"You will be nothing but ice, then I will get rid of you," he said darkly.
My mouth dropped at his words, I was stunned, and more hurt that he was doing this to me, I mean I'm his WIFE.
"You are doing this on purpose," I said with shaky eyes.
He leaned close, I drew back, my back against the couch.
"Because it's amusing to watch you pale into nothing but ice, knowing there's nothing you can do about it," he said huskily.
It was almost as if he derived pleasure in seeing me in pain.
My heart skipped a beat at his words, what have I gotten myself into.
"You have until the next full month, which is a day after tomorrow, that is if you can".
I shivered. I knew in my heart he was serious, if I don't get this to work, I will die?! He pulled away as he silently walked up to the bed, I just stared in awe.
☆
I groaned as I slowly opened my eyes, I felt uncomfortable, I realized I fell asleep on the couch. The sunlight slowly reflected in our chambers, It brightened the dark room with rays of light.
I sat up, the gem still in my hands I shivered as my teeth chatter together, I turned to the bed, Cedric wasn't there anymore. The doors barge opened, Olivia walked in.
"Good morning my Lady" Olivia greeted but she froze when she saw how pale I was.
"My Lady are you alright?" she asked worriedly as she went on her knees in front of me and held my hands.
"You're cold as ice" she panicked.
"I'm fine" I managed to say, her eyes landed on the gem I held.
"What is that?" she asked curiously.
"My punishment".
She blinked, puzzled by my words.
☆☆☆
Northern Wing
I and Olivia walked the long lobby, my whole body ached but I still held my ground, I took deep breaths.
"My Lady," Olivia said worriedly.
"Have you tried getting rid of the gem?!" she asked.
I let Olivia in about what happened, we were getting pretty close these days and besides, I needed someone to talk to about my current predicament.
"Of course I have tried, but the thing keeps gluing to my hand!" I hissed pissed as I remembered how many attempts I tried to get rid of the gem, I tried throwing it away but before I could even turn, it was back at my hand, I was so sure Cedric cast a spell on it.
"Why would Lord Cedric do something so cruel to his wife?" Olivia said in awe.
"He's a cruel man," I said without a doubt.
He wanted me dead and out of his life, it was a shocking realization. I wasn't too surprised cause I also hated him with every fiber of my bones, this action even incurred the hatred I had for him more.
☆☆☆
Study Session
"There are Four House of Sorcery in the Empire, these four are controlled by the young masters known as the Ambassador's, these ambassadors are married only to silver-haired for the Empire's prosperity and for breeding more warlocks into the Empire" Mother said walking to and fro in front of me.
"One the House of Hartford, the yellow house. Two the House of Smith, the lavender house. Three the House of Heathcliff, the red house. And four the House of Albert, the blue house" she stated.
"These four Houses are held among the highest privileges... because the young masters are natural born warlocks... other warlocks in other houses are humans, practitioners of magic, they were named not bore which is why these four houses are recommended personally by the Empire, you should always remember this".
"Yes mother" I shivered slightly, her eyes landed on me, she walked towards me and took a seat.
"You look pale my dear, coming down with something?" she asked.
My eyes landed on her. How could I tell her that her son was trying to kill me as punishment? I gulped.
"I see" she took my hand.
"Is my son keeping you up all night" she began, I blinked confused.
"Oh dear I suppose, all this time without knowing a woman until now must have made him so lonely and eager," she said with pity.
What is it with my Mother-in-law and our love life? And wait did she just say he hadn't known a woman? So he was like a virgin?
I was stunned by that fact, I thought men had free will to enjoy themselves in the Empire, only ladies were stripped from the privilege of that.
"Bear with him Sylvia, be submissive any way you can, at least this will make it faster in producing an heir for the family," she said.
My cheeks heated instantly at her words.
"Make sure you don't resist," she warned.
I gulped hard.
"Yes, mother".
I would rather die than let him touch me. And right in this state, I'm not even too far from death.
☆☆☆
Eastern Wing
Dining Hall
Only sounds of a spoon on a plate could be heard in the hall. My hand shaky took a spoonful of soup but the appetite wasn't there. I groaned in pain as I dropped my hand.
My eyes drifted to Cedric in front, the table was long enough to keep a good distance. He was just busy eating like I wasn't even there, and why did he have to look so dashing eating, UGH!!!
☆☆☆
I was seated at the chair once again, my whole body shivered as I concentrated on the gem but no progress at all. Cedric was seated in front of me observing me with his icy stare. I gasped out of breath as the gem wouldn't budge, I took harsh breaths as I kept shivering.
"You're enjoying this aren't you?" I said with a stern look, staring daggers to his face.
"Of course, I have never been more pleased," he said firmly.
A tear fell from my eye, more came as I sobbed, I looked away, now he saw me cry, he must think I'm weak.
"Seems like you don't have much time, Sylvia," he said.
My fist tightens on the gem, my tears falling more.
He rose to his feet walking to the bed. My teary eyes turned to the window seeing the full moon. Maybe this was it for me, maybe it's my fate to die after a few days of marriage. I weakly leaned on the chair. I felt myself fading but I still raised the gem to my face holding it tightly with my two hands, is this it? Has death come to claim me.