"I heard you call yourself Eloise now. Where did you get that na from, a trash book?" My stepsister, Fiona, giggled with the rest of her friends.
"Too bad you got a na, I spent a lot of ti thinking of one for you."
"So, Eloise? What’s the short for that?"
"Lou!"
"Like low? Perfect, low... just like what you are. You will always be beneath, and I’ll always stomp over you."
"Low!"
"Low!"
"Low!
"Low!
"Low!"
They all chanted, the sound of their giggles just as haunting.
My teeth clenched as well as my fist as I recalled that simple mory. I thought I had forgotten that core mory. I’d chosen to lock it away because I was helpless that day when it happened.
I was bedridden because of my sudden illness, no one took care of , I was covered in piss and shit, and Fiona thought it was perfect to co and bully . I couldn’t turn away, and I couldn’t move, I just lay there staring at the ceiling as their words stabbed a million tis over.
"What’s the matter, Lou? Does the na not please you? I figured nicknas were in order, given how close we are," he muttered with an amused look, like he could sense how uneasy I was.
He’s trying to get under my skin. I shouldn’t let him, but each ti he uttered that na, I was trapped back in that mory.
My tightened fist shivered as I tried to contain myself from lashing out.
"What exactly do you want? Given the kind of person you are, you didn’t just co here to irritate . I’m this close to vomiting at the stench of you. State your business and be quick about it."
"Stench? I thought I slled like your own personal brand of wine?"
He was not making sense at the mont. I pondered whether this was so ploy to get disoriented. But at the ntion of wine, I was suddenly flooded by the scent of it.
It was coming from him, this vile man had such a welcoming scent, or did he drown in alcohol before coming here?
"That’s by the way. I ca here to see you," he said smoothly, a smile curling.
"See ?"
"Is it wrong to want to visit my brother’s wife? After all, you have been spending ti with my sister."
I huffed. Has this bastard been watching ?
"It’s not. But here’s the thing, Your highness, you make up so much ti to tail my movents but don’t care to see your sister."
"That’s harsh. I was just simply passing by when I saw you heading towards the Royal Princess Wing."
Did he expect to believe that he was just passing by?
Damon suddenly reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out my hairpin.
I gulped seeing it, the urge to step closer and take it was overwhelming. I thought he had broken it or tossed it sowhere to spite , but he still had it with him the entire ti.
"From the look plastered on that pretty face of yours, I believe you still want this hairpin."
I did. More than anything, I wanted it back. Out of all the gifts Drevon had showered with, this was the only one I knew had great importance.
Drevon never questioned why I hadn’t worn it, but I knew he thought I kept it in the box along with many other gifts I hadn’t used.
Damon positioned the hairpin like he was luring to co to take it back.
"Why are you standing so still?" He questioned in a delightful tone.
He wanted to take it?
I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
"It belongs to you, and I have co to return it. It’s rude to keep waiting."
"What are you trying to do?"
"Questions, question, questions..." he drawled. "I’m playing nice, isn’t that enough?"
I had no idea what kind of sick plan he was plotting, but I need that hairpin back. Perhaps, if I make an illusion, I could easily coax him with words and take it.
"Sothing tells this is your ga," I began as I walked to him, the wind getting stronger.
"Do you like gas, Lou?"
"Yes..." I answered honestly. "I love gas."
I halted my footsteps when I stood in front of him. Damon stared down at with dull eyes, and it was unsettling.
"But I’m not playing yours. I don’t want the hairpin back."
The corner of his lips twitched. "Hmm..."
"You can keep it." I took a step back, to give the illusion I was turning away, but my hand lashed out and grabbed the hairpin.
But Damon tugged along with it, into his body, his other hand braced on my waist to keep there.
"You play like a master," he praised as he leaned down to . "You almost had there."
"Give it back," I gritted.
"It’s only fair I hold on to this as a keepsake."
"Fair?" I growled. "You are just purposely holding onto it just to spite !"
There was a sudden chill in the air, but I sensed no hostility from Damon, so I pondered what the shift was.
Damon fixed with a pointed stare, and as if he had co to so fruition, he grinned.
"That icy glare will get you in trouble."
I tore myself away from him, and he casually put the hairpin back in his jacket. I knew then that I’d never get that back, and it broke my heart.
"You asked why I’m here, but what you should ask is what I want."
"I don’t care," I said through clenched teeth.
"Oh, you should. I want you, Lou."
"I beg your pardon?"
He grinned. "I shall see you in court." He turned on his heels and walked away.
Court? A cold swept through . He knew about it!
"Damon!"
He halted his steps but didn’t turn.
"Do you feel threatened?"
He laughed. "Threatened? You won’t beco Queen Consort."
Reviews
All reviews (0)