"That's too bad," Drevon drawled.
For the first time in forever—I smiled, although faintly, but that simple gesture made my insides dance. "Unfortunately, it's decided, my liege."
"Certainly," he agreed with a nod, eyeing me and noting how the excitement sang on my face. "This ritual of yours is indeed fascinating, each petal holds the fate of your decisions."
"Yes, I think of it as a game, unnerving but helpful."
"I do love games, too, a lot."
I tensed when he grabbed my wrist and lifted it. Without breaking eye contact, he pried my hand open and took the petal with his teeth. The very one I had hidden.
My smile faded, and I hit a time pause, watching as the petal fell off his lips.
"I pray to the moon goddess for better luck next time." He grinned—showing me his perfectly white teeth without a worry in the world.
But all it did was make me agitated to the point my stomach coiled painfully. I tried to stay composed, but I couldn't; a look of horror plastered itself on my face.
"A-Are you going to kill me?" The words left me in a murmur before I could stop them.
The council called him short-tempered and aggravated at the slightest transgression. I'd just handed my doom to him on a silver platter!
"Why would I?" He questioned, eyebrow furrowed as he gave a thoughtful expression.
He knew I cheated. And yet he—.
I swallowed thickly, but it didn't make it past my throat.
I puked.
~•~
I was meant to survive my confinement with my new Lycan husband. I thought to myself, how hard could that be? Stay as quiet as a mouse and pretend I didn't exist—I was a great master of that art. After all, in the estate, I did a better job.
Then what the heck happened?
Oh, I know, Drevon is anything but the rumors of a mindless beast, but a gentleman hidden behind daggers that'll stab you when you're not looking.
I think I much prefer the stories because I knew what I was dealing with, but oh no! I'm completely lost and made a scandal that'll haunt me to my grave, even my ghost will coil in shame at my behavior in the afterlife.
I grabbed the pillow and screamed into it with all my might, but I strained my chest too hard and got disoriented instead.
"Well done, Eloise, well done," I ridiculed, trying my best not to laugh like a maniac to kill this tension.
Could this day get any worse?
"Well done indeed, my lady."
I sat up abruptly and found Talia stepping into the tent. Oh great, my handmaid, one so dutifully given by my Stepmother.
It just got worse.
"I wondered why we made camp so suddenly," she said.
Dread crept through me; it didn't matter if humans or Lycans, gossip always spread, I'd no doubt.
"W-What did you hear?"
"Your motion sickness could have taken our heads off our shoulders before we even got to Valkanor."
Motion sickness? I thought the word would be me puking on the monarch after cheating him!
Tsk! I should have done it more wisely.
"I do not wish to serve a lady who'd not know how to keep her head on her shoulders and act properly, with less effort, I might add." She walked to the boxes heaped at the corner.
"Maybe you should vent at Lady Ravemont and not me. She's the one who sent you off to die with me."
Talia huffed scornfully. "I'm given to you as your handmaid and I'll serve you, even if I don't want to."
She opened the box and disrespectfully went through my things when I didn't ask her to.
"What are you doing?" I asked, crawling out of bed.
"It's almost eve, I need to get you ready for your wedding night." She turned to me sharply, discontent twisted on her face.
Well, that makes two of us!
"If you don't want to be here, then tell me," I said. "I'll relieve you of your duty if I must."
Annoyingly, I understood her vexation; we're both trapped and bound by duty on our way to a nation of Lycans.
Talia sighed, standing upright like a statue. "I'd love to."
"Then—"
"I'm here under strict orders from the Archduchess. You're stuck with me as I to you," she said, leaving no room for question as she continued going through my things.
I chewed the inside of my mouth. We were the only two humans present; the least we could do was try to get along, but when I took one look at Talia, I realized that was a lost cause.
She wasn't here for me; I needed to remind myself of that.
"If you may, my lady, get off those clothes." She pulled out a nightgown I hadn't seen before.
"What on earth is that? That does not belong to me."
She smiled, a look that meant nothing good. "It does now."
I frowned. "I'm not wearing that, there's barely coverage on that thing."
"My lady," she began with a stern tone. "I need not remind you how important this night is—not just to you but Beloria."
"The kingdom has its alliance; it has nothing to do with me anymore."
"I thought you might say that, you made that clear to the Archduchess, but I think you're forgetting the most important thing, you must secure your position and stay alive."
"And you're here to make sure I do that? Tell me, was it my stepmother's orders too?"
"I want to stay alive as much as you need to!"
I flinched at her outburst; it was raw and showed how frustrated she was.
Talia cleared her throat as if realizing her blunder. "I remain alive as long as you are...and to make sure that happens, consummating your marriage is the way."
I hated how true her words were, however, there was one problem I didn't dare utter.
A wedding night will not be happening.