Marriage Alliance With The Lycan Monarch-Chapter 64: The Castle Whispers

I said nothing, pushing the door open, and Osha followed behind, the door slamming shut.

I collapse then, hanging by the side of the bed, and gripping the sheets with all my might.

"Your Grace!" Osha hurried in front of me and dropped to her knees.

I remained shivering, trying to stop the quavering, but it was challenging. Osha held my hands to keep them steady.

I swallowed thickly and closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down, knowing that I was safe here.

Drevon’s chambers had this calming effect on my body because it smelled like him. I focused my senses on it and allowed it to ground me.

After what seemed like minutes, I opened my eyes and met Osha’s honey colored ones. She gave me a soft smile.

"I’m here, Your Grace," she assured me.

"Thank you," I muttered.

"What happened? Did the meeting with Dia not go well? Did she attack you?" With each question, I noticed Osha got angrier. "Give the order and I’ll put her in her place!"

"Can you draw a bath for me?"

"But—"

"Please," I said, holding her hand tighter. "I’m fine, I promise, you know how much I have stressed myself these past few days. I’m just...overwhelmed."

"I understand, you need your rest. I’ll draw the bath, get you plenty to eat, so that you can have a comfortable sleep." She pushed to her feet, but just a few steps to the door, she halted.

"Your Grace?"

"Yes?" I replied faintly as I pushed myself to sit on the bed.

"Where is your hairpin?"

I froze. Damon has it.

~•~

I need to find a way to get that hairpin back. It was Drevon’s gift, and the thought of losing it did not sit well with me.

I can’t seem to forget my encounter with Damon. Luckily, Osha didn’t ask more about what happened that day. I couldn’t tell her what happened.

This was completely my fault. I sent Lucan and Osha away so that I could talk to Dia alone, which put me in a vulnerable position.

My head was pounding so loudly, and my body was numb with all the aches. My joints and muscles acted as if they were sent to murder me. For the last two days, I have been bedridden.

I called it rest, but I knew my body was acting up again. Osha gave me a brew, but it wasn’t Talia’s.

Talia.

I’m sorry...just give me a little while longer and I’ll get back on my feet and finish this. My plan with the princess failed, but there was still more I could do.

"Osha," I mumbled.

Wasn’t she back yet?

I stretched my head to take a look, but blinked in puzzlement when I found Dia. Judging by the way she sat at the edge with her arms folded, she had been there a while.

Gods! I was so out of it, I couldn’t even tell when someone entered my room.

I pushed my body to sit, making sure the covers shrouded me.

"You look like shit," Dia said bluntly.

"Shit?" I questioned. "A little vague, don’t you think?"

"I guess you’re not only that but a whore too."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Was my—the monarch not enough for you?"

"I’m not in the mood to tolerate your attitude," I said, about to lie back on the bed, but her next words were a slap to the face.

"You’re spreading your legs for Prince Damon!"

With wide eyes, I turned to her. "W-What?"

"It’s all over the castle. It whispers."

"Whatever do you mean?!"

She huffed. "You don’t even have the decency to tell the truth? I should never have come here to hear it myself."

"What truth? Clearly, the whispers are lies! I have nothing to do with Prince Damon!"

"Then you haven’t encountered him before? never?"

"I—" I paused when I thought back to two days ago, the day I was trying to forget.

Sloane. That was one word that echoed in my head. She saw my state that day. That lying bitch must have twisted the truth!

Dia rose to her feet. "Your inability to muster up a response shows how guilty you are."

My hand balled into a fist. "I had nothing to do with the prince."

"Save that explanation for the court."

"C-Court?"

"The Dowager calls you to stand trial for your sins."

My blood ran cold. This cannot be happening...This must be some kind of dream!

Dia took one look at me, and I noted a softness in her gaze, but she quickly turned away.

"Dia!" I called.

She halted but made no effort to turn.

"I had nothing to do with the prince. I swear!"

A sting found my eyes when Dia didn’t reply and walked out on me.

My back met the headboard, my eyes trembling. What’s happening? Summoned to court to stand trial? What am I going to do?

The door opened again, and this time it was Osha who walked in. "Forgive me, Your Grace. The princess’s handmaid insisted she wanted to see you. I tried to stop her, but she carries the authority of the Royal Princess."

"What are they saying?" I asked faintly.

"Your Grace?"

I swallowed back the tears that wanted to fall. "The whispers..."

"You shouldn’t—"

"Tell me, please," I moved my glassy eyes to her. "I have been on this bed for days. You heard something, didn’t you?"

Osha wavered but spoke. "They say you’re in a secret relationship with the prince, and it has been going on ever since the monarch left for his shift. But I don’t believe them, Your Grace! There is some kind of mistake here!" She stepped closer.

"I met the prince," I confessed.

Osha’s mouth went agape. "W-What—"

"But it was an unfortunate encounter, nothing more."

She sat on the bed and took my hand. "I believe you. I do."

I forced a smile on my lips. "I know you do. But others will not think so."

"Um, perhaps stay in confinement until the monarch comes back."

"I’m summoned to the throne room."

Osha gave me an uneasy smile. "We can find a way to avoid that and—"

"Can we?" I countered, but I was hopeful.

The sad look in her eyes spoke volumes. There was no escaping this.

"Sir Lucan has been summoned by the Dowager, and he hasn’t been back since."

A feeling coiled my abdomen, and nausea was building up. I’m frightened.

I pulled my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around and hugging myself. "Sloane."

"S-She’s behind this?"

Sloane has made her move, and dare I say it was a perfect enough ploy to bring me down. I was now labeled a whore just like I was in Beloria.

How more cruel can fate be?