Chapter 5.

Hyacinth's POV

I stormed out of the dinner hall with my fists clenched. I was breathing so hard, I couldn't tell if it was because I was terrified that anything could have gone wrong, or angry that they kept speaking to me in a condescending manner.

I wasn't just angry for myself. I was angry for every human they'd ever made feel like nothing. And I wasn't going to let them win.

Liora was the only one with me, and she was unbelievably quiet, which was clearly what I needed at the moment.

“Fuck these bastards!” I ranted, trying to keep the hot tears in my eyes from pouring out. I missed Callum so much. He'd definitely have the right words to speak, and most importantly, a comforting hug.

“I fucking hate this place!” I yelled, hitting my clenched fists against a close pillar.

“Ouch!” I hissed, shaking my hand vigorously to dull the sting. Liora tried moving close to me, but I held out my other hand to stop her from moving close.

I bawled my eyes out on the way back to my room. Thankfully, no one could see me since they were all at the party. At some point, I almost lost my way, so Liora stepped up and helped me back to my room.

I immediately locked the door behind me, and fell to the ground.

“Erm… my lady?” Liora called.

“Please, don't give me any more bad news.” I begged like I already knew what she was about to say.

“The King Regent might want to have business with you tonight.” Liora mumbled. As if my life wasn't terrible enough, I might have to sleep with a werewolf.

“I just wanted to tell you just in case he'd…”

“Thank you, Liora. I understand. Good night.” I gulped, ending the conversation.

“Just so you know, you were pretty brave today.” Liora said with a tone of admiration. “You completely owned those bastards and asserted your authority as Queen.”

“You are HER.” She added, and I felt her leave. There was a blush on my face, and my shoulders dropped as I gave a long exhale, still tearing up.

I got up from the floor, and sat on the bed, dreading every second that passed by with the idea that Kael was coming to devour me. Anytime a guard stepped close to my door, my heart would beat erratically fast.

***

“My lady, can I come in?” Liora’s voice startled me from my sleep. I had spent a large percentage of the night staying awake, and I had barely had enough sleep.

“Come in.” I grumbled with a hoarse voice. The doors opened , and nothing could have prepared me for the rays of light that almost blinded me.

Liora noticed it and immediately shut the door.

“I'm so sorry for waking you up, my lady.” Liora apologized.

“Why are you here so early?” I asked, rolling over the bed, still not opening my eyes.

“Erm… it's not so early, and I should have never left here, apparently.” She mumbled, and I scoffed.

“Liora, you can always go home whenever you need. Who cares what these people want?” I asked, slowly opening my eyes to acclimatize with the intensity of light.

Liora prepared my bath while I lazed around the room, fixing my hair, and thinking about what to do next.

I got into the bath immediately it was ready. I eased myself into what could be the only fun part of the day, whilst Liora washed my hair.

“Kael didn't come last night.” I muttered, unsure if I was disappointed or relieved.

“I realized that.” Liora shrugged, answering my next question before I could even ask. “And that's how I even knew that I should have never left. If he wanted to call on you, I had to be available."

“You also just woke up, which means you probably spent an unhealthy amount of time dreading his arrival.” She uttered. “So, I'm sorry for the trouble.”

I sighed, feeling a very slight headache.

“What do I have to do this morning?” I inquired, and she left my hair for a moment to check a book that was tied to her waist. I chuckled at the sight of it.

“You have breakfast in less than an hour. Hopefully, we make it in time. And also, you have to meet with a few nobles. It's customary.” She listed, and I sighed, shaking my head.

“Every moment of peace I've had since I was born now feels like it was only compensating me for the trials and tribulations I'm facing now.” I whined.

“It'd be over in a jiffy.” Liora assured me, washing my hair again.

“So, I realized I already made enemies of the Radicals, and I need to make friends to stay afloat in this place.” I said, and Liora nodded in agreement.

“So, have you decided whom to befriend?” Liora asked, moving to my shoulders, and I stopped her, since I had already washed up.

I signalled to the towel, and she immediately grabbed it while I stood up.

“Yes, but I firstly want to know what you think.”

“Well…” Liora started as I wrapped myself in the towel, and washed my hair with another. “The White faction doesn't want or like you, and the Radicals are also out of this after last night. The Reds are a bunch of people that detest humans, so they're also out.”

“The Greens are sycophants that worship the white faction, so we're left with just one faction…”

I smiled at her words as she had the exact thought process as I did.

“The Blue faction.” We said simultaneously.

“They're also the closest to the people, and if they accept me, it'll be good for me.” I shrugged, knowing that it wouldn't be so easy.

“But then, their leader is a stiffnecked , power hungry man. He might be asking for something in return.” Liora added as I got off the bath and walked into the room.

“That's where you come in.” I said, turning to look at her.

“Oh well, I'm only here to serve you.” She giggled, and I wondered how I struck gold with her so easily.

“I need you to find out what he wants the most.” I said, and she looked at me like she already had an answer.

“Anything apart from the throne…” I stressed, and we both chuckled.

“Well, I'll get on it.” She assured me. “But for now, let's focus on making you gorgeous for breakfast.”

I grumbled, not wanting to look gorgeous for breakfast, Kael, or any event.

About half an hour later, we were out of the wing, and headed for breakfast. Liora led me to a very large hall that seemed to be the dining room. It was larger than my father's room in fact, but I didn't have an interest in marvelling, so I walked in slowly with Liora right behind me.

The doors parted ways for me as I walked in.

Kael was seated at the end of the table silently eating his meal. He closed his eyes as I got closer, like he didn't already hear that I came in. The other guy that was with him the first time, and for most of the wedding was also seated.

“Good morning.” I said with a bright tone as he looked up at me. His eyes scanned my body once, and he looked away… almost disgusted. I filed that away.

“Morning.” He responded, grabbing a glass of wine.

What better way to start my morning than rage baiting Kael?