboring kingdom has requested another meeting concerning the border agreement.” Alexander slowly raised his eyes. “Tell them I have no interest in meeting people who cannot keep their promises.” “But Your Majesty—” “Did I ask for your opinion?” The minister immediately lowered his head. “No, Your Majesty. Forgive me.” Alexander stood up. “Leave.” Everyone bowed and hurried out of the throne room. His personal guard, Captain Richard, remained behind. “Your Majesty, may I speak?” Alexander removed his royal ring and placed it on the table. “Speak.” “There have been strange reports from the northern forest.” “What kind of reports?” “Villagers claim they have seen a young woman wandering around the forbidden forest at night. Some say she appears and disappears like a ghost.” Alexander laughed coldly. “A ghost?” “That is what they believe, Your Majesty.” “Then perhaps they should stop drinking before sunset.” Richard did not laugh. “Your Majesty, three hunters entered the forest yesterday. Only one returned.” Alexander’s expression changed. “Find the girl.” “Alive or dead?” The king looked at him. “Bring her to me. I want to know what is happening in my kingdom.” CHAPTER 2: THE STRANGE GIRL Far away from the palace, beyond the royal gardens, lived a strange girl named Elena. Nobody knew where she came from. Nobody knew who her parents were. Nobody even knew her real age. She lived alone in a small abandoned cottage near the forbidden forest. Elena was beautiful, but there was something unusual about her. Her eyes were a rare shade of silver, and whenever she became frightened or angry, they glowed faintly. She also possessed a strange ability. She could hear people’s thoughts. Sometimes, she saw things before they happened. But Elena hated her gift. It had brought her nothing but loneliness. The villagers believed she was cursed. Mothers warned their children never to go near her. Whenever she walked through the village, people whispered. “Look, there goes the strange girl.” “Don’t go near her!” “She is not normal.” One afternoon, Elena entered the village market to buy bread. A little boy accidentally bumped into her. “I’m sorry,” he said. Elena smiled. “It’s alright.” But suddenly, she heard a voice inside the boy’s mind. Please help my mother. She is sick. We have no money. Elena turned toward him. “Where is your mother?” The boy looked surprised. “How did you know?” Elena gave him a small bag of coins. “Take this. Buy medicine for her.” The boy smiled. “Thank you!” But before he could leave, an angry merchant approached. “Thief!” The merchant pointed at Elena. “You stole my money!” Elena frowned. “I didn’t steal anything.” “I saw you near my table!” “That doesn’t mean I stole from you.” The merchant grabbed her arm. “Come with me!” Elena’s eyes suddenly began glowing silver. “Let go of me.” The merchant stepped backward. “What are you?” Elena whispered something in a language nobody understood. Suddenly, every candle in the market went out. People screamed. When the candles came back on, Elena was gone. CHAPTER 3: THE KING’S HUNT That evening, King Alexander rode into the northern forest with twenty royal soldiers. Captain Richard rode beside him. “Your Majesty, we should be careful. Nobody has returned from this forest after sunset.” Alexander looked ahead. “I am the king of Eldoria. There is nothing in this forest that can frighten me.” They continued riding. Suddenly, one of the horses stopped. The soldiers looked around. “What is happening?” Richard asked. A strange wind passed through the trees. Then a woman’s voice whispered: “Turn back.” The soldiers immediately reached for their swords. Alexander pulled his horse forward. “Who is there?” No answer. “Show yourself!” A few seconds later, a young woman stepped out from behind a tree. She wore a simple white dress. Her long black hair fell over her shoulders, and her silver eyes reflected the moonlight. It was Elena. Richard immediately drew his sword. “Your Majesty! That’s her!” Elena looked at the soldiers. Then she looked directly at the king. Alexander frowned. “Do you know who I am?” Elena tilted her head. “Should I?” The soldiers gasped. Richard stepped forward. “Watch your tongue! You are standing before King Alexander!” Elena looked bored. “Congratulations.” Alexander stared at her. Nobody had ever spoken to him like that. “What’s your name?” “Elena.” “Where do you come from?” “Somewhere.” “Who are your parents?” “I don’t know.” Alexander narrowed his eyes. “Are you mocking me?” Elena shrugged. “You’re asking questions I don’t have answers to.” Richard stepped forward angrily. “How dare you speak to His Majesty like that?” Elena looked at him. “Your sword is shaking.” Richard looked down. To his embarrassment, his hand was trembling. Alexander noticed something strange. The girl was not afraid. Not even slightly. He moved closer. “Do you know that I can have you executed for disrespecting the crown?” Elena stared into his eyes. “Then why don’t you?” For the first time in many years, King Alexander had no immediate response. CHAPTER 4: THE GIRL WHO SAW HIS SECRET The king dismounted. He walked toward Elena until only a few steps separated them. “Bring her to the palace,” he ordered. Two soldiers approached. But Elena suddenly grabbed her head. Her eyes began glowing brighter than before. “Stop!” Everyone froze. Elena looked directly at Alexander. “Your Majesty, you shouldn’t have come here.” Alexander frowned. “What did you say?” “You are going to die.” The soldiers gasped. Richard immediately raised his sword. “Seize her!” But Elena continued. “I can see it. Your crown will fall. Your kingdom will burn. And the person you trust most will betray you.” Alexander’s face hardened. “Enough!” Elena suddenly staggered. A vision flashed through her mind. She saw a throne covered in blood. A broken crown. A young woman crying. And a man standing behind the king with a dagger. Then she saw something even more frightening. A little girl holding a golden necklace. The girl whispered: “Find the king. He must never discover who you are.” Elena fell to her knees. Alexander rushed forward and caught her before she hit the ground. For one brief moment, their eyes met. A strange golden light passed between them. Both of them saw the same image. An ancient symbol. A crown surrounded by seven stars. Then everything disappeared. Alexander released her. “What did you just do to me?” Elena looked confused. “I didn’t do anything.” He stared at her. “Take her to the palace.” This time, Elena did not resist. CHAPTER 5: A PRISONER IN THE ROYAL PALACE When Elena arrived at the palace, the servants gathered around to see her. They whispered as she passed. “That’s the strange girl.” “She looks dangerous.” “Why would the king bring someone like her here?” Elena ignored them. She was taken to a beautiful room with golden curtains, expensive furniture and a large balcony overlooking the royal gardens. A maid entered carrying a tray of food. “My lady, the king has ordered that you eat.” Elena looked at her. “My lady?” The maid bowed. “Yes.” Elena laughed softly. “I am a prisoner, not a lady.” The maid lowered her head. “Please don’t say that. The walls have ears in this palace.” Elena looked around. “Interesting.” A few minutes later, King Alexander entered. The maid immediately bowed. “Your Majesty.” “Leave us.” The maid hurried out. Alexander stood near the window. “Who are you?” Elena sat on the edge of the bed. “I already told you. My name is Elena.” “Don’t play games with me.” “I’m not.” “How did you know about the betrayal?” Elena looked at him. “Because I saw it.” “Who will betray me?” “I don’t know.” “Then find out!” Elena stood up. “You think I control what I see?” Alexander moved closer. “I don’t care what you can or cannot control. You will tell me everything.” Elena’s expression changed. “You may control this kingdom, Your Majesty, but you don’t control me.” Alexander stared at her. “Do you know how many people have lost their heads for speaking to me like that?” Elena looked straight into his eyes. “Then perhaps you should be grateful I am still standing here.” Silence filled the room. For some reason, Alexander found himself almost smiling. Almost. He quickly turned away. “Tomorrow, you will tell me everything about your powers.” He walked toward the door. “One more thing,” Elena said. He stopped. “Your Majesty?” “What?” “Don’t trust Captain Richard.” Alexander turned around sharply. “What did you say?” Elena swallowed. “I saw him holding a dagger behind you.” Alexander’s expression became unreadable. “Be careful with your accusations.” He left the room. But for the first time, he began wondering whether his most trusted soldier was truly loyal. CHAPTER 6: THE QUEEN’S SECRET Elsewhere in the palace, a woman watched everything from behind a curtain. Her name was Queen Isabella. She was not the king’s wife, but she was the daughter of the late king’s closest friend and had been raised in the palace. For years, she had believed that she would eventually marry Alexander. But he had never shown any interest in her. When she heard that a strange girl had been brought into the palace, jealousy burned inside her. TO BE CONTINUED