The Rejected Mate
1284 Words
ZARA’s POV
“Hurry up, the challenge is in few days”
The palace guards and maids moved to and fro, fully hooked with the preparation for the singing competition.
“Don’t drop it there. Bring it over here” Another head maid ordered.
The challenge is a great event at Golden Castle. An opportunity for the palace and nobles to select their choice participants as personal minstrels, concubines or maids. Many maidens looked forward to it. Who would throw away an opportunity to live the royal palace of Golden Castle?
The ongoing preparatory routines made it easy for me to navigate my way to into the throne room without interruptions or fear of being seen.
This should have been my dad’s place, but—
Allowing my hands caress the throne and the magnificence of the palace, the sudden entrance of the king startled me.
“Your Majesty” I bowed, cold shivers running down my spine as the king drew closer to me in the throne room.
He should be sleeping by this time, I wondered why he stepped out so early as if someone would take the throne.
That’s what happens when you steal from others, no peace.
He raised a hand.
“How is Ethan?” He interrupted my thoughts, as he adjusts his sitting position on the throne.
“I’m here, why ask her: father?” Ethan said, emotionless as he walked ostentatiously into the throne room.
My eyes ran through him from head to toe, he’s still as charming as ever. His light-skinned complexion kept stirring electric sensations within me: I bit my lips.
“Still as hardened as ever, your majesty.” I winked at him.
“Then break him”
“Your Majesty” I blurted, lowering my head.
“Excuse us” he ordered. I bowed, walking majestically out of the throne room with my shoulders high. Taking the right turn, I headed straight to Ethan’s quarters. I see his chief maid at the doorway.
“You can’t go in!” She said, straight face.
“Excuse me” I arched a brow
“I’m sorry, my Lady, just following instructions”
Irked already, I shoved her aside and marched off to his room. My eyes popped as a lady lay on the bed with a towel gently wrapped across her chest.
She must have spent the night with Prince Ethan, my heart shattered into a million pieces.
“Get out” I yelled, “And don’t you dare come back” I cussed out, throwing pillows at the lady. She snagged her belongings and ran out of the room. I collapsed on the bed, burying my face within my palm as I groaned.
ETHAN’s POV
I don’t care the arrangement between father and Zara’s, but there’s no way I’m accepting Zara as my mate. The mere sight of her makes me want to puke.
“Stop it, father! I don’t like her”
“Why?”
“I don’t know—, I just can’t stand her”
“You can: you just haven’t decided.” I stared at the king as he waved his face with the fan crafted from the feathers of a mystic bird. He values it so much that he declines anyone from touching it.
“It’s all in the mind, son.” He added.
“Father”
“No objections!
“Zara is your mate. Man up to it. She has been waiting for you for over twenty years, the earlier you accept it and pick a wedding date the better for you. Don’t test my patience”
“Urg— I blurted, turning to leave.
“The singing challenge is in few days. You can get a concubine?” He asked.
Looking over my shoulders, “I don’t need a woman, father! Excuse me” I bowed.
Wrinkled face, I took quick step to my quarters, with little concern for who or what was by my side.
Shrinking my face at the site of my chief maid, “What is it?” I inquired.
“It’s lady, Zara”
“You allowed her into my quarters?” I thundered.
“No— she forced her way”
I exhaled. “Get out” I thundered. “Never appear before me again”
She fell on her knees pleading and crying but it was too late. My rules are my rules.
I stormed into my room, but the lady I left was not in sight. I checked the rest room, it was empty.
“She’s not here” Zara revealed, drying her eyes.
“I thought you’ve been avoiding women? What changed?” She asked, standing with her hands akimbo
Last night was the worst ever: the nightmares from twenty years ago intensified. The little girl I bit keeps frustrating my sleep.
I thought bring a woman to share the night with me will make it go away, but it didn’t. Even with her natural endowment calling me, I left her alone at midnight and spent the night at the balcony, watching the rain patter on the tender grass.
“Who gave you the right to dismiss my guest?” I glared, standing close to her.
“That cheap— she leaned in. Our lips met in a tender kiss. I wrapped my hands around her, her lips parted for more: I obliged.
We took gentle steps backwards, and collapsed on the bed. Her hands reached for her gown, sliding it down her shoulders.
I stared at her, allowing my head to rest on my hands.
“Cheap like this?” I cussed out, rising on my feet.
I watched her sit pitifully on the bed, regretting her very existence. She had craved this for ages, I wanted to give in but I couldn’t.
I batted my eyes, enveloped with guilt Guilt. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, but there was nothing I could do.
This isn’t about Zara or any other woman, I just want to deal with my demons, everyone should let me breathe.
“I’m sorry, Zara!” “I will never accept you, please Please don’t come back”
Her face wrinkled into tears. She stood up and marched to the door.
“If it will make you feel better, you’re the first woman I’ve kissed in twenty years” she gripped her lips. Exhaling, she walked out of my room without looking back.
I threw punches at my bed, Dustin walks in.
“What’s wrong with Zara?” He asked
“Why not ask her?”
“She won’t breathe a word”
“Then let her be”
“You’ve been skipping our regular games and hangouts?
“Even the blind knows I’m avoiding you” I raised my brow
“Is this a joke or what?” Dustin stared at me narrowed eyes
“Get out”
Looking at me with a quizzical look, he parted his lips in a partial smile and plodded out of my room.
I returned to the throne room.
“Father, what will happen if I don’t marry Zara?”
LORD RAGNAR’s POV
“What happened?” I thundered, walking towards my children.
Seeing both of them walk into our quarters in anger, my heart raced. What could have happened?
“Zara”
“Father,” she collapsed into my hands.
“What happened?”
“Ethan” she sobbed
“That Bastard” I thundered
“The war drum has been triggered. Get ready to dance, Dearest king Leo and tiny little Prince” I spat.
Patting Zara gently, I let her stay on her own.
“Meet me at the Study, now” I glared at Dustin
- Writer
