IN A MORNING
WANESSA'S POINT OF VIEW:
A gentle touch on my shoulder stirred me from sleep. My eyelids felt heavy as I blinked up at the soft candlelight illuminating the room. A warm hand was still resting on my shoulder, and I turned slightly, startled to see a young maid standing beside my bed. Her kind eyes softened as she smiled at me.
"Good morning, my lady. The King and Queen have asked for you to join them for breakfast." She said in a soft, respectful tone.
I stiffened. Breakfast? With them? All of them? My mind raced back to last night the overwhelming fear, the panic attack, the medicine.
"I-" My throat felt dry, and I struggled to find words. "I don't… I don't have anything proper to wear."
The maid simply smiled, stepping aside to reveal a set of beautifully embroidered dresses over a wooden screen.
"The princes requested these be brought for you. They wanted you to be comfortable."Maid said.
Xavier, Michael, and Terrence. My supposed "mates." My supposed doom. I glanced down at myself. I was still in the soft nightgown someone must have changed me into, and the thought of wearing something grand felt wrong. But refusing would only bring more attention to me, and that was the last thing I wanted. With a resigned sigh, I let the maid guide me toward the screen where she helped me change. The fabric of the gown was far finer than anything I had ever worn before. It was a pale silver-blue, shimmering in the morning light, fitting snugly around my frame but loose enough to be comfortable.
"You look beautiful." The maid muttered, fastening a delicate ribbon at the back.
I glanced at myself in the mirror, feeling… different. Not like myself. I wasn't meant to wear things like this. I was an extra in this world, a background character, nothing more. Taking a deep breath, I turned to the maid.
"Do I really have to go?"I asked.
She hesitated for only a moment before giving me a knowing look.
"The princes will be disappointed if you don't."She said.
I winced. Disappointing them sounded… dangerous. So, I followed her through the long hallways of the castle, my heart pounding with every step. The scent of warm bread and roasted meat filled the air as we approached the grand dining hall. The moment we stepped inside, all conversation stopped. Five pairs of eyes turned to me. King William, his golden eyes sharp but curious. Queen Clara, a knowing smile on her lips. Michael and Terrence were both watching me. And Xavier… his gaze locked onto me instantly, intense as ever. I suddenly wished I could disappear.
"Ah, there she is." Queen Clara said warmly. "Come, dear, have a seat."
I hesitated before stepping toward the empty chair beside Xavier. He reached out instinctively, steadying me as I sat down. His touch was warm, lingering for a second longer than necessary before he pulled away. A servant placed a plate in front of me freshly baked bread, fruit, and some kind of steaming stew. My stomach growled faintly, betraying me, but as I picked up the spoon, I suddenly felt… watched.
"Are you not hungry?" Michael asked, leaning forward slightly.
"I-"I muttered.
"She barely touched dinner last night either." Terrence noted, his eyes scanning me carefully. "You should eat more."
I shifted uncomfortably.
"I just… I'm not used to eating with others." I whispered.
Xavier's brow furrowed.
"You ate alone all this time?"He asked.
My hand froze around the spoon. I didn't mean to let that slip. The room fell into a heavy silence. Queen Clara's expression softened.
"No one should have to eat alone, dear."She said.
I didn't respond. Instead, I forced myself to take a small bite of the bread, trying to ignore the way everyone was still watching me.
"Good." Xavier murmured. "Eat more."
"I-"I started.
"Wanessa." He said my name in a way that sent a strange shiver down my spine.
"You're safe here. No one's going to take your food from you."
I let out a quiet breath. He wasn't wrong. I had spent years rationing whatever I could find, afraid that at any moment, it would all be taken away. Here… there was too much food. Too many people. Too many emotions.
"Do you like the food?" Michael asked suddenly, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "I can have the chefs prepare something else if you don't."
I quickly shook my head.
"No! It's… really good."I said.
He chuckled.
"Then why do you look like you're trying to escape?"He asked.
Terrence smirked.
"She always looks like she's trying to escape."Terrence said.
I flushed, taking another bite just to shut them up.
Queen Clara gave her sons a pointed look.
"Stop teasing the poor girl. You're overwhelming her."Clara said.
Xavier's hand subtly brushed against mine under the table.
"Take your time." He said quietly.
I nodded, focusing on my plate, trying to steady my breathing. For the first time in a long time, I wasn't eating in silence.
I let out a slow breath, placing my spoon down as I finally finished my meal. The food was good, too good, actually. It had been so long since I had eaten something this rich and flavorful that I almost felt guilty.
I shifted in my chair, glancing around the grand dining hall. The sunlight poured in from the massive windows, casting a golden glow over the elegantly decorated room. Everything was so refined, so luxurious, so out of place compared to the life I had known in the forest.
I slowly pushed my chair back and stood up, feeling their gazes follow my every movement. Maybe they had something else to do now that breakfast was over.
"Um…" I cleared my throat, forcing a nervous smile. "I think I'd like to take a walk… by myself."
Michael raised an eyebrow.
"By yourself?"He asked.
Terrence crossed his arms.
"Not happening."Terrence said.
Xavier remained silent, but the way his eyes darkened slightly told me he agreed.
"You don't need to follow me," I said quickly. "I'll just-"
"We're not following,. Xavier interrupted, his voice calm yet firm. "We're guarding."
Guarding? I blinked at him.
"From what? The castle walls? A particularly aggressive breeze?"I asked.
Michael chuckled.
"You're quick with that mouth, aren't you?"He asked.
I flushed. "That's not-" I started.
Terrence sighed, stepping closer.
"You don't understand how important you are, do you?"He asked.
I frowned.
"I think you all are very mistaken. I'm not important. I was living in a broken-down cabin in the middle of nowhere before you—kidnapped me!"I said angrily.
Michael smirked.
"We prefer the term 'rescued.'"Michael said and grinned.
"I wasn't in danger."I said.
Xavier's jaw tightened.
"You were alone."Xavier said.
I exhaled sharply, crossing my arms.
"And I was doing fine."I said.
Terrence scoffed.
"Sure. Fine. Sleeping under a half collapsed roof and eating scraps. Sounds like a dream."He said.
I clenched my teeth, looking away.
"You don't have to like it." Xavier said, his voice quieter now. "But we're not leaving you unguarded."
I turned on my heel, walking toward the grand castle doors. As expected, the three of them followed silent, imposing, and completely suffocating me. This was going to be a very, very long day.