Chapter 5

Serena

The doors open, and I step into the room. The first thing I see is his broad back as he stands facing away from me.

He turns at the sound of the doors, and our eyes meet.

He's gorgeous. He's always been- dark hair falling to his shoulders, perfectly tousled. His jaw is strong and sharply defined, his nose straight, his features almost too perfectly sculpted. He is tall and broad-shouldered, and even beneath the immaculate tailoring of his clothes, there is no hiding the strength of his body.

He has always carried himself like this. With an effortless authority that makes people straighten their backs and lower their voices without even realizing it. The presence of a powerful Alpha filling the room before he has even spoken a word.

He is, without question, a beautiful man.

Once, I thought that beauty belonged to me.

How foolish I was.

In my previous life, he never came to see me that morning- I never gave him the chance. The moment I had woken up, I rushed to find him, barely caring how I looked and definitely without an ounce of care for what anyone else thought. All I cared about was that he had brought in another woman. I had gone mad with jealousy.

I’d thrown an inkwell at his head and made a huge scene. Not only did I attack the King but I’d even threatened to kill myself- and him- if he didn’t send the new Companion away. And then proceeded to publicly call the Viscount’s daughter words that no polite lady should utter.

He had been furious and had responded by ordering me confined to my palace for two months.

The humiliation had lasted far longer.

The servants had whispered about me. The courtiers had laughed. Even ministers who should have shown their Queen proper respect had sneered whenever they saw me. I was the shame of nobility. In days, word spread throughout the entire Kingdom. From then on, I had been the subject of gossip and ridicule, the pathetic Queen whom the King had been tolerating had finally lost all favour.

By then, it had become obvious to everyone.

Cassius truly did not love me. He did not even like me. I had simply been too foolish to see what everyone else had apparently known for years.

That incident had finally cemented my place in the eyes of the kingdom. The King disliked the Queen, and the Queen was desperate for his attention. I was nothing.

Thankfully, this time I had not made the same mistake. Thankfully, I arrived just before I could rush after him and humiliate myself all over again.

And now he has come to me.

Of course he has.

The ‘ever-kind and wise King Cassius’ could hardly do otherwise. He is nothing if not courteous and proper, and a Queen who has nearly drowned is certainly deserving of a visit from her husband.

Courtesy demands it.

His expression softens, and a smile spreads across his face. He opens his arms wide.

I stare at him for the briefest moment. He is expecting me to run into them- just as I always did.

This time, I do not.

Instead, I dip into a proper curtsy, deliberately pretending not to see.

“Good morning, Your Majesty.” I say, in as even a tone as I can.

For a heartbeat, he remains like that. Then his arms slowly lower, and he clasps his hands behind his back. There's the faintest tightness at the corner of his mouth, there and then gone.

“Good morning, Serena,” his voice is gentle. “How are you feeling this morning?”

“I am quite well.”

His gaze moves over me, his eyes flashing with surprise at my different attire. "This is different. You look lovely."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," I say.

"The colour suits you."

I only smile again, and say to the servants trailing behind me. “Have some refreshments brought in.” moving deeper into the room.

The servants immediately move to obey.

My private sitting room is moderately sized compared to the other entertaining rooms in the palace. However, there is nothing modest about its furnishings. Everything in it is expensive and befitting of the Royal family. But unlike the grander rooms of the palace, this one feels warm and lived-in. A thick rug covers most of the stone floor, keeping out the winter chill, while a fire burns steadily in the hearth. Comfortable upholstered chairs surround a low table near the windows, and heavy curtains frame the tall glass panes. Several vases of flowers are scattered throughout the room, though the cold weather has already begun to take its toll on them.

I move toward one of the chairs in the middle of the room and take a seat- I intentionally choose a single-seater. Cassius settles on the sofa opposite me.

The servants are efficient. Within minutes, tea and refreshments are arranged before us. Cordelia steps forward and pours the tea into our cups before retreating with the other servants to the corners of the room. They maintain the proper distance expected of royal attendants, far enough to grant us privacy but close enough to respond immediately should either of us need anything.

I lift my cup.

Across from me, Cassius does the same.

His gaze moves over me, concern on his face. "I heard you fell into the pond. Are you hurt?" he asks, “How did that happen?”

I shake my head lightly and take a sip of my tea. "I tripped on my dress. It was nothing- a moment of carelessness on my part."

His frown deepens. “But it’s winter. The water must have been freezing.”

I nod.

It was.

“I had a hot bath afterwards.” I inform him, “I was otherwise unhurt.”

"Has the physician seen to you?"

"It wasn't necessary."

His eyes melt with gentle concern. "Serena, I'd feel better if he did."

I open my mouth to refuse again, then think better of it and simply incline my head. "As you wish." I take another sip of tea instead of arguing further.

His expression eases at my agreement and glances toward the servants. "One of you, go summon the court physician to examine the Queen."

"Yes, Your Majesty," they answer almost in unison before one of them moves to carry out the order.