The sky was clear and bright on that summer day, with the sun casting orange shadows on the ground. After having lunch, I sat on the bed and gazed at the clear clouds through the open window. Looking at the sky was something I always did when I felt lonely and had no one to talk to; it helped me relax.
Since our argument, I had been ignoring him. Even if he tried to talk to me, I acted as if he didn't exist and walked away. I knew I was behaving childishly, but I thought it was the right thing to do. I was tired of all these things. Oh, how I wished Ciara was here; she had left the castle with some maids to prepare for the moon ritual.
Hours passed, and it was already time for dinner. A knock on the door caught my attention, and a maid entered.
"Dinner is served, my lady," she announced.
I dragged my feet through the long hallway that led to the dining room and sat down when I arrived. Regan was nowhere to be found, and as usual, I ate a little and left. I was slowly getting used to being alone.
Night came. After taking a bath, I sat at the dressing table and applied some oil to my skin. As I brushed my hair, the door creaked open, and Regan walked in. He looked at me, but I turned my face away and continued brushing my hair.
He sighed and approached me, standing behind me with his arms crossed behind. He looked down at me and then shifted his gaze to the mirror, staring at my reflection. A slight smirk appeared on his lips, and he muttered something I couldn't hear.
He was too close for my liking. My body reacted strangely. Heat spread through my skin, and my face flushed while he stared at me through the mirror. Wanting to escape those feelings, I stood up and tried to leave, but he stopped me by placing his hand in my way.
"I'm not done looking at you, and neither are you," he urged, nodding toward my hair.
Of course, I wasn't finished brushing my hair, but I couldn't bear the way he was looking at me. His gaze had an invisible effect on my body. His eyes made me feel things I don't want to feel at the moment, and I needed to calm myself down by getting away from him.
"I'm done, Your Highness," I casually said, attempting to move past him.
"Sit down, Nora," he said, his tone more like a command than a mere suggestion.
"I need to rest, Your Highness," I insisted. But before I knew it, he grabbed me by the waist and seated me on the chair. "Obey a simple order, Nora, especially when it comes from me," he said grimly, his face devoid of any smile
Then, he picked up the brush from the table, and I froze in place. What was he about to do?
"Brushing your hair," he simply said, and I swallowed hard.
"That's not something you should do, Your Highness," I panicked, trying to take the brush from him.
"Stay still, Nora, will you?"
"This is not right," I whispered.
"Nothing is right, but there's nothing wrong with me brushing my wife's hair," he urged, and my heart skipped a beat. A blush crept onto my cheeks. Good Lord! I didn't even have control over myself when he was near me.
I stopped panicking as he began to gently brush my hair. Sometimes, his fingertips would accidentally brush against my neck, causing my body to shudder.
I hoped he didn't know what he was doing to me all in the name of brushing my hair because it was really embarrassing to feel this way. But I couldn't help it. The way his hands inadvertently caressed my neck and the gentle way he brushed my hair made me imagine things. I stole a glance at his lips through the mirror; they were truly captivating. Just looking at them made my knees weak, and I wondered how it would feel if I let him kiss and caress me. A shiver of desire ran down my spine, and I really needed to get away from him, but he wasn't ready to stop.
I closed my eyes and exhaled. "Will you sleep here tonight?"
"No."
"Why?"
He dropped the brush and tucked some strands of my hair behind my ears. "I was invited to a party."
A party? Wasn't that the party Ellena's father was throwing? And he was going to attend? To meet Ellena again? I had to stop him! I couldn't let him see that girl again.
I quickly stood up and took his hand, desperation evident on my face. "Please, don't go there. Can't you just stay... with me tonight?"
He also looked thoughtful for a while. "The emperor wants me to be there. You know what that means," he said.
My imagination was starting to wander. If the emperor wanted him to be there, it only meant one thing. A gasp threatened to escape my lips as it dawned on me. I let go of Regan's hand and walked straight to the bed while he gave me a questioning look.
If the emperor also wanted the proposal, who am I to oppose, I thought, covering myself with the sheet.
****
Regan had already gone to the party, leaving me alone. I was curious about what was happening at the party and why the emperor wanted him there.
I took off the sheet, put on a simple dress, and left the room. I strode through the hallways until I reached the emperor's quarters, where the festivities usually took place.
I searched every corner but couldn't find where the party was happening. I wandered through the hallways as if I were lost until I noticed some maids gathered in a corner, giggling to themselves.
Intrigued by their behavior, I approached them. They were so occupied that they didn't even notice me. I stood on a stool to look out the small window as they did. I saw women dancing, swaying their hips around men, and some of them seductively caressing the men while feeding them wine.
"Oh my God... Courtesan Alisa is so beautiful," one of the maids giggled, her eyes fixed on the dancers.
I shifted my gaze to the other side of the room and saw the emperor sitting among a group of men. He was talking to someone, and I followed his line of sight to see who it was. It was his advisor, Ellena's father.
Speaking of Ellena, where was she? I scanned the room and saw her smiling widely while dancing with someone. And that someone was Regan!
Regan?!
They both seemed happy. She blushed and batted her eyelashes in a flirtatious manner as Regan said something to her. Seeing them together ignited my temper, and jealousy consumed me. I clenched my fist tightly, my nails almost digging into my hand. Why? Why was he doing this?
Tears threatened to spill from my eyes. I got down from the stool, wanting to leave the scene, but stopped when I heard the voice of the emperor. I turned and returned to my previous position to listen to him.
"Esteemed men and women of our great empire, you're all welcomed to tonight's gathering," the emperor said, raising a silver goblet in the air, while the crowd erupted in loud cheers.
As the commotion died down, he continued, a creeping smile playing on his lips. "I have some delightful news to share, and I will keep it short and sweet." My anticipation grew, and I anxiously awaited his next words.
"Tonight, it is my pleasure to announce the betrothal of Ellena Bellamy, daughter of our chief advisor, to the fourth Prince of our empire, Prince Mortlock Reganleon." he announced. Some messengers brought out silver goblets filled with wine, passing them around as a symbol of exchanging vows.
Everything felt like a dream. Regan, my husband, was betrothed to someone else right in front of me.