When you were brought to this country to become its queen, you understood that it was just a title. You were a hostage, ensuring the safety of the peace treaty between your countries. But you were willing to do it to stop this senseless bloody war that lasted for almost ten years.

You were ready for anything. But the reality turned out to be too cruel.

Your new husband... The King turned out to be a stupid, petty and cruel man. He didn't care about his country dying of hunger. He only cared about his own well-being and fun.

And the most fun he had was humiliating you. Hitting you, making you scream. He did it in front of his entourage, and none of them wanted to help you. They laughed while he left bruises on your body so that they couldn't be seen under your clothes. He did not touch your face, which was always supposed to remain beautiful and express submission.

Weak knowledge of traditional medicine was enough to collect herbs and secretly prepare a contraceptive potion. But it made you feel weak. You were sick, dizzy, and the taste was gone. You poisoned yourself, but it was better than having a baby with the king.

One day you lost consciousness on a walk. You woke up in the infirmary. The main royal alchemist was standing next to you. He looked at you for a moment, and said in a calm and collected voice.

"May I presume that Your Majesty recently went to the Royal Botanic Garden and became more familiar with hops, gledichia, albizia and clover?"

His tone is calm and detached, he calmly puts decoctions and flasks in their places. But every word he says rings a bell in your head. He realized that you were secretly making a contraceptive potion. If he tells the king, it's scary to imagine what will happen to you. You freeze in place, unable to say a word.

He finally turns his head in your direction. You see neither cruelty nor joy in his gaze.

"Your Majesty, if you will allow me, I will make you another potion. It will not give such side effects. Your Majesty will stop feeling sick."