Chapter Six - Grief
LIORA
I went back to my room after a long, horrible day. First of all, a horrible breakfast, lots of stupid gestures whenever they see me, and very lonely as hell, and not even allowed to go outside the palace.
Even though I'm allowed, gossiping eyes will be all on me in this kingdom.
Iris came in when I was about to take off my clothes. "Good evening, Your Majesty. Would you like me to prepare you for your dinner at the dining hall?" she said with all due respect, bowing her head. "Would I be eating there alone?" I asked, facing the mirror, trying to untie the lace of my dress, feeling pissed.
"No, Your Majesty. Together with the royal family,” I exhaled, ''No, I would love to eat mine here.'' I said, Still try to unlace it. “It's not allowed, Your Majesty." She said, ''Then I'm not hungry.'' I said, I've never been this angry.
"Ok, your majesty, I'll bring your clothes, and your water is ready." She left and slammed the door, then I finally untied the lace. While taking off my clothes, I felt a sharp, sudden, and searing pain on my helix mark.
I removed the bandage, leaned my shoulder forward, and glanced at it through the mirror. It has become much worse, like a hot metal just removed from my skin.
This isn't normal; my heart pounded violently against my ribs. The moment I touched it, a fresh wave of pain shot through me, sharp enough to make me gasp. It wasn't just pain; it was something else. Something is pulling at me.
My knees buckled, and I caught myself against the bedpost, my fingers gripping the polished wood as I squeezed my eyes shut. It felt like something was burning beneath my skin. My vision blurred for a moment, a strange dizziness creeping over me, as though something inside me was shifting, breaking.
''What's happening to me?'' I said as I forced myself to breathe, The palace, the marriage, the cruel gazes of the royals—none of it had shaken me as much as this.
I have no idea what the meaning of this is; it was very painful. I tried standing up and went to the bathroom, jumped into the water, and screamed out loud.
DARIUS
It was such a refreshing morning after having a wonderful, fun night with this beautiful lady lying next to me. She lay naked with the blanket covering her. ''Good morning, my beautiful sunshine,'' I whispered to her while in her sleep, and she smiled, closing her eyes.
''Better start going back to the palace before Daddy catches you here,'' she teased, opening her eye and sitting up. I laid a kiss on her soft red lips. ''You didn't answer my greetings, Fiona.''
''It won't be ok calling a whorl, sunshine'' she scoffed ''Oh stop that Fiona, You are not a whorl'' I said
'' That's what I am, Darius''
''That's what you think.'' I said, almost yelling, ''It's the truth. How would the whole town be like when a royal prince falls for a whorl like me? Gossiping will not end. And as a matter of fact, will your father accept me? No, he won't '' she said, wearing her clothes. I just sat and relaxed on the bed as she spoke.
"Oh, fuck people's opinions. Don't bring my dad into this; he doesn't have the right to decide who I love or don't love." I said, ''He doesn't, right? How about the second prince and the slave, the king…'' I interrupt angrily, ''Enough, Fiona…''
There was a knock on the door, and the person behind it said, ''Your time here is over,'' in an old lady's grumpy voice. I guess the owner of the place said, ''You have to start going, Mr. Charming, Fiona. Come out!" she shouted.
''I'm coming, madam.'' She said, ''I give you ten minutes to leave this room. Your duration here has expired.” She left the door.
Then I stood up and wore my clothes while she faced the mirror, arranging her hair. After putting on my clothes, I took a deep breath, stood behind her, wrapped my arms around her waist, and rested my chin on her shoulder.
''Don't be angry, Fiona,'' I said childishly. ''I'm not angry,'' she frowned. ''It's a lie; I can sense it.''
''Looks like someone needs a good sensor.'' she said, still frowning.
''Wear that dashing smile you wore on your face the first time we met.'' I teased her; she was still frowning, then I tickled her.
She was forced to laugh uncontrollably.''Stop, stop, Darius,'' she said, laughing. ''I will stop if you stop calling yourself a whorl.'' I said, ''Okay, okay, I'll stop,'' then I stopped. ''Alright, Fiona,'' I rested her head on my chest. ''No matter what you are or what you're doing, you still remain my wife. I love you, Fiona,'' I said, stretching her wine glass with my hand.
''Wife?''
''Yes, Fiona,'' she raised her head, looking up at me. ''When are you taking me to your dad?'' she asked, looking all serious. ''Uh… soon… on a very good day… or when the palace would hold a royal ball… I think next summer," I faltered. She raised her right eyebrow, looking at me in disbelief.
''Soon, I just don't know when…'' Then Madam burst the door open angrily. ''Your time here is over, Prince Charming. Fiona, you have work to do; more men are waiting,'' she said, grabbing Fiona by the ear and taking her out.
I stood and watched, but actually, I don't really know if I meant any word I said to her.
I just like the fact that she's good in bed, but her look is not as good as the slave, so-called Kieran's bride.
ALISTAIR
His majesty, my father, sent for me to come to the war room, a place of strategy and silence, a chamber lined with ancient maps and weapons that had tasted blood in countless battles.
A massive table dominated the center of the room.
I stood before him; his expression was cold as he glared at me. The door shut with a heavy thud behind me. ''You wanted to see me, Father.'' I said, but there was tension beneath my voice.
He didn't look up immediately. Instead, he tapped a single finger against the wooden table. ''I can't believe it. What happened in the dining hall?’’ I exhaled, ''You were there, Father.''
He lifted his gaze. ''Indulge me,'' he said. I tightened my jaw. '' The girl spoke out of turn and disrespected the royal table. Kieran did nothing. He studied me carefully. ''Then what did you do?'' A beat of silence.
I curled my fist behind my back, but my voice remained calm. ''I reminded her of her place,'' he leaned back in his chair. ''And,'' I hesitated, ''she did not break it.'' I tried choosing my words carefully.
''Kieran should have handled it,'' he said.
''He's too lenient, father.''
''Or he's playing games,'' he mused. I frowned, my shoulders straightening. ''You think it's intentional?''
He gave a warning look: ''Kieran is not a fool. He lets things slide for reasons that serve his own purpose.'' I curled my lips. ''Then what reason is worth a royal prince tolerating a slave's defiance?''