Throne of Burden

Chapter Four

At a point, Rigo of Abbalone's attention was needed elsewhere and I was left alone. It was as though the whole world received notice that I wanted to be left alone. Even as the guests began to disperse the music continued to play. At some point, I turned toward the huge window overseeing the view from the waterfall and the reality of today's event dawned on me. I had become king Redryn Valtor's wife and there was no going back.

My heart constricted at the thought that I had just married the widower of my late sister. I placed my crown on one of the covered tables as it began to weigh heavily in my hand. I would have retreated to my room, but I would not hear the end of it from Mother.

I could feel eyes on me, and I could sense their scrutiny and questions in their gazes. Most of them had never heard of me before, I was that daughter they had never seen before. My gown twirled as I turned in their direction, and they didn't bother to cover up their stares. I raised my glass in their direction before downing it, I placed the cup down before turning to walk in the direction of my room. I didn't want to stay there any longer, even though it was my party, I felt like I had gatecrashed it.

As I made to climb the stairs, Mother rushed out of the kitchen, her left brow raised, trying to see past my facade "Thysera, where are you going",

" Up", I simply replied.

Her voice grew stern as she reproached "You can not leave your guests, they are here for you",

I resumed ascending the stairs not bothering to respond to her. What I needed currently was space, I don't care about losing whatever face.

" Thysera", She warned, but she paid her no heed. I pulled at the clip pining my hair together and my head lightened as it cascaded down my back.

"This is why I miss Carlotta, she was not like this when she wedded" " she muttered between her gritted teeth, then tutted in disapproval. She did it intentionally knowing I would hear her because of our sensitive hearing. Not heeding her warning disrespected her, so she wanted to cut me with her words.

My steps paused for a minute before I continued. Knowing Mother, she just wanted to start an argument that would end up with her being the victim. I'll never fall for that.

" Benita", I heard Father's voice as he chastised her.

"What", Mother said with an oblivious tone.

" If Carlotta was here....", She started to say before father cut her short "Enough", it was low, but deep and guttural.

If only she was here, I wouldn't be in this predicament.

"Cut her some slacks", Father added.

" I'll have the help send up some food, have a good rest, Sera", Father's soft voice chased after me and I hummed in reply. His voice always finds ways of unknotting my taunt nerves.

The moment I stepped into my room my shoulder slacked as the heaviness settled in. I took off the dangling earrings pulling at my earlobe and the diamond incrust necklace then dropped them on the vanity. I pulled at the red silk dress and I watched as it softly glided down my body before pooling at my feet. I picked it up and walked into the closet with my diamond-embedded heels still on. A sigh passed my lips at the sight of the nearly empty closet.

Mother could bearly wait for me to leave. It's like one way or the other she is constantly reminding me that I'm leaving home.

I dropped the dress in the hamper before taking off the shoes and placing them on the shoe rack. Pulling off two of the towels neatly arranged in the wardrobe, I headed for the bathroom.

I took a quick shower and sat on the stool in front of the mirror to wipe my hair, when it was half-dried I tossed the used towels in the hamper. I lay on the bed and pulled at the sheet to cover my n***d body and soon I was out as light.

The next day, I walked down the stairs in black boyfriend jeans and a black silk shirt paired with silver heels.

The king and his entourage were there just like the last time they came for Carlotta.

I was quick to get rid of such thoughts.

"Morning", I muttered, not bothering to wait for the help to pull my seat, I sat down.

Mother glared in my direction, and I could her eyes urging me to look her way.

A series of replies sounded around. Rigo smiled in my direction and I tilted my head to the left in acknowledgment. On King Redryn's left is his sister and on his right is Rigo.

One of the helpers placed a plate of casserole and a glass of blood before me, and I noticed him exchange a glance with Loisa who was sitting opposite me. Speaking of which, he looked new.

" Did you not see the dress left on the hanger", Mother called out as she focused on the food she was picking at.

I looked in her direction wondering why she would not let this go even though we had guests.

"I did", I softly replied not wanting to be disrespectful.

She looked up at me and I saw the question in her gaze "So, why didn't you wear it",

" Because I'm an adult", I left it at that. I was an adult and I could choose what to wear. I was not going to wear the princess-style dress that suited Carlotta's taste, it wasn't my style. Plus, I didn't want to dress like someone else just to have his attention, I did not want his attention.

Mother's lips paused in disapproval "It took people effort to prepare that dress",

"People who are being paid for their job, Mama", Loisa injected and smiled innocently. She became the subject of Mother's glare.

She knew our mother disliked being called Mama, she said only a babe would call her mother that.

Father cleared his throat and gave Loisa a pointed look.

" So..." Father stated after he wiped off the nonexistent crumbs on his lips "You will be leaving for Tenebrous before night falls, your Majesty", Father added.

My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach and the bolus in my mouth became stone-like, but that didn't stop me. I continued to fork some food and shove it into my mouth even though it had lost its taste. I looked up into Loisa's worried gaze as she looked over me.

" I'm fine", I telepathed to her, but she did not look convinced.

"Yes, once she's ready", King Redryn replied in his deep baritone voice. An unprecedented fury burned from my chest and I almost could not contain it. A confused look crossed my face as I wondered what that fury was about, I had never been angry and if I had before, I had long forgotten what it felt like.

" You are all ready, are you not? Mother smiled in my direction.

I didn't bother to reply to her question, I raised my glass to take a sip. If she was trying to prove she had me contained, then she was only embarrassing herself and would not allow her to bring out the worst in me.

"There are only two of us left and you can't wait for one of us to leave? Loisa tilted her head to the left in question as she giggled softly even though her reply was anything but funny.

The air grew stagnant and the words Mother wanted to add died in her mouth. I paid no heed as I rested back on my chair with my elbow on the armrest supporting my chin.

" Loisa", Father's voice deepens in a warning.

"What", She smirked " I just said the truth", she lightly shrugged.

Barely a minute had passed before someone thought we had had enough peace.

A soft gentle voice whispered spitefully "You must be happy, Thysera",

" Laura, you are here", Loisa sounded genuinely surprised but I knew better. Of course, she's here. She was Mother's second favorite.

"You are just a substitute", Laura muttered

" And you are unwanted", Loisa countered.

"Aunt Nita wants me here", Laura smirked in victory.

" Well, she isn't the one getting married", Laura's smirk dropped at her reply, her gaze sharpening viciously, she was probably wishing she was in my place. Too bad.

Their back and forth was giving me a headache, so I rubbed my head to ease it.

The moment Laura opened her mouth to chip in another spiteful word, a clamor came from the outside.

Butler Josef walked in as Father dropped his glass.

"What is going on Josef",

Josef's brow furrowed in confusion " They seem to be here for My Queen",

All eyes looked expectantly in my direction as the clamor grew louder. I placed the glass of blood soundlessly on the table and I made my way towards the entrance with the others behind me.