I stared at Ravenna who was giving me a nasty glare. I haven't heard of her before but she did look like a princess. The small silver tiara with glittering pink stones that was propped up on her blonde hair confirmed it. Her perfectly shaped face would have made Rissa very jealous. Ravenna was beautiful and she knows it, because her whole posture ooze out confidence. I can't say the same for myself though.
Ravenna let out a laugh that brought me out of my thoughts. "Don't tell me Ivan brought home a mute?" She regarded me with a look of scorn on her face.
"I'm Arianne." I introduced myself still staring at her.
"Arianne." Ravenna drawled my name out assessing me with those cold blue eyes of hers, "Well, Arianne didn't anyone teach you your manners? You are to bow in the presence of royalty!" Ravenna told me firmly.
Oh right! Royals! I brought up my skirt and I did a little curtsy. Ravenna seemed a little pleased at that because she gave me a single nod.
"Well, now that we've gotten to know each other. Mind telling me what you are doing in my betrothed kingdom?" Ravenna asked getting rid of the gloves on her fingers.
I arched my brow up at her. "Betrothed? Who? You mean Ivan?"
"King Ivan!" Ravenna yelled at me her voice sounding really loud from the dining hall. "How dare a mere town girl speak his name?"
I cocked my head at Ravenna. She says she is Ivan's betrothed but I've never heard of her and I'm pretty sure someone would have mentioned her if she was Ivan's betrothed. I straightened up as I looked at her. "Apologies princess Ravenna but I was brought here from my home to fulfil my duty to the alpha, I didn't know anything about you being his betrothed." I told her even though I have no idea what my duty to the alpha is.
"Why would Ivan bring a girl like you when I'm already his chosen?" Ravenna sneered at me.
His chosen! I've heard Kiran call me that before but I refrained from telling Ravenna. I have a feeling that would anger her more and I didn't want to do that. If anything I wanted to go back to my room.
"I also don't know why but if you are so curious, you can take it up with your betrothed!" I said before turning my back at her and started heading for the exit. I was just about to pull the doors when a loud voice stopped me.
"You dare to walk out on me?"
I turned to find Ravenna glowering at me. "I'm sorry but I thought this conversation was over."
"But I didn't dismiss you, did I?" Ravenna asked me with a smug look, "It's obvious you have no respect for royals."
"I'm sorry what does me leaving have to..."
"Grab her!" Ravenna yelled before I could say anything else and two guards I don't know appeared from nowhere.
What the hell? "What are you doing? Let me go!" I struggled against the guards.
Ravenna strolled towards, a smirk on her red painted lips. "You are going to be taught a little lesson." She told me then reached behind her gown and brought out a black long whip I hadn't noticed before. "Strip her!" Ravenna commanded and the guards dragged me.
Yasmin suddenly moved in front of me. "Your highness, this isn't appropriate!"
Ravenna turned her cold glare to Yasmin. "How dare a servant tell me what's appropriate and isn't?"
Yasmin bowed her head in submission. "I'm sorry your highness but Lady Arianne is...
"Lady Arianne?" Ravenna scoffed cutting Yasmin off. "She is no lady!" Ravenna snarled at me and the guards tightened their holds on me making me whimper.
Blue let out a growl when he saw the danger I was in. He then began to advance towards Ravenna whose eyes widened when she him. "What the hell is that?"
"A wolf." I said looking at her in disbelief.
"Yes I can see that, but what's it doing here?" Ravenna asked looking at Blue who was still growling at her.
"It's okay Blue. I'm okay!" I cooed at Blue who turned it's menacing glare to the two guards holding me.
Ravenna looked at Blue then back at me. "I see you are the owner, so what are you telling it to attack me? You know that's considered treason right?"
"What? No!" I said flabbergasted by the way Ravenna was turning things around.
Ravenna paid no heed to me as she nodded her head to her guards. "Strip her!"
"No!" I struggled against the guards who were trying to pull my chest away from me.
"Your highness!" Yasmin said firmly while Blue continued growling at the guards who I was still struggling against.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?"
We all turned to see Aurora standing at the entrance a hard look on her gaze as she surveyed the room. Her gaze immediately landed on the guards holding me and I think her eyes flashed bright yellow.
"Aurora!" Ravenna said breathlessly.
Aurora paid Ravenna as she walked around into the room. "Release her right this instant if you know you don't want to lose both your arms!" She growled threateningly to the guards who immediately did as she asked and they stepped backwards.
"Aurora, what a surprise!" Ravenna said with a wide smile I was worried she might break her face in half.
Aurora regarded Ravenna with a bored look. "I could say the same for you. We weren't aware of your arrival."
Ravenna smacked her lips together. "Oh well I just thought it had been long since I've come visit. So here I am." She said in a sing song voice as she waved her fingers.
"So is that why you decided to make a scene?" Aurora asked folding her arms across her chest.
"A scene?" Ravenna asked in disbelief, "She disrespected me!" Her cold gaze turned to mine.
"If anyone is showing disrespect it's you, Ravenna!" Aurora spat at Ravenna who looked shocked.
"What?" Ravenna gasped.
Aurora walked towards Ravenna until she stood directly in front of her. "How dare you lay your hands on the alpha's chosen?"
Ravenna looked more shocked at that as she opened and closed her mouth trying to look for the perfect words to say. "Chosen? Surely you can't mean her!"
"Yes I mean her! She was chosen by Ivan himself!" Aurora confirmed firmly while I just stood still watching the exchange.
Ravenna turned to look at me, a look of disgust on her face. "But she's a mere human!"
Aurora smirked at her. "And so are you your highness!" She retorted causing Ravenna to turn her hard gaze towards her.
"How dare you compare me to her? I am a princess!" Ravenna yelled at Aurora who merely arched a brow up at her outburst. "I am Ivan's chosen! Me and not anyone else!"
"Then I'm afraid you are mistaken!" Aurora said still smirking.
Ravenna scoffed at that before looking at me. "You are willing to risk the uniting of two kingdoms because of low born from town?"
"Yes, it would appear so." Aurora confirmed it and Ravenna let out a dry laugh that echoed round the room.
"You have no idea what you've just done!" Ravenna growled at Aurora, "You just wait till my father hears of this. Be prepared for war!" She threatened her eyes scanning the room with a crazed look in them.
Aurora barely seem affected by the threats. "Oh we are prepared already and I think it's time to take your leave now, yes?" Aurora snapped her fingers and two of our guards entered the room. "Make sure you see her highness safely!" She ordered a charming smile on her face.
The guards made a move to touch Ravenna but she stepped away from their touch. "Don't you dare touch me!" She ordered before she walked towards the exit but just before she reached it, she stopped directly in front of me. "Mark my words, you will regret this!" She whispered harshly in my ear before she went out the dining hall, slamming the doors hard.
Aurora rushed over to me. "Gods Arianne, are you okay?" She asked me but I couldn't bring myself to speak so instead I nodded my head at her. I just stood still staring at the door, Ravenna's harsh words about a war still echoing in my mind.
Just what the hell have I done?
~~~
Apologies for the late update. I'm so sorry you guys! I hope I'm forgiven?