Unlike the ritual of most newlyweds in the kingdom, the Alpha king did not ride on the same carriage with his queen.
Mia knew he still felt the resentment of being married to someone different. She’d seen the look on his face all the times he had glanced at her during the marriage ceremony earlier. Or perhaps his withdrawal could be because she wasn’t as fair or beautiful as he had expected... She wasn’t beautiful at all.
It had been a long day and the worse day of Mia’s life. It had started with her losing her sister, her biggest supporter, and then losing her freedom.
Flashback***
“What happened to Ariel? Where is she?”
“She’s dead, Mia, Ariel is dead.”
Her heart sank, overwhelmed with pain at his word, and a raspy cry of agony left her mouth, already knowing the fate that awaited her but not wanting to believe it.
“No, father, that can’t be!”
While she yet spoke, her door burst open and in came the royal bride makers without being ushered in. She turned to them, baffled by their audacity to intrude on a private moment.
None of the eight royal bride makers paid her mind as they placed the box they brought in on the floor before turning to them with their looks blunt and formal. They didn’t appear to care that the Asika household had just lost someone they were just here to do their duty.
“Father,” she called out, but he just whimpers, too broken to utter a word.
“This is the custom, my lady.” the older woman whom she had spoken to in Ariel’s room yesterday said.
“Fuck the custom! My sister’s cold dead body lies in her bed and I want to mourn her properly, not dragged off to someplace I don’t want to be.”
The woman gave her a sympathetic look as if she understood her plight. “You will be charged with the act of rebellion if we don’t follow the rules and by the end of today, not only will your sister be dead, you and your father will also be dead.”
***Flashback ends
Mia didn’t want to think about anything anymore. She just wanted the day to end.
At their arrival, the gates of the Palace opened to the carriage, and it drove her into the Palace estate.
The carriage came to a stop and its door opened to reveal a male servant positioned beside it, with his hand stretched out to her. Silently she took his hand, and he tightened his hold on her as he helps her out of the carriage and onto the concreted pathway that led to the palace.
The magnificent Palace soon stood before Mia and it took her a while to catch her breath while staring at its structure.
The Palace was indeed as massive as everyone said it was and despite spending the last eighteen years of her life in the kingdom, she never stepped her feet here... She never had a reason to until now.
She swallowed and her hands quivered a little, knowing the man she would live with within this Palace for the rest of her life was the same man that gave her the cold shoulder throughout the day.
She couldn't completely blame him. He was left in the dark by the last minute change and had his choice taken from him when he blindly married her.
He wasn’t the only one whose choice was taken away though. She had plans, her bags were already packed, and now those plans would never be a reality.
Reality awaited her in the Palace, and she wasn’t ready.
She wondered if anyone would hear her cry for help behind these high walls. Would anyone even care?
A maiden a little younger than her with fair skin, dirty brown hair braided to the back walked up to her and bowed her head. “My queen, I am Lydia, your maid. I will take you to your chambers now.”
Mia nodded without uttering a word and followed the maid behind as she led her into the Palace and through the hallway that led to the bridal Chambers.
Lydia pushed open the door, and they both stepped into her massive Chambers and Mia beheld the room refined with elegance. It was sophisticated with its looks and despite not growing up in abject poverty, this was far above her status.
Beside the large window having scarlet curtains was a king-sized bed covered with white linen sheets. There was a door across the room and Mia assumed it led to the bathroom and next to that door stood a massive mahogany wardrobe and a brown armchair on the left side of the room. Close to it was the shelf filled with books, which was the only thing that gladdened Mia’s heart only for a moment.
She turn to the young maid whose eyes were as clear as the sky. “Do I share this room with the alpha king, my husband?”
She shook her head, “No, this is your chambers. If the alpha king has needs for you, he will summon you into his chambers or come into yours.”
Her reply gave her a mixed feeling. She was happy she didn’t have to live in the same room as the alpha King because he terrified her and didn’t look like one she would want to share space with, but it also made her sad.
She had grown up seeing the way her father and mother loved each other and until the day she died; they were in love and happy and lived together in the same room and she longed for that growing up and a part of her still did. Who wouldn’t want a man that would stare at them like they were the only thing that mattered in the world? The only one that could make their heart beat irregularly.
In a small way, she wanted that kind of love, and a part of her believed she deserved it.
Perhaps in leaving the kingdom in search of enlightenment, she could have found love. But she had to get used to the fact that she might never get that love or affections from her now-husband, the alpha king.
“Okay, thank you. I might need help to get out of this dress,” she said, gazing down at her wedding gown, which looked too complicated to get out of.
“I’ll call the chief maid. She will help take it off so no harm will come to it.” with that said, Lydia hurried out of the bedroom and Mia stood alone and she wrapped her arms around herself.
Since the early hours of the morning, she hadn’t been alone and now that she was; she felt cold and lost than ever and she hated the feeling.
Not long after, an older woman in her late forties stepped through the door and walked towards her. Mia quickly brushed off the moodiness she had on and wore on a much more pleasant face.
“My queen,” she bowed, “the young maid summoned me.”
“I want to get out of this gown, please. It’s been a long day. She believes you’re better at it.”
She nods and without wasting time; she stepped towards Mia and undid the three-layer gown she wore. The older maid knew what she was doing and the first layer of the gown fell off her with ease after a few seconds.
She then proceeded to the second layer, undoing the surrounding ropes as fast as she could when the door opened. Mia turned around to see the alpha king emerge without warning, his step calculated and his head held with pride and dominance.
Her heart doubled a beat in fear, and she immediately looked away from his scowling face.
“Leave us,” he orders, his voice deep and terrifying.
The older maid released the ropes she almost finished working on and the second layer dropped to the floor, leaving Mia in just the white, long and somewhat transparent gown with slim hands.
The door shut behind them and Mia wanted to hide away because the fear of being alone with the alpha king, which she felt throughout today, was about to unfold.
He stepped away from the door and strode further into the room. She trembled on the inside, but she remained standing in her position, looking anywhere else but at him.
This was one rite of newlyweds sharing close space, but she didn’t want to be in the same space. Her whole being rebelled at the nearness of him.
He was mean, cold, arrogant, entitled, and everything she didn’t want in a man. She never knew him personally, but she heard rumours and stories about him from people, including her father, and she knew they had to be some truth in those rumours. He’d shown her his true colours throughout today with how coldly he treated her, and she didn’t forget.
“So, I heard we got married.” he finally broke the silence, his eyes raking over her body with his scowl lingering.
At the after party of the wedding, he barely stayed by her side. Instead, he welcomed the guest on his own and drank a few wines with his clique of friends. The only one who bothered to speak to her was his brother, Edward, who congratulated and welcomed her into the family. It didn’t surprise her that her husband treated her in such a way; she was a queen by name and nothing more and that was the role she ought to play.
“Yes, my king, we got married.”
“Good, then carry on,” he stroll to the other side of the room where the armchair was, and he took a seat on it. He stretched his legs out and his hand rubbed his jaw while he observed her. This made her skin itch in discomfort and her heart skipped a few beats.
“We have a long night ahead of us.”
Thank you so much for hundred reads!! Hurray!! 🎉🎉🎉Mia felt the alpha King’s intent gaze on her as she moved her hand to the small hand of the white gown she had on. She shook from fear from the inside out because not only was he much older, he also terrified her.He was obviously hoping to see what was underneath the garment, though, but the look on his face already said he wouldn’t be impressed either way.She didn’t have the body that would blow anyone away. She wasn’t the right height or shape and she hadn’t felt insecure about it in a long time, but now, standing so vulnerable, she did.Getting married was never on her agenda, not since she turned fourteen, freedom and knowledge was. She remembered the first time she shared her dreams of travelling to the other side of the world to get an education with Ariel, and how her sister felt happy for her and su
Xavier ran his hand over Mia’s legs before letting it sink into her skin, and she shivered at his touch, whimpering in silence. This was even harder than he thought it would be. He’d had to force himself into her room after a few drinks because, according to the customary rites, they had to consummate their union on their wedding night for it to be valid. Yet, he couldn’t make his cock come alive and do the simple job. The fucking thing had a mind of its own. Perhaps it didn’t. Perhaps his cock was responding to how he felt. He didn’t want to touch her or hold her. She wasn’t his taste or class; she was the opposite of what he normally longed for in a woman. He had always picked them beautiful and fair until he met Zara, who was everything he wanted and he had cleaved to her ever since. He thought by thinking about Zara, his lover, and by replaying the images of her in his head, he’d be able to get into the moment. How wrong he was.
The chilled breeze blowing through the window brushed over Mia’s face, and her lashes fluttered to see the dawn of the day. She moaned and turned her head to the side, getting acquainted with her territory. The light illuminating her room got her better acquainted with everything in it. This was her chambers, where she’d stay unless needed and beckoned on by the king. At the thought of him, she felt a little tightening in her chest and she dragged herself to sit up in bed. Last night wasn’t a wedding night, at least it wasn’t a blissful wedding night. It was filled with heartbreak, but in the end, she fell into an ocean of confusion. Her husband had left a few marks on her skin with his claws, his teeth, his fondles, his grip. His touch was unloving and forced. He had moved to take every bit of what was his, only to change his mind without saying why. The voices in Mia’s head told her why, and it was the reason she’d known for a while now. She
Mia had since stopped crying and had got better control of her emotions, which were previously all over the place. After she returned to the living room, Lydia moved to bring her homemade remedies for her red and puffy eyes and they did magic after she used them. A knock came on the door while Lydia helped her put on the scarlet robe. She let go of the robe and headed to the door while Mia finished with the buttons of its sleeve before turning around to see who it was. “Good morning, my queen.” the tall king’s guard with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes stepped in and bowed his head. “Good morning to you, too. What can I do for you?” she asked with her tone polite. “The alpha king has summoned you to his chambers.” She felt a jolt of panic in her stomach at the words of the guard. Her eyes, however calm as she asked. “Whatever for?” “He didn’t disclose, my queen.” She nodded her head, permitting hi
“I didn’t think you would make it,” Jobe said, gratitude in his pale blue eyes as he stepped up towards Mia, pulling her into his arms for a comforting hug. “I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I missed it.” She didn’t think the alpha king would grant her permission to leave after she got words from her father informing her that the family would hold last rites before cremation tonight. She ran into Edward, the crowned Prince, on her way back from the garden where she had received the news. He saw the torn look on her face and pressed her until she opened up. She told him about her need to be at her sister’s funeral in the evening. After spending less than ten minutes with the alpha King, he returned and informed her she had his permission to leave. Edward then offered to come along as a representative of his brother, the alpha king, who had his hands filled with royal duties, and she couldn’t say no. Although he had helped her, she didn’t trust him; he
A week later, Xavier’s eyes opened in bed, his arms still wrapped around Zara whom he had fallen asleep with last night. Her messed up blonde hair fell onto her back and a few on his hands. A smile came into his face as he heard her mumbling something to herself and his hand came up to stroke her face tenderly. This made her squirm and turn around and as she does this, her eyes fluttered and those amazing orbs of hers met his. “My king.” she breathed and a small smile came into her face. “My love,” he replied, leaning in and kissing her soft lips. She sighed and kissed back, her hands wrapping around him and pulling him closer. Her hand slid underneath the bedsheets and she found his shaft throbbing and stretching, getting turned on already. She grinned mischievously at him before pulling him towards her. She eased up to guide him inside. They share a passionate kiss as they collapsed from the heights. A few minutes pas
A month later, "Are you looking forward to the wedding banquet tonight?" Lydia asked, handing over the white cotton towel to Mia as soon as she stepped out of the bathtub. "What banquet?" Mai asked, taken aback by her question as she wrapped the towel around her body. They stepped into the bedroom together. "Your wedding banquet. To celebrate your union with the alpha king. For ordinary citizens in the kingdoms, wedding banquets are a week after their marriage, but for noble-born kings and queens, it's different. They get to enjoy a month of marital bliss also known as the honeymoon and after that the banquet takes place." she explained, clarifying the queen's confusion. There were a lot of things Mia didn't know, many things she didn't place her heart to know. This was one of them. She never thought she'd settle in the kingdom much less to the king and so she never sort to educate herself in the affairs of marriage. Part of the blame was on her for never considering other opportu
The banquet, just like he stated kicked off after a few minutes, but Mia received information to wait longer and so she did. She could hear the celebration music coming from downstairs, melodious and happy, perhaps too happy for her taste. The Alpha king had threatened her life again tonight, and she knew she had to be on her best behaviour. She moved to her drawer and pulled it open, bringing out the paper map she had kept safe in it when she first arrived at the Palace. She spread it on top of the drawer and glanced through. It was a map that displayed all kingdoms, their boundaries, and regions around the world, Wahala included. She had spent many months on end learning map reading so that when she finally left, she wouldn't depend on anyone for help. Mia's fingertips trailed over the circled part of the map named Reading. This was where she planned to go. The books she read stated that the Reading kingdom had the largest library in the world a