Chapter 23: Sugary smiles
1405 Words
Diana’s pov
I looked at her and planted on my best smile.
Camille, she was my best friend as we were growing up, and my parents never really liked her.
But I didn’t see it. You grow up with someone, then you stop noticing when they become toxic.
Or I am just a terrible judge of character.
Just look around at everyone in my life right now.
My crush betrayed me, my best friend, and her father spoke badly about my family and me.
And my mate is a f*****g psycho who is ready to murder anyone at the drop of a hat.
And what do all these people have in common?
Oh, me, I am the only common denominator in this whole equation.
I thought they were nice people and tried to befriend them.
You know, once is a mistake, two times it’s a coincidence, and three times is a f*****g pattern.
“Please have a seat.”
She looked at the couch that had a blanket and at the empty bed.
I could see the wheels turning in her head.
So this is why she came in here so early in the morning.
Not only that, she sneaked in at the same time as a servant.
“You slept on the couch.”
Her words were masked with concern, but the glint in her eyes.
Ezra’s obsession, I always hid it from everyone around me.
Even Ezra, he was very good at hiding it from other people as well.
To everyone, we couldn’t stand each other, which was true enough for me.
And I need people to believe that.
To think that I don’t have Ezra’s favour and he bought me here for his own selfish reasons.
Which is true enough, but those reasons don’t need to be known by the world.
“What do you want, Camille?” I asked, trying to sound too exhausted.
And I slept well, better than I have slept in years, actually.
The morning mini orgasm from dry humping Ezra might have helped.
And, I want Camille to think that I might need someone to confide in.
I want her to think that I am helpless but trying my best not to show it.
“I know that you went through a lot for the past few years. And I am sorry that, as your best friend, I wasn’t there for you.”
She got closer and placed her hands on mine with a gentle smile.
“And about Justin, it was an alliance set by our families. We both didn’t have a choice.”
The mocking tone that is supposed to sound gentle made me look at myself.
Who the hell does she think she is fooling?
Kai told me that I would meet people with all kinds of faces and masks.
My training wasn’t just physical, but it was also to identify such people.
That son of a b***h told me that I had a month to find someone who was trying to poison me.
Apparently, some of the vampires under his care weren’t exactly giddy about my presence.
So he would permit them, one by one, he would permit them to murder me however they wanted.
It was supposed to hone my survival skills, and I guess it did.
Because I can smell malicious intent from a mile away.
She doesn’t want to kill me; she is not capable of it.
But one thing is certain: the girl I once thought was my best friend in the whole world doesn’t like me, and she never did.
“It’s okay, I don’t hold a grudge against you or Justin. Life happened.”
I patted the back of her hand just as she had mine.
“Well, good, now, I need to show you around.
A lot of people won’t like you for what happened with your parents.
But I know how strong you are, and remember you are innocent in all of this.”
The sugar in her voice made me want to vomit, but I held it in.
If she wants to play sneaky games, then it takes two to tango.
“Thank you, I would love for you to show me around.”
What is there to show me?
This place was practically my second home.
Especially this part of Ezra’s wing.
He was always dragging me here every time my family and I came to visit.
And someone who had been living here for only a year thinks she is fit to give me a tour.
I followed her out, her brown hair flowing as she walked in front of me.
She had this prep to her step, bouncing around like all is well in the world.
As we were walking, I caught two scents I knew very well.
Similar to Ezra, but at the same time very different.
Their scents were warm and sweet, while Ezra’s scent was cold and bitter.
That would be the best way to describe it.
They both turned their heads and looked at the two of us.
“Hi Agnes, did you get the message? I was hoping I could train with you when you go to the training grounds.”
Her tone was different than when she was talking to me.
It was still dripping with sweetness, but this time it wasn’t fake.
Agnes just stared at her, and my eyes were fixed on the silver strands of her hair.
Ezra’s younger sister is also a Princess.
“I told you, you would only hold us back.”
Agnes’s voice reminded me so much of Ezra.
The only difference is that hers was impatient, as if she was tired of saying the same thing.
You could tell that she is generally a sweet person, but doesn’t like repeating herself over and over again.
I looked at Camille and realized that she reminded me of a leech.
She clings to anyone and tries to suck on them until they are dry.
But in her case, she leeches off those with power.
Agnes’s eyes landed on me, and she frowned.
Turns out she is also not a huge fan of mine, either.
“I can’t believe you, you are willing to marry someone who killed your parents. All for power, your parents are turning in their graves.”
I looked at her, the way she held her head high.
They are proud, proud of the colour of their hair.
“Let’s go and stop wasting our time on these people,” James, the twin brother, said.
Ezra has two younger siblings who are twins.
They were raised by their mother with love and care.
While Ezra was raised by his father with what one would call an iron fist.
While their mother taught them to love, he was taught to hate everything, including his own siblings.
I have heard stories about the Alpha King, how he wouldn’t mind killing his own kin for his own ambitions.
He did try to or succeed in turning his son into a weapon of mass destruction.
“It’s one thing to act ignorant, but another to voice your ignorance for all to hear. We all know the truth, don’t we? You knew that man better than anyone, after all, you call him father.”
I paused on purpose and then shook my head.
“Wait, he didn’t acknowledge you as his kids now, did he? A man who would deny his own kin because they are weak.”
I made sure to emphasize the word weak.
They were talking down on Camille because she is not on their level.
“Even if he did acknowledge you. Who would want a tyrant for a father?” I asked and then walked off.
I left them standing there and processing what I had just said.
I didn’t mean to blow up on them like that.
I had every intention of keeping my mouth shut, but those words rubbed me the wrong way.
“Please forgive her for what she just said. She didn’t mean any of it.
I will make sure I drill into her that she can’t talk back to you like that.”
I heard Camille trying to soothe things over with them.
I needed some air, I just left the room, and yet someone managed to piss me off.
How will I keep my cool in a place like that?
- Writer
