JULIETTE
TWO DAYS LATER… Finally, Darius’s arrival was announced, and the palace erupted into chaos as everyone rushed outside to welcome him. Well, everyone except me. He left without a word, so why should I bother pretending to care about his return? Besides, with more than a hundred servants, maids, and guards scrambling to greet him, I doubt he’d even notice my absence. And even if he did… I wouldn’t care. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. Because a part of me knows he would notice. And then he’d storm into my room, his eyes burning with fury, determined to punish me… to touch me. . . No. No, Juliette. Stop it. What a stupid thought to even let in. I hate his punishments. I hate his arrogance, his words, his smile, his body, his face. . . everything about him. Darius is my enemy, and he will always remain that. He ruined my life. Degraded me. Chained me like I was nothing. He deserves my wrath, my hatred, and my revenge. . .nothing else. A sudden knock snapped me out of my thoughts. My heart jolted, and I sprang to my feet, hurrying to the door. I pulled it open almost immediately, half expecting to see him standing there, smirking in amusement or seething with rage. But… “Hello, ma’am. Are you Juliette Hales?” The voice belonged to a woman, average height, brunette, with a thin, practiced smile and eyes sharp enough to cut glass. “Y-Yes,” I stammered, caught off guard. She looked like she could have been a noble. Her arms were wrapped in layers of exquisite fabric, and she carried herself with quiet grace. Her hair was pinned neatly beneath a delicate lace veil, every strand perfectly in place. “Alpha Darius sent us,” the woman said, clapping her hands once. Footsteps followed almost immediately. Four young women appeared behind her, each carrying large, stuffed bags and wearing identical, practiced smiles. “So, shall we?” the woman asked, brushing past me as though she owned the place. Her assistants trailed behind, filing into my room without hesitation. I shut the door and turned to face them, crossing my arms. “Why exactly are you here?” “To deck you up,” she announced smoothly. Another sharp clap of her hands, and like obedient puppets, the four women sprang into motion. They dropped their bags on my bed and began pulling out fabrics: lace, silk, satin, velvet… a dizzying parade of luxury. “I don’t understand,” I said, my confusion rising. “You must have the wrong person.” The woman turned to me, that same thin smile curving her lips. “You are Juliette Hales, correct?” I hesitated before nodding. “Yes…” “Then you have nothing to worry about. I’m Lilian, by the way,” she introduced herself as she glided over to the bed. Her fingers brushed over one of the fabrics the young women had laid out, then she lifted it delicately into the air, admiring its sheen. “So, let’s begin by choosing a fabric, shall we?” “It would be best if you just made the pick yourself. Anything…” I waved dismissively, not in the mood for whatever spectacle this was. “Regal and powerful!” she interrupted, her tone suddenly bright and commanding. I frowned, my brows knitting together. “I still don’t understand what you mean.” Lilian turned to me, that same confident smile curving her lips. “The Alpha requested a gown for you. The event itself remains unknown to us, but his instructions were clear, you are to look regal and powerful, like a queen. And that,” she added, her chin lifting with quiet pride, “is precisely why I’m here.” Like a queen? Was Darius playing one of his mind games again? I am not his queen. I am not regal, and I certainly hold no power. This could only be another insult from a man like him, a cruel reminder that he can dress me up, call me whatever he pleases, and I have no say in it. Toss me servant clothes, and I become his slave. Toss me jewels and silk, and I’m his chained escort. Now he sends a seamstress to dress me like a queen. What’s next? “I’m sorry,” I said tightly, folding my arms, “but I can’t. . . and won’t. . .be making a pick. This is clearly a mistake. I think you should leave.” Lilian smiled faintly, the corners of her mouth curving with quiet amusement. “Hmm. I suppose the Alpha does know you well. Who would’ve thought?” My eyes narrowed. “What?” “Well,” she said smoothly, her tone dripping with smugness, “since you’ve refused to make a choice, we’ll go with the Alpha’s. He personally selected the fabric, the design, and even the jewelry for your gown. Hopefully, I will manage to impress him.” She turned and gestured toward one of the women. “Quickly. Take her measurements.” ***************** Lilian worked like a witch. The way she moved, graceful, precise, almost enchanting, was as though she were dancing with the fabrics. Every motion flowed into the next, her fingers commanding needles and thread with effortless control. Soon, a sewing machine was brought in, and she worked around me in perfect rhythm, stitching silence into silk. Hours slipped by. When she finally fastened the last pin, she stepped back with quiet satisfaction. Darius still hadn’t appeared. Perhaps he truly didn’t care that I’d refused to welcome him, or maybe this was his way of reminding me he didn’t need to. I turned toward the tall mirror. For a long moment, I didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me. The gown is a black silk, she had said Darius had chosen it himself, clung to my body like it belonged there. The golden stones embroidered along its edges shimmered with each breath I took, scattering light across the room. It was breathtaking. It made me look regal and powerful. Too powerful. The fabric didn’t just fit me, it transformed me. I looked like someone who ruled instead of obeyed. Someone capable of anything. Someone who could fight, command, and win. I swallowed hard, my voice barely a whisper. “This… isn’t me.” Lilian’s reflection met mine in the mirror. She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, her smile both knowing and kind. “It doesn’t always have to be you, Juliette,” she said softly. “If the dress makes you feel different, then bask in it. You won’t wear it forever.” With that said, Lilian stepped back and clapped her hands, a sharp, practiced sound that summoned the other women into motion. “Pack up. We’re leaving,” she ordered. Within minutes, they had gathered their things and filed out, their quiet chatter fading down the corridor. Lilian lingered for a moment, her gaze sweeping over me one last time. “You’re a very beautiful woman, Juliette,” she said, her voice softer now. “And I think the Alpha sees something in you. Take advantage of it.” She smirked, wiggled her brow playfully, and added, “Good luck.” The door closed behind her with a muted click, and silence swallowed the room. The moment they were gone, I collapsed onto the bed, my breath breaking as the tears finally came. I didn’t even know why. I just couldn’t hold it in anymore. The ache in my chest pulsed and throbbed until it hurt to breathe. But it wasn’t supposed to hurt. I wasn’t supposed to feel anything. It was just a dress, a cruel gesture from a man who wanted to dress up his slave, make her look presentable for his world. That’s all it was. I am his slave. Nothing more. Everything Darius does to me, I accept. I endure. I’m not meant to question it or feel wounded by it. And yet… it hurt. It hurt so much that it made me hate myself for feeling at all. What is wrong with me?JULIETTEDarius should have been the last person I ever thought of running and breaking down. Heck, he wasn't supposed to see me this way. Yet I found myself buried in his arms even after he led me to his bed.On the other hand, he equally surprised me, or maybe it was just the shock of the moment. He didn't question me, didn't push me away, or use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to move me and show his superiority.Instead, he held me, tight enough to keep me secured, he caressed my hair to soothe me, and whispered words like, *it's okay,* and *You are alright*.Now that I am in my right senses I can't get over the fact that I chose Darius as my solace. In what world was I thinking? Maybe I just felt overwhelmed when he kept to his words and gave me the chance to find out the horrible truth of my life.My father betrayed me, played with my feelings for fifteen whole years, and my mother? Whom I loved more than anything in this world. Not only did she destroy our family, but she
JULIETTETWO DAYS LATER…I halted before Darius's door, still contemplating the next step to take. I was torn between knocking and making my presence known, and just walking away to avoid Darius's ridicule.But I was haunted, barely getting any sleep after that realistic dream I had. It left me shaken, and every attempt I made to get it out of my mind led to nothing.I needed answers to the questions that plagued my mind. I needed to know if my mother truly died or if my father chose to lie to keep me from wondering what happened to my mother. It was hard to accept a new truth after fifteen whole years. I just couldn't.So I pushed back my fear and pride, placing a gentle knock on the door.“Took you long enough.” Darius's voice boomed from the other side. “Come in.”With a racing heart, I pushed the door open, slowly striding into the room. He was on his bed, with a book in hand and weirdly reading glasses.He looked different, harmless, soft, like a professor, a dangerously hot one.
JULIETTE“Rise and shine sweetheart.” A melodious voice whispered into my ear and I stirred in my bed. I recognized the voice in an instant, my eyes fluttering open.“Mom?” I called, surprised to see her by my bed, staring down at me with her beautiful eyes and contagious smile. “Good morning, pumpkin, I trust you had a good night's sleep.” She asked, leaning down to peck my forehead.Confused, I pushed myself up and swept my gaze around. My lips parted in shock. It wasn't in my tiny room at the castle; I was in my old room from when I was five years old. Everything was the same, from my favorite pink flower blanket to the lilac-painted walls; the only difference was my size. I wasn't five, but my mother didn't seem to notice. This had to be another realistic dream.“Pumpkin, is something wrong?” My mom asked, reaching to touch my face, and I let her, watching her reaction as she caressed and pinched my cheek.“No, Mom, I am fine, just tired from sleeping.” She patted my cheek once m
JULIETTEMy door opened minutes later, and I cocked my head, expecting to see Lilian. Hopefully, she was here to help get this dress off me.However, to my disappointment and somewhat relief, Darius walked in. His presence filled the room with a heavy authority that clung to him like a second skin, making the hair on my neck stand.His gaze settled on me, tracing every inch of my body as he strolled fully into the room, something flickered in his eyes. Admiration, desire, or possession. I wasn't sure, but I caught his lips twitch, no smile no smirk, just a stupid twitch.“Just as I predicted,” he muttered, his tone rough around the edge.I spun fully to face him, raising my chin. “Predicted?” I snapped, grabbing the dress in my hand, “This is what you do the moment you return, play dress up with your little pet.”Darius narrowed his gaze,” What are you talking about?” He asked, pretending to be oblivious of the games he keeps playing.“You know exactly what I am talking about,” I repl
JULIETTETWO DAYS LATER…Finally, Darius’s arrival was announced, and the palace erupted into chaos as everyone rushed outside to welcome him.Well, everyone except me.He left without a word, so why should I bother pretending to care about his return?Besides, with more than a hundred servants, maids, and guards scrambling to greet him, I doubt he’d even notice my absence. And even if he did… I wouldn’t care.At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.Because a part of me knows he would notice. And then he’d storm into my room, his eyes burning with fury, determined to punish me… to touch me. . .No. No, Juliette. Stop it.What a stupid thought to even let in. I hate his punishments. I hate his arrogance, his words, his smile, his body, his face. . . everything about him.Darius is my enemy, and he will always remain that.He ruined my life. Degraded me. Chained me like I was nothing.He deserves my wrath, my hatred, and my revenge. . .nothing else.A sudden knock snapped me out of
JULIETTETHREE DAYS LATERThe past few days had been nothing but dull since I returned to my room that night. Darius hadn’t sent any maid or guard to call me, nor had he shown up to my room himself. It was as if he had vanished into thin air.Disappointment hit me hard when I learned that he had gone to attend a summit without me in the neighboring town, a meeting that was mandatory for all Alphas. I spent half the day wondering why he hadn’t taken me with him.I was nothing to him, just a slave he brought along whenever it pleased him. The summit, being such an important event, made the truth painfully clear, it drew the line between my imagination and reality.“Juliette? Are you in? It's Ria.”“And Stacy.”Their voices boomed on the other end, my thoughts cleared up immediately, a smile tugging at my lips as I jumped off my bed, and strolled to the door, pulling it open.“Hey, guys.” I greeted them, letting them in, but they didn't bother stepping in. “Is something wrong?” I asked,