For the first time in her life, Aveline felt close to death.
Her blood ran cold as she wrenched herself out of her husband’s arms.
The king let her.
She rolled back until there was no space behind her.
THUD.
Pain exploded through the side of her head as she crashed into a nearby chest.
“Aveline!” King Magnus sprang to help.
“Are you hurt?”
“Don’t!” Instinctively, her hands came up to stop him.
The man stopped in his tracks.
He listened.
With throbbing pain, Aveline tried to pull herself up to no avail.
She could see King Magnus hesitating in his spot as his hands fret at his sides.
There was a knock outside.
“Your Majesty?” The door suddenly opened and bright light was spilled in.
The Paxmouth woman with fiery hair and Lark’s face entered with a confused expression.
Aveline could only imagine the scene: there was the Paxmouth king, shirtless and standing over his wife, who was on the floor and clutching her head as her nightgown slipped off her shoulders.
The woman approached Aveline on the floor and quietly pulled her garment up for her.
She shot a glare at the man, who looked away like he was caught doing something he shouldn’t.
“I’ll take the Queen.”
“Queen?”
Who?
“Do you think I mean him?” The woman pointed her head at King Magnus.
He huffed an irritated sigh but made no move closer.
Aveline felt gentle hands tugging her elbow to stand.
The woman was almost as tall as King Magnus with much more strength than she could ever imagine.
Aveline leaned her whole weight on her and the woman didn’t even struggle.
“Let’s get you sorted.” Her tone was kind as she supported Aveline to the door.
“You, sort yourself out.” She jerked her chin towards King Magnus.
How could she talk to him like that?
Who is she?
At the doorway, the woman asked Aveline something, but her eyes were too focused on the man who remained in the exact same spot she told him to stay.
Their eyes met.
You know.
Before she’s pulled away.
❀
The warm compress and lavender incense did little to calm her.
The pain did subside, but not the panic.
“Chamomile tea to soothe the mind and help you sleep!” The fiery-haired woman placed a cup on Aveline’s bedside.
The fireplace was lit as soon as she placed Aveline in her bed.
I can’t believe I brought her to my room!
Now she’ll know that I’m not Astra.
Aveline’s room was more like a workspace than a place to sleep.
There were dried herbs and flowers along the walls, cluttered surfaces with vials and books, leaving only a small corner for actual bedroom needs.
In an ideal world, she would have loved to have a separate space of her own to carry out research.
“Drink it quick before it goes cold!” Unexpectedly, the woman helped her sit up.
Aveline didn’t protest despite the strange situation.
“Sorry – I mean, thank you for helping earlier.” She watched as the woman eyed the various items on her desk before picking up a pot of balm.
She opened it and patted some on the spot where Aveline had hurt herself.
How did she know what it was for?
“It’s my duty, Your Majesty.” She shrugged with a smile.
“I also wanted to keep Theo in line.”
“Who?”
“Do you mean Magnus?”
“That’s his father.” The woman wore a smile on her face as if recalling a fond memory.
“So – wait – what?” Aveline blinked as she tried to comprehend it all.
He’s using a fake name?
“Oh my, Your Majesty! You should really rest!” The tea was in Aveline’s hands.
Suddenly, the woman became very interested in adjusting Aveline’s blankets and arranging her pillows.
She’s avoiding answering me.
“Any questions can be answered later.”
She starts to make her escape.
“Wait!” Aveline almost sprang from her bed.
“Can you at least tell me your name?”
At the door, the woman smirked as she turned around.
Her fiery hair formed an almost angelic halo around her head.
Can I trust you?
“I’m Wren, your lady-in-waiting.” With a wave, she closed the door and left Aveline to herself.
❀
Either it was the tea or the fall, but Aveline experienced the first peaceful night’s sleep since the news of the engagement.
She woke up with her head at the end of the bed and her legs among the pillows.
It wasn’t embarrassing until she heard other people in the room.
Flipping around, Aveline saw unfamiliar faces gathering her things into boxes.
One side of the room was already empty.
At the centre of the room was Wren commanding them.
“Do you know what that is? Be gentle or it will wither!” Her attempts at whispering loudly was almost comical as she chided the servants.
“You! I said wrap it this way or else it won’t be fresh!”
Wren’s next victim only rolled their eyes at her before all blood drained from his face.
“G-good morning, Your Majesty!” the servant bowed and it set off a chain reaction around the room.
There were six servants in total.
Wren whipped around with a beaming smile as she threw her arms open.
“Good morning, My Queen!” She curtsied but it looked awkward.
“Did you have a good sleep? Did they wake you up? I can sort them out!”
Immediately, the servants got on their knees and bowed their heads.
“Please! We were wrong!” The one who greeted her first looked like he was going to cry.
He’s only young…
“What is this? Why are you all making me look bad?” Wren gasped like she had just been betrayed.
“I swear that we’re not like this in Paxmouth!”
Looking around the room, Aveline did see that some of them were trying to hold in their laughter.
They’re teasing her.
I’ve never seen servants joke with their masters before.
Looks fun…
Aveline cleared her throat as she stood from the bed.
“Wren.” Her head snapped to the royal.
“What is the meaning of this?” You motion to the room with a stern expression.
“Your Majesty! I’m the victim here!” Wren wailed dramatically.
“They’re pranking me!”
I can’t hold it!
Her face is too funny!
“No.” Aveline raised a hand and Wren fell silent.
“I meant where are you taking my stuff!” A giggle escaped but she tried to contain herself.
Soon, the rest of the servants joined in.
“You too?” Wren looked scandalised as she waved for the work to continue.
“We are taking your possessions back to Paxmouth, Your Majesty.” The boy from earlier bowed before focusing on his task.
“I think you two will make a great pair…” Wren mumbled to herself. This chapter was taken from novelping.com without permission.
Aveline’s laughter stopped.
Yes, I’m married now.
And he knows who I am!
“Where is he?” Anxiety coiled in her stomach at the thought of seeing King Magnus again.
No…
Theo.
“At this hour… His Majesty should be signing the peace treaty.” Wren looked out to the sky.
“Would you like me to help prepare you for the day, Your Majesty?”
Her heart quickened.
He’s going to sign it?
Even though he knows?
Without replying, Aveline ran.
“Your Majesty! You’re still in your nightgown!” Wren called from the room.
Aveline was already gone.
❀
Although she hated running, Aveline was thankful for the agility that she developed from sneaking out of the castle.
It meant that she could easily weaved around the guards who tried to stop her from entering the meeting room.
Of course, it had to be the most opulent room!
All conversation ceased the moment her bare foot stepped into the room.
All eyes were on her.
The Prime Ministers, kings and even the servants.
Her father quickly grew red in the face.
“Avel -” King Stellan stood as he corrected himself.
“Astra! This is no way for a married woman to behave!”
He almost said it.
Aveline observed the faces of the other men.
Cedric was mortified, praying under his breath.
Lark seemed mildly amused.
Last of all, her eyes found King Magnus.
No
Theo
Quirked a nonchalant brow as he sipped his goblet.
Does nothing I do surprise this man?
Aveline marched straight to him.
“Daughter!” Her father hissed.
“Leave now.”
She ignored him.
“Princess!”
“Queen.” Aveline corrected him.
King Stellan was dumbfounded and gasped like a fish until Cedric had to help him sit.
She rounded the table to her target.
His hair was tied back which gave her full view of the amused look in his grey eyes.
“We need to talk.”
This time, Cedric stepped in for her father.
“Perhaps your marital matters can wait until after -” He fell silent when the couple shot him matching glares.
Aveline leaned down to her husband.
“You have some explaining to do.”
She lowered her voice for his ears only.
“Theo.”
The amusement vanished from his eyes.