Chapter 16

***Serafina's POV***

I was sitting in the garden watching how the sky turned orange as the sun slowly went down.

"You had been sitting here all day Queen Serafina,"

I turned my head and there I saw Odessa looking at me with her eyes filled with worry.

I know she had been watching me all day. After talking to Lady Ysobel I just found myself not wanting to move or do anything thinking that the world would stop spinning if I did that.

How silly of me to think that the world would stop revolving just because I want it to stop. I know it won't wait for me and it will keep on spinning even though I am being left behind.

"Have you found your mate Odessa?" I asked making her confused but after a while, she shook her head.

"I have not found him yet Queen Serafina. I am afraid I will be mateless," she tried to laugh it out but I could sense pain in her voice.

Being mateless sounds terrifying but marrying the man who doesn't love you or does not show even an ounce of pity felt like hell.

"You will find him soon Odessa. I am sure the Moon Goddess will favor you because you are kind,"

I tapped the space beside me asking her to sit down. She looked hesitant at first but after a while, she finally sat beside me.

I focused all the attention on the sky once again watching the beautiful sunset.

"Is there something wrong with me Odessa?" I looked at Odessa once again. I looked at her eyes intently seeking an answer. "Am I not beautiful? Do I look too weak? Do I have flaws?"

She immediately shook her head. "You are beyond perfect Queen Serafina. Don't think negatively of yourself. King Calixto is lucky to have you as his Queen,"

I can't help but laugh hearing her response. I doubt that. I know she just said those words to please me.

"He is unfortunate because I am his Queen that is the reason why he hates me. If he will to choose his Queen I know I will never be part of his option,"

Odessa reached for my hand squeezing it gently offering comfort. "Don't think that way, Queen Serafina. Someday King Calixto will see how lucky he is that you are his Queen. Someday he will realize that Lady Ysobel chose the right Queen for him,"

I felt tears forming in the corner of my eyes. Those words felt like a warm palm touching my heart.

I smiled at Odessa and pulled her into a quick hug. "Thank you for giving me hope. From now on you are no longer my servant but my friend,"

She shook her head rejecting my offer. "I can't do that Queen Serafina. A mere servant like me can't be one of your friends,"

I smiled at her and stared at her face. "Forget about our status when we are alone Odessa. Please be my friend because I badly need one," I can no longer hide the pain in my voice.

I saw pity in her eyes and after a few seconds of silence, she took a deep breath and nodded.

"I will be your friend Queen Serafina just like what you wanted. I know I am just a mere servant but you can tell me your worries,"

I bit my lower lip to stop my tears from falling and pulled Odessa into a tight hug once again.

I needed someone to rely on. I needed someone to talk to. I needed someone to call my friend because I didn't think I could survive in this palace on my own.

"It is getting dark Queen Serafina. We have to go inside,"

Odessa is right. The darkness is already swallowing the surroundings.

I broke off the hug and headed inside the palace with Odessa. I wanted her to walk beside me but she refused afraid that they would talk once she got close to me.

We headed towards my room and started preparing for bedtime.

Odessa prepared a warm bath for me and helped me clean my body.

When I was done I wore a silky white dress and headed towards the dining area hoping that I would see King Calixto but all I saw was an empty dining area with some food prepared only my seat.

"Where is King Calixto?" I asked the servant standing beside me who attentively listened if I needed something.

"He told us that he will eat his dinner at the infirmary, Queen Serafina,"

I felt my chest tightened once again. I felt like a huge block was thrown on my chest.

He is probably having dinner with Cressida.

I fell silent lost for words. I didn't know how to respond so I just kept my silence and started eating my dinner.

I don't have any appetite so I just took a few bites and headed back to Calixto's room.

"Will you sleep with King Calixto tonight, Queen Serafina?" Odessa asked.

I nodded without hesitation.

"That's how it should be right? Husband and wife should sleep together,"

Odessa smiled and nodded. I can see a proud look on her face.

"Yes, that's how it should be Queen Serafina. You should fight for your spot in this palace because this place is a battlefield so you should be a fighter,"

Odessa walked towards me and opened the door of King Calixto's room. She waited for me to step inside before shutting the door close.

When I was left alone I decided to sit on the bed as I waited for King Calixto.

He was taking so long. Maybe he is still with Cressida.

I was about to stand to check if he was still in the infirmary when the door swung open revealing King Calixto who looked annoyed when he saw me sitting on his bed.

"What are you doing here?" he coldly asked.

Irritation was written on his face but I chose to smile at him.

"I will sleep here,"

Without voicing out his thoughts I can already tell he is against my idea.

"You have your room Serafina, why do you have to sleep here?"

"Because I am your wife," I firmly uttered stating the obvious.

"Get out,"

He was not shouting but he said those words filled with authority bringing fear to my system but not enough for me to step out of his room.

"I am done being your little slave King Calixto. You hate me because I am too weak right? Because I am nothing but a weak she-wolf who will follow orders but I am done pleasing everyone. I am done pleasing you,"

I stood up and walked towards him closing the gap between us. For the first time, I bravely looked at his blazing red eyes without feeling any fear.

"I will bear you an heir whether you like it or not. You will claim me, King Calixto,"

He laughed sarcastically probably taking me as a joke but I won't let him disrespect me again.

"And what made you think that I will do it, Serafina?"

I smiled at him but not my usual sweet smile. It was a smile filled with arrogance.

"You will because if you don't, I will reveal to the whole Kingdom that you are mated to a servant. I will let everyone know about the existence of your mistress,"

He raised his hand ready to slap me but I held his wrist not letting his palm touch my cheeks.

"You want to make everything hard right? Then let's make it hard King Calixto. I will give you choices. Claim me until I successfully conceive an heir and I will keep your dirty secret to my grave or push me away and let the whole kingdom know that the King they respect is mated to a mere servant?"