STRANGER

Selena exhaled deeply as she gathered her dress around her and made for the dining room where everyone is seated already. After Amelia's unexpected question, her heart hasn't been at peace with her brain as she wondered how she was going to make their marriage happen. Maybe she could use Amelia.

Drake, Ellie, Ethan, King Alex, and Amelia are all seated around the large brown mahogany table which on it lay different food. From gingerbread, ham, beans, celery, beef, and wine to cakes, brownies, and much more delicious food.

She took her seat at the only available place that was empty. There were two empty seats but both are on each side of Alex. She took the one on his right, the kissing incident still fresh in her memory. Still, trying hard to look in his way, she realized he barely noticed her and kept talking to the others.

Glancing around, she took proper care to make sure no one had seen her staring at him all this while. It will take more than courage to convince the King to marry her especially since he looked like he had no interest whatsoever in her.

A lady that looked like she is twenty years old walked in. Everywhere became silent as they wondered who the lady is. Tall, covered in bruises and blisters, plaster placed across her forehead and her golden hair looked wet like she had just gotten out of the shower. Her long dark lashes and round face gave her a pretty innocent girl look.

"Cher?" Alex called at her and everyone turned their gaze towards him.

"Who's she?" Amelia asked, her brows furrowing.

"Probably one of his 'girls'," Ethan replied, cutting his bread with a knife.

"You know what I mean?"

"There's no meaning anywhere" Alex replied and Selena could swear she felt him glance at her for a few seconds.

"Then who is she?" It was her father who spoke this time, pointing towards the pretty girl in a blue linen gown.

"She will be staying here as my guest for the next few days" He pointed out and everywhere turned silent until Amelia burst out laughing.

"Is this...is this a joke?" She asked, astonishment ringing in her voice.

"Why does it seem like a joke to you?"

"You're not one to care for someone this much. What the heck happened to you?"

Alex dropped his fork and knife to face his sister.

"I do whatever I want whenever I damn want, is that clear?" His voice was now very deep and authoritative but that did not stop his annoying sister.

"Are you trying to win the hearts of your people? Those people don't even care about you. What happened to the old Alex?"

What was she doing in the dining room? Selena thought as she stared at the girl who only stood there watching the family argue.

"I don't understand you, Amelia. What do you mean?" His eyes were turning dark too and it took everything in Selena's willpower to stop herself from asking Amelia to shut up.

"You're the devil king. You're not known to be kind." Before she could finish her words Selena hit the table and urged her to keep quiet.

"Enough of that, Amelia. I see no reason why you as his sister will call your brother a devil. You're supposed to be there for him not be against him." She felt Alex's eyes on her again, this time she turned to look him in the eyes.

"Your highness, I plead that you pardon your sister. She is only but a child."

Alex swallowed and shifted uncomfortably in his seat before asking the other girl to come to sit for dinner.

"Her identity is unknown but whenever she is asked, she tells us her name is Char which I find distasteful. She is suffering from a critical loss of memory due to a traumatic experience she had been made to go through." He looked at Selena before concluding.

"She is just a poor girl I'm trying to help."

"Is she?" She heard her father's sister, Ellie chuckle wryly. "Well, you should probably make her your wife if she's caught your eyes."

"I'm a King. Not a rogue." He replied curtly as if to say the conversation is over.

"I must confess that I've never seen King Alex this compassionate and it only shows how much you are willing to sacrifice to be there for your people." Drake chipped in, a satisfactory smile playing on his lips.

There was an awkward silence and Selena felt something awkward. Her wolf powers gave her the ability to sense when something with negative energy is around a place. However, she couldn't place a finger on what that energy is or who is giving off that energy.

"What did you say you're here for again, Amelia?" Alex cleared his throat and asked his sister.

"I came here to tell you what I found out about Krepe. I think I overheard him saying they sent a..."

She began to say but was interrupted by the painful cry of Cher who held on to her head.

"Ouch! That hurts!" She cried and stylishly placed her hand on Alex's hand.

"Someone should take her to her room. I'll send the doctor to see her" He started to say but Selena stood up too.

"I can take it from here."

Not only did she feel upset that Cher was going to take all of Alex's attention, everything about her just doesn't seem right. And if she is to find out about it, she needs to be close to her body.

"Are you sure?" Alex asked.

"I'll take her to her room." She looked at Cher. "If that's okay with you."

Cher nodded reluctantly as she followed Selena out of the dining room.

"So, brother, what I'm saying is..." Amelia's voice trailed off behind them as they both walked through the corridor to her room.

The quiet corridor is void of any single person coming or going. Selena made sure to stand behind her, watching Cher's every move.

"So, what happened to you?" She inquired, eyes doubting the woman already.

"I actually don't remember a thing. All I see each time I try to remember is some people beating me to a pulp and me gasping for breath and the King carrying me in his arms," Cher chattered off, smiling beautifully.

"He was only going about his duty as a King. He has to be caring." Selena replied.

"That's very...nice." The reply sounded forced to Selena as they turned into a big room meant for Cher. Since they were both alone, it won't hurt to try out her powers on her.

As the other woman climbed up the bed to lie, she folded her index finger and middle finger together and held her breath.

Chanting some words in her head, she felt lightheaded at first. Then the atmosphere changed and the room had too much pressure. She released her breath and the air that passed around her further confirmed her suspicion.

The negative energy was from Cher. Now Selena has to find a way to tell the King by providing evidence and knowing what exactly her mission is.

As she turned to go, she heard Cher's hoarse voice call her back.

"Can you please bring me my dinner?" She begged, her voice sounding as innocent as ever.

She nodded with a stoic expression and walked out of the room.