Chapter 3 

SYLVIA. 

I shook where I stood, trying my hardest not to look at him.

“Please don't kill me,” I murmured, my body shaking more. 

“P-please, don't kill me.” My vision was blurring over and I felt faint.

Was I going to die? By the hands of the one who was supposed to swear to love me for the rest of my life? 

“Oh my. Apologies my dearest.” The prince raised my trembling hands to his lips, breaking me out of my thoughts and gave them a little peck. “That must have been so unsightly for you. I didn't mean to have you see that.” 

My eyes slowly went back to the guard and his head that had finally stopped rolling at my feet and then at my vomit at the prince's feet. 

“Well.” The King clapped his hands together. 

“Since she's your mate, we shall have it announced immediately.” He waved his hand at the other guard, who didn't look shaken by the death of his partner. 

The guard nodded and walked out of the doors, walking back shortly with other guards, maids and maidservants to clean up the mess and to carry the body away. 

“Come child.” The Queen said, smiling at me softly. She didn't seem fazed by the entire thing. How much bloodshed had she even seen to react that way? 

“We can't present you with your dress looking…” she gesticulated around my entire appearance. “... Like that.” 

I nodded and I tried to move but I couldn't. Fear still had me rooted to the ground. 

“Let me.” Crypian offered, holding my hand and helping me out of the room. 

We walked down the halls together in silence. My mouth was sealed shut and I couldn't even speak. My mind was loud enough as it was with thoughts on how I was going to survive being the princess consort. 

“My name is Crypian.” He said, filling in the silence. “Who am I even kidding. You must know that already.” He chuckled and stared at me. His eyes were back to the light green shade and they drew me in. 

My heart raced as he squeezed my hand gently and gave me that warm smile that he had earlier. 

“My name is Sylvia.” 

His smile grew wider when I finally spoke. 

“You have such a lovely name. Sylvia.” 

The way the name rolled off his tongue smoothly made my stomach turn with excitement. 

We finally stopped outside a door and he leaned in closer to my ear, making me freeze again. 

“I can't wait to see you again, my dearest Sylvia.” He nicked my ear with his teeth and my entire body felt so warm that I thought I was going to explode. 

He pulled away and smirked before walking off. 

After some seconds had passed and he was already nowhere to be seen, I pushed the door open and walked in. 

The Queen had her back turned to me but immediately she heard the door close, she turned and grabbed my hands in hers. She didn't care about the cuts or bruises or anything. 

“I'm so glad to finally have another royal lady here.” She squealed in excitement and I couldn't lie, her joy was very contagious. 

“I'm glad to be here too,” I responded and she smiled sweetly before grabbing a dress from the bed. 

It was almost similar to the one I had on except it didn't have the large tear on the side. 

It was beautiful. 

She gestured to the bathroom. “Go in and get yourself changed so I can style your hair and help with your make-up.” She winked and I blushed, holding the dress to my chest and hurrying to the bathroom. 

The dress fit me like a glove and I looked… I looked gorgeous. Dare I say even more beautiful than my sister, Willow.  

I stepped out of the bathroom and she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. 

Oh my… You look, simply gorgeous dear. 

She hurried over to me and sat me down in front of the mirror, fixing my hair and applying makeup to my face while asking me questions about myself. 

We were finally done and she helped me up and led me out of the room. 

“Let's go before Crypian gets antsy. He has taken a huge liking to you.” She winked and my face warmed again. 

We finally reached where Crypian was waiting for me and a horn blared again. 

He walked over and took my hand, kissing it without saying a word and leading me back to the Arena but this time, to where the royal family sat. 

Everything felt surreal. I couldn't believe that it was real. 

“Everyone! Bow for the appearance of the King and Queen of the continent.” 

The murmurs quieted down and everyone bowed their heads. 

“And now, for the prince Crypian and his princess consort and mate, Cynthia!” The announcer yelled. 

Embarrassment crept up my neck at the wrong name but Crypian just tightened his hand around mine. I could see the tick in his jaw and the way he glared at the man. 

Was he going to lose his head too? 

“I'm sorry. The princess consort, Sylvia!” He corrected himself and hurried off.

Crypian’s face was back to normal and he smiled at me before stepping forward and appearing before everyone. 

“What? Her?”

“Wasn't she the one causing a scene just moments ago?” 

“She's the prince's mate? That lowlife?” 

“Shush, they might hear you.” 

Different murmurs and judgment filled the arena as they all stared at me forgetting the usual greetings of bowing down to the prince and Crypian did not take it lightly. 

“It seems that my subjects have forgotten their place in the presence of royalty.” 

You could almost taste the fear of everyone as they immediately bowed down to him. 

Crypian helped me to my seat and a group of dancers appeared on a smaller stage, dancing for everyone as drinks were passed around to celebrate the announcement. 

Time went by and Crypian hadn't said a word to me. He just sipped on his drink and stared at everyone. His hand was still on mine and I didn't know whether I should speak to him or not. 

Slowly, people started to leave. It was already late enough and I knew Willow would be waiting for me at the gates. 

“I– I have to go.” I finally found the strength to speak. 

“Oh, yes. Wouldn't want your parents worried. Although they will be ecstatic.” He kissed my forehead and led me out of the palace where the carriage rider was waiting for me and in the blink of an eye, he had disappeared back into the house. 

“You have got to be kidding me!” Willow was yelling at the carriage, kicking it with her ‘pretty, dainty feet.’ 

I rolled my eyes and ran up to her, stopping her from hurting herself any further. 

“What are you doing? You could really get hurt!”

He pushed me backwards and I staggered a bit but I caught myself. 

“Don't talk to me, you freak!” She screeched and then ran into the carriage. 

I followed her and kept my distance as much as I could. She fumed in silence while I looked out the window dreaming about my future. 

The carriage finally came to a halt and Willow burst out of it, rushing into the house while I took my time getting down. 

I needed to be mindful of my manners after all. 

I couldn't wait to tell Mother. I could already see her face lighting up, the way she would finally look at me with the pride she usually reserved only for Willow.

"Mother!" I breathed, hurrying toward the porch. She stood there with her hands crossed but because of how dark everywhere was, I couldn't make out her expression.

"You won't believe it. Everything has changed! The Prince... he’s my mate! I’m going to be the Princess Consort. The Queen herself helped me get ready, she was so kind, and—"

"Stop,” she said, her tone different from what I had thought. 

"Mother?" I faltered, the smile fading from my face. "Did you hear what I said? I'm not just an Omega anymore. I’m his mate. We’ll never have to worry about anything again. The King has already announced it to the entire—”

Mother reached out, grabbing my wrist with a grip so tight, I was sure it would leave a bruise. 

"Mother, please, you're hurting me," I begged, tears welling at my eyes but she only tightened her grip. 

"Swear it," she commanded as her eyes bore into mine.

“Swear what, mother?” I struggled against her hold but she didn't let go. 

“Swear to me right now, Sylvia. Swear that you will not marry him. Swear that you will find a way out of this bond, or you will never set foot in this house again.”

What?