Five

Noble women no matter what empire they belong to are nothing but thorns at the side of an outsider. I had watched what Dar women did to Themis who was not a complete outsider and heard stories too, I even joined in the disciplining of some of the errant women who were below Themis in status and still thought that they could circulate rumors to tarnish her image. 

Now if that was the same people I had to deal with here, I would not have minded. I would have breakfast with them while counting each snide comments and when we are done with our breakfast, I would have them whipped for each foul word that was said to me or about me. 

But I couldn’t do that to princesses, not when their brother who happened to be my husband will have my head if I hurt them. 

I got to the same room as yesterday, the one where the meal was held while silently cursing the fact that I couldn’t have meals with my escorts from Dar. 

It isn’t done, I was told by the Nisse who came to wake me up this morning, I would be seen as clinging to Dar when I should be embracing my new home, nobody wanted a queen or will accept one that still loves her former country more than her present one. I would always love Dar but they do not need to know that. The trick is to make them believe otherwise.

I was enduring the princesses of Northshore for the people of Northshore or Northerners as they prefer to be called. 

“Finally, thank you for blessing us with your company.” Vala said, as she opens the tray before her. 

“She forgot that not all of us went to our room to eat like she did last evening.” Vestae added. 

“Or that we have manners here to wait for the room to be complete before we start eating.” The last princess who was being sly in her dislike of me concluded. 

I rolled my eyes as I took the free seat. 

“Good morning to you too, I can see that it wasn’t a nightmare, I conjured up in my head. The Princesses here are really nasty.” I returned as I sat down with a smile. 

“My name is Severa, Catia spoke before you and our youngest sister, the silent one is Eliana. Silana is the second oldest among girls and is Arius full sibling but it would be rare if you can see her, she prefers her solitude and her own company.”  One of the girls said, from her bearings and the mark on her arm. I knew she was married to someone important, her eyes glowed. Not in the same eerie light like those councilors but as if there was a fire lit behind her eyeballs. The sight was beautiful. 

“You are the eldest.” I guessed and she nodded as she reward me with a smile. 

“Yes and it is not often I come visit but I had to when my sister sent word that you were around. When you got married, I was not present because I had just delivered but I look forward to growing close with my new sister.”  She said as Vala cleared her throat loudly. 

“You are getting close to the wrong type of sibling, that was why you got married to someone whose standard was not worth half of yours. If you had drawn close to your brothers inside, you would have one of the section leaders as your husband.” Catia commented. 

Severa shook her head. “Not everything is about prestige and power, I got married for love and I am happy where I am.” 

Vestae yawned. “Boring and poor.” The three annoying imps from hell giggled together. 

“Don’t mind your sisters, Severa. I would love to have a friend here and I totally understand about love.” 

“We know you certainly didn’t marry my brother for love so you don’t understand.” Eliana said and when she spoke. The room went quiet. Her voice was very melodious and compelling others to listen to what she had to say. 

“No, I was doing my duty.” I answered with a sad smile. “Love was no longer an option for me.” 

“Hmmm.” Vala said. 

“Happy endings are just not in the market for some people.” Catia said while Vastae tutted. 

“Exactly, Love or duty. They can never get the heart of the other party.” Vala grinned at me. 

“If you are trying to say something, say it?” I gritted out, not ready for the taunts which they were about to level my way. 

“Enough you three.” Severa said glaring at her sisters. 

“Shut up sister, we got the same blood flowing through our veins too. You cannot command us.” Catia leaned forward. 

“Arius will never be yours, he belongs to Faye.”  

My brows went down at her words. “Faye? Who is she?” 

“The rightful queen, everybody knows her. You could never compare to her.” Vala smiled, I looked at her blankly, she wants me to feel like I am a stranger or feel insecure. She does not know that I have faced worst adversaries than her and her little petty games. 

“If you want to say something, say it and leave me in peace to eat my morning food. I am not in the mood to listen to your whining and pathetic attempts at being annoying. Okay?” 

“Faye is the King Mistress. The one he has been hooked on for weeks, since you left. Arius will never be yours. Even before you consummated your wedding, another woman was already in your husband’s bed.”

My frown was evident. “So?” I asked because I couldn’t get it. 

I knew that Arius will keep to his word about being only mine, I was raised by a noble, I know what Noble men do all in the name of it was their right to do whatever they wanted. 

“My lovely sisters.” Kastav entered the room. I watched as the three imps turned into all smiles, happy to see their brother. A devil in his own right. It seemed like it was right that those three ladies to like this brother more. Fitting that the evil ones band together. 

“Hello Kastav.” They chorused. 

“Hello My Queen.” Kastav, bowed to me as he smiled. “A pleasure being graced with your presence, I am sure you woke up after we left for the hunt but we are back now and your husband has not come to whisk you away?” 

“Left?” I questioned, feeling out of the loop of whatever was going on. I hated not knowing something which I clearly should be aware of. 

“We went hunting. He caught a big sized boar, I thought he would present it to you.” 

“Why would he do that when he could give it to his favorite?” Vastae rolled her eyes, asking a question which required no answer. 

“True. After all, they were quarrelling last night.” Kastav added. 

“Last night?” I asked, my blood pounding. It was different with Arius being with this faceless woman when I was not in the same place with him but when I was…

“Yes. I saw Faye as she left his room.” 

I sat there, speechless and hurting. Arius could disrespect me that way. 

“Hello sisters.” The door opened as Arius and the rest of his brothers piled into the room, in a rowdy bunch. 

“Gwenn.” Arius started. When I turned to look at him, he went pale at whatever he saw in my eyes. 

“You all could not just keep your mouth shut.” He shouted as his sisters jumped, knowing what he was referring to. 

“My king.” The Mareikura of yesterday entered the room, her eyes only for Arius. I watched as Arius bowed his head in guilt while his brothers shifted uncomfortably at the new arrival in the room. Could it be…?

“Faye?” I called, just to be certain. The Mareikura head jolted at the sound of her name and when she looked at me, a sardonic grin landed on her face as she slowly bowed her head to me while keeping her gaze on me. a disrespect if I have ever seen one before.     

“Yes, Your majesty?” 

“Faye.” Arius growled but the damaged was already done. 

Message received, you belong and I do not. 

“I understand.” Was all I replied, as I stood up from my seat.

“Gwenn.” Arius started. 

“Was she in your room yesterday night?” I asked and when he did not meet my eyes or reply, I got my answer to my question. “That’s all I want to know. Later in the day, I will find you and we would discuss the new terms. I want to leave as soon as possible.” With those words, I turned around and left through another door as quickly as I could. 

Nobody, I meant nobody has ever made me that angry. I was angry and hurt and that was never a good combination. I needed to leave before I would do something which was not going to reflect well on my reign as queen. Arius will regret this decision of his. I vowed. 

He would get hell from me because that’s all he has ever shown me and still was showing me.