"If I may ask my mother, why do you say that?" King Edric frowned.
"Shouldn't I? I'm your mother after all." She muttered as she walked towards the queen's seat.
"Don't you, dear? That is for my queen. Alone." Just as she was about to seat him, King Edric stood up and I could swear I saw anger in his eyes, but he immediately forced a smile.
"You don't have a place here, Mother. Look, I respect you, and that's why I would only talk to you once… Do not try to stop my ceremony." He took his seat again, this time his gaze forced on Genevieve alone.
"Really? You are going to talk down on me in front of a nobody? Is this another plan of yours? I've apologized to you almost all my life. Are you not going to come to your mother?"
'Jeez, his family is even more dramatic than mine.' Genevieve stood as she watched the show, and she knew he would not let her go.
"Oh please mother. When did you take on the role of a good mother? Even the maids are better than you'd ever be; please leave." He rolled his eyes.
"Fine! Know this… I would not let you be with this low life. The daughter of a forsaken. Never! Let's see how the noblewomen accept her." The queen dowager said.
"Make sure you are at the tea party."She pointed and eyed Genevieve before walking out of the hall.
"Wow!" Genevieve whispered.
"Just ignore her; never act like she matters; she doesn't." The King touched his temple.
"I should leave now, my king." She said with a bow.
"Are you not supposed to move into the palace?" He tilted his head to the side and looked at her.
"I would need more time to talk to my mother." She said, and he nodded.
"A day would be okay, right? No, get it done today." He nodded and gestured for her to leave with his hand.
She took a deep breath immediately and stepped aside in the hall. It was like she could faint from the pressure.
"Young lady, I was so scared inside." Alice said.
"I was too, Alice. I wonder how I'd cope with all the tension in the palace." Genevieve muttered dramatically, leaning her back against the wall.
"Come on, I have to get ready for the tea party." She said, and Alice nodded before following her out of the palace.
The ride back to the manor wasn't long, and just like magic, she could hardly feel any pain.Immediately she got to the manor gates, she saw her mother waiting.
It was probably time to explain to her mother."What happened over there?" As soon as she got inside, her mother, Lady Margaret, asked.
"Mother, the king is my fated mate. I swear I didn't know when he marked me." She paused. "He told me that he is going to release Father and give back everything that was taken if I am willing to be his bride." I hurriedly said.
"And you agreed? Do you know how dangerous that man is? Didn't you hear the stories of how he killed his daughter's mother?" Lady Margaret asked as she dragged and made her daughter sit.
"Mother, he does not look like that, and I'm only doing this for Father. I have fought the bond, but I can't. Mother, I would only hurt myself. Besides, he would never harm me. I don't know why, but I just know that."
"If you have already decided, then it's okay. What do we have to do?" She asked, Genevieve could see the fear in her mother's eyes, but she could tell she was trying to hide as much as she could to mask her fear.
"There's a tea party I have to attend today, and afterwards we have to prepare for the ceremony." Genevieve said, and she nodded.
After talking for a while, Lady Margaret let Genevieve go back to her room, and she immediately hurried to the bathroom.
She was scared and horrified after what she saw, but what was she going to do? She thought of many ways to survive, but none of them rested well with her.
She thought about her ex, but what could he do against the king? Besides, the king seemed a million times better.
She took a long bath thinking, and the answer to all her questions was the same.
Go through with the ceremony.
"Young lady, the queen dowager wants you to move into the palace immediately."
Alice said that immediately after Genevieve got out of her bath.
"Oh God, she is going to be a difficult one to deal with. But you know what, Alice?" She looked at Alice as she went about putting on her dress.
"The queen dowager and the king have this kind of discord between them. He hates her. Is there a story about them?" She raised a brow as she looked at Alice.
"I am not sure, young lady. I have never heard any story about the King's young." Alice muttered.
"Oh. Here, wear this." Genevieve brought a dress for Alice.
"No, young lady, please…"
"Shh, don't argue, just put it on. You're going to the tea party too; we'd have fun." She said and smiled.
Alice has always been by her side. Ever since she met her in the streets and begged her father to get her to stay with them and they've been close to inseparable since.
Genevieve slipped into the elegant gown, its silk fabric rustling softly as she moved. The dress was a masterpiece of intricate lace and delicate embroidery, its black hue complementing Genevieve's porcelain skin.
The corseted bodice was cinched at her waist, accentuating her slender figure, while the full skirts fell in soft folds to the floor.
Alice's dress, on the other hand, was simpler but no less elegant. Alice's gown was a soft blue, its modest neckline and long sleeves expertly tailored to flatter Alice's curves, and the subtle sheen of the fabric hinted at its fine quality.
"You look breathtaking, young lady," she said, her eyes shining with sincerity. Genevieve smiled, her cheeks flushing with pleasure, as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror.
After they were done, they left for the party.The hall was decorated with lights and beautiful curtains. A beautiful table was laid around the hall with seats around it and teacups on the table.
"Wow!" Alice said in awe.
"Beautiful, right?" Genevieve laughed.She searched for a seat at the back of the hall, trying to stay out of sight and avoid attention, but luck wasn't on her side.
"You're the King's mate? Really? Such a low life?" A female voice came from behind her, making her turn around.
"Lady Jen, why waste your strength? The king probably lost his taste." Another lady said, and they laughed.
"We are not trying to annoy you, so do not go running to your mate or should say… Daddy." She said In a sing-song manner.
"Was that supposed to annoy me? Wait, Alice, am I supposed to be angry?" Genevieve turned to ask Alice, who laughed, leaving Lady Jen and her friend confused.
"She's not just a lowlife but also a lunatic?" Lady Jen smirked.
"Sigh." Without another word, Genevieve walked out on them and took a seat.
"What just happened?" They asked themselves, feeling humiliated.
Genevieve did not let them bother her, her eyes scanning the room as she poured herself a cup of tea.
They continued whispering, and just as it seemed the tea party couldn't get any more uncomfortable, King Edric strode into the room, his commanding presence drawing all eyes.
His gaze locked onto Genevieve, and he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.He crossed the room, his long strides eating up the distance.
He stopped behind Genevieve's chair, his hands resting on her shoulders. "My mate," he declared, his voice ringing through the hall. "I claim you before all present."
Genevieve's eyes flashed with defiance, but she didn't pull away.
She couldn't.
The noblewoman's gasps and whispers filled the hall, their faces filled with shock. King Edric's declaration had left no doubt: Genevieve was his, and he would not tolerate any disrespect toward her.
As the tea party drew to a close, Genevieve rose from her seat and turned to King Edric, her eyes locked on his.
"Thank you for the declaration, Your Majesty," she said, with sarcasm filled in her voice. "I'm thrilled to be your possession." King Edric's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. But Genevieve just smiled, a sweet, innocent smile.
It was clear that Genevieve would not be easily tamed, but King Edric was ready to tame her.
As they left the tea party, Genevieve couldn't help but feel a sense of tension. She had officially moved into the palace, and she knew that the mockery would only intensify.
She knew he was probably every woman's dream man, but it wasn't her choice to be with… The moon goddess didn't ask her before mating her to him.
"Would you like to stay in my room?"