Chapter 12 – THE GUEST ROOM

The meeting ended without another word.

One by one, the elders stood and left the chamber. My parents followed them. My father did not even look back at me.

My mother paused at the door. For a moment, I thought she might say something.

She didn’t. She simply walked away.

I remained seated.

The room suddenly felt much larger than before. Deucalion was still there, standing near the window with his back toward me. His parents had already left.

I stared at him. “So that’s it?”

He didn’t turn.

“The decision has been made.”

“You all are just so pathetic.” My voice came out bitter. “I just thought I should at least have a say in my own life.”

He finally turned around. “You had a say.”

I laughed without humor. “When?”

His eyes hardened. “You asked to leave. The answer was no.”

“That isn’t having a say.”

He said nothing.

I stood. “I don’t understand you. You clearly dont—”

“You don’t need to.”

I looked at him for several seconds before walking out.

By the afternoon, the entire estate seemed to know what had happened.

Then Aria arrived.

I was walking through the main hall when the large doors opened.

My body went still. Aria stepped inside with our parents.

She looked around the estate as if she had returned to a place that belonged to her.

Her eyes finally found mine. Neither of us spoke.

Mother placed a hand on her shoulder. “Come, Aria. Your room has been prepared.”

My stomach dropped.

My room.

I already knew what was coming. A servant approached me.

“Luna, the Blackridge Luna has asked you to move your belongings to the guest room.”

I stared at her. “Excuse me?”

“The room has been prepared for you.”

I almost thought I had heard wrong. “Why?”

The servant looked uncomfortable.

“Aria will be staying in the Luna’s quarters.”

I looked toward Aria. She was standing beside her parents, listening.

A small smile appeared on her face. I felt heat rush through me. “That room is mine.”

The servant lowered her head. “I am only following orders.”

“Whose orders?”

Before she could answer, I heard footsteps behind me.

Deucalion.

He approached slowly. I turned toward him. “Tell them to stop. I will not remain here and watch them humiliate—”

His eyes moved from me to the servant. “Leave us.”

The servant immediately bowed and walked away.

I crossed my arms. “Did you order this?”

“Yes.”

My mouth fell open. “You want me to leave my room?”

“Aria will use it.”

“She just arrived.”

“I know.”

“And I’m your Luna.”

His face remained cold. “That doesn’t change the arrangement.”

I stepped closer.

“What arrangement?”

“The room was prepared for the woman who was supposed to be here, not the one that was brought here because she needs to be used.”

I felt the words like a slap. “Aria.”

“Yes.”

I swallowed hard.

“So after forcing me into this marriage, you are going to push me into a guest room the moment she arrives?”

His eyes narrowed. “You said you don’t want this marriage.”

I froze. “What?”

“Didn’t you say you are not interested in being my mate?”

I stared at him. “Were any of you listening to me?”

“You said you wanted out.”

“Yes, because I never wanted this.”

“Then what’s the use of staying in the room meant for my Luna?”

His words left me speechless for a moment.

I shook my head. “You’re doing this because I asked to leave?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

“Because Aria needs a place to stay.”

“There are dozens of rooms in this estate.”

“The Luna’s quarters are hers.”

“No. They are mine.”

He stepped closer. His presence made the air feel heavier. “Malia.”

I refused to move. “I will not sleep in some guest room while she takes my place.”

His expression changed. “You are making this difficult.”

“I am only asking you to treat me with basic respect. Even though you don't want to.”

“You will move.”

I stared at him. “And if I don’t?”

His eyes became colder. “Then I will have someone move your belongings for you.”

My heart sank. “You really want to humiliate me.”

“This is not about humiliation.”

“It feels like it.”

He turned away. I grabbed his arm.

He immediately looked down at my hand. I released him. “Deucalion, please.”

He looked at me. For a second, I saw something in his eyes.

Then it disappeared. “Move to the guest room.”

“Why are you doing this?”

He didn’t answer. “Is it because she is here?”

Still nothing. “Do you love her?”

His jaw tightened. “That is none of your concern.”

The answer hurt more than I expected. I stepped back. “Fine.”

He looked at me.

I forced myself to meet his eyes. “I will move.”

He nodded once. Then he walked away. I stood there alone. The servants began carrying my things out less than an hour later.

I watched them take my clothes, my books, and the few personal belongings I had brought from home.

Nobody asked if I was okay. Nobody apologized.

When the last box left, I walked toward the room that had been mine.

The door was open.

Aria stood inside. She ran her fingers across the curtains. Then she turned to me. “This room is beautiful.”

I said nothing. She smiled. “I always imagined myself living here.”

My chest tightened. “Enjoy it.”

Her smile widened. “I will.”

I turned before she could see the anger in my eyes.

I walked down the corridor carrying the last small bag myself. The guest room was at the far end of the estate.

It was clean.

It was quiet.

I placed my bag on the bed and sat down. Through the window, I could see the main wing of the estate.

My old room was there. Aria was inside it now. I touched the mark on my neck. It burned.

I closed my eyes. I had been forced into this house.

Forced into a marriage. Forced to stay.

And now, I had been pushed out of my own room.

That was when I finally understood.

This was only the beginning. I had to leave before more keeps happening.