She stood up reluctantly and felt a bit of anger coursing through her, "My King."
She could see Vernon taking in her appearance, "I thought you would be disfigured but it seems as if your beauty is blessed by the heavens as you have come back beyond bewitching."
Sylvia could not bring herself to smile or be happy with his compliment, he had not bothered to come check up on her and he had called her a beast.
"Thank you." She replied in a curt tone.
Vernon tilted his head, "It seems as if you don't like my compliment."
"It is very much welcomed." She forced herself to let out. She wanted to be anywhere but in front of him, he was ruining her afternoon.
He took a step towards her but she took one back instinctively, and mentally hit herself on the head.
Well, it was done now, so she had to salvage the situation. "I did not mean to." She replied quickly.
He scoffed, "I will see you later."
Sylvia watched him leave and knew that he was lying, he only said it so that the servants would hear.
After having dinner and changing into her nightgown, she was ready for bed. She smiled, who knew being outside would make such a huge difference in her mood?
She reclined on her bed as she read a book.
"THE KING ARRIVES."
Sylvia sat up and was shocked that he had truly meant it.
Vernon entered and he closed her door.
"My king, what do I owe this visit?"
She wanted to scream, to tell him to leave her alone.
"I did say that I would see you later."
She turned slightly "I did not think you meant it."
"Why would I not mean it?"
"You haven't been to see me for so long, so it should not be any different."
"Are you telling me when I can come or not come to see you?"
She swallowed a lump, "Yes, you have no right, especially after all this time."
He looked at her fully this time, "Why would I have no right? When you belong to me?"
"You have neglected me and I don't want to see you."
"Are you fucking dismissing me?"
Sylvia had made her decision, and she did not mind being damned by her choice to stand up to him. "Yes."
Vernon stood in front of her in a swift movement, and Sylvia remembered the man in front of her, and she flinched waiting for a blow.
She opened her eyes slowly when it did not come and found Vernon looking at her, she knew what he thought. She had been having nightmares and now she was breaking a sweat, she felt ill.
"I see he did a number on you."
She wanted to check if he truly knew what she was going through, "Pardon?"
"You should be thanking me, if it were not for me, you would be dead."
She felt anger, "You came a bit late."
"You should have not tried to escape and alone at that."
Sylvia could not believe what he was saying, as if any normal person would wait to be killed. She had to survive the only way she could and that was flight as she did not have the chance when it came to fighting.
"Are you blaming me?"
"What do you think? We are at high risk, you're the Queen and you venture out alone."
"What did you expect me to do Vernon? You would not leave me a single guard. You are the one who is to blame for this whole situation." She spat out the words.
"I see you have some resentment."
"How can I not?"
"You were saved and you have got your beauty back. I don't see the big issue."
"Why did you say I looked like a beast?"
"You looked like one, I called it as I see it."
Sylvia shook her head, he did not care how much he hurt her feelings. He would not say that to Celia. "You don't have a single redeeming trait."
"What did you say?"
Her fury had overtaken her, she could not think straight anymore. "I said you're horrible."
His hand went to her throat, and that caught her off guard.
"Say it louder Sylvia."
She started to ventilate, the man who had attacked her, the pain seemed to come back fully even though he was just choking her a bit.
"Stop...stop...….."
Vernon let her go and she sunk to the ground. Her hand went to her throat shakily, Vernon crouched so that he was on the same level as her.
"Queen or not, I will not tolerate disobedience."
Sylvia nodded frantically, and instead of Vernon leaving, he got up, picked up a book, and sat by her table.
She calmed herself a bit before trying to get up,
"How long do you plan on being on the floor?"
Sylvia could taste a bit of hate on her tongue, she got up shakily and went to her bed. She lay back down, and rather than resume reading, she turned and faced the wall.
The tears trickled down her face silently, she would not let him get the satisfaction of her crying.
He already seemed to feel triumph after that, what kind of man lay his hands on women? Why wasn't he with his precious Celia after neglecting her all these months?
When would he leave? After some time she felt her eyes were very heavy.
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