Chapter 51: The Lady's Acceptance





The castle turned into a prison after my confrontation with Lord Magnus and Lord Chester. The Westons prohibited me from wandering outside the castle unless a battalion of soldiers and my future spouse would accompany me. I never liked that idea so I decided to stay in the castle and read books in the library. Lady Amanda showed her sympathy by visiting me in my chamber bringing beautiful dresses she had chosen for me to wear. She was somehow confused by the way I was being treated for she had been friends with my mother ever since I was a kid. She was trying to help me in her own way but it only did a little to lessen my misery.



To make things worse, the preparation for the wedding was rushed that they were able to organize everything in a week. And just like that, the rest of the days passed with the castle being busy for the incoming event. It didn't even occur to me until I realized that the wedding is going to happen in the next day, and in which I was informed that my visitors are coming the day before the big event.



I was in the huge balcony of the castle watching the rulers and representatives from North and South Land arrived and being welcomed. Apparently, I wasn't in the mood to celebrate and be excited for my incoming wedding. I stayed there refusing to join them in meals and instead, asking the servants to bring my food in the balcony instead. I was contented with the companion of my misery and books. It was noon when the door to the balcony opened and I immediately stood, surprised to see my mother and Lord William with a bandage in his arm, in the doorway, smiling and yet, looking at me with concern in their eyes. Without second thoughts, I rushed towards my mother and she received me with welcoming arms.



"How are you feeling, mother? Are you alright? How's the East Castle?" I didn't even give her time to answer before turning to Lord William and asked, "I thought it would take you longer to recover. How's your arm?" It was like I missed a lot of important events in their lives that I had to fire questions about their well-being.



Lord William chuckled and patted my shoulder in assurance. "You don't need to worry about us, little one. Now that my wounds are healed, I'll make sure that Lady Adeline and the East Land will be taken care of."



But his assurance was not enough. It would never be enough. My mother felt my doubt and I leaned on her as she caressed my hair to comfort me. "Lord William will help us in the castle. All you need to think about is your wedding tomorrow," she sighed, her palm touching my cheek gently. "I can't believe that you're going to be married soon. Please remember that you'll always be my little girl."



Her glistening eyes mirrored mine and we both control the tears that were threatening to escape from them. We knew that this marriage was not an outcome of love, but of conspiracy, betrayal, and manipulation. And if what I've heard from Lord Magnus last time was true, then we were just being played by the masterminds' game.



"My dear Primrose, I'm sorry about your father. If we had known that we would be ambushed on our way, we would have listened to you and just consider the decision you made in the North Castle." He looked at me with sadness and sincerity in his eyes. He had been with my father for many years and they both created laws that improve the lives of the people of the East Land. It must have been traumatizing to see his friend being killed in front of him. I glanced at his bandaged arm and the healing bruises and wounds on his body. It was clear that he didn't get out of the incident easily.



"My father would be happy to know that we still have you to help us in the East Land," I assured him and in which he responded with a sad smile.



We stayed in the balcony for an afternoon tea. Lady Adeline talked about how Tarnus was handling the security of the East Land and because of the castle's need for supervision; he wasn't able to join my mother that day and promised to arrive in the morning for the wedding. He didn't need to attend this event though; the East Land is more valuable compared to this. I listened to my mother's stories about how the pirates were actually getting along with some residents of the East Land. I was glad to realize that she's becoming less hostile towards them.



"A wolf in sheep's clothing is more dangerous than the one that proudly shows its skin," Lady Adeline said when I asked her about how the castle was treating the pirates. And I had to agree with her. It was just sad that it had taken my father's life before she finally realized it.



I refused to go inside the castle with her and decided to wait for the sunset just like I always did. The castle might be a nightmare, but it still had the best balcony to watch the sunset. I was fascinated by how the golden glow that illuminates the clouds would turn into a hue of pink and purple until the sun fades into the horizon and gives way to the darkness and its stars. I was staring at it longingly when I felt a presence behind me.



"I hate sunset." He sauntered towards my direction and stopped beside me.



My eyes widened and looked at him incredulously. "How can you hate something as beautiful as this?"



"If it's really that beautiful then why are you looking at it with the saddest eyes?"



I sighed and gazed back at the setting sun; it was now gone and all that was left from it was masterpiece of colors in the sky. It was definitely one of the most beautiful goodbyes.



"Probably because of the memories that come with it," I answered.



He didn't answer and instead, joined me in staring at the distance. When the stars started showing themselves in the darkening sky, I decided to finally give him my full attention. Lord Boris was always this handsome; he was wearing his signature white coat that looked like he brought the winter with him in the West Land. His blue eyes were piercing like a wolf preying in a snowy land.



"I don't like the sunset, probably because we don't see much of it in the North Land. However, if there's one important thing that I can get from it, it is probably the second chance it gives. Sunset reminds us that no matter how bad our day is, it will always end. You can't be sad forever, Lady Primrose. The universe will not allow it."



He then turned to me and met my gaze. Lord Boris was a man every girl in the Mainland could ever dream of. I could feel his strength and authority in every time we talk and he could always make me feel secure and protected. He's the right man; he always says the right thing. And it was a wonder why I wasn't having any romantic feelings toward him. There's a good man in front of me, why do I always end up with a bad boy?



"I can't believe that the Westons would still welcome you after the stunt you made in the East Castle," I said, with a smile playing on my lips.



He shrugged. "It would give them a bad reputation if they won't invite one of the rulers of the Mainland in the grandest occasion of the year."



Right. The Westons were full of pride, but they would still do anything to protect their name; particularly when they're trying to expand their power in the East land. They would take everything they could, unless I fight to protect the power they want.



"So, how are you holding?" he asked when the silence stretched between us.



"I'm not thrilled to get married tomorrow. I can't believe that I'll be wishing to be kidnapped again for the second time in my life. This time, I would willingly go with my captors."



He chuckled, amused by what I had just said. "The universe is listening, Lady Primrose. It always listens."



I smiled at him. If anyone told me years ago that I would be talking about sunset and the universe with the young lord of the North Land, I would tell them that they're insane. But we were both here in the balcony, grinning like there's no wedding to dread about in the morning. I guessed I was taken by the moment and I let him hold my hand. We were like that for a time when the door to the balcony opened again. When we turned our heads, we saw a fuming Lord Chester marching to our direction. He pulled me from Lord Boris and placed himself between us.



"Do not test my patience young Frost!" he growled. He was a beast ready to pounce at any moment.



Lord Boris remained composed as he stared back at Lord Chester. He wouldn't make a brash move unless he thought about it first. He sighed and put his hand in his pocket casually as if he didn't receive any threat from Lord Chester.



"You're a lucky man to marry a wonderful lady like her. It's just that you have no idea of how to take care of our Lady Primrose. You don't even know how to handle her." His statement was poisoned with truth that went straight to Lord Chester's ego. I had to do something before this encounter end into a messy brawl.



"We should go back inside. It's getting dark and cold out here." I tried grabbing Lord Chester's arm but he pulled himself free and faced Lord Boris.



"No. I have to make things clear with this bastard right now. Lady Primrose is mine and she's going to be my wife so keep your hands off her or I'll break every bone of your fingers!" Lord Chester said through gritted teeth.



Lord Chester was like a fire that would destroy anything in his way. But Lord Boris remained passive, like a calm, cool lake that would drown anyone that gets deep on it. They were both dangerous and I didn't want to find myself amidst them.



"Lord Boris, I think it is better if –" I tried again but was cut off when Lord Chester grabbed my jaw and caged me in his painful grip.



"Is this man the reason why you're always cold towards me?" he asked angrily. I winced at the pressure he put to my jaw. When Lord Boris saw that I was getting uncomfortable with Lord Chester's grip, he moved swiftly and in a second, Lord Chester's hand left my jaw and it was now straining behind his back. Lord Boris incapacitated him easily and he did it without sweat.



"How about we break this arm of yours so that you'll learn how to touch a woman in a gentle way?" Lord Boris whispered menacingly in his ears.



I could hear the approaching steps behind the door and I knew that Lord Boris would face a complicated situation if the East Castle guards see him attacking their young ruler.



"Lord Boris, the guards are coming. Let go of him now." But Lord Boris seemed to not care at all. He probably had enough of Lord Chester and was now determined to inflict harm on him. But I couldn't let him get into this mess because of me. I stood straight and composed myself, and with voice full of authority, I commanded, "Let go of my fiancé, Lord Boris!"



This seemed to surprise both of them, for when Lord Boris let go of Lord Chester's arm, they just both stared at me with confusion in their eyes. That was the moment when the door to the balcony opened again for I didn't how many times already on that day, and revealed the servants and castle guards.



"My Lords, My Lady, your presence are requested in the dining hall," one of the servants who led the group said and the men fixed themselves aware of their presence.



"We'll be there in a minute," Lord Chester said, his eyes were still on me. I nodded to Lord Boris to go in first and waited for Lord Chester to escort me inside. When his arm enveloped my waist, there was gentleness in it that it made me hard to believe that it was actually him who was holding me – because Lord Chester Weston was never gentle, he was always rude and violent. So what changed him that night?



The dinner in the West Castle's huge and grand dining hall was bountiful. The food and drinks, as always, were excellent. A party was held in the ballroom of the castle where the Mainland's best dancers and singers performed on the stage. The visitors and the Western people were having a good time and I spent the night refusing any dance invitation from the guests. Suspiciously, Lord Chester remained silent beside me. We danced on one slow song but after that, he just stayed where he was sitting and drink the best wine the castle was offering. I couldn't help but notice that he was deep in his thoughts and it left me wondering if he had evil plans for the night.



When the time came for us to rest and let the others enjoy the night, we both said our farewell to the guests and the rulers and walked silently to our chamber. An annoying Lord Chester was a pain to handle, but a silent one turned a supposedly feisty banter into an awkward one. When he closed the door, I hurriedly went to the closet and picked a conservative sleeping gown that could protect me from the man's probable advances.



"Would you mind giving me privacy so I can change into my sleeping gown?" I asked.



For the past few days, I didn't have the need to hide myself from him whenever I change my clothes because most of times, he was already gone when I woke and I was already in bed sleeping, or pretending to be sleeping, when he was entering our room for the night. But this time was different; it was the night before our wedding and if we're a normal couple, we should have this kind of intimacy between us. But the relationship we had was not normal and there was no romance in it. For all I knew, we both hated each other and just like what his father said, we're both pieces in a big game.



"It was the first time that you called me your fiancé in front of another man. Did you mean it? Do you accept me now as your husband?" he asked instead.



I sighed, wondering if it's what he was thinking all this time. Before I declared my decision to marry him, I was aware that he's going to be my husband. In order to not give the whole supervision of the East Castle to the power-hungry rulers of the other lands, I must lead it with him by my side. I was doing it for my people and land; I knew what I was getting myself into.



"Yes. Tomorrow, I'm going to be your wife, Lord Chester." I thought I saw a glint in his eyes when I said that. Whether it was a surprise or amusement, I didn't care. I just wanted to change into comfortable clothes than this body-hugging gown and sleep for the night.



However, Lord Chester had another thing in his mind. He strode towards me like a wild cat on its prey. I felt his warm breath on my neck when I turned my back on him. His hand touched my bare arm gently and it sent shivers on my skin.



"If you really accept me as your husband, then change in front of me," he challenged.



"What?" I gasped and turned my head to look at him. "Are you out of your mind?"



He shrugged his shoulders and gazed down at me. There was lust in his eyes and it came with the dare he had just given me. "I will not touch you if you don't want to," he answered defensively. "I just want you to be comfortable as my wife and we can start that by letting me see you change. After all, we both know that we're going to get farther than this in the future if we want this marriage to work."



I glared at him and refused to turn my body to face him. If this jerk wanted a show then he wouldn't be getting it all. With a deep sigh, I started pulling the thin straps of my gown until it slid down my arm and the fabric rested on the curve of my waist. I did a little tug on it and let it slip down to my legs and dropped smoothly on the floor. I could feel Lord Chester's panting heavily behind me and I hurried to get my sleeping gown and pulled it down my body.



I stiffened when he grabbed my waist and I felt his lips on my neck. I decided to face him this time and pushed him gently, reminding him of what we just talked about. "You promised not to touch me. Now, it's your time to prove that you're going to respect me as your wife," I dared him.



He let out an exasperated sigh and let go of me. I breathed deeply in relief and sauntered towards the bed. I was about to lift the covers when I saw a gold envelope that was lying on it. It was almost the same to the elegant invitations they were giving out for our wedding. It was just that this one was more golden and had greater paper quality than what we had prepared. The name of Lord Chester Weston was written in smooth calligraphy on it.



Lord Chester walked towards me to see what had gotten my attention. He frowned when he saw the envelope and took it from resting on the bed. He glanced at me before opening it and read what was written on the smooth, golden paper inside it.



"Make the lady a wife and she will soon be a widow."