Vow Of Silence

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

1st PERSON: Pelomina Lorenzo-Capiz

Needless to say, the following day, Lykus proved himself true to his words. Because it was barely the c***k of dawn when I was woken up by a gentle nudge from Polly.

I grunted, trying to pry my eyes open, but it seems like such a chore in that moment and hour, “My lady… my lady it’s time,” she whispered softly,

“Please… spare me,” I groaned back, which was apparently amusing for her because soon after that was a giggle,

“I’m afraid I can’t do that my lady, the lord calls for you and he insists you wake up and have a light meal,” she explained, I’ll end up having to wake up early either way so there’s no reason for me to try and stop this from happening. Clearly, it’s time. I would’ve been more giddy and excited about it if I wasn’t woken at this ungodly hour.

I know Lykus said early, but it's before daybreak! Even the sun is still sleepy. Either way, I groggily sat up and groaned myself out of bed. Polly was watching all of this happen with a patient and amused smile and she carefully put me in a more appropriate dress and not a chemise that I slept in.

My eyes were barely adjusting and I could feel like I was falling forwards with every step after exiting my room. I know that I was nodding off. I know I’ll get over the morning grogginess eventually, but this one feels so long. My eyelids were so heavy and my back was aching for a soft cushion to rest on,

In fact, I was so out of it that I didn’t even notice we were in some dining room. I remember this; we ate in this room before. It’s kind of funny that we barely use it.

At the other end of the table, I saw something that greatly resembled Lykus, or a very large, fancy chair.

“Wife, wel—are you alright?” I heard his voice, which would indicate that the large figure was indeed him. He further approved this conclusion as he stood up abruptly and ran to me, taking my arms that were linked with Polly into his,

“What happened?” He asked Polly,

She tried to stifle her giggle, but it was still audible, “The lady… is sleepy, my lord,” she answered and Lykus sighed before I felt his hands and arms creep up on my back and it took me a few seconds to realize that my feet were off the ground, once the thuds of his steps reverberated through my body did I also realize that he was carrying me, bridal style at that, to his seat.

Once we reached a stop, I was somewhat more conscious enough to tell that I was sitting on his lap.

‘... okay, we did not mean for it to get this far—’

“Wife, you could sleep once we’re on the road, but really do need to prepare for our leave,” he explained, pulling me tighter against his chest that I felt his pecs squish a little, yet he didn't mind instead he scooped a spoonful of a soup of some sort and gently placed it on my lip,

“Try to fill up,” he said.

‘AHHHHH—’

I gently parted my lips and sipped the soup—oh… this thing is DELICIOUS. I licked my lips as the energy and hunger finally worked through my brain, making me straighten my back as I sat up.

“Awake for soup, but not for a coronation?” he commented, and I cleared my throat as I dusted myself, looking away from him,

“I’m very sorry about that, my lord, now if you would please—” I trailed off, trying to pull away from him so I could sit down on a separate chair since there’s a lot of it after all, but a small tug from the arm that snaked around my abdomen stopped it from happening anytime soon,

“Are you sure you’re awake enough to sit on your own?” he asked, leaning forward to peek at me on the side of my face.

‘Lykus, please cooperate with me—I’m too busy to develop actual feelings for you!’

I coughed, trying to hide the embarrassment and maybe the itch in my throat would remind me of the walking thorn that’s a Lady whose name starts with ‘M’ and ends with ‘arriane’ and the things she did to annoy me and literally everyone in the castle except Lykus.

I need that stored-up anger to steer away from the jail cell of affection and affirmation that is called Lykus.

I nodded at him and with noticeable displeasure; he loosened his hold on me but I still ended up having to use some force to scuffle out of his grasp. I ate my portion that was moved to the seat adjacent to Lykus’s instead of being at the other end of the long table.

A big gap was erased from when we ate at the same time at this same table.

We both ate in silence if it weren't for Lykus’ constant fusing over me like I’m a child he brought along to eat at some family restaurant. Once we were done, things got even more hectic. Waiting just right outside the dining room were my three attendants, Java, Eustace, and Keion. Equipped with the instrument they’ll use on me to make me ‘coronation ceremony-attendee’ material.

“My lady, quickly, quickly!” Java ushered, escorting me to my bedroom after giving both Lykus and I a deep bow.

I nodded at Lykus as I got dragged away back to my bedroom, where the dress was already prepared and laid out on my bed. I sat down on the vanity chair as both Java and Eustace wiped me down while Keion did my hair. She even put on some sort of fragrant oil on it, or at least that’s what I think it is.

After that was the dress, and with that done makeup was applied. But I could hardly call it makeup, all that was applied was light lipstick and blush, and that thing tasted bad. Then again, I wasn’t supposed to taste it but it’s literally on my lips. How could I not?

After sharp hisses and hushed clamoring from the three of them, we were done in a hot minute. It was a bit disorienting, yes, but the speed at which they accomplished this final look is… fast. Very fast.

I stood in the mirror with a full view of how I looked. I LOOK FREAKING AMAZING! It’s hard not to sound like a narcissist with that sentence, but let’s be honest, I’m also more or less just an audience, watching people make the real Lady Pelomina look more beautiful than she already is.

I’m not looking at myself in this mirror… I’m looking at her… and she is beautiful. Too beautiful.

“I know I’ve said this a thousand times before…” Java trailed off, looking at the other who agreed with whatever she was going to say with a nod, “You are very beautiful, my lady… without question,” she finished and I tried to hide the smile with a smile that looked so convincing with this face,

“Thank you, Java, you’re too kind,” I replied as I traced the small gemstones on the necklace that I chose the other day. It blended beautifully with the dress. There was no question that Lady Pelomina is indeed a gorgeous woman.

They guided me outside, and as we walked, we saw other servants carrying boxes heading in the same direction. The main entrance s***h exit of the castle, and once we’re close enough, I was able to make out the medieval counterpart of a small cargo truck and I’ll be darned if someone irrationally convinces me that this is supposed to be a carriage when it really just looks like a small luxurious hut.

I didn’t see Lykus close by and when I finally got close to this ‘carriage’, if I’m supposed to call it that, I noticed Lily’s ominous body leading the herd of horses, four of them.

Since Lykus wasn’t around and I didn't know what to do from this point on and the servants were busy with their own thing, I just went ahead and approached Lily, and my… doesn’t she look wonderful today? She gently nuzzled my hands as I patted the top of her head which is adorned with multi-colored gems that seem to be stuck on her with glue.

“Don’t you look beautiful, Lily,” I commented, and she purred as if she understood that I’m complimenting her, she must have known too because she started showing off the gems on her head, more than that she was wearing fancy reins with glimmering fringes.

I chuckled as she did so and turned to me with her wide bright eyes, blinking at me with an innocent expression, and… IT WAS SO CUTE! HOW?! She’s a dragon, for Pete’s sake. How could one killing machine be this adorable?

“Absolutely beautiful, look at you, so so cute ~ this little girl—”

“I see you’re also becoming to be a doting parent when it comes to Lily,” the remark was made by none other than Lykus, I booped Lily’s nose one more time before spinning on my heel to face—augh… w-what the heck.

“You look amazing…”

Lykus stifled a laugh and covered his lips with a clenched fist, trying to hide the smile that followed soon after his surprise expression. And I realized…

I said that. Those words didn’t just materialize into thin air. I actually said them with my own lips.

‘Is this ground still unable to swallow me whole and let me die in a hole of shame?’

“Thank you, Pelo,” he answered after clearing his throat. The air was so painfully tense that even while being outdoors, in parameters exceeding the need for a wide open space, I felt like I was suffocating. Which wasn’t fun. Obviously. Still, it would only add to the shame if I ignored his acknowledgment of my not-so-listless compliment.

I looked away, nodding to him with a wave of my hand, none of which felt and looked remotely natural, moreover, because an awkward laugh followed suit. It felt like I wasn’t in control of my body, and it baffles me that because I might be more or less in autopilot mode, all of this just means that I am naturally uncomfortable with anything.

“I’m sure you’re tired of hearing this… but you are also very beautiful—exquisite, even,” Lykus said in response,

I hummed and tilted my head in an attempt to keep my ground and focus. He’s using big words now, upgrading his vocabulary—Men with intellect are so darned attractive. I hate this.

“Y-You are too kind, it was Java, Eustace, and Keion who did such a great job of dressing me up,” I replied and he scoffed, looking away and reaching his hand out to me. I placed my hand on his. He ended up leaning down that he almost seemed like he doubled over, just to place a soft kiss on the back of my hand before tilting his head at me, a smug grin on his lips,

“Wife… every woman in that gathering could wear the same dress,” he began, leading me to the doors of the carriage, “Yet none of them would still be as beautiful as you,” he proclaimed, guiding me up the steps until I comfortably entered inside the spacious carriage—is that freaking bed?

‘...no really, is that a bed?’

“My lord… there seems to be a bed in the carriage,” I noted and he nodded with a small smile,

“Yes, I recall saying that you can sleep on the road,” he began, motioning to the bed as he sat on the bench, “And so I provided a bed to make sure you’d be comfortable,” he finished with, crossing his arms over his chest with a proud face.

A man could really take note of how sleepy his wife is and put a whole-darned bed in a carriage, but not notice when some other woman is trying to feel them up.

‘... this is going to be a long ride,’