Reroll My Fate

Chapter 9

My heart froze as I watched my father lift the sword. My stepmother and Martins held on to each other, grinning.

Fear clawed up my throat and I grabbed the sides of my dress as my father hovered the sword around Ryan's neck. Goddess, he was actually going to kill him.

The thought that I had only sped up his death brought tears to my eyes and my fingers dug into my palms so hard I felt the sting of nails breaking skin.

'Goddess, please stop him,' I cried out internally but it seemed too late as my father lifted the sword above his head, ready to strike.

The blades descended and just when I thought his life was over, they sliced through the ropes binding Ryan’s wrists.

The restraints fell to the floor with a soft thud and I stared at my father in shock. He turned to me and I let out a shaky breath as it dawned on me. He had chosen to give Ryan a second chance.

“You are being given a second chance,” the king said, his voice echoing through the great hall. His council members exchanged looks but no one dared to speak.

“This decision is largely because of how strongly my daughter spoke on your behalf.”

He turned toward me, and for a moment his expression softened with something like pride. I felt my face warm up and I gave him a small smile. Since the death of my mother, we had barely spent time together.

Unfortunately, that moment lasted shortly and my father hardened his face turning back to Ryan.

“This chance will not be given twice,” he warned. “If you make even a single mistake I'd have the guard chop off your head and hang it outside the pack walls."

Ryan nodded his stance rigid and my father kept going. "You're only alive because of my daughter. Do dare to be anything more than that."

Ryan lowered his head. “Thank you for sparing my life, Your Majesty.” His voice was respectful and extremely normal but I could see the tension in his shoulders and in the way his jaw clenched.

It must have burned him to stand there and thank the man connected to his father’s death. I shot him a quick, silent warning glance telling him to stay calm just for a little while.

The queen and Martin looked furious. Their faces were tight with displeasure, lips pressed into thin lines. They had wanted blood, and luckily where not going to get it anytime soon.

The audience ended soon after. People began filing out of the Great Hall, murmuring among themselves. Ryan and I were among the last to leave. As we walked down the corridor, low voices drifted from a side room. Ones I recognized as Martin and my stepmother.

“…becoming too influential,” my stepmother whispered, her tone sharp with irritation. “I do not like the direction things are heading. Something needs to be done about Arwen.”

Ryan and I kept walking without a word but the words settled heavily in my stomach. Another threat to talk about but first Ryan needed proper cleaning and rest.

It had been less than twenty-four hours since the trail and I spent my afternoon staring at embroidery when Serena entered, looking nervous.

“The queen has invited you to tea, my lady.”

I had never been friends with her and after the conversation I had overheard yesterday. The smartest thing I could do was avoid her. But refusing the queen’s invitation could easily be twisted into disrespect. So trying not to drown in frustration I gave Serena a simple nod.

“Prepare me.” The maids dressed me quickly. I arrived at the queen’s private garden for the tea gathering with my stomach already knotted.

Several noblewomen were present, most of them already watching me with distaste painted all over their faces. The atmosphere felt thick and hostile from the start but I tried my best to act normal.

The queen wasted no time and immediately the tea was served she broke the silence. "How nice of you to grace my invitation," she muttered with a smile and I simply nodded not bothering to touch anything at the table.

"Especially after your little performance at the ball. Tell me, dear, is it true you couldn’t satisfy Caspian? Is that why he sought comfort elsewhere?”

Several women laughed behind their fans. I could feel my face heat up from all the humiliation but I sat still holding my head high.

“I am an unmarried noblewoman,” I replied calmly, meeting her eyes. “I am not supposed to be satisfying anybody before marriage. Perhaps your nephew should have remembered that.”

Some of the women shifted uncomfortably. The queen’s smile faltered, irritation flashing in her eyes. She kept throwing jabs throughout the tea; mocking my decisions, my sudden independence, my choice to buy a slave.

Each insult landed, but I threw them back and every time she tried to embarrass me, I responded with quiet, cutting precision.

Eventually, I had had enough and my head throbbed with the effort of keeping my composure. “I am not feeling well,” I said, standing up. “May I have permission to leave early?”

The queen agreed with a tight smile and turned towards her personal maid. "You!" She said her voice was stern enough to make the poor girl flinch. "Escort my stepdaughter out."

The girl nodded and we walked farther away from the tea party I grabbed her arm. I had recognized her from my previous life and my chest tightened with old memories of her suffering.

“Your sister is safe,” I said quietly, slowing down and the maid froze, staring at me in shock. “What… what do you mean, my lady?”

“I looked into the matter,” I told her gently. “She is alive and well. Your father sends his regards. Once I gain enough power, I will stop the abuse you are suffering. And I will pay you enough to return home and live with your family.”

Tears filled her eyes. She looked overwhelmed, her hands trembling as she tried to compose herself. I watched her mouth open and close until she gave me an aggressive nod.

Just as I was about to speak, my maid, Serena came running, out of breath and frantic. “My lady! A guard sent word from your residence. Caspian tried to enter again."

"And? Tell me what happened?" I asked my eyes searching hers for an answer.

"Ryan stopped him, but now there’s a commotion at the entrance. It might even be a fight.”

The moment I heard Ryan’s name, everything sharpened. My pulse spiked and without any help , Iclimbed into the carriage quickly.

“Hurry,” I ordered the driver. “As fast as you can.” The carriage lurched forward. I gripped the seat, heart pounding as we raced back toward my residence. Whatever was happening between Ryan and Caspian, I needed to get there now.