My Vixen Bride

CHAPTER 003

I spend the whole night crying in my bed. And by morning, my eyes puffs like overfilled balloons. I barely notice Tara as she walks in and pulls open the curtain, letting in bright afternoon sun. Even though I am under the sheets, I squint my eyes at the sunlight that penetrates through it.

Tara throws the sheet off me in an instant and the moment I look at her, she screams and jumps like she just saw a ghost.

“Stars above!” she places one hand on her chest, “What happened to you?”

“Got bitten by a bee. Happy?” I roll my eyes and snatch the sheet back from her.

“This doesn’t look like a bee bite. Have you been crying?” she has a look of concern as she trieS to touch my face. “Is it because of your marriage to the lord of Gorlan?”

When I did not answer, she sighs and says softly, “Chaold is here to see you.”

My eyes instantly moves to the door. The things I heard him say last night begin playing in my head. My heart begins to hurt all over again and I hug my knees, unwilling to say anything to Tara.

She leaves and someone else walks in. It was Chaold. He was really tall so I have to crane my neck to see him, only to meet those deep blue eyes I fell in love with.

“Maya,” he calls softly, a look of concern crossing his face as he sits beside me. “How are you?”

It takes me so much effort and self-control to not start hurling curses at him. “I am fine.”

“You’re not. You look terrible.”

“It was a bee.”

“Don’t lie to me. I know you have been crying.” He says, and sighs regretfully, “I heard the news.”

“I bet you’re happy about it.”

“Happy?” he scoffs. “If you think I want to marry Jenny, then you’re mistaking.”

And yet he made her moan so loud yesterday.

“You want to marry me then?” I don’t even know where I found the energy to c**k my brow, waiting for all the lies he is going to say to me.

“I’ve always wanted to. I’ve always had my eyes on you, Maya.” He breathes heavily, looking deep into my eyes before he says, “I love you.”

Despite everything, my heart skips.

“I have loved you for a while now, but I was afraid you didn’t feel the same.” He grabs my hand in his, letting his warmth cover me. “Maya, I don’t want to marry Jenny. The only person I want to spend the rest of my life with, is you.”

“But—you’ve been betrothed to Jenny.”

“I’d rather die, Maya. I won’t ever marry another.”

Hearing him say these words, if my heart did not already ache so badly, I’d have burst out laughing. How could he lie so smoothly? If I had not been in that quarters at the time I had, perhaps right now, I might be feeling at the top of the world, having someone like him confess to me in such a way.

Tears clouds my gaze at the betrayal and before I know it, Chaold is holding me and pulling me to his chest.

My heart is beating like a drum and my thoughts are chaotic. I do not pull away, I stay in his arms a while longer until I hear him say,

“Let’s elope. Me and you.” He says, and I pull away from him, looking at him like he has run mad. “Maya, I know it’s going to be difficult, but I’ll take care of you. Let’s go to a place no one knows us and live together, happily. Let’s get married too. The Luna will have no choice but to accept our union.”

I snatch back my hands from his, and shift away from him, looking like I abhorred the idea as I hug my knees to my chest.

“Maya,” he calls softly again, “This is the only way. I won’t have you off to marry that monster. Come with me.”

“I—I can’t. Mother will kill me.”

“That beast will kill you first. Don’t you understand? Your mother doesn’t care about you anymore that is why she is doing this.”

I begin to shake my head to refuse but Chaold moves closer. He places a soft kiss on my forehead and looks deeply at me. “You trust me, don’t you?”

I nod slightly, and he smiles. “We’ll leave in five days after I sort out everything here. Meet me at our usual spot with only a few clothes so no one suspects us.”

I nod hesitantly, and Chaold places another kiss on my forehead, showing a bright smile before he leaves.

I release a breath I don’t know I have been holding once he leaves. I swallow hard, looking fiercely in the direction he disappeared into just now.

Actually, two can play this game.

*******

Five days have passed. I didn’t see Chaold again after that day, but today, I know I will.

I take my time folding my clothes into a small bag I have decided to carry. Tara is by my side, trying to convince me to change my mind.

“You can’t elope with him. If the Luna hears about this, she will kill him. And you.” Tara says, but I ignore her. “My lady, this—this is a very difficult decision, you need to think it through. Eloping is one thing, but how about the hardship that will come after? You will have no support, no means to fend because you’ll be living in hiding. Is that how you want to live for the rest of your life?”

I throw a look at her. “Then, do you suggest I stay and get married to someone who might kill me on the first night?”

“I—“ she pauses and sighs in frustration. “That’s even worse than eloping. What is Luna even thinking sending you to a man like that?”

“I believe Chaold will give me a better life than the one I will have to endure if I marry the lord of Gorlan.”

“But—“

“Do you not believe me to be capable enough to survive with Chaold?”

“It’s not that I don’t believe in you. But not with Chaold.” She turns away just as my eyes narrows at her, wondering If she knows something.

“Why not?”

“When you’re with Chaold, you’re usually not yourself. You try to please him while neglecting yourself. I believe Chaold will take care of you but you my lady, you’re a fool when It comes to love.”

A fool indeed.

Here in Ravindor, I get praises for my sharp wits and ability to see through my opponent, and yet I couldn’t see through the man I have lived my life for. I got played like a fool. So Tara was most definitely right.

I force back the tears and playfully grab Tara’s ears. “Did you just call me a fool, Tara? Say it again. I dare you.”

“Ouch… my lady, that hurts.” She struggles against me. “If I go deaf and no one agrees to marry me you better be ready to take me in.’

I let her go, smiling as I began to tie up my bag.

Tara promised not to say anything and under the cover of night, I make my way towards where we agreed to meet. Chaold is already waiting there. He rushes and pulls me into his arms then places a kiss on my forehead.