A DREAM

Chapter 9

A Dream in the Woods

Adelaide's POV

“Welcome to the Queen’s wing, Your Majesty.”

The servant’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I heard everything they said at the council meeting, I heard what they thought of me.

I was only there to produce an heir and if I couldn't, I'd be kicked out.

I stopped at the entrance, staring ahead of me.

The doors before me were tall and had ancient symbols carved in them.

Two guards stood by the sides, heads bowed. Everything about this place screamed importance.

Suddenly, a guard passed and stood in front of me, without showing any form of respect.

“Are you the new maid of the Luna?!” He asked, looking directly at me.

Wait! I looked like a maid?! Even in my dress?!

The maid drew closer, with a fierce look in her eyes.

“How dare you speak of the Luna in such a manner?! Show your respect!” She yelled.

That was the first time a maid was standing up for me. I could tell she was different from all others.

She didn't look like those who whispered behind my back and acted like they respect me in the open, while cutting me in pieces.

The guard quickly fell to his knees.

“I don't deserve your mercy, Luna. You should kill me.” He said, pulling out his sword to me.

I stepped back. Does everyone think death is something so easy to come by?!

Everyone desires to die?! Is this what having authority meant?!

Different thoughts kept running through my mind like wildfire.

“Please get up and stop this..” I said, thinking it was that easy, but instead, he fell face down as I tried to walk away.

“Please! Luna! I don't deserve to see your face ever again!” He said, while looking down.

I stopped and looked at the maid beside me and then back at him.

What's all these?! I lamented.

I didn't know what to do because I didn't know much yet.

Just then, Paula ran to meet me and I could feel the smile spreading wide on my cheeks like my savior had come.

I quickly held her hands as she seemed confused as to why the guard was lying at my feet, sweating profusely now.

“He wants me to kill him..” I said simply and she jerked. “What should I do now?!” I whispered to her.

The other maid coughed, “my Luna, what should we do with him?! He disrespected you and doesn't deserve to live.”

I looked at her, “why's everyone's wish for death?!”

She looked down as though counting her fingers.

“He did something death worthy, my lady.” She said, with that finality in her voice.

I tried to move, but it looked like I was stuck with him.

“Move away from her..” Paula yelled and he quickly shifted backwards, still maintaining position.

I was stunned but it wasn't necessary. I didn't want any of this to happen.

“Stand!” I said, but he shook his head.

I looked at the two ladies and they shook their heads too, their faces hardened.

I thought Paula came to bare me but it looked as though I became more hopeless the moment she stepped in. I needed to sort things myself.

“Stand up! I command you!” I said this final time, my voice carried the kind of authority I didn't know I had.

Slowly, he got up on his feet, still looking away.

I went in front of him and stood, using my hand to position his face to mine.

The two ladies grasped, as though in shock. They looked around at once.

Paula stood in front of me, blocking me from him.

Oh! I understood why they felt that way. I was looking at another guy directly and was standing close to him, people might misunderstand.

I shifted backwards a bit, smiled and walked away without uttering another word to the guard.

Immediately I left, I heard how loudly he ran away.

I shook my head, while smiling. Then, I noticed one of my hairpins wasn't on my hair, and my hair was lighter.

I turned to Paula, “please, get me my hairpin from the room.”

Paula nodded and bowed, bolting off immediately.

We got to the room in no time and it was nothing short of beautiful. It had different flowers in it and looked heavenly.

I stepped in slowly.

But it didn’t feel lived in. It felt… cold.

Like no one had laughed here in a long time.

I swallowed and walked farther in, my fingers brushing the edge of a table. The silence followed me and I felt a bit awkward.

Even my footsteps sounded loud.

The servant cleared her throat behind me.

“There are rules, Your Majesty.”

Rules. Of course there were.

I turned to face her. She looked older, stiff, the kind of woman who spoke only when instructed to. Her eyes avoided mine.

No wonder the guards obeyed her, she might hold a high rank in the pack.

“Tell me,” I said quietly.

She nodded. “You will now reside in this wing. The Queen’s wing.”

I glanced around again. Queen. The word felt heavy on my shoulders.

“You share the same wing as the Alpha King,” she continued carefully, “but… not his chambers.”

Oh.

I didn’t know what I was expecting, but that still stung.

“Your rooms are here,” she gestured behind me, “this is down the corridor. You are not to enter his quarters unless summoned.”

Summoned. Like a servant?!

“Meals will be brought here unless instructed otherwise. Guards will be stationed outside at all times.” She paused. “And… no wandering at night.”

I almost laughed. As if I had anywhere to go.

“I understand,” I said softly.

She bowed slightly. “If you need anything, call.”

Then she left and the door closed behind her with a dull thud.

I stood there alone. This was not a queen's treat anymore, this was prison.

Humph.

I walked toward the bed and sat down slowly, my body sinking into the soft mattress.

Everything smelled new. Clean. Unused. I leaned back and stared at the ceiling.

So this is where queens sleep.

I pressed my lips together. “Lucky me,” I whispered to no one.

That's what they want me to feel, to feel I'm lucky to be here.

Night came quietly and the moon hung over the sky, shining brightly.

It looked quiet outside, Paula had brought the hairpin and I dismissed her too and now, I was alone.

I lay under the covers, eyes wide open, listening. The palace had its own sounds, the distant footsteps, and the low hum of guards speaking in murmurs.

Then… something else. I heard movements from the next door.

My breath hitched.

It was slow and familiar in a way I didn’t understand yet.

He was awake.

Kaius.

My heart started beating faster without asking for permission.

Tsk. Annoying.

I turned on my side, facing the wall that separated us. So close. Just stone between us. And yet… worlds apart.

We didn’t speak.

He didn’t call for me and I didn’t move either.

The silence stretched until it felt like a test. Who would break first?

I squeezed my eyes shut and sleep came when I wasn’t looking.

Soon, I saw myself running, barefooted.

The ground beneath me was soft and I was surrounded by trees that looked taller than what I've seen before.

Wait! What's this place?!

I looked around, my eyes scanning the trees.

I didn’t know this forest… but my body did.

I wasn’t afraid.

I was chasing something, it was a scent.

It pulled me forward and my chest burned as I ran.

I pushed past branches, my breath coming fast, my heart racing with excitement.

“Wait,” I tried to say, but my voice didn’t come out.

The smell grew stronger. It wrapped around me and filled my lungs.

My hands clenched as I ran faster and faster.

Suddenly, the forest opened up.

The moon light shined so bright at once, blocking my view, but I saw someone familiar.

“Kaius…” his name slipped from my lips without thought.

I stepped forward as it moved, but then it growled loudly.

I gasped and jolted awake.

My heart was pounding like it wanted to escape my ribs.

My sheets were twisted around my legs, my breath uneven.

I sat up quickly, pressing a hand to my chest.

What was that?

The room was dark, lit only by moonlight through the curtains. Everything was still.

I listened but I heard nothing.

I let out a shaky breath, rubbing my arms. “Just a dream,” I whispered. “Just a dream.”

But my body didn’t believe me.

Something felt… different.

I lay back slowly, staring at the ceiling again.

Suddenly, my senses felt sharper and it looked like I was hearing the growl I heard in my dream.

I looked around, thinking someone was inside my room, but I was just alone.

Again, the sound came again.

But, I didn’t know if it came from the next door… or from inside my head.