Halsey POV
"What are you doing, Halsey? You can't forget us; do you know who you are?"
"Let me go, no, please!"
"I do not belong to you!
"Help!"
I suddenly jerk up from my sleep. Sweat beads on my face as I breathe profusely. I find my hand digging into the sheet. I'm having the same nightmare again.
Opening my eyes, I see a figure in front of me, causing me to jump to my feet as my heart races.
"Don't be scared. I'm not also a nightmare, princess." He leans against the wall, staring at me. I don't think I've seen him before. He shares the same height as Lalchan, but his hair is short and black with a thick voice.
"And who are you?" My pulse beats faster.
"I'm Stash, Prince Lalchan's personal guard. I can see you were having a nightmare, princess." His brow furrows, staring at my face.
"I was, but that doesn't matter. Have you seen Lalchan? Why hasn't he come to see me? My eyes sadden. I was expecting to see him today, but he is not here.
"He is busy, my lady." He responds, and the knot in my stomach returns, this time more intense than before, making me feel as though I should throw up.
He is busy? The sound of it makes my heart ache. Is he avoiding me?
Lalchan doesn't want me. He is not interested in this marriage. After all, it is just a contract, and maybe it means nothing to him.
After a tense silence, Stash bows slightly and takes his place outside my door, leaving me alone with Zanora. She works quietly, her hands deft as she helps me prepare for the day, but I can feel her eyes darting to mine in concern.
"Would you like me to show you around, princess?" he asks. He asks as if he was sent to keep me company, and I can't help but wonder what Lalchan is busy with.
What is more important than spending some time with his mate or new wife?
No wonder he said being my mate changes nothing. He isn't interested in being my mate or my husband. My heart sinks with the deep thought.
"Yeah… I would love that, Stash." Saying politely with a smile.
Stash leads the way as he takes me around. Pale limestone adorns the castle's exterior, casting a warm glow in the sunlight. We follow a path that leads to each of the castle's divided quarters, including mine.
I notice the luxurious haven and the balcony. The balcony offers a private retreat, where I can enjoy fresh air and other views of the countryside.
He takes me to other quarters, including the royal library, which houses leather-bound volumes with cozy nooks for reading.
"Goodness, this is so beautiful!" I exclaim excitedly with so much brightness in my eyes. I'm pleased that Stash decided to walk me around, as it allowed me to learn about the quarters and other buildings in the castle.
But they were one more quarter. I haven't seen. I had seen the king's quarter and the princes. I also saw the quarter that was owned by Prince Kane's mistress.
I initially believed them to be his wives, but Stash clarified that he wasn't married, and they had given birth to two sons for him instead.
Now, where is Lalchan's quarter? If I locate it, I might be able to enter and search for him. What if he refuses to see me? That doesn't mean I can't go to him, does it?
"Take me to Lalchan's quarters." I give the order, but Stash immediately bows his head in refusal, causing me to frown as I stare at him.
"I'm sorry, your highness. That, I cannot show you." He keeps lowering his head, and each time he mentions Lalchan, I feel heartbroken.
"What is going on? Why can't I see him, and why can't he see me?" I don't know when I lost it, yelling as tears stream down my eyes.
"I'm sorry, my lady, I'm not allowed to answer those questions." He bows, feeling remorseful, but I hated to watch the regret in his eyes.
"Don't follow me. I will find my way back to my quarters!" I order, running away as the tears stream down my cheek.
…...
I returned to my room after having dinner, but I still couldn't see Lalchan. After Zanora assisted me in taking my bath, I threw myself into my bed and closed my eyes to sleep.
An hour later, I'm unable to sleep. Forcing myself isn't working. I can't stop thinking about the nightmare and Lalchan's absence.
I should probably take some air on the balcony, I thought. As I emerged from the bed, a noise activated my wolf's hearing. It isn't coming from anywhere close but from a distance.
Noises of men, like groups of men. I don't understand, so I quickly jump out of bed, throwing my door open, so I run to the balcony.
"Run and save yourself!" I heard a loud groan, but this voice is familiar. The metallic clash of swords filled the air, mingling with the acrid scent of smoke and sweat. Screams of pain and shouts of orders overlapped, creating a symphony of chaos that echoed off the stone walls.
As I peek down at the countryside, I see men running out, as though it's a battlefield. What is going on? I grip the edge of the balcony with fear.
Men are running out as though the kingdom is being sacked. It's rowdy and confusing. Suddenly, I hear some footsteps behind me. Just as I'm about to scream, I smell him.
It's him. Lalchan.
I'm filled with a mixture of fear and relief when he grabs me. Breathing hard, I have so many questions swirling in my head that I want to spit them all out to his face, but his beauty captivated me.
I do not want to speak any longer, as it feels like my lips are glued. I just want to stare at him for a brief moment.
"Halsey, can you hear me?" He shakes my arm, sounding impatient as if he is in a hurry. And the noise outside gets louder.
What is happening?
"Where have you been, Your Highness?" My voice is instinctively low, overwhelmed by his presence.
"I do not have the time, Halsey. Just listen to me and don't speak." His words cut through me, and my soft eyes crack as I swirl them around his face.
"Your biggest mistake," he begins, his voice a low growl, "was marrying me. Being bound to me means sharing my pain—every scar, every wound—and no one, not even I, can save you from it. This marriage…" He pauses, his jaw tightening, as though the words cost him something. "...was never meant to matter."
My heart crumbled, splintering into pieces I wasn't sure I could ever put back together. His words replayed in my head, each one a dagger twisting deeper.
Why did I ever hope? Why did I think this marriage could mean something to him? His piercing gaze pinned me in place, but it wasn't the warmth I had once imagined. It was cold, detached proof that I was nothing to him.
"Now, take this note, follow the description, you will find a steed, and leave this city. Go back home!" He gives the command, his eyes hardening in anger. His once charming blue eyes have turned dark, making it impossible for me to see them.
I stare at him, my wolf aching to believe there is some softness left in his hardened gaze. But the weight of his words crushes any lingering hope. His claws dig into my skin, a physical echo of the wounds he left on my heart.
Maybe I'm the one who was stiffened. I can't move nor utter a word as he let go of my hands. And he doesn't bother to look back as he walks away from me.
Tears flood my cheek, his words repeating in my head. I looked down at the note in my hands. And the whole castle was about to turn into chaos because the noise got louder, and now I could hear groans and clashing swords.
I run back into my room, grabbing a thick cloth.
Heartbroken and confused as I follow the instruction on the note, I spot the path; it's a small hidden gate. I unlock it carefully and run out, and I immediately spot the white horse Lalchan mentioned.
Just as I'm about to, I hear a loud laugh from behind as guards surround me in circles.
"Trying to run away, princess?" Prince Kane grins as he walks closer. Now I'm about to have a meltdown as fear grips me. His presence scares me, and for some reasons I can't comprehend.
"There is no place for me here. I have to leave," I say with shaken lips, about to wail out in confusion.
"Guess what, princess?" Kane's voice dripped with mockery as he took a step closer. "Your precious husband just abandoned the kingdom—and you. He's gone rogue, releasing prisoners and plunging us all into chaos." His grin widened, but there was nothing friendly in it. It was the grin of a predator toying with his prey.
I don't care about the last statement, but my heart cracks at Lalchan abandoning me and the kingdom.
No wonder he said I didn't matter to him. No wonder he gave me this note. No wonder he walked away from me without looking back.
I don't matter to him at all.
"Please just let me go. I have no reason to be here anymore." Tears stream down my face as I can't control it.
"Too late, princess. And since you are his wife, you will be of good use to us. Grab her!" He orders the guards, and they grab me off the horse. Angry as my wolf howls, gritting my fangs at them, but I'm helpless as they seem more powerful.