CHAPTER SEVEN

I locked myself in my room for two days, unable to shake the lingering unease. Luckily, my brother didn't demand my presence, likely occupied with preparations for the arrival of his unpleasant intended. The thought of Melissa's impending arrival made my stomach twist into knots.

I still could not put into words what happened to me, a lot of questions occupied my mind.

The one I wanted the answers to the most was who that woman was, and why she addressed me as High Priestess.

I could still feel her touch on my arm, the way it made me feel, the way her golden eyes shone.

Most importantly, the surge of fear that overtook me, my skin went cold remembering it. I once lived most of my life in fear, I feared my parents, thinking that they would hate me forever, I feared Melissa at some point, thinking she'd never stop bullying me.

I knew fear, and how unpleasant it felt.

I vowed never to feel that way ever again, until that moment when a random stranger gripped my arm and whispered words to me that I did not understand. So much for being kind.

I'm going to put whatever happened behind me and think of it as a bad dream, I'm never stepping foot in Sundara again.

Alice walked in with a tray of food and dropped it in its usual position "Are you feeling better today your highness?" she had been worried the most I think, as I would not tell her the reason for my self-confinement.

"I feel better Alice, thank you" she smiled and went back to her duties.

I stood at the balcony of my room which outlooked the courtyard, the sun shone brightly, and the sky was cloudless, showing no sign of rain.

The wind blew slightly, the way it brushed against my skin made me have goosebumps, in a good way.

I will probably go for a ride and take advantage of this wonderful day. I will put this behind me and let nothing ruin my day.

I closed my eyes, savoring in the feel of the wind on my skin when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

Instantly, my instincts flared. I twisted their arm, and my elbow connected with their stomach.

I let his hand go as I recognized the howl of pain.

"Have you learnt nothing Acrisius?" I asked, as I helped him reposition his arm. The movement made an audible crack.

"I knocked then called for you three times, you did not respond" he wiggled his hand, trying to swing away the pain. That'll last at least another forty-five minutes. His mother taught me that move.

"Maybe you should have called louder" I said, walking back to my room.

I left him in the dining suite and made my way to my closet and made quick work of putting on my riding leathers.

"Where are you going to?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes at the question as I adjusted my riding gloves "I'm going for a ride" It should have been obvious by my leathers.

He raised an eyebrow "Are you forgetting what's happening today?" he asked. I was not informed of anything, though there wasn't space to do so.

"I did not know something was happening today" I answered.

Acrisius sighed "Of course you didn't. While you were locked in your chambers, Duke Herbert rode for Senten,"

I hated every word of that sentence because I know what he was about to say next "to bring his daughter to court."

There was a silence that stretched, and I hadn't realized how angry I was until Acrisius touched me and told me to calm down, but I couldn't.

Cold rage soured through me. I felt like hitting something, but it would do no good. She was coming today, and she would get married to Ramiel and become queen.

"I'm sorry Natalya" he started, "I cannot imagine what you may be going through"

"No, you can't!" I spat.

I walked past him and planted my head on the wall, trying to steady my breathing "I'm calm… I'm calm" I repeated, though it had little effect.

"Natalya…"

"DON'T!" I spat "That bitch is coming to seat my throne, of all people he could've chosen to marry. Why her?"

Acrisius took my hands and led me to a chair, and I let him. I really needed to calm down.

"This is the duke's doing," Obviously "The laws of Korghon prohibit him from marrying the dowager queen, so he seeks to marry Melissa to Ramiel to have some connection to the royal family."

It made sense when you say it like that, at least if you were a gullible fool. I had a different way of seeing it.

"You may be right. Herbert may be in love with my mother, but what he truly wants is the crescent throne, and since he can't have it, he wishes to rule the kingdom through Ramiel"

Acrisius stroked his chin, deepening himself in thought, good. He needed to.

"And what better way to rule the kingdom than a marriage to his daughter" he completed.

"Exactly!"

"What good will it all do if we can't do anything about it?" he asked.

He was right in that at least, it gets quite irritating to find myself in situations out of my control. All this would be easier were I queen.

I went to my closet and changed out of my leathers and carefully selected the dress I'd be changing into.

Since I can't do anything about Melissa's marriage now, I'll begin by doing something she does not like.

Growing up with bullies, you begin to understand how they think, how they function, and most importantly and in my case, what they find irritating.

And if there's one thing Melissa finds irritating, is to be outdressed.

As I finished adjusting my jewelry, the sound of horses' hooves echoed through the courtyard below. I glanced out the window and saw the Valendelian crest, a red fox emblazoned on the carriage's side panel, fitting isn't it?

I put on the remainder of my jewelry and stared at myself in the mirror. I knew I looked good, but I just needed someone to confirm.

Striding out of my dresser, Acrisius raised an eyebrow as I struck a pose "How do I look?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

His bewildered look was all the response I needed. I mostly wear black colored clothes, so green was a welcome sight.

"Natalya, you look stunning" he breathed.

"I know" I responded, feeling confident.

Acrisius' eyes narrowed "What are you planning to do Natalya?," he asked, "When you smile like that, it's never good."

I just smiled and took his arm "You're going to have to find out cousin"

As we walked out of the room, the air was electric with tension. Servants scurried about, faces pinched with anxiety, as they hurried to the entrance of the castle or wherever their duties demanded them to be. Acrisius and I walked slowly in contrast to everyone else, because unlike them, we were in no rush to see the duke or his psychopath of a daughter.

We arrived a few minutes later, just after my mother had just finished hugging her. The duke stood beside them, his eyes gleaming with triumph.

Melissa is tall with chestnut hair, brown eyes and ivory skin.

She is beautiful and her full lips compliment her well. Her beauty would be incomparable if she wasn't such a scrawny bitch.

Acrisius and I walked towards her, not once separating. He bowed to the duke and greeted Melissa with a fake smile.

Melissa's eyes met mine, and her smile faltered and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of the girl who tormented me for years but was quickly replaced by her usual mask of superiority.

"Princess Natalya" she said, her voice dripping with condescension.

"Lady Melissa" I responded.

Oh, this is going to be fun.