Chapter 11
1436 Words
Sovia’s POV
“Sovia! Wake up!” A soft voice echoed inside my head.
“You have to fight!”
My eyes snapped open, expecting to see the person speaking, but there was nothing.
The room was quiet. Not a single soul in sight. A sharp scent of herbs and medicine twirled through my senses.
“How did I get here?” I mumbled, pressing against the side of my head. A low ache formed.
Slowly, everything started coming back.
Assassins from Darkraven had come after me. Prince Zadekiah saved me.
And the way he stared at me—that murderous smirk—made my insides curl up nervously.
The door opened. Lydia came inside holding a tray of food. Her red hair was knotted up into a ponytail, and she was dressed formally.
“You’re awake. Good. I was beginning to lose faith in those healers.”
I stared at her blankly as she came beside me.
“How are you feeling now?”
I narrowed my eyes at the dish. My mouth watered.
They were all my favorites.
How did she know?
“I’m fine,” I said, sitting up as Lydia reached over to help me.
“Did Mother send you here?”
Lydia only smiled, shaking her head as she tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
“You just woke up, and you’re already thinking about that woman. Eat. You need your strength.”
I paused. Lydia would never speak about our mother like that. I was devoted, but Lydia worshiped at her feet. The only act of defiance was when she fell in love with someone our mother didn’t approve of.
It hadn’t ended well for her.
“Lydia,” I started, trying to choose my words carefully. “Are you okay?”
Lydia shifted closer, brushing my disheveled hair. “Hmm. I’m just happy you’re here.”
My cheeks flamed as I stared at her.
Lydia was smiling at me.
Growing up, I had seen how Lydia took care of everyone. So kind. Pure. Generous. I envied those who had access to her.
Her hand grabbed mine, and her voice lowered with intention. “I heard you wanted to break off your engagement with Janova.”
I felt my heart sink. My mother must have brought her here to try to convince me to continue with the engagement.
The disappointment burned in my mouth. Before I could speak, Lydia chipped in.
“Good.”
“Huh?” My fingers twitched against hers.
Lydia beamed, tapping my hand. “Don’t marry Prince Janova. He’s no good. I’ll tell Father to approve the cancellation.”
“I… I was not really expecting you to say that,” I forced a low chuckle to mask the surprise building up.
“Don’t overthink it. My little sister deserves the best. And Prince Janova isn’t it.”
“And who knows if he isn’t already frolicking with that woman.”
My ears perked up. Did she mean Blossom?
Thinking about yesterday, I remembered seeing Blossom among Lydia’s circle.
“Umm… Lydia. What do you know about that lady Blossom from yesterday?”
Lydia froze. Her grip tightened when I mentioned the name.
She beamed. “Blossom is the daughter of the Chaldean Chief. Her marriage to Prince Zadekiah is meant to bring peace and prevent future conflicts.”
For as long as I could remember, the rogues—also known as the Chaldeans—had been fighting hard to claim lands from Babel State.
This alliance could stop future conflicts, but why did it suddenly happen now?
Who initiated it?
Why didn’t it happen in my past life?
A sharp pain twisted inside my head. I pinched the space between my brows.
Lydia tilted her head, a low amusement pooling over her face.
“What’s going on between you and Prince Zadekiah?”
I snapped my gaze higher. “What do you mean?”
Lydia’s shoulders softened as she inched back. “The whole state is talking about how he fought the Darkraven assassins to protect you.”
I squeezed my palm, tension roping my throat. This wasn’t on my list.
I wanted Zadekiah to remain a secret until I was certain he would be on my side.
“Prince Zadekiah may be ruthless, but he doesn't step into unnecessary conflicts.”
With rumors like this spreading everywhere, my mother would be more cautious. Zadekiah might even become more distant.
No, this wouldn’t do.
“They also said Prince Zadekiah might be the reason why you’re trying to end your engagement.” Lydia paused, studying me carefully. “Is it?”
He wasn’t.
I was only using him to escape my impending doom.
It was dark and twisted—using someone for personal gain because they had tried to help me once.
But what choice did I have?
If I didn’t have a powerful mate, the royal family wouldn’t let me go.
Janova wouldn’t either.
I nodded at Lydia.
She didn’t seem surprised, but she hadn’t expected it either.
In a hushed tone, she said, “You know the rumors surrounding Prince Zadekiah. His madness.”
“Even if you’ve fallen for him, I don’t want you risking your life for love.”
Risking my life for love? I almost wanted to laugh.
Love wasn’t even what drove me to Zadekiah.
Could I even fall in love after what happened to me?
But if Zadekiah agreed to help me, I would treat him well.
“Lydia, it’s fine. I can handle myself. Okay?”
Lydia twisted her lips to the side, considering my words before she released a long breath.
“Sovia, I want you to rely on me…” A low smile touched her lips. “As your sister. I know in the past we kept away from each other, but after…”
Her eyes darted up, gleaming with something that looked like tears.
She took my hand, her grip tight and fierce. “You’re my family. And you’re the most important person to me. I promise not to let anything happen to you, alright?”
My wolf stirred at her words, which shook with nothing but sincerity.
Though I couldn’t fully accept it now. At least not until I knew she truly meant it.
Janova had taught me that words were fickle. Actions were the true revelation of what was actually inside.
Lydia pulled me into her arms, and I found myself sinking into her hold—her warmth.
The door opened. We pulled away from each other.
Looking up, I saw Vanessa, my maid, with a pale face. Her fingers fidgeted together as she refused to look up at me.
“Vanessa, what’s wrong?” I asked.
“L-Luna wants you in the main hall. She said it’s important,” she stuttered.
My heart skipped a few beats. An icy sensation pooled at my spine.
Was she calling about the rumors she had heard about me and Zadekiah?
Vanessa helped me get dressed quickly. My mother hated to be kept waiting. Lydia wasn’t allowed to come inside the main hall.
The guards ushered me inside. My feet dragged against the floor while I tried to keep a tight face.
My mother was seated at her usual spot—a thick, huge chair carved from the finest oak wood. She was leaning back in her seat, eyes closed. Nanny Nicola was positioned beside her, a scowl on her face and hands clasped behind her back.
I opened my mouth to offer my greetings, but a deep sound made me freeze on the spot.
“Sovia, what is this I’m hearing?”
My father was standing by the window, his back to me.
Although I rarely saw him, his deep red hair with streaks of white strands was enough to make him stand out.
His dark coat clung to his figure.
“Good day, Father.” I quickly found my voice.
He didn’t respond. He turned to face me, lips curled downward.
“Did you try to cancel your engagement with Prince Janova?”
Hearing the question, my mother opened her eyes, fixing her gaze right on mine with a deep scoff.
Her brow arched at the edge of her face, daring me to answer him
I didn’t.
His boot pressed intensely against the floor, measuring slow strides until he stood in front of me.
Every hair on my body was erected. I swallowed under his deadly gaze.
He cupped my chin, “I don't care what your reasons may be. You will be wed to Prince Janova in 3 days.”
- Writer
