Chapter 10

***Serafina's POV***

He knows how to hurt me. He is good at shattering my heart into pieces without showing any remorse.

"Do you have anything to say?" he impatiently asked.

I bit my lower lip even harder to the point that I could almost taste rust in my mouth. I shook my head and forced a smile.

"Nothing King Calixto,"

In my peripheral vision, I can see Cressida grinning. She was probably enjoying this moment. I know she is happy seeing me in this pitiful situation.

"We should get inside King Calixto. You should rest. I know you were tired from everything we did," Cressida gently uttered and there was something in her tone that made me think of something they did in the mountain aside from hunting.

"We should get inside too Lady Serafina. You should stay in your room and rest,"

I felt Maximus held me so I turned my head on him and smiled.

"I want to stay in the garden for a few more minutes Maximus,"

I turned around and walked towards the bench where I was sitting earlier. I took a sit as I watched King Calixto and Cressida heading inside the palace walking side by side.

King Calixto threw a glance at me but I avoided his gaze and distracted myself by looking at the flowers. I can't look at him directly in the eyes because it triggers my tears and I don't want to cry in front of him. He already sees me as a weak she-wolf and I don't want to make it worse.

I failed to notice the time. I just watched how the whole garden was embraced by darkness. Maximus did not even bother to speak nor remind me that it was already late. He just allowed me to enjoy the silence and serenity of the whole place and I am thankful to him for being like that.

After an hour I stood up and faced Maximus.

"Let's head inside. It's getting cold,"

Maximus nodded and offered his arm to me so I took it and let him guide me as we walked inside. None of us were talking as we walked in the hallway and the only sound I could hear was the sound of my heels against the floor.

After a few minutes of walking, we finally reached my room. Maximus opens the door for me waiting for me to step inside.

"Thank you for today Maximus,"

He smiled and politely nodded. "You are always welcome Lady Serafina. You should take a rest I heard the Queen will pay a visit tomorrow to help you with the wedding preparation,"

My eyes widened when I heard his news. I can't face the Queen in this state. I look too weak. What if she dislikes me for being weak just like King Calixto did?

"If you are worried that the Queen will not like you, that will never happen Lady Serafina. It was her who chose you so don't think negatively and just take a rest okay?"

I smiled at Maximus. Those words were enough to soothe the worry that I had been carrying.

"I will. Good night Maximus," I gently uttered before stepping inside my room.

Maximus smiled at me before closing the door.

I felt sticky all over probably because I was unconscious for three days so I walked towards the bathroom to clean myself. When the cold water ran on my body I felt at peace. The water has the power to wash away my worry and it feels so comforting it feels like I am being hugged and protected by this cruel world.

It took me an hour to finish cleaning myself and when I was done I wore a white night dress and started drying my hair. I was done with my night routine and ready to sleep when I heard someone knocking on my door.

It was probably Cressida but upon opening the door I saw King Calixto standing outside.

He smells like mint as if he just came out of the shower and his hair is still wet different from his always perfectly brushed hairstyle. He looks dashing with his fully brushed-up hair but his wet look made him breath-taking. He looks insanely hot.

"My mother will pay a visit tomorrow so please don't do anything stupid Serafina,"

I can't comprehend whatever he is saying and all I can do is stare at his perfectly sculpted face. I saw his eyebrows furrowed which pulled me back to my sanity. He is mad now so don't act like a stupid fool drooling over him Serafina.

"I won't do anything stupid King Calixto I promise," I responded repeating his words.

His eyebrows are still deeply furrowed and he looks weirded probably because I look like a fool again.

"You should rest," he coldly uttered before he turned his back on me.

"Good night King Calixto," I blurted out before he completely disappeared from my sight. He did not even bother to respond or throw a glance but I felt happy because I got the chance to say good night to him.

That night I sleep with a smile on my face excited to meet the Queen tomorrow. I hope she will like me just like what Maximus said.

It was still early when I heard someone knocking on my door. The sun is not even out yet but I did not complain. I walked towards the door to check who it was and upon opening the door I saw Cressida standing outside holding a beautiful green dress and behind her were three more servants.

"Good morning Lady Serafina. You need to get ready to welcome the Queen she will be here in an hour," she formally uttered.

I widen the opening of the door letting them in.

They helped me in taking a bath. I wanted to do it on my own but they did not allow me. They started rubbing oil on my body and scrubbing my skin.

When they were done cleaning my entire body Cressida made me wear the green dress. The corset hugged my waist perfectly while the skirt was flowy. The flowers are carefully embroidered on the top making it look more majestic.

"You look beautiful Lady Serafina," one of the servants commented her gaze filled with adoration while looking at me.

I smiled at her. "What's your name?" I politely asked. She looks kind and I am hoping we can be friends.

"Odessa, Lady Serafina," she responded with a sweet smile plastered on her face.

"Start doing Lady Serafina's hair Odessa. We don't have time the Queen will be here any minute," Cressida interjected and I could see it in her face that she didn't like Odessa talking to me. I want to argue with her but I don't want to ruin my mood.

I just let them do whatever they wanted to do on my hair and face and once done I stood up and stared at myself in the mirror. My long brown hair was curled which complimented the dress perfectly and they applied light makeup on my face just enough to highlight my features.

"Thank you," I happily uttered and smiled at the servants including Cressida. I hate her but I still want to thank her for helping me.

They smiled back at me except for Cressida but I did not make a big deal out of it.

After a while, I heard a knock on my door. Cressida opened it for me and the moment the door swung open I saw King Calixto standing outside my room. He looks dashing wearing his royal suit.

I saw his gaze land on Cressida before it lingered on me. He scanned me from head to toe and I can't help but smile. He was staring at me. For the first time, his gaze on me lingered.

I walked towards him with a sweet smile spread across my face. The moment I got closer he offered his arm to me so I gladly took it.

"Remember what we talked about last night?" he asked.

I nodded. "I won't embarrass you, King Calixto,"

He did not say anything instead he took a step and I did the same. We headed towards the main entrance of the palace patiently waiting for the Queen's carriage to arrive.

I can feel my heart beating in an abnormal rhythm when the Queen's carriage enters the gate and when it stops in front of us I can feel my inside going crazy but I hide it from smiling.

When a beautiful woman wearing a black gown with a touch of gold stepped out of the carriage admiration filled me. She looks like a Goddess and her presence made everyone fall silent. She looks breathtaking and the way she walks commands power something that I wish I had.

"My dear Serafina you look beautiful,"

I didn't know how to react when she kissed me on the cheeks and looked at me with her eyes filled with admiration.

When I finally recovered I slightly bowed my head on her making her chuckle. "Good morning Queen Ysobel," I politely greeted.

A sweet smile was spread across her lips while staring at my face intently. "How's living in the palace? Does my son treat you well?"

I threw a glance at King Calixto before nodding. "King Calixto has been good to me Queen Ysobel,"

Lie but I don't have a choice. I can't confess the truth it will just make everything chaotic.

"It seems like both of you are getting along well so we don't have to prolong it anymore. Your wedding will happen tonight. Under the bloody full moon, I will seal your bond,"

My eyes widen hearing the Queen's decision and upon looking at King Calixto he looks shocked too.

We will be wed tonight? I will be the Queen of this kingdom and wife of this ruthless King. I spent my entire life preparing for this to happen but why do I want to run away?

Why do I want to be selfish all of a sudden?