Diplomatic goddess

JULIETTE

Darius finally permitted me to return to my room, and the first thing I did was jump on my bed and open up the book, ready to explore the documentaries and stories of the Diplomatic Goddess.

I read, my heart hammering in my chest from excitement, page to page, I read, starting with the origin of Kianka. The book described her as tall, beautiful, sharp, witty, smart, intelligent, and defiant. She was the last child of the Alpha's commander, General Andres. Born in the 1800s, she was raised in the Silvarian Pack and was trained to marry the Alpha's heir, Elyan.

Kianka was young, sweet, and pure. She was full of life and had a zeal for adventures, but all that was cut short at 15, the age she was betrothed to the Alpha's heir. Their marriage was set for two days later, and within that short span of time, Kianka managed to convince her soon-to-be husband to wait until she came of age and found her wolf.

During this period, Kianka was called a witch, who had used her charm on her betrothed to get what she wanted. She was sentenced despite the lack of evidence against her for practicing forbidden magic.

“Assholes.” I scoffed and continued reading.

Fortunately, Elyan was supportive of Kianka’s decision for reasons that weren't stated on the page. He helped her escape to a neighboring pack, promising Kianka that as soon as the issues died down, he would call for her to return home.

And so, the adventures of Kianka began…

A knock on the door jolted me out of my bliss. I raised my head, glaring at the door.

I was barely into the book, and someone had chosen to disrupt me at this moment, the most part I was excited for.

Who else could it be, if not Darius? He must have sent a guard my way.

Sighing, I got off my bed and slid the book under it, before proceeding to the door, and partly opening it. I stuck my head out, and my gaze landed on Ria.

“Hey,” Ria said, slightly waving at me with a wide smile. “Sorry to disturb, I heard from a gossip that the Alpha set you free. Thought you might want some company, so I came.”

“Urm.. Can I come in?” she asked politely, her tone cheerful but i really don't want to let her come in, I have a book to read.

I sighed at last and pushed the door open enough for her to enter. “Thanks.” Ria sighed walking in and heading over to my bed.

Thank the Goddess I hid the book from prying eyes so I wouldn't have to answer some unnecessary questions.

“So why did you come?” I asked, plunging into my bed.

“Sorry, I know this is new, but I just wanted to check up on you. Also, I didn't have anyone to speak to.” She said, and only then did I realize Stacy wasn't with her.

“Where's Stacy?”

“The Alpha gave her a leave, her brother called in to inform Stacy of her mother's health. It's terrible, and she's on the verge of death. It's a miracle the Alpha let her leave to check up on her mother, else Stacy would have been devastated.” Ria explained, I was equally surprised Darius would be thoughtful enough to give Stacy a chance. Maybe a tiny part of him wasn't as rotten as I thought.

“We should remain positive, hopefully, Stacy's mother will be fine,” I reassured her, but Ria pursed and curved her lips to the side.

“I don't know…” she trailed off, looking away, prompting me to gently touch her shoulder, “What's wrong?”

She blinked and I noticed her eyes were beginning to water. “Hey, what's the problem?”

She sniffed, brushing her palms against her eyes. “Stacy isn't just my best friend Juliette, she's my sister.” She swallowed and sniffed, “Not biologically. I am an orphan.”

“Oh…” I foolishly blurted out.

“Sorry.” I apologized, instantly regretting my dumb act.

“It's not a disease, Juliette,” Ria chuckled, “Stacy’s parents adopted me when I was five, and we have lived together ever since, bonding and becoming inseparable. Stacy's mother is my mother, she had been sick right before Stacy was taken. The debt came from her medical bills, and now it seems all those efforts would be going to waste.”

“So why did the Alpha take you as well?”

“He didn't. I work here as a maid, but Patricia treats me like the rest. I am still an omega, regardless of my reason for being here. I spend most nights with Stacy, making sure she is safe around the walls of the palace, and sometimes I go home. However, I have not returned home in a while and I feel like shit knowing I could have been there for my mother.” A tear dropped out of Ria's eyes and I was quick to wipe it.

“I am so Sorry, Ria, I sincerely have no idea what you are going through, but if you truly love your family, then blaming yourself shouldn't stop you from spending the last moments with your mother, Stacy, and the rest of the family.”

I sighed, my throat suddenly drying up as I recalled my mother, “I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to my mother. My father didn't even let me see her one last time. He said it was for the best, yet it haunts me when I think of her.”

Ria glanced at me, her eyes red and glossy, her nose already, a shade of pink. “I am sorry about that.”

I flashed her a small smile and nudged her shoulder, “I think this is the moment Stacy and her family need you the most, don't let them down, Ria.”

Ria nodded and heaved a long breath, “I should go.” She wiped her face clean and took my palm, “Thank you, Juliette,” she said, and embraced me. I patted her back before we pulled apart.

“I will tell you all about it when I get back.”

“I will be waiting.”

As soon as the door shut, I reached under my bed and pulled out the book, turning to the page I stopped.

I didn't even read the first line when another knocked on my door. Maybe Ria forgot to tell me something. Deciding not to get angry, I slipped the book back under the bed and left for the door.

Pulling it open, my initial decision was to smile, but it died down the moment my eyes landed on him.

“Darius.”

“Hello, little pet.” He smirked.