Chapter Four: Walls Have Ears

(Annabelle’s POV)

The meeting ended without any real drama. Everyone seemed to be weary of me so they all gave me the respect I deserved. I walked out of the meeting room immediately it was over and Tiana followed behind me like a shadow.

I was in the corridor when Adrian approached me with a sly smile on his face. Although my face was expressionless, I was burning from within. I couldn't believe there was a time that I trusted the smile on his face.

“Your highness,” he bowed completely, his back almost touching his knees and I almost clapped at the act. He raised his head and then expected me to stretch my hand for him to kiss but I didn't, all I did was stare at him.

He squeezed his face in discomfort for a few heartbeats before he twisted his face into a grin one more time. “I am sorry my lady, is there something wrong?” He asked.

I wanted to scream at him, yell that everything was wrong and that he was a lying, thieving, god-forsaken, son of a… “My lady?” Tiana called me with a tone of concern.

I gave a little cheeky beam before turning to Adrian. “I don't think anything is wrong, is there a reason why you would like to see me, your grace?”

“Oh, I wanted to be the first to extend a hand of friendship,” he declared, extending his hand to me, I glanced at it with furrowed brows then took one step back.

He paused, confused for a moment. I could understand his confusion, it wasn't every day that someone said no to Adrian. His reputations were not confined to the palace walls, they extended throughout the entire kingdom. Everyone loved and respected the Alpha's brother who wasn't jealous of his brother's position and protects him while being humble and down to earth. So everyone lets their guard down around him, even Maximus himself.

However, none of them have lived through life once before. He gave me a cautious glance, his eyes dimming a little before he finally spoke again. “My lady, I mean you no harm. The palace life might seem free and fair but I must tell you, life here is rather harsh and everyone needs someone to back them up, to teach them how to navigate the treacherous politics that governs an entire kingdom.”

As he spoke, I was calculating my move. I know that I have to make a decision right here and now. I could rather deny him the hand of friendship and have him as an enemy. That would mean, he can come at me with his full strength. How can I defend myself against someone as influential and as smart as him? I couldn't do it in my past life even when I uncovered his treachery, so why would I think I could do it now.

Past knowledge or not, I need to be tactical and slick. My greatest assets are my knowledge from the past and the ones in alchemy. I don't possess a wolf within me, so I am unable to act like an actual Luna and command people to submission with my presence. All I have was my wit.

“I am sorry, your grace. I was just a bit startled. I am a little paranoid you see, long corridors like this gives me great fright,” I placed my hand on my chest, faking a gasp. “I would like to be your friend. I have heard of how benevolent you are. I am sorry if I got off with you and the other elders on the wrong foot at today's meeting, I meant no harm, I just like to sit beside my Alpha. I adore him very much, you see.” I leaned forward and pulled his hand up, shaking it.

His face blushed with relief and then he gave me a courteous smile. “My lady, I would inform my brother to assign you a personal guard. You shouldn't be walking these halls or anywhere all alone with just a maid.”

I glanced at Tiana and then back at him. “That would be most appreciated,” I nodded.

His lips curled up even further revealing a set of perfectly arranged white teeth. “I will be seeing you later then, I have urgent business I need to attend to, my boys at the port just discovered something huge,” he chuckled and then left.

I shook my head the moment he left, sighing.

“I take it you don't like the King's brother?” Tiana said offhandedly.

I glanced at her. “Refrain from speaking, walls have ears.”

She raised her eyes and I could sense that she was impressed at the way I spoke.  “Follow me,” I told her and we headed out of the palace grounds.

I already mapped out everything I was going to do today before going to bed. Although I was trying not to go to bed, I was afraid I would never wake up, or worse, wake-up and all this was a dream and I was still locked up in suffering.

The first thing I planned on doing was see Abel, however, I can't do it now. If I am to meet Abel, I would have to do it discreetly. As the bride of the Alpha, I can't just go around meeting different men, so that would take a lot of careful planning.

The second thing was to go see the Unhinged. The man I met in prison in the past. That too was impossible, I couldn't just barge my way into a prison cell. I would need to actually get authorization.

The only thing I could do  now was the third thing and that was visit the grave of my father. In my past life, after I became the Alpha's bride, I didn't look back, I left my past to embrace a deadly future.

I led Tiana through the Upper boroughs and although my walk drew a whole lot of unwarranted attention nothing significant happened.

When I reached the graveyard, I paused for a while glancing at the oak tree that stood at the entrance. I walked closer to it, running my hand along the tree’s bark. After a while, I found what I was looking for; a carving of three letters. Tears ran down my face while I smiled.

Those letters were inscribed by Abel and I the day my father died. One letter for him, one for me, and one for my dad. Three letters A.

I headed to meet my father while wiping my tears, but the moment I reached there someone was sitting at its base, throwing stones randomly. The person glanced back as I neared them.

I froze the moment I saw the person's face. It was Abel, staring right back at me. My heart sank, I wasn't prepared for this.