Chapter 18

***Serafina's POV***

I covered my mouth to suppress my sobs afraid that they would hear me. Funny how I was the one hiding when it was them sinning. King Calixto was cheating on me but it was me who was afraid to be caught.

I let tears fall from my eyes until it ran dry. My insides still feel heavy but I can no longer shed any tears. My knees still fell weak but I gathered all my remaining strength to stand.

I almost ended up falling on the cold floor but Maximus attentively held me. "You should take a rest, Queen Serafina. I will send you to your room,"

A weak smile grace on my lips as I look at Maximus. "I am fine Maximus I can walk on my own. Just guard this door and protect the King's reputation,"

Maximus looked hesitant to let go of my arms but I gently pulled it from his hold then turned my back on him and started walking towards the dark hallway again until I reached King Calixto's room. I know I should not be here but I just found myself walking in this direction.

I stared at his huge wooden door contemplating if I should step inside or not but after a few minutes of thinking I finally found the courage to open the door and set my foot inside.

A tear fell from my eyes again as I remembered what we did on his bed. He did not even let a day pass to do it with Cressida. It hurts that he chose to claim her, an hour after claiming me, as if he is eager to get rid of my smell and the only scent that he wants to linger as he falls asleep is the smell of his mate.

Filled with heaviness and pain I lay on his bed and hugged his pillow imagining that he was here lying beside me. It sounds ironic that I was comforted by the scent of the man who was the main reason why I was hurting.

I let my head rest on his pillow and closed my eyes to escape this painful reality. I felt free again because it felt like shutting the whole world and just letting myself get drowned in the darkness.

"Serafina,"

I can hear his voice calling my name.

"Serafina,"

He called my name again and it sounded like music that I wanted to listen to over and over again. If this is a dream I hope I won't wake up.

"Serafina wake up,"

I felt someone tapping my cheeks and upon opening my eyes I saw King Calixto looking at me with his filled with confusion.

"Why are you sleeping here?" he asked.

My whole body felt weak but I still forced myself to get up and sit on his bed. Upon roaming my eyes around his room I saw a ray of sunlight seeping through his window.

It is already morning. I indeed fell asleep here.

"I am sorry I was too tired to get up last night," I lied.

I can't tell him I went to the infirmary last night. I won't confess that I heard him saying that falling for me is disgusting. I won't confess that he inflicted me so much pain because he would not care anyway.

"Fix yourself. My mother wants us to join her for breakfast,"

I smiled and nodded before getting off from his bed but the moment I stood I felt even more weaker. I almost ended up falling on the floor only if King Calixto did not hold me.

"What's wrong with you?"

I took a deep breath and pulled my hand out of his hold. Using my remaining strength I pushed myself to stand on my own.

"I am fine. Maybe my body was just tired from what we did last night but I will be fine,"

He stared at me intently but I looked away because looking at him reminded me of everything I heard last night.

"I will just prepare myself you don't have to wait for me...it's not like you will wait for me but in case you will," I uttered whispering the last word but I know he heard it.

"I will wait for you," he firmly responded.

I wasn't expecting that. I thought he would go to the breakfast hall without waiting for me.

"Okay whatever you want," I simply responded before turning my back on him and stepping out of his room.

The moment I stepped out I saw Odessa standing in front of my door, waiting for me. When she turned her head on me, the same bright smile was plastered on her face but I couldn't smile back making the beautiful smile on her lips slowly vanish.

She immediately walked towards me and held my hand pulling me towards my room shutting the door close and looked at me directly in the eyes.

"Is something wrong Queen Serafina?" she asked her voice laced with worry.

I forced a smile and shook my head. I trust her but can't unveil King Calixto's secret.

"I just feel tired Odessa. Can you help me get ready? I will be having breakfast with Lady Ysobel,"

Odessa nodded without hesitation but worry did not leave her eyes. She was silently observing me the whole time and I know she is eager to know what happened last night but she just chose to shut her mouth and respect my silence.

When I was done getting ready we stepped out of my room only to find King Calixto waiting for me.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

I nod. "I am sorry did I take a long time?"

He shook his head. "No," he shortly responded.

We stared at each other not saying anything then after a while he cleared his throat and offered his arm so I clung to him and let him guide me as we walked towards the breakfast hall.

After a few minutes of walking, we finally reached the breakfast hall and there I saw Lady Ysobel waiting for us on the table with a huge smile plastered on her face.

She stood up and bowed her head showing her respect even though she did not have to.

"You look so lovely together," she commented unaware of what our marriage looks like.

"Thank you Lady Ysobel," I still responded continuing the pretension of a lovely couple just like what she sees.

King Calixto pulled a chair for me making me sit across from his mother and closer to him different from our distance when we usually eat.

"How's married life? Are you already making my grandchild?" Lady Ysobel jokingly asked.

I want to laugh with her but I am starting to get dizzy. My visions are starting to get blurry and I am slowly losing my hearing.

"Serafina you're nose is bleeding!" Lady Ysobel shouted in panic while looking at me. I touched my nose and upon looking at my hands it was covered with my blood.

I feel so weak and my vision starts to darken but before I completely lose consciousness I feel King Calixto carrying me and for a split second I see his eyes looking at me filled with worry bringing me confusion once again.

Why does he always look at me that way whenever I am on the verge of death?

Why does he act like he is afraid of losing me?