Chapter 62: The people don't want you
Chapter 62: The People Don’t Want You
Ava’s POV
The aroma of food filled the air, tantalizing and impossible to ignore. My mouth watered as the delicious scent wrapped around me, gently pulling me out of sleep. My eyes fluttered open, and memories of the previous night rushed to the forefront of my mind.
A blush crept up my cheeks as fragments of the night painted themselves vividly in my mind. My hands instinctively reached out, searching for Raphael. But as I glanced around the room, I found myself alone. The only sign of life was the assortment of food neatly laid out on the table nearby.
“My Lady, you are awake,” came Callie’s soft voice from the corner of my chambers.
“Good morning, Callie,” I greeted her, my voice still full of the remnants of sleep. I tried to get up, but pain shot through me the moment I moved. My legs refused to cooperate, the bruises on them a cruel reminder of my limits.
Still, I pushed myself to stand, ignoring the warning signs my body screamed at me. But before I could even take a step, the room tilted, and I felt myself falling.
“My Lady!” Callie’s panicked cry pierced the air as she rushed forward to catch me. Her arms steadied me before I hit the floor.
“Are you alright, my Lady?” she asked, her face, a picture of worry.
“Yes, I am,” I replied, though my voice lacked conviction. Callie’s skeptical expression said it all. She had the ‘ I don't believe you’ look on her face.
“Don’t worry about me, Callie. I just need food,” I added, hoping to put her at ease.
“I’ll bring it right away,” she said, disappearing out the door in a flash. How is she so fast? Sometimes I wonder if she’s secretly a warrior or something.
Moments later, Callie returned, wheeling the food cart over to my bed. The delicious aroma hit me again, and I eagerly dished out portions: soft steamed buns, crispy deep-fried pork chops, crunchy walnuts, and hearty baked potatoes that smelled like pure heaven.
“I’ll get the water for your bath ready while you eat, my Lady,” Carla said as she busied herself around the room.
I frowned, momentarily distracted from my meal. “Why do you need to do that? Doesn't the pool refill itself?” I asked, my words slightly muffled by a mouthful of food.
“You need herbs. The King sent them over this morning…” Her voice trailed off as she spoke his name, but my reaction betrayed me. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I quickly turned my attention back to my plate.
Raphael. Just hearing his name made my chest ache with longing.
“Oh,” I muttered, trying to sound indifferent. “You can leave, then.” I focused on my food, avoiding Callie’s watchful eyes.
She hesitated for a moment before retreating, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the unspoken emotions I couldn’t quite suppress.
I emptied the plate of food Callie had dished out for me and quickly took another serving. Whoever made this meal had outdone themselves. It was absolutely delicious.
Maya stirred lazily within me, yawning as if she’d just woken up from a long nap. I can’t believe I woke up before Maya.
“I’m so hungry,” she grumbled, her voice groggy.
“We’re already eating,” I replied, amused.
“Where is our mate?”
“You’ve finally accepted him?”
“I never denied him.”
With Maya fully awake, a rush of energy coursed through me as my body began to heal rapidly. Within seconds, the soreness and pain were gone. I felt whole again, as though nothing had happened.
Callie entered the room, but something about her seemed… off. Her movements were stiff, and she kept her head bowed, avoiding my gaze—a stark contrast to her usual mannerisms.
“My Lady, your water is ready,” she said softly, her voice wavering a bit.
I studied her carefully, trying to pinpoint the source of my unease. “Where is Mia? And the others?”
“The Ki…ng called for them,” she stammered.
Raphael? Doubt gnawed at me. I didn’t believe her.
“I know something is troubling you,” I said, watching her intently. I didn’t stop gazing at her, hoping she’d slip and reveal whatever she was hiding.
“It’s nothing, my Lady,” she murmured, clasping her trembling hands together.
“Enough of this nonsense. Speak,” I demanded, my patience thinning.
Tears welled in Carla’s eyes as she collapsed to her knees, her head bowed in shame. “I’m sorry, my Lady,” she cried.
Maya… something is wrong, I thought, and Maya’s agreement was immediate. Be careful.
I softened my tone, kneeling slightly to meet Callie’s eyes. “I’m not going to hurt you, Callie. Just tell me, what’s wrong?”
“It’s the King,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“Raphael?” I asked, a sinking feeling settling in my chest.
“Yes, my Lady. He got reports from your realm while you were sleeping.”
My hands shook slightly, sweat beading at the back of my neck. “What report did he get?”
“The ministers and some of the people are in an uproar and won’t accept you as their queen.”
She didn’t stop to take a slow breath, as if she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to speak again if she paused.
“Since when did Raphael care about what they think?” I murmured. The Raphael I know wouldn’t care about his stupid minions.
Except there was something Callie wasn’t telling me. “What else are you not telling me?”
She looked away from me, not meeting my gaze. There was certainly more she wasn’t saying.
We should leave her alone. Raphael will answer us, Maya whispered in my mind.
I stood up and made my way to the bathing pool. Callie was still kneeling on the ground.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to telling people what to do, I said to Maya.
She laughed. How are you going to be queen if you can’t?
Yeah, you’re right. Do I start practicing now?
Maybe. Maya yawned as she retreated back into my mind. I need to rest more. You worked a lot last night.
Heat crept into my cheeks. Maya! I grumbled, and she chuckled before going silent.
I turned to Callie, who was still kneeling. Yeah, this is going to be difficult.
Nevertheless, I was willing to learn anything for Raphael’s sake.
“Could you stand up already, Callie?”
Callie wouldn’t be kneeling before me if I hadn’t won the Arcane competition.
I still can’t forget how these people treated me. They’re always wanting me to prove myself.
“My Lady?” She was still kneeling. What in Hades’ name is happening here?
“Stand up, Callie.” My voice came out harsher than I had intended. Guilt swamped my heart.
I shouldn’t have spoken to her like that.
I walked towards her. She was still kneeling—and trembling now.
“I am sorry, my Lady!” she screamed, hitting her head on the floor. Again and again, until she was bleeding.
“Stop it! What’s wrong with you?” I rushed forward, holding her shoulders back.
“Please don’t use the bathing pool,” she sniffed.
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