Chapter 29

***Serafina's POV***

I can feel the tension hanging in the air. The atmosphere became too heavy and the silence made everything even worse.

I threw a glance at King Calixto but he wasn't looking in my direction.

After a while, he wiped the side of his lips and stood up.

"I will be visiting nearby territories. I will be back before sunset,"

I was about to call him but he already walked away without even looking at me. I felt heaviness in my chest as I watched him disappear from my sight and when he was gone I turned my head to Lady Ysobel who seemed to be watching me.

"Is there something I need to know Lady Ysobel?" I politely asked.

"I think you should ask your husband about that. I am not in the right position to tell you anything, Queen Serafina,"

She smiled at me and stood up. She bowed her head before she left leaving me filled with confusion.

I feel so lost. It frustrates me because no matter how hard I try I can't seem to put the pieces together.

I took a deep breath and left the breakfast hall as well. I haven't eaten anything yet but I already lost my appetite.

I didn't want to stay inside my room because it felt like I would feel more suffocated if I stayed there so I headed towards the garden to clear my mind.

When the cold and gentle breeze touched my skin I felt like I was being comforted.

I sat on the wooden bench and watched how the servants moved around. Everyone seems to be busy and their world seems to be revolving just fine while I am stuck and lost in the darkness having no idea when can I finally get out.

"Is something bothering you Queen Serafina?" a voice of a man asked and upon turning my head I saw an unfamiliar man standing beside me.

I stared at his face intently to remember who he was. He must have noticed my confusion so he smiled at me and slightly bowed his head.

"I am King Calixto's Beta Queen Serafina. I am Maximus,"

I smiled at him apologetically. "I am sorry I failed to recognize you Maximus,"

He just shook his head an understanding smile still plastered on his face.

"I understand Queen Serafina you don't have to apologize about it,"

I moved on the side giving him space to sit down but he just shook his head.

"It's fine Queen Serafina. The pack might misinterpret it if they have seen us sitting together,"

A bitter and painful smile grace on my lips but I did not let Maximus see it. I immediately turned my head back to the servants trying to distract myself from the pain by watching them.

"Why didn't you go with King Calixto? He told us he would be visiting the nearby territories so why are you here?" I asked my gaze still fixated on the servants.

"He told me to guard you, Queen Serafina,"

I picked up the fully bloomed yellow daisy near the bench and started picking its petals.

"Can I ask you something Maximus?" I asked after a few seconds of silence.

I turned my head on Maximus and looked at him directly in the eyes.

"Is King Calixto hiding something from me?"

He looked away refusing to meet my gaze making my doubt grow even bigger.

Why do they always look away whenever I ask that question?

"What's wrong Maximus? Is he hiding something from me?"

He took a deep breath and stared at my eyes. I can feel his hesitation to tell me the truth and when he shook his head I already expected it. I know his loyalty lies with King Calixto.

"I understand Maximus. I know your loyalty lies on King Calixto,"

I saw regret fill his eyes so I smiled at him to assure him that I was not mad or anything. I was just disappointed because I knew that they were hiding something from me but I couldn't force them to reveal whatever it was that King Calixto was hiding. I don't want to put Maximus' life at risk.

"I'm sorry Queen Serafina," he apologetically uttered.

I turned my head on the servants once again but my forehead creased when I saw a woman wearing a torn dress and covered with dirt entering the palace gate.

Two guards are holding her arms as if she had been caught.

"Cressida," Maximus whispered under his breath making my head turn on him once again.

"What do you mean Maximus? Is that Cressida? My servant?"

Maximus gaze who was fixated on the woman named Cressida turned on me.

He slowly nods his head. "Yes Queen Serafina,"

I looked at the woman once again. The guards were dragging her so I hurriedly walked towards them and the moment I got closer the two guards stopped and bowed at me while Cressida was looking at me intently not even showing even a tiny bit of respect.

"What are you doing? You should greet Queen Serafina,"

The guard held her head and was about to forcefully make her bow but I raised my hand to stop him.

"Don't hurt her," I commanded my gaze still fixated on Cressida who was looking at me coldly.

She looks mad making me wonder if I did something to her to make her act this way.

"I'm glad you are back Cressida,"

A sarcastic smile escaped her lips. She forcefully removed the hands of the two guards that were holding her. The guards were about to hold her again but I shook my head telling them not to do anything.

Cressida took a step forward and I saw how Maximus who was standing beside me placed his arm between us as if protecting me from Cressida.

"You should not be glad that I am back Queen Serafina. You should be scared by now because my return will be your downfall,"