"Terrifying?" I snorted.
"I’m being serious!"
Talia has never made jest, she was always precise. Odd. I’ve never seen her so unrelaxed, just like a few hours ago. She wasn’t like this when we travelled, if anything, she was more on the idea that Drevon wasn’t like the rumors spoke of. What changed?
"Oh right, she’s still at the door," I said, forgetting the mouse squeaking for attention.
I nudged my head at Talia, but she stayed still.
"Tell , do you want to look bad in front of her when I open the door myself?" I added, posing elegantly on my seat. "Over my dead body."
"Gods have rcy on ," Talia mumbled, striding to the door and opening it.
Sloane did not step in, just standing there with a smile plastered on her lips. Fake.
"How dare you keep the lady waiting!" her handmaid interjected. "She has co all this way, and you can’t offer proper hospitality?"
"It’s alright, Greya, I’m sure she didn’t an it."
"Actually, I did," I countered, catching them off guard. "I was having my rest and you disturbed . I would have turned you away but I changed my mind."
"So disrespectful!"
"Greya," Sloane reprimanded, and she bowed her head in submission. "Please do not mind Greya."
"Don’t mind as well," I replied.
"I ca to invite you to brunch. I have a space prepared, and I was hoping you would join ."
Brunch? I gauged her reaction, but all I could see was a poker face. It gave the icks.
~•~
We sat in the gazebo. The birds chirped louder than ever, making everything seem far more enchanting.
The cool breeze filtered through with a chill, but I could hardly feel it because of the thick layers of my gown.
The table before had so pastries and tea. I stared at Sloane with a blank expression, who returned my gesture with her irkso smile.
Will she ever stop that? It’s starting to get on my nerves.
Talia poured the tea for as did Greya for Sloane.
Suddenly, that prickling sensation ca again, like soone was watching . I looked around the gardens but found no one else but us.
The first ti I thought I was imagining that sensation, but now I was having a hard ti believing it was just in my head.
"Leave us," Sloane ordered.
Greya was the first to leave, but Talia lingered. Sloane moved her amber eyes with a questioning look.
Nice, Talia.
"You can leave, Talia."
"Yes, my lady." She bowed to before stepping out of the gazebo.
"You have such a fearless handmaid," Sloane amused.
"Yes," I said cockily. "She only listens to . Pardon her if she doesn’t take orders from other ladies."
"I understand." Sloane grabbed the teacup and delicately took a sip from it.
Her seating position was perfect, posing on it like so self-made queen. Her ginger hair let down neatly with diamond hair pins adorning it. She wore fine jewelry and a stunning gown that complinted her sweet personality. She was just so perfect.
"I wish we could have more brunch together. We’ll be seeing each other more, you see," she said it like a fact not to be argued with.
And I believed her.
"I would’ve called for you earlier, but Drevon and I had so catching up to do."
My eyelids twitch. "That is nice to hear, catch up as much as you want," I said with sarcasm in my tone.
I don’t see why she had to throw that at my face. Tsk!
"Why, thank you, Lady Eloise," she giggled. "Oh, I heard you were under the weather. How are you feeling? I would have brought gifts as a asure of good health, but I did not know what to bring. I have never seen an ill person before."
Seems like gifts were common for Lycans, they had so much wealth, and they weren’t ashad to showcase.
But one thing troubled . How did she know that? Did Drevon tell her that too?
I chewed the inside of my mouth, a tightening sensation coiled my insides, but I didn’t dwell on it, kicking up a suitable response.
"I’m much better, thanks to Drevon."
I noticed she twitched. I guess she wasn’t expecting to use his na.
I ntally smirked. "Drevon spent those days caring for . I told him to leave my side, but he wouldn’t."
"That’s..."—she placed her teacup on the table.—"Reassuring to hear, you’re his wife, and it’s his duty to do so. Drevon has always been responsible, even when we were kids, though..." She placed a finger on her chin, and I noticed how nicely done her nails were.
"It’s nice to know that part of him hasn’t changed yet. I was beginning to worry he’s a complete stranger now."
I glimpsed the wistful look in her eyes, but then she quickly composed herself.
I pondered how she could keep such fake poise even when she was emotional. It was almost as if nothing should be out of place for her.
"I’ll be honest, Lady Eloise, the real reason I called you to the brunch is about the ball."
"The ball," I murmured, she must be talking about the celebration for the return of the monarch.
"Yes, in a few days, Valkanor will welco back its monarch. It will be the greatest of the season. The Monarch’s Ball."
I don’t doubt that at all.
"I have co to tell you not to attend. I’ll say this, ladies to ladies. The empire does not accept you as Drevon’s wife; that alone is a threat to your very existence."
Does she expect to believe she has my best interests at heart?
"I’m to be his Queen Consort," she spoke proudly. "I’m letting you know this because I do not wish to see you suffer any heartbreak, for I know you have been intimate with him."
I raised an eyebrow. "Your actions are heartwarming."
So in the end, she’ll marry Drevon, I guess the betrothal wasn’t over yet.
"You are already on the bad side with the Dowager, and trust when I say she will stop at nothing to remove you. But I can help protect you..."—She looked over to Talia in the shade.—"Both of you are the only humans, and you’ll need all the protection you can find."
Sloane leaned closer and whispered. "Not only the Dowager, but the noble houses that serve the monarch. You’re a target."
"And you of all people have co to offer protection?"
"Drevon will protect you, of course, he considers you his responsibility because of the human vows he made. The Dowager raised him to be an honorable man, even war couldn’t change that. But how long before he’s bored?"
I narrowed my eyes. "Bored?"
"It’s certainly quite hard to capture his interest, and when sothing does, he stops at nothing to have it, no matter the cost."
His marriage to was on a re whim. Drevon said the mont he laid eyes on , he changed his mind about conquering Beloria. I didn’t want to believe Sloane’s words, but when the dots connected this way, I found myself believing.
"When he is bored with his human bride, or at most when he marries . What do you think will happen to you?"
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